Love Will Tell Us Where To Go

Chloe has been staying at my house for almost a week and I still can’t believe it. I can’t get over how much she’s changed and yet at the same time is the same. She’s so pretty.

Her parents came with her of course, but they’re not staying at my house.They’re taking the opportunity to have a vacation by themselves.

We have so much to catch up on, we end up talking almost constantly. Harry is at my house almost just as much as usual. Sometimes he’ll Skype with his friends when we’re talking. He’s getting everything planned for them to come to my house on New Years Eve; tonight.

Harry, Chloe and I are setting up the back yard. We have chairs placed around a pile of wood that will be the fire pit later. A portable speaker that I will connect with my iPod is placed in between the fire pit area and the trampoline.

I got some Christmas lights and hung them on some trees to make sure we will be able to see well. I also have pathway lights set up so we can see coming and going. We are pretty far into the woods, so the lights start all the way to the beginning of the pathway.

Because Harry’s friends and their girlfriends live so far away and will be here so late, they’ll be spending the night. That’s why we decided that it would be more fun to set up some tents and sleep in them instead of sleeping in the house.

“I don’t think you’re doing it right.” Harry ignores me and continues his attempt at putting up the tent. “Harry…babe…”

“I almost have it. I swear. I just need to…” he does some more fiddling around before letting go and throwing his hands in the air. “This thing makes no sense.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Am I amusing you?” he says with a smirk.

“It can’t be that hard.” I say as I look over at Chloe who almost has the second of four tents up.

“Ok. If it’s so easy, then you do it.” He takes a step back and motions for me to get started.

I set it up in ten minutes.

“You cheated!” Harry exclaims when I finish.

“Reading the instructions is not cheating!”

“Yeah, well…I could have done it if I had read the instructions.”

“I’m sure you could have.” I say as I take his hand. He smiles at me before kissing me lightly.

We walk over to Chloe hand in hand. She’s putting some songs on my iPod in a playlist.

“Could you guys stop being such an adorable couple for five minutes? It’s like a constant reminder of how single I am.”

I walk over to Chloe and give her a hug. “Aww, don’t be sad. You’ll get one soon enough.”

“How about tonight? Is tonight good?” she asks with a laugh. “Sorry, but you’re with us tonight.”

“Hey Harry, any of your friends single?” We both laugh. I know she was just kidding, but I don’t think he knows that.

“Actually, yes.”

“Wait, what?” she asks her laughter fades. “Harry…no…you don’t need to set me up with-“

“I bet he’s going to like you!” he says obviously not paying attention to her.

“That’s really nice of you, but…I don’t know…isn’t it kind of weird? What if he doesn’t like me?”

“Calm down.” Harry says with a smile. “Just talk to him, be nice. If you like him, just let me know and I’ll find out from him if he likes you. And who knows, maybe he’ll make a move before you even say something to me. His name is Niall, by the way.”

Chloe begins to blush. “Great, now I’m really nervous.”

“I’m sorry.” Harry replies. “I really do think you guys will like each other.”

“It’s fine.” she says. “It’s a good kind of nervous.”

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“This is all of the food we need, right?” Chloe asks as she closes the cooler. We have hot dogs, chips, and sodas. Then for later on at midnight we can have hot chocolate.

“Yeah. That should be enough.” I reply.

“They should be here any minute.” Harry says as he takes out his phone. “Oh hey, I just got a text. They just got here. They’re following the path. They said nice touch.”

I smile as I get more excited. I can’t wait to meet his friends.

I go and sit next to Chloe. It’s almost four and it’s already getting dark. “We better start the fire soon.” I say just as I hear Harry scream followed by others.

I turn my head to see the chaos and almost die of laughter. Harry is running at full speed towards four guys who are doing just the same. They collide and a group hug is formed. The laughter alone could make anyone smile.

Their girlfriends stand to the side and laugh.
I begin to walk over to them, but stop when I see that Chloe hasn’t moved. “Come with me!”

“I’ll just wait here.” she smiles but I know what’s going on. I may not have seen her in person for years but I know my best friend.

“Don’t be nervous!” I tell her. She rolls her eyes.

By the time I walk over to them, the group hug has ended. Now they are all smiling and talking at the same time.

“There she is!” the blond one says. That has to be Niall.

“Oh, wow. It is! It’s the Megan!” I’m pretty sure that’s Louis.

I laugh as I begin to blush.

“Awww, come on guys. Look what you did.” I know that’s Liam.

