We're Alright

There was a loud thud and when I turned around there was a teenage boy stood in my bedroom.

"See that you're no more graceful now than you were then." I chuckled as he plonked himself down on my newly made bed.

"I've got a lot bigger than I was when I was fourteen." he bit back as he rubbed his head.

I couldn't help but laugh at the confused expression on his face. "I still don't get why you didn't use the door. My mum knows you're coming over." I rolled my eyes. My mum had always known he was over.

I thought back to when we were younger when Harry used to come and visit me at my mums for a day or two when we were kids. It hard started when we were fourteen, the last time he came was my 16th birthday. After that we'd grown apart. As much as I tried to deny Harry and I having been close, looking back it was pretty obvious we were. He'd followed me halfway across the country and snuck in my bedroom window just so we could spend some time together during the holidays. He'd get the train down a few days after I'd gone to my mums and he'd stay a night or two and then go home. Looking back we were foolish to believe that my mum didn't know. Anne must have phoned to check it was okay. However, it was nice to know I had a mum who trusted me even when I was lying to her.

I was about to say something else when my bedroom door burst open. "Melia! Look it's Louis!" she squealed, dragging him into the room. "When did he get here?" she asked confusedly.

"Never you mind that! Back to bed you're still sick." I chided. Truth was we were planning on taking her to the zoo. Louis ha arranged it so that she would get to meet some of the animals and maybe even help feed them if she was up for it.

"But mummy said I had to get dressed!" she huffed. I couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. Even when she was about to throw a temper tantrum she was adorable.

"Tell you what, go get dressed and I'll take you out for ice cream!" Louis offered.

"Gee whizz Louis that would be super!" She giggled running out the room.

"Did she really just say gee whizz?" Harry asked, both boys looking at me like I'd sprouted a second head.

"Listen, that has nothing to do with me so don't look at me like that. In fact I have no idea where it came from, but she's been saying it a lot lately and it's really beginning to get annoying." I shrugged flopping down next to Harry.

"Not as annoying as you and you're 'knock knock' jokes." Harry groaned.

"Knock knock jokes?"

"When she was about Tabby's age she'd walk around saying 'knock knock' all the time but she never actually had a joke to tell. I've never wanted to hurt her more." I couldn't help but groan and bury my face in my pillow. I'd been an annoying child and Harry was a saint for putting up with me.

When Tabby came back a few moments later she was in a bright pink sparkly dress and a tiara. For an eight year old she sure was weird.

"Go and put on something warmer Tabby. It's nearly ----- you'll catch your death out there!" I warned. I heard a light tap on the door before my mum poked her head around the door.

"Oh Harry you're here! Still managed to fit through the window I see!" she joked, causing a blush to spread across his face.

"Yes mam."

"I just got the all clear. Are you guys ready to go?" she asked.

"Go where?" Harry and Tabby asked simultaneously.

"It's a secret." I replied. As a kid Harry and I hadn't gone to the zoo. Harry's mum had been scared of the animals and I'd only gone on a school trip, and while I knew he'd been since he left home it was one of the few experiences I had yet to share with him.

"Tabby go get changed quickly!" My mum instructed, dragging her from the room. The boys and I headed downstairs. Pete was sat on the sofa watching match of the day.

"Hello boys!" Pete chirped from his seat. I heard Louis groan and turned to see what it was. They were playing a video from his match the other day. He'd been tackled and had thrown up. It wasn't pretty. "Don't be like that. You took it a lot better than most others would have. We were all proud of you!" Pete announced.

"Thanks, but it was pretty awful." He drawled.

"You'll learn." Pete smiled and told him next time he was over and had some free time they should go for a kick about. I couldn't help the splutter that escaped my mouth. Pete didn't exactly have the best coordination. He was a lot like Harry in that sense.

I felt a slight tug at my arm ad when I looked down Tabby was stood there fully dressed. "Ready to to?" I asked.

"Well it was a pleasure to see you again Harry, and Louis it was a pleasure to finally meet you! The girls both have such wonderful things to say about you. You'll have to visit again soon if you get the chance." She said as she pulled Harry into a hug and then Louis.

"Aye up Harry. Looks like I'm the new favourite here." Louis smirked and I couldn't help but role my eyes at the stubborn look that spread across Harry's face.

"Right come on we have to go!" I shouted ushering every one out the door. Giving them little chance to say goodbye or embarrass me more.

"Shotgun!" I shouted as Harry clambered into the drivers side.

"Yay! Louis you can sit next to me!" Tabby squealed. I felt pretty bad for him in a sense because she was going to pester him the whole journey.

