HALF A HEART
Chapter 27
One Week Later…
Annie’s POV
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Eleanor asked me as I listened to the chatter of the entire student body gathered in the Performing Arts Center waiting for me to go on stage.
“I have to. I can’t let Harry’s actions go to waste. Something positive needs to come out of this.” I croaked, nervous to be in front of two thousand students who probably didn’t actually want to be there.
“Well good luck Annie. You’ll do great.” She gave me a hug and then ran around the curtain, down the stairs, and plopped into the seat next to Louis in the front row. I nodded to myself as if I was reassuring myself of what I was doing. I knew what I was going to say, I wrote it out a thousand times, but I want it to flow naturally so I’m not using notes for my speech. This needs to be a heart to heart between me and the every student in the school.
“We’re ready for you now Annie.” Mrs. Davis, the school principal, said and handed me a microphone. I nodded trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach that were making me feel nauseous. Ugh how does Harry sing in front of tons of people all the time?
I grabbed the microphone from her and walked casually onto the stage. I stood in the center squinting at the harsh brightness of the stage lights and the spotlight. A few people scattered sporadically throughout the auditorium ended their conversations when they saw me walk on stage but most of them continued talking.
I cleared my throat and lifted the microphone to my mouth. “Hey guys.” I croaked and waited until the last voice was silenced. “I really appreciate all of you being here today, and letting me discuss this topic with you.” I heard a few people begin to whisper and I took a deep breath. Okay get on with it Annie, you’re already losing them. “As most of you know by now, Harry Styles is in a coma and has been for a month.” That got their attention and I even heard a few people gasp. “The way that this tragic incident, however, has not been properly relayed to you. Not yet anyway. And here’s the truth,” I said beginning to walk along the stage trying to keep them engaged.
“Harry is in a coma because he saved a man’s life.” I said bluntly and again more gasps were heard throughout the auditorium. Good, I’m keeping them interested now. “He pulled over on the freeway when he saw two men fighting,” I paused, “And there were guns involved.” Again more gasps. I began to walk slowly to the other side of the stage. “Harry attempted to save the man whose life was being threatened and in return, he took a punch to the jaw,” I paused letting the crowd take that in, “ and fell over the edge of the valley,” I paused again. I could see people’s hands flying to their mouths. “And his head struck a rock.” I paused again to let that sink in.
“Now some of you may be asking why I’m telling you all of this. What is the deeper meaning behind it? And what could possibly be so important that the school would organize an assembly of sorts? So here it is. Harry is in his state because he was helping someone; he saved a man’s life. Because of Harry, that man is still breathing today” When I got the other end of the stage I turned around and started walking to the other side again.
“We need more of this behavior in our society. We need to “Pay it Forward” as some might say. I’m sure you’re all familiar with that phrase, and the concept behind it. It means you don’t let people stand alone.” I paused my sentence as well as my stride. “You don’t let people fight their own battles.” I paused again, trying to look at as many faces as possible. “You help them in any way you can. Why should we be left to fight our own wars when they may not be our wars to begin with?” My spirits brightened as people began to clap.
“We need to make society a more welcoming, accepting, and peaceful world for us to live in. Be it beauty, confidence, and individuality, you have a right to stand up for what you believe in, and to defend those not strong enough to do it themselves.” I heard more clapping a several cheers. Louis, Eleanor, Zayn, Perrie, Liam, Dani, and Niall all stood up from their seats to applaud and cheer me on.
“Stand by their side, and pay it forward.” I finished. “Thank you.” I walked off the stage with a large amount of cheering and applaud. My mind was buzzing by the success my speech had on everyone. That was exactly what I wanted to happen. I want them to be inspired to take action.
I walked down the hall and Eleanor ran to me when she exited the auditorium. “That was wonderful Annie! So inspirational! Harry would be so proud of you.” She nodded.
I felt tears rim my eyes. “El.” I whispered.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“I miss him…”
She embraced me in a hug and stroked my hair lightly. “I don’t know what to tell you honey. I miss him too.
“I know that this is what he would want me to say and leave behind in his stead. But…I want him here. I want him to hold me…I want him to tell me that everything is going to be okay even if it looks stormy ahead…I want to hear him tell me he loves me…El…”
“Oh sweetie.” She breathed holding me tighter. “He’ll get better Annie. I promise. You’ve heard what the doctors have said. He’s getting better everyday. It’s only a matter of time before we’re driving him home and eating dinner to celebrate his health.” She finished. I chuckled letting tears stream out of my eyes.
“I just hope it’s soon…”
Annie’s POV
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Eleanor asked me as I listened to the chatter of the entire student body gathered in the Performing Arts Center waiting for me to go on stage.
“I have to. I can’t let Harry’s actions go to waste. Something positive needs to come out of this.” I croaked, nervous to be in front of two thousand students who probably didn’t actually want to be there.