“Time for another group hug!” the one I’m pretty sure is Zayn says as I am quickly engulfed by five guys. It’s pretty awesome since it’s so cold.

“Alright, guys. Let’s not suffocate her.” Liam says before they all take a few steps back. Except for Harry, who is right next to me.

“Megan, I would like you to meet Niall, Louis, Liam, and Zayn.” He points to each of them as he says their names. I was actually right about all of them.

Their girlfriends walk over and join us.

“This is Perrie, Zayn’s girlfriend, Eleanor, who is Louis’ girlfriend, and this is Danielle, Liam’s girlfriend.”

They all say hello to me and I can’t help but feel insecure. They’re all so ridiculously pretty.

“It’s great to finally meet the girl he’s been talking about for so long.” Louis says as he playfully hits Harry.

“So, are you guys hungry or?” Harry asks to change the subject. Normally I would let him, but that’s not happening right now.

“Oh, really?” I say as I walk up to Louis. “What has he said about me exactly?”

All of the guys look at Harry at once so I turn to do the same. Just as I look at him he stops shaking his head as a signal for Louis to not say something. He smiles cheekily as soon as he is caught.

“Come on, Harry. I’m sure she would love to hear how heartbroken you were when she dumped you.”

“I didn’t dump him!” I exclaim. “I said we were taking a break…technically…”

They all laugh. “Well, either way he was miserable without you.”

“He really was.” Niall says as he walks up next to me. “At least me being single made him feel a little better. You’re welcome, by the way.”

Harry rolls his eyes. “Thanks. I know you were staying single just for me so I know it must have been hard.”

“No problem buddy.” he replies.

“This place looks awesome, Megan.” Liam tells me just as Niall walks away and sits next to Chloe. Oh my gosh they actually might get together.

“Thanks, Liam. I have to admit, Harry helped.” I wrap my arm around Harry’s. It’s pretty cold.

“We better start setting up the rest of the tents. It’s getting dark.” Danielle says.

“I think you’re right.” I reply. “Just don’t ask Harry to do it.”

I don’t even have to explain that Harry is really bad at it. They all just laugh. And it’s in that moment that I realize just how great this night is going to be.

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Once we finish setting up all all four tents, we all get a hot dog and start cooking by the fire.
For the most part we discuss random things that sometimes ends up breaking off into separate branched off conversations between a few people, but sometimes all of the attention was focused on me. I told them a bit about my mom and how much I’ve moved. They kept it pretty brief though. Harry probably told them to not talk too much about it before hand.

I liked when the topic was about them more. I find it so fun and interesting to get to know the only people Harry is close with outside of his family besides me.

Louis is hilarious. A bit loud at times, but hilarious. Him and his girlfriend Eleanor are so adorable. She is quiet and shy like me. Every once in a while he’ll say something to her and they’ll both laugh quietly and their inside joke. I know single people hate seeing couples act like that, but now that I’m no longer single, seeing them so happy makes me even happier.

Zayn can be quiet at times but is funny as well. They are very similar to Lou and Eleanor, except Perrie can be much more outgoing. They look so good together. Probably because they are both so attractive.

Liam and Danielle are so sweet. They’re so nice and funny and just…I love them. I’m pretty sure Liam is the most mature one here.

Nial is as hilarious and outgoing as Louis. His laugh is contagious. Like, seriously. I wish I could have heard him laugh during the times I was depressed because it would have cheered me up.
Niall talks to Chloe a lot. He makes her laugh and smile and I think she’s making him do the same. They really do seem like they would be an amazing couple.

I definitely ship it.

After we get through eating we take turns telling scary stories. Louis tells the best one.
Then we play a game of flashlight capture the flag. This leads to a lot of screaming after all of those scary stories. It’s also a girls vs guys thing so the competition is hilarious.

And of course the girls win because you could not pay those boys to be quiet for more than one minute.

We decide to do something more calm next. It’s also something I’ve been waiting for. Singing!

“So, I heard you guys sound pretty awesome together.” I say as Niall grabs his guitar.

“You bet.” Harry says with a wink.

“They really are.” Perrie says.

“I would love to hear you guys.” I say as I look over at Harry. I’ve heard Harry sing a bit since the day we got back together, but only along with the radio.

“What song?” Harry asks as he looks around at the guys.

“I know one that would make Megan happy.” Zayn says with a smile.

“Is it that one we helped him write that’s about her? Ya know, the one we finished a day or two before-” Liam says before Louis interrupts.

