The taste of blood hinted on my tastebuds as a result from biting my lip too hard.

I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

I knew it only took a few seconds, but this seemed like months. Then, it finally appeared. My eyes widened in disbelief, and a sigh escaped my lips. I took a few minutes to calm myself down before walking out of the bathroom and turning the corner back into the living room. I saw Louis on the couch, his back facing me. His hands covered his face as he was bent over, taking slow and steady breaths. If I didn't know any better, I would say he was more nervous than me.

"Louis." I spoke, but it came out as a throaty whisper. His head whipped around in a blink, and his face was full of sympathy.

"And?" he asked, after a few moments of silence.

"It came back negative." I replied, and I heard him let out a sigh of relief. He got up and came over to hug me, as in comfort and reassurance. I hugged him back, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I let myself relax for the first time since the incident, and shut my eyes.

"I told you everything would be alright." Louis whispered, squeezing me a little tighter. Instead of agreeing, I just nodded slightly and tried my best not to start crying out of exhaustion again. I jumped a little when I heard a knock at the door. I told Louis it's probably just my grandparents surprising me and told him he could stay. Wen I answered the door, it was anyone but them.

"Hey Niall..." I greeted, a bit embarrassed to look him in the eye.

"Hey. I know it's been a while and I know you're avoiding me. But I think we need to talk, I feel like an awful person for not being there when you needed someone." he admitted, and I just stepped back and let him in. He froze for a second when he saw Louis, but kept walking and sat in the chair he claimed as "his" whenever he stopped by. They had both seen each other before, but neither knew that the other knew about them. They didn't talk, as expected, and rather exchanged a glare. I ignored it and went on to introduce.

"Niall, this is Louis. He's a good friend of mine from school. Louis, this is Niall. He's the neighbor-"

"That got you pregnant?" he cut me off, getting a reaction out of Niall, no doubt.

"What!" he exclaimed, eyes shooting from me back to Louis.

"Are you happy? You've taken away a teenage girl's virginity and given her a whole new responsibility. Mission accomplished? Something you've been waiting to check off your bucket list?" Louis' voice raised, and his face was projecting anger.

"Look you little faggot, this is none of your business. I don't care how good of a friend you are to Em, but this doesn't involve you at all. I suggest you either leave or keep your mouth shut because I'm here to talk to Em, not any of her friends."

"You know what? I've been here for her ever since she decided to open up to me, and you're just now coming back into the picture. I think I have a right to stand up for her against you filthy-"

"Stop. Please stop. I don't want you two fighting over the past. You're both considerate to have been here for me, no matter when you were. We're all on the same side." I begged.

"If I'm on the same team as the guy who wasn't man enough to take a step back, then my life is quite a hell."

A/N: Hello lovely readers! Sorry this was so short, I wanted to update but I'm on a busy schedule. I hope you are enjoying the series so far, your comments absolutely make my day! Love you all.