"You know, I have no idea where we're going." Harry pointed out.

"I'll give you directions."

"It would make it so much easier if you just..."

"I'm not telling you where we're going Harry." I mock glared. Harry continued to protest for a while before finally relenting. “Can you at least tell me how far it is?” he huffed.

“No. If I tell you, you might guess!” I replied stubbornly.

“Can I know where we’re going?” Tabby asked from the back. She’d been silent most the ride. She still wasn’t feeling 100% that much was obvious. Her cheeks were still flushed and there were bags under her eyes. I’d been hesitant about bringing her today, but Louis and my mum had managed to convince me the fresh air would do her good. She had perked up since yesterday but I had a feeling that this had more to do with the presence of Louis than anything else. He’d been sat in the back playing games with her and I hadn’t heard her laugh so much in a while.

“No.” Louis replied for me. “It wouldn’t be a surprise them you idiot.” he mocked.

“You’re mean!” Tabby stuck her tongue out and I was going to scold her but before I got the chance Louis grabbed hold of it.

“And that is why you never stick your tongue out.” Louis teased as he let go of her tongue. The rest of the drive was filled with idle chatter, and giving Harry the odd direction. It didn’t take Harry long to figure out where we were going. A smile spread across my face at his excitement. I’d been so concerned he was going to be disappointed with what we were doing today. I was glad Tabby had fallen asleep though because I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for her. She was going to be so excited when she found out. She’d been begging me to take her for months but with me being at university I’d been too busy to do it, and it was nearly time for me to go back.

We’d been driving for two hours when we pulled up to the ticket booth. I hadn’t been to Longleat since I was fifteen and my friend decided we should go for her birthday. The entrance still looked the same and it sparked my own excitement at being able to see the animals. I was most excited for the wolves. “Tabby sweetie wake up!” I called to her as Harry paid for our tickets. I’d tried arguing with him; it was my idea after all, but he made the solid point when he reminded me I was a student who could barely afford food every week and he was a multi-millionaire. I relented.

“What?” she replied groggily, sitting up and looking around in a daze. It didn’t take her long to work out where we were and then the car was field with an ear piercing scream.

A few hours later and we’d already done the drive through safari, we still had Gorilla island to visit, and the petting zoo and reptile area as well as the house, but before that we had one more surprise for Harry and Tabby. Louis had phoned and arranged for us to feed the lions. We’d be joining the keeper on a jeep as they fed the lions. I remember watching Ben Fogle do it when I was a kid. They’d drop the meat through a hatch in the back of the truck as the lions chased it so that they felt like they were hunting.

Louis was currently running around with Tabby on his shoulders. She was small for her age, whenever she told someone she was ten they wouldn’t believe her. She looked maybe seven at the most.

“I can’t believe you guys managed to keep this a secret from me.” Harry pulled me from my thoughts.

“I basically told him if he did he would never be able to reproduce.” I chuckled.

“I can’t believe I’m 19 and this is the first time I’ve been here.” He admitted.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d actually already been yet, and Louis was going to ask you but I told him not to bother. I kinda hoped you hadn’t been yet, but even if you had it wouldn’t really have mattered.” Although, selfishly I really hoped he hadn’t, I wanted it to be something he could share with me.

Harry was about to reply but I realised we were where we were supposed to be. I noticed the camera’s and felt my stomach drop. For them to agree to this Louis had had to agree to them taking a few pictures. Last time I’d been pictured with Harry there had been uproar, and it didn’t really bother me, but last time Tabby hadn’t been involved. I could deal with shit they dealt me but not if they picked on her. She was just a kid.

“What’s going on?” Harry asked. I was about to explain but Louis did instead. I was somewhat thankful because it appeared I had a case of cat got my tongue. Tabby who was still on Louis shoulders was so excited that she nearly fell off giving me a heart attack.

I zoned out as the keeper explained what we were to do and what not to do; obviously to keep our arms in the vehicle and not to touch the animals as well as a few other things. The camera man took a few photos of just the boys before asking if Tabby and I would take some photos. I tried to protest but Harry ignored me and pulled me into his side. Then we were off.

I’d never experienced anything so amazing before in my life. I was feeding lions. Real life lions. Tabby squealed with excitement as she dropped the meat through the hatch and saw the lioness attack it. “Thank you so much!” she said to the keeper who was smiling at her reaction.

“Thanks for this Melia.” Harry smiled as he rested his head on my shoulder.

