PIPER'S P.O.V.

When I woke up the next morning, Harry was snoring, laying on his stomach with his arm draping onto the floor. I stood up and walked to his side, lifting his arm up so that he wouldn't fall off. When I touched his arm, I noticed bandages on his knuckles that weren't there when we went to sleep. I decided to ask him about that when he woke up and went into the kitchen. Cory was sitting on the couch and turned abruptly when I left my room.

"Why are you so on edge?"

"Umm. No reason."

He seemed like he was waiting for me to say something but I had no idea what. A lot had happened in the past few days so it could have been a number of things.

"I think Harry and I are going to go see mom and dad today. Did you want to come?"

"Not really. I'm still ashamed that I was here and didn-"

"Cory, honestly. They won't blame you for it any more than I did."

"I know, but I do. You guys go ahead; I saw them the other day anyway."

"Alright."

I wanted to say something else to make him stop being so hard on himself but it was just going to take time. I checked my phone for any alerts and had a missed call from Detective Kamp. I called my voicemail box and listened to the one he left.


"Piper, it's Dan- Detective Kamp. I just wanted to let you know that we are unable to take James in for questioning because he's in the hospital; well, in a coma. I really hate to ask, but- do you know what happened to him? We got an anonymous tip that someone was passed out behind his place of work, and when we got there, he had been beaten to a pulp. I don't think you had anything to do with this- but, if you know anything- it could just really hurt your case. Call me back. Thanks."


I could tell that he was trying to be professional but his speech was choppy and I could tell he was still worried about his son to some degree, which was to be expected. Why was he in a coma, though? Who would have beaten him? My mind immediately turned to Harry, but he was sleeping in my bed- and woke up with mysterious bandages on his knuckles. I stormed to my room and flung the door open. When it hit the wall, Harry's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly. I turned the lights on to see a black bruise forming under his eye and another bandage on his side.

"Harry. What did you do?"

He looked at me and sat up, trying to completely wake up. I repeated myself.

"Please tell me, what did you do?"

"I... I taught him a lesson."

A lesson? Why would he try to take things into his own hands when the police were handling
the situation?

"He's in the hospital, Harry! In a coma! What were you thinking? Was that your plan? Act like
you were fine and wait until I was sleeping to take action of your own!"

"Wait, did you say coma?"

"Yeah, Harry. Coma. He's in a fucking coma. Why did you do it?"

I didn't feel sorry for James but this could completely ruin my case against him. I felt hot tears sting my eyes and start to flow down my cheeks.

"Piper, I honestly didn't think I hurt him that bad. I... I didn't even plan on going. I was just upset and went for a walk... When I saw him at Starbucks, I just- I lost my temper. I couldn't take it. I just thought of him... doing what he did and it made me sick and furious. I'm really sorry."

He stood up and walked over to me, trying to comfort me but I pushed him away.

"Harry. I can't believe you would do this. What if I can't take legal action now? What if he takes legal action against you?"

"I don't think he saw me, Piper. I mean, he might have, but I don't know."

"Well, I hope he didn't, but this was so unnecessary!"

"I know I shouldn't have done it, but I don't regret it. I'm sorry that I went behind your back; it just happened, but he deserved it and then some!"

"Harry, what if he doesn't wake up? What if you killed him? What then?"

He stared at me, fear suddenly in his eyes. He buried his face in his hands before looking back at me.

"There's no way. I didn't hit him that hard. I knew I lost control a bit, but I didn't even think he would still be in the hospital. I thought maybe he would just get some stitches and call it a day."

"Well, you thought wrong."

I saw the pain in his eyes and knew he was telling the truth. I couldn't be too angry at him, because I knew how badly I wanted to hit James. He just didn't know his own strength and everything he did had been for me, whether it was right or not. It was my turn to comfort him, or maybe it was to comfort me, but I sat down on the bed next to him and laid my head on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Piper. I've never felt so angry before."

He wrapped his arm around my waist and held me as we both fell back into my pillows. We laid there for a while and finally both calmed down. He leaned over and planted a kiss on my forehead but winced in pain because he rolled onto the wound on his torso.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, you should see the other guy."

I forced a small chuckle, still scared of what might happen to James; not for his sake, but for Harry's.

"Well, if you're feeling up for it, we should really go to my parents so they know what's going on."

"Yeah, but I need a shower first."

I nodded as he got up and walked to the bathroom, limping a little bit. I reached for my phone and sent a text message to my mom.


*TO: Mom
Back early from Cali. Long story. Harry is with me so can we come by in an hour?*


I set my phone on the counter and rolled over and off of the bed. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, having no energy or desire to make myself look presentable. I walked into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Harry didn't seem to notice I was in there until I turned the water on.

"You're parents aren't going to be mad at me, are they?"

"For what?"

I finished brushing my teeth and peeked my head through the shower curtain, mainly to admire him. The bandage on his side was removed, revealing a large scrape.

"For possibly ruining your case against James?"

"No, my mom will probably be shocked but my dad will most likely do something like shake your hand and thank you." I looked at his scrape and continued, "Harry, you should probably see a doctor."

