“You look nice, Blondie. Going for the sweet and sassy look, I see,” I pointed at Ada’s dress as I slid into her car. She’s as beautiful as always, wearing a white dress with black cherries scattered in different sizes along it. With that, she wore an unzipped black leather jacket because she hates being “too girly.”

“It’s hard to take you seriously sometimes,” she rolled her eyes. “So, if you weren’t gay, would y-“

“Gay?” I pretended to be taken aback, placing my hand on my chest. “What makes you think I’m gay?”

“Well, you never tapped this,” she smirked, pointing to herself as she did a seductive dance in her seat.

I shrugged, “I tried, twice.” However, I was drunk both times...

“It’s okay to be confused,” she patted my head jokingly, making a small chuckle fall from my lips. “Anyways, if you weren’t whatever-you-are, would you think this is too much?”

I propped my elbows up on the large armrest that separated our seats, and rested my chin on my knuckles. “So Miss Kane, who are you trying to impress?” I asked, temporarily avoiding her question.

The tan skin on her cheeks turned bright red before she playfully punched my shoulder, “Shut up.” I just chuckled and rubbed the spot she just hit as she finally pulled out of my driveway.

Ada Kane happens to be my closest friend who I’ve known since we were in diapers. Our mums are the reason we even know each other considering they became friends years before we were born. Unfortunately, the lovely Ada was a year older than me and a year younger than my sister, Gemma; meaning Ada was greater friends with Gem first, always attached at the hip and stealing our mothers’ makeup and high heels.

It was around the time I turned five that Ada realized she liked hanging around the boys more. She was sick of all the dress up and playing house when she saw me rolling my friend, who was in a box, across my backyard. It took me by surprise when she walked outside and helped me push him. Being as young as I was, I kept saying things like, “You can’t do that; you’re a girl.”

There is no telling her what she can and can’t do because she always proves me wrong, being the stubborn girl she is. I think that’s one of the things that drew me to her, how she always likes a challenge. She found thrill in everything we did, saying it was so much better than just sitting around and complaining about drama with girls. She pretty much hates all girls, thinking they’re too stuck up and dramatic. So, we found ourselves a group of guys to hang out with: Louis, Zayn, Liam, and Niall. I’ll always remember her surprising them by actually jumping into Liam’s pool from the roof of his house after Louis dared her to. She’s just lucky he lives in a one-story house since she could’ve hurt herself.

She and I passed the whole “having feelings for each other” stage when she was eleven and I was ten. We agreed that we weren’t anything like brother and sisters, only being best friends. This was in case our feelings ever changed. Honestly, I don’t think of her as anything other than being one of the guys. We’ve kissed a few times, but none of them meant a thing, and we still manage to hold a stable/not-so-awkward friendship. In fact, we’re so great of friends that we talk to each other about everything. Everything. Sometimes I think we share too much information. Like I probably shouldn’t know when she’s supposed to start her period.

“Need a wingman?” I finally asked her after minutes of comfortable silence.

“Not this time, Curly,” Ada smiled widely.

“Oooh,” I raised my brows at her. “Who is this mystery guy you won’t talk to me about? Do I know him?”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth in attempt to hide the smile that was creeping on her face. “Nobody,” she blushed, and I chuckled.

“Liar,” I poked her side, causing her to jump and a squeal to fall from her pale pink lips.

“Harry, I’m driving!” As she shouted, I could tell she was trying to sound irritated, but I knew she wasn’t since her smile was still plastered to her face.

I was about to mess with her more, but a sharp pain in my head stopped me. I screwed my eyes shut tightly and brought my hand up to my temple as I groaned from the intense pain. Just fucking great, it’s happening again.

“Harry?” I knew her voice was soft, but it felt like it was drilling holes into my head. I opened my eyes slightly to peer at her concerned face, finding two of her staring at me. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut again, wincing at