I felt the blush rise to my cheeks as the photographer snapped a picture. “Don’t thank me, Louis did this not me. If I’d have phoned and asked they’d have laughed at me.” I scoffed.

“It was your idea though, and it wouldn’t have been the same if you weren’t here.” I felt myself blush again. So many girls would kill to hear Harry Styles say something like that to them, but I was the one he was saying it to. While I was sure it meant nothing to either of us I couldn’t help the butterflies that erupted in my stomach.

Soon enough it was over and we were saying goodbye to the photographer and the keepers who had taken us out. “Where to next?” I asked.

“Reptile house?” Harry offered, pointing at the sign. The petting zoo part wasn’t much further, but the Gorilla Island and house were on the other side of the park. The reptile house made the most sense.

We barely made it ten feet when we were stopped again by two teenaged girls who wanted to have a picture with Louis and Harry. As I watched them interact with their fans I couldn’t help but awh a bit. It was adorable. They were so kind to them and asked them questions about themselves. They even made sure they were both okay and had nothing else they wanted before saying goodbye.

“It’s a shame the others couldn’t have come with us.” Louis commented. “Zayn would’ve laughed and I couldn’t help but think that he might have been right. Tabby was looking up at him in awe. We hadn’t been able to pull her from his side all day. She was besotted and it was adorable. Louis didn’t seem to mind. He continued to humour her so I figured he hadn’t got bored of her yet.

I’d been surprised by the lack of people to approach us throughout the day. During lunch people had stared but the girls who had asked for pictures had actually been the first to approach us, and I was somewhat thankful. I didn’t really mind, but Tabby might and I was protective of her, overly so.

When we got to the reptile house Tabby ran ahead, and Louis chased after her. I was thankful for him, because I honestly didn’t have the energy to chase after a ten year old all day. Especially one with the amount of energy she had. “Today’s been nice.” Harry commented as we strolled along. “I love my fans, but sometimes they have personal space issues.” he mocked. Harry had always been one to enjoy his personal space. He wasn’t exactly claustrophobic, and he liked being surrounded by big groups of people, but that’s when people weren’t touching him. It was odd. We could go to parties and he’d be fine, but sometimes when it got too crowded and people were touching him he’d freak out. He didn’t like being touched. I couldn’t imagine him dealing with being pinched and grabbed by complete strangers.

“I don’t know how you cope with it.” I admitted. As much as I was fine with my name being in the paper, with people following me – a few people had done after I was first spotted with Harry, they wanted to know my story- I just couldn’t imagine being grabbed at like that. I couldn’t imagine not being able to go food shopping, or out for drinks, or out for a meal without being mobbed by complete strangers.

“You just get used to it. You have to. I like the attention, don’t get me wrong, I just sometimes wish they’d take a step back. Admire from a distance.” I couldn’t help but laugh because I’m pretty sure he just said he’d prefer to be stalked. Harry was almost as bad with his words as I was.

“Amelia look! That snake is so big! The lady said it could swallow me whole!” Tabby beamed. I looked up to see her pointing to a girl about my age, maybe a little younger. She had dark chestnut hair that fell past her shoulders and the most gloriously blue eyes. She had a look of shock on her face when she saw me walk in with Harry. I imagined this was the type of look they got a lot.

“Hey, I’m Hannah.” she introduced, snapping herself from her stupor. “He’ll eat you whole, but it’ll take him weeks to digest you, so he won’t need to eat anything else for a week’s!” she entertained Tabby. “How do you feel about spiders?” she asked, taking her over to the tarantulas. I’d always wanted a snake growing up but my mum was terrified and refused to let me have one. I was kind of glad. I couldn’t imagine feeding it live crickets and stuff, it would have killed me.

I was about to ask her a question when I heard loud voices outside. Something felt really off. Hannah and the boys clearly felt it too. Hannah’s head jerked around, and I saw her feel around in her pocket. “Stay here.” She motioned to us. She walked over to the door and yanked it shut. “Okay, well it seems that a lot of reporters have shown up.” She said as she locked the door. I felt my stomach drop at the same time Harry’s face did the same.

“How many?” Louis asked, staying calm. I could feel Harry’s fist clenching at his sides.

“A lot. It’s fine. I’ll lock the doors, and radio for some help.” she offered, shooting me a smile.

I felt a light tug at my shirt. “Melia, what’s going on?” Tabby’s face wobbled, she was scared, and the events of the day had begun to take its toll on her already weak body.

“Nothing sweetie. There are just some camera men outside, so Hannah’s going to get someone to come and sort it out.” I offered her a smile, pulling her into a hug.