“Oh, yeah..yeah, let’s do that one!”

“Sounds good to me.” Harry says. He’s blushing.

“Wow, another song for me? I don’t know how much of this I can take.” I say with a smile. I really mean it though. I really don’t want to cry in front of all of these people.

All of the guys get closer together as Niall begins strumming his guitar. “Are you ready, Megan?”

Niall says with a smile.

I laugh as I reply, “Yes.”

“This song is called, Strong.”

Zayn quickly gets up and hands me a piece of paper with the lyrics on them.

When I heard “Don’t Let Me Go” I thought it was one of the most beautiful songs ever. I never could have imagined a song even more beautiful would be written for for me.

I was wrong.

I read the lyrics as they sing.

My hands,
Your hands
Tied up
Like two ships.

Drifting
Weightless.
Waves try to break it.
I’d do anything to save it.
Why is it so hard to say it?

My heart,
Your heart
Sit tight like book ends.

Pages
Between us
Written with no end.
So many words we’re not saying.
Don’t wanna wait ‘til it’s gone.
You make me strong.

I’m sorry if I say, “I need you.”
But I don’t care,
I’m not scared of love.
‘Cause when I’m not with you I’m weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong
That you make me strong?

Think of
How much
Love that’s been wasted.

People
Always
Trying to escape it.
Move on to stop their heart breaking.
But there’s nothing I’m running from.
You make me strong.

I’m sorry if I say, “I need you.”
But I don’t care,
I’m not scared of love.
‘Cause when I’m not with you I’m weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?

So, baby, hold on to my heart, oh, oh.
Need you to keep me from falling apart.
I’ll always hold on.
‘Cause you make me strong.

I’m sorry if I say, “I need you.”
But I don’t care.
I’m not scared of love.
‘Cause when I’m not with you I’m weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?

I’m sorry if I say, “I need you.”
But I don’t care,
I’m not scared of love.
‘Cause when I’m not with you I’m weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong
That you make me strong?

I’m sorry if I say, “I need you.”
But I don’t care,
I’m not scared of love.
‘Cause when I’m not with you I’m weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong
That you make me strong?

I know that I am biased, but they sound amazing. They harmonize so well. I seriously could see them being famous one day.

I walk over to Harry and hug him. I’m still standing up, but then Harry pulls me down to where I am sitting on his lap. He kisses me lightly on the lips.

“Whoa, hey now!” Niall exclaims.

“We don’t want to see that!” Louis says.

We just laugh.

"You guys really do sound amazing.” I tell them as I continue to sit in his lap.

They all thank me. “You guys should be a band.” I add.

“That’s what I’ve told them!” Eleanor says and Danielle agrees.

“Me too!” Perrie says. “If I had the opportunity to be in a band, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

“One day…” Niall says with a raised eyebrow. “You never know!” he adds with a laugh.
I know it seems far fetched, but for some reason…a part of me really is counting on it happening one day.

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We make our hot chocolate a bit before midnight. It takes a while because we have to go inside to make them.

“Thirty more minutes to go!” Liam says as we all gather around the fire.

After that the conversations end up being between couples; including Niall and Chloe.
But after a while we start talking about new years resolutions and things we plan on or hope to happen in the upcoming year.

“My resolution is to never give up on us and to find a way to stay together against all odds.” Harry says. I look at him in awe. He can say the sweetest things out of no where.

“That’s mine too.” I smile as everyone says “Awww.” in unison.

“I forgot, when are you suppose to leave?” Zayn asks.

“February.” I reply. “I’ll be going to Australia…the other side of the world.”

There’s an awkward silence that lasts longer than I expected. I guess Harry and I have become so determined to not get sad about our situation we tend to forget just how sad it really is.
Just when I think I’ll have to be the one to talk again first, Louis does.

“Don’t go.”

Everyone looks at him.

“What?” I ask.

“Just don’t go.”

I let out a small laugh. “I can’t just not go.”

“Maybe you could threaten to stay and your mom would let you.” Liam says.
It’s so sweet that their genuinely trying to help, but they just don’t understand. Nothing on this earth could make my mother not go to Australia.

“That won’t work on my mother.” I reply. “The only way I’ll be getting out of going is if I run away.”

I start to laugh and so does Harry. Soon everyone else does too.

“Could you imagine that?” I say jokingly.

“I know right?” Harry replies. “She can’t make you go if she doesn’t know where you are!”

A few more comments are made by others before the laughter dies down. And then in the middle of silence that immediately follows, Louis says with a smile, “I think you should do it.”