“Well good luck Annie. You’ll do great.” She gave me a hug and then ran around the curtain, down the stairs, and plopped into the seat next to Louis in the front row. I nodded to myself as if I was reassuring myself of what I was doing. I knew what I was going to say, I wrote it out a thousand times, but I want it to flow naturally so I’m not using notes for my speech. This needs to be a heart to heart between me and the every student in the school.
“We’re ready for you now Annie.” Mrs. Davis, the school principal, said and handed me a microphone. I nodded trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach that were making me feel nauseous. Ugh how does Harry sing in front of tons of people all the time?
I grabbed the microphone from her and walked casually onto the stage. I stood in the center squinting at the harsh brightness of the stage lights and the spotlight. A few people scattered sporadically throughout the auditorium ended their conversations when they saw me walk on stage but most of them continued talking.
I cleared my throat and lifted the microphone to my mouth. “Hey guys.” I croaked and waited until the last voice was silenced. “I really appreciate all of you being here today, and letting me discuss this topic with you.” I heard a few people begin to whisper and I took a deep breath. Okay get on with it Annie, you’re already losing them. “As most of you know by now, Harry Styles is in a coma and has been for a month.” That got their attention and I even heard a few people gasp. “The way that this tragic incident, however, has not been properly relayed to you. Not yet anyway. And here’s the truth,” I said beginning to walk along the stage trying to keep them engaged.
“Harry is in a coma because he saved a man’s life.” I said bluntly and again more gasps were heard throughout the auditorium. Good, I’m keeping them interested now. “He pulled over on the freeway when he saw two men fighting,” I paused, “And there were guns involved.” Again more gasps. I began to walk slowly to the other side of the stage. “Harry attempted to save the man whose life was being threatened and in return, he took a punch to the jaw,” I paused letting the crowd take that in, “ and fell over the edge of the valley,” I paused again. I could see people’s hands flying to their mouths. “And his head struck a rock.” I paused again to let that sink in.
“Now some of you may be asking why I’m telling you all of this. What is the deeper meaning behind it? And what could possibly be so important that the school would organize an assembly of sorts? So here it is. Harry is in his state because he was helping someone; he saved a man’s life. Because of Harry, that man is still breathing today” When I got the other end of the stage I turned around and started walking to the other side again.
“We need more of this behavior in our society. We need to “Pay it Forward” as some might say. I’m sure you’re all familiar with that phrase, and the concept behind it. It means you don’t let people stand alone.” I paused my sentence as well as my stride. “You don’t let people fight their own battles.” I paused again, trying to look at as many faces as possible. “You help them in any way you can. Why should we be left to fight our own wars when they may not be our wars to begin with?” My spirits brightened as people began to clap.
“We need to make society a more welcoming, accepting, and peaceful world for us to live in. Be it beauty, confidence, and individuality, you have a right to stand up for what you believe in, and to defend those not strong enough to do it themselves.” I heard more clapping a several cheers. Louis, Eleanor, Zayn, Perrie, Liam, Dani, and Niall all stood up from their seats to applaud and cheer me on.
“Stand by their side, and pay it forward.” I finished. “Thank you.” I walked off the stage with a large amount of cheering and applaud. My mind was buzzing by the success my speech had on everyone. That was exactly what I wanted to happen. I want them to be inspired to take action.
I walked down the hall and Eleanor ran to me when she exited the auditorium. “That was wonderful Annie! So inspirational! Harry would be so proud of you.” She nodded.
I felt tears rim my eyes. “El.” I whispered.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“I miss him…”
She embraced me in a hug and stroked my hair lightly. “I don’t know what to tell you honey. I miss him too.
“I know that this is what he would want me to say and leave behind in his stead. But…I want him here. I want him to hold me…I want him to tell me that everything is going to be okay even if it looks stormy ahead…I want to hear him tell me he loves me…El…”
“Oh sweetie.” She breathed holding me tighter. “He’ll get better Annie. I promise. You’ve heard what the doctors have said. He’s getting better everyday. It’s only a matter of time before we’re driving him home and eating dinner to celebrate his health.” She finished. I chuckled letting tears stream out of my eyes.
“I just hope it’s soon…”
Notes
Hey guys, I had my birthday party tonight and after all of my friends left I SOOOO was not tired so I decided to write another chapter. I know it's kind of short but it's at a good stopping point(: Thank you guys so much for the comments, votes and subscriptions. Those are honestly why I update so keep telling me what you think!! <3
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Questions:
How long will it take Harry to wake up if at all?
Is Harry really getting better everyday or did Eleanor just say that for Annie's sake?
What will Annie do as she waits for him to wake up?
Message me on Kik: Violinluver15 I DONT BITE!! DO NOT BE AFRAAAAID!!! <3
Inspirational Quote: "You have the power to create." <3
LOVE YOU GUYSSS
~JoseyWhite
Chapter 22 is my fav chapter!!
11/9/16