“Hey, Tabby, why don’t you come and tell me what Hannah was telling you about the tarantula.” Harry offered, picking her up, placing her on his hip. I smiled and thanked him before walking over to the exit where Hannah was stood.

“So what’s happening?” I asked. I didn’t want to be mad at anyone, it wasn’t anyone’s fault, but I could feel myself becoming agitated at the situation unfolding. I just wanted this over with. I wanted to take Tabby home and get her to bed.

“I’ve radioed in for some help. They’re sending a car down to get you, and they’re going to escort them off the property. I’m going to tell you now though, they’ll probably just find a way back in. Have you seen the house yet? If I get them to take you up there then we can shut the house to the public for a bit, because it’s honestly one of my favourite parts and I really don’t think you should miss it. The interior is just exquisite, and the kid will love the dolls houses.” I hesitated for a moment. I did want to see the house, last time I’d been here we hadn’t had a chance, but at the same time I wanted to get her home. Get her away from this.

“Thanks. I’ll have a think.” I offered. It wasn’t her fault, she had done nothing wrong. She couldn’t help that they had got in here; in fact she’d only been helpful and kind.

“I didn’t think they’d be so…nice.” She almost whispered as she looked over my shoulder at the boys who were comforting Tabby and trying to make her laugh.

“I’ve known Harry since I was born, literally he was at the hospital the day I was born, and I still forget how nice he can be.” I laughed. “I thought the fame would get to his head, if anything it’s done the opposite. He’s more humble now than he’s ever been.” I smiled softly.

There was a knock at the door and a crackle from the radio. “We’re outside if you want to bring them out Han.”

“You ready?” she asked, beckoning the boys over. Harry picked Tabby up again. I knew there were still photographers out there and it worried me. I wasn’t sure how Tabby would cope. I was aware I was overprotective but she was my baby sister and she needed me to protect her.

Hannah opened the door and we were bombarded with camera lights flashing and shouting. I saw Harry shield Tabby’s head and bury it in his neck. He looked as angry as I felt.

“Amelia, Harry does this mean you’re dating?” seemed to be the most asked question.

“Who’s the kid?”

“Harry, Harry give us a picture!”

I could feel anger boiling inside of me. I was about to snap but someone else did it for me. “Oh fuck off. You’re pathetic vultures! Can’t you see you’re scaring the kid, or do you just not care?” Hannah spat as she helped me into the truck. Everyone looked at her slightly off guard. No one had expected it, that was for sure. The reporters went back to screaming and shouting and taking pictures, but by that point Harry and Louis were in the back of the truck with us. Tabby clambered off Harry’s lap and into mine.

“Do you want to go home, or do you want to go to the house?” I asked her gently.

“I want to go home.” she sniffled. I pulled he closer to my chest. I knew this would upset her. Maybe if she wasn’t sick and tired she would have been okay, but she was exhausted and I knew she was becoming emotional. Louis shot me an apologetic look.

“Hey, tell you what, we can come back another time and we can see the house.” Louis offered her, and she perked up a bit.

“Mr Tomlinson, Mr Styles, we’re terribly sorry for the inconvenience.” One of the keepers apologised. “I hope the little girl is okay. If there is anything we can do just let us know and we’ll do our best for you.” he smiled softly. I was more surprised by how nice the keepers had been to us all. I figured there would be people who treated us badly because they hated One Direction or were jealous or just assumed they were bad guys and acted horribly towards them for it, but so far no one had been less than kind to us.

“It’s alright mate. Happens all the time. Nothing you could have done.” Harry shrugged, and he was right. I wanted to hate them for this, I wanted to hate Harry and Louis. I wanted to hate Harry because he brought me into this life when he showed back up in my life, but this wasn’t his fault. He didn’t ask for this any more than I did. I just didn’t know how he coped with it.

“Hey, I really am sorry about those jerks. If you come back before September I’ll personally show you around the house.” Hannah offered to me and Tabby which I thought was sweet. “Here’s my number, just let me know if you decide to come back and I’ll arrange it so I can.” she offered as she handed me the piece of paper.

I thanked her, letting her know I’d do just that. “Let me know if the guys are coming too so we can figure out a way to keep it private.” She suggested. Had it been anyone else I would have assumed she was only being so nice because she wanted one of the boys to pay her attention, but the fact she was talking to me and not to them made me think that maybe she was just a nice person, that she wasn’t using me as an attempt to get to the boys. I was thankful, it was refreshing for once.
“Thanks for all this.” Louis chimed. It was then that I realised we were back in the car park. We’d stopped next to Harry’s car, and I could feel Tabby already nodding off against my chest.