I look at him like he’s crazy.

“Don’t look at me like that!” he says. “Come on, think about it. Where do you live Chloe?”

“Minneapolis, Minnesota…why?” Chloe replies.

“You guys have been friends for a long time, right?” He doesn’t give her time to respond. “Maybe your mom would let them stay with you guys. I mean, she knows how horrible the situation is. Surely she would help.”

I think a moment. Of course I’ve thought about leaving home before, but not seriously. Not until Harry, that is.

“But Louis, I’m not eighteen yet. I can’t leave home legally until then.”

“Don’t you think your mom would realize how trapped you feel if you do that though? I doubt she’d call the cops. As long as you left a note telling her you weren’t kidnapped or anything…”

My mind has a million thoughts spinning around as I go back and forth between thinking it’s a great idea and questioning my sanity.

“or maybe…you know what? You could tell her your visiting Chloe so you won’t have to sneak out. No, then she’ll know where you are…”

“Tell her you’re visiting one of Harry’s relatives!” Niall says chiming in.

Then suddenly everyone joins in on the discussion except for Harry. I look at him to see he was already looking at me. “That idea is crazy.” I say. “Right?”

“Oh, yeah…definitely.” he says as he nods in agreement. “But then again…”

“Harry…”

“Your mom really doesn’t seem to care what you do.”

“She’s been making me get more involved with her work recently!” I say. “Besides, running away is a bit different.”

“But like Niall said, if we say we’re visiting one of my relatives…and with my family…that would buy us time.”

I take his hands in mine and look into the eyes of the guy I love. Maybe he’s right. Maybe we should just run away. After all, my mom has treated me horribly my whole life. We’ve never been close. Not even when I was young. Not even when I went to school with Chloe.
I grew up with nannies before I was left to be on my own at both home and in the large crowds at the several schools I’ve been to.

I’m not close to my mother, but she has always told me that you have to take risks in life. Do things that won’t guarantee you success but act as if it's going to. She says that’s the only way to succeed in life; the only way to get what you want is to do things that may hurt others and that some may not like.

For the first time in my life I just might take that advice.

“What are you thinking about?” Harry asks.

“That we just might do it.” I say with a smile.

His eyes light up. “Really? Are you serious or-really?”

I laugh. “Maybe. We’ll talk about it more later.” We kiss briefly before I try to get everyone to stop talking so they can all hear me.

“Thank you for the advice, Louis. We’ll think about it.” I say before adding, “I mean, assuming Chloe is ok with it.”

“Heck yeah, I am.” She says with a smile.

“Really?” Louis asks. “If you guys decide to do it, let me know and I’ll help you if you need me to.” Then he adds, “And if it goes well, you’re welcome. If it doesn’t, uhh…I got the idea from Niall.”

We all laugh and start talking again. And before we know it, it’s almost midnight.

We all countdown as Niall looks at his phone for the correct time, and at midnight, we each kiss our significant other.

“Happy new year, love.” Harry says after we kiss.

“Happy new year to you too, babe.” I reply.

“And here’s to many more.” he says before we kiss once again.

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Conversations continue for a while longer, but soon everyone is ready to get in their tent and sleep. Chloe and I in one, and Harry and Niall in another. Eleanor, Perrie, and Danielle will share one, and so will Louis, Liam, and Zayn.

All of the couples talk to each other before going to their separate tents. I even see Niall kiss Chloe on the cheek.

“You know we don’t have to actually do that, right?” Harry asks before we part. “Louis is crazy like that, ya know? He really is trying to help, but..I just-“

“We’ll talk about it more later.” I tell him.

“I just don’t want you to feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to do.” he says looking very concerned.

“We said we’d find a way to stay together, and that is one way. And just like the other options, we’ll have to discuss it to figure out which is the best one.”

He smiles at me before kissing me. “I love you.”

“I love you.” I reply before getting into my tent. Chloe is already there.

“So, you and Harry.” she says.

“So, you and Niall.” I reply.

We both laugh and agree that we’re too tired to talk about that stuff tonight.

Despite how tired I am, I end up laying in my sleeping back and thinking about what Louis said. The more I do, the more crazy and impossible it seems.

I try to stop thinking about that, and instead think about the incredible night I had. I never thought I would have so many amazing friends. Heck, I never even thought it was possible. I didn’t even think getting a boyfriend would be possible either.

Maybe not everything is as impossible as I think they are.

Notes