"Oh. Erm. No. I don't think that's a good idea. I'd rather not lead the police to me through hospital records."

He did have a point.

"Well, what are you going to do when you do your next show with a black eye and scraped knuckles?"

"You have no idea what make-up can do, do you?"

He half-smirked and turned the water off as I moved so he could step out of the shower. He pulled a towel around his waist and kissed me on the forehead.

"Still, Harry. Someone will notice. A fan who doesn't know the whole story; someone."

"We will deal with that if we have to. Maybe James will remember that it was me and we'll have to deal with it sooner. So, until one of those things happens, let's not think about it."

"Fine."

He walked to his bag and slipped on some boxers and jeans, followed by a white t-shirt. He ran the towel through his hair, trying to dry it a little. He put some hair cream in it and turned back to me, holding me around my waist.

"It's going to be okay, Piper. Don't worry about me."

"Okay. I'm sorry for freaking out earlier."

"I deserved it."

"Yeah, you did."

"I only did it because I love you."

"I know."

He kissed me and I felt such a strong urge to just throw him on the bed, but I knew it was a bad idea after the last time we tried to have sex. When he turned to find socks, I looked at my phone and got the 'ok' text from my mom to head over. After our shoes were on, we walked out of my room to find Riley and Cory on opposite sides of the room.

"We're going to mom and dad's, so see you guys later."

"Alright. Hey, Harry. Erm." Of course Cory knew, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah, thanks mate. And don't worry. She knows."

"Oh. Okay. Glad to see she didn't beat you up."

"Well, that's going to be my story for the bruises."

They both laughed and I rolled my eyes. Riley looked upset so I walked over and hugged her before Harry and I left the dorm. We hurried to my car, hoping no one would be roaming that street corner. I let Harry drive since he insisted, and I gave him directions, just hoping the whole time he would stay on the right side of the road. We pulled into my parents' driveway a few minutes later and walked up to the front door. Harry grabbed my hand as I opened it.

"Piper, Harry! Come on in. How are you guys doing?"

It felt weird to see my mom so excited since she didn't know the reason we were there. She did
seem to be impatiently awaiting the explanation for my early return. We sat down in the kitchen and she poured us some tea.

"We're okay. Where's dad?"

"Oh, watching golf. Like always. CHARLIE! COME IN HERE!"

A few seconds later, the TV went silent and he appeared in the archway.

"I thought I heard voices. Just figured your mother was talking to herself."

My dad came over and hugged me and shook Harry's hand kindly before sitting down.

"So, what's up? Why aren't you in California? Woah, Harry. What's with your face?"

"Charles! Don't be rude."

"No, it's fine Mrs. Nie- Marie. It's my fault."

"No, not exactly. Well, it is his fault that he has a black eye, but there's more to the story."

"Piper, what's wrong?"

I started to tear up but Harry grabbed my hand, encouraging me to continue.

"Well, the night before we left for California, I was studying with James. And... He put something in my drink, and-"

I didn't want to go on and hoped they got the picture. They did. My mom covered her face and started to cry before rushing to my side to hold me. Harry let go of my hand so that I could hug her back. My dad's fist hit the table and he started to seethe.

"What the fuck?"

"Dad. It's okay. I already went to the police- whom I hope can help."

I shot a look at Harry and my dad seemed to understand.

"So, you confronted him, I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, I did a little more than I intended."

Harry looked at the ground and then back to me.

"He's in a coma."

My dad placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and gripped it tightly.

"Thank you, son. That's exactly what I would have done."

Just as I expected. He thanked him. The 'son' took me by surprise but it was endearing. Harry
nodded, accepting his gratitude and showing that he didn't regret it.

"How about we go finish watching the golf tournament and let these girls talk?"

My dad walked over and kissed the top of my head before leading Harry into the other room. My mom sat in the seat Harry previously occupied and held my hands in hers.

"Mom, I feel okay now. I really do. It's just-"

"Piper, you can talk to me. It's okay, baby."

"I'm scared to have sex now. I don't know what it is. I tried with Harry, thinking that maybe I could just get over it, but I panicked. I don't know what to do."

"Sweetheart, it's only been a few days. Give it some time. You're going to have a bad feeling about it all for a bit. Maybe you should go back to see Dr. Edwards again. She'll be able to help."

"I actually wanted to."

My mom looked surprised and honestly, I was too. I never liked talking to Dr. Edwards, but even though I'd never admit it aloud, she did help me get through Matt's death. If it weren't for her, I'd have no idea what to do during panic attacks. She was always patient with me, which I definitely needed. Perhaps this would be easier to talk to her about. My mom got up and opened a drawer in the kitchen, pulling out a business card.

"Here, take it. The sooner you go, the sooner she can help you."

"Thanks, mom. Can we go save Harry now?"

Just as I said it, I heard Harry yell at the TV.

"Oh, that should have been in! What a lousy put!"

My mom and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes, laughing at the strange similarities between Harry and my father.

Notes

SO, what did you think? Did Piper react as you expected? What about James' condition? What do you think will happen to him? What do you think will happen to Harry?

Thank you for all of your support <3 Please rate/subscribe if you haven't yet. x