“You’re welcome!” Hannah smiled, going to open the door for us, but Louis stopped her.

“I can open the door myself. I’m a pop star not a two year old.” he joked, causing a blush to rise in Hannah’s cheeks. I rolled my eyes. I knew Louis wasn’t being mean, it was his way of hiding he was a gentleman. He was taught to open doors for women, not to let women open doors for him. “Thanks Hannah. If you ever want concert tickets just let Amelia here know and we’ll hook you up.” This caused a smile to beam across Hannah’s face. Louis could be a cute motherfucker at times. I couldn’t deny that.

Harry took Tabby from my arms and took her over to the car. I was thankful because my arm had gone dead. She might be small, but she was still a lump. “Thank you for everything today!” I grinned. “I’ll message you later about arranging something for another time.”

We finished saying our goodbyes before climbing back in the car and heading home. Tabby slept the whole way, and Louis slept too with her snuggled up to his side. I turned around, taking a picture before posting it to twitter ‘My little angels have had a long day #naptime’

Today had been one of the best days of my life. It was just a shame that it ended on such a bad note. I was exhausted though and I wanted to sleep too, but instead I tried my best to stay awake and keep Harry entertained. I wanted to let him know I didn’t blame him for today because judging by the way he kept shooting me looks out of the corner of his eye he was worried.

“I don’t blame you Harry.” I sighed turning down the radio.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did. You never asked for this, and she certainly never did.” he mumbled, not taking his eyes off the road.

“Nor did you. No more than I did. You knew what you were getting yourself in for when you auditioned, and I knew what I was letting myself in for when I let you back into my life.” I shrugged. “The fact that I’m friends with you again just meant that her being subjected to it at some point kinda became inevitable, but I was the one who decided to take her out with you two. I knew it was going to happen, I hoped it wouldn’t, but I knew better. It wouldn’t be fair for me to blame you or Louis. The only people with any blame here are them. They were the ones to make a little girl cry.” I shrugged. I’d been mad at him to start with sure, and I wanted to hate him, but it really had nothing to do with him. He didn’t do a damn thing wrong and I was just tired and emotional.

Harry and I didn’t talk much for the rest of the drive. I wasn’t sure he believed me and we were both exhausted. When we pulled up I invited the boys in but Harry informed me they had to get back to London because they had an interview in the morning and he was exhausted and just wanted his bed. “Anyway, I’ll see you next weekend right? You’re still coming right?” I racked my brain trying to think what he was talking about before I remembered that we were supposed to be spending the weekend at his step-dads house.

“That’s next weekend? Shit. I was supposed to be spending the day with James!” I thought for a moment but the look on Harry’s face was enough to make my mind up for me. “But I can cancel. I can see him any day of the week.”

“Or you could bring him.” Louis smirked from the driver’s side. They’d swapped at my insistence. Harry had been noddy dogging most of the way back and Louis had slept the whole way. Harry needed to sleep and even though he struggled to sleep in moving vehicles it still wasn’t safe for him to be driving.

“I couldn’t possibly…” I didn’t get to finish before Harry interrupted me.

“No bring him. It’s fine. So long as you’re there it doesn’t matter.” He smiled half-heartedly. I agreed reluctantly. I didn’t want to intrude on Harry’s hospitality but Louis insisted that it was a good idea.

“I’ll see you then.” I smiled pulling Harry into a hug. I went to pull away and Harry placed his lips gently on my forehead.

“See you then buttercup.” I smiled and leant over to give Louis a peck on the cheek, telling him to drive safe and then watching them drive off for another two hour car journey. Finally I could crawl into bed and go for a nap. It was much needed. I didn’t even have time to think about the day before I was asleep, and I was thankful because there was too much to think about.

Notes

WHOA 4,929 WORDS. LOVE ME?

I was up till 5am writing this. Introducin a new character. I like this chapter, mostly... let me know what you think! Comments are always welcome. I'd really like at least two new comments before I update next. I mean I will update if I don't get them I'd just like them,

As for the chapter title please don't read too much into the song lyrics for this one...it is literally just the song title that worked for this chapter. The rest of the song doesn't fit at all :L

http://www.polyvore.com/longleat/set?id=109024993 What she was wearing.

Also don't forget to check out the We're Alright tag on my tumblr it'll give you clueshttp://ifallinlovewitheveryoneiknow.tumblr.com/tagged/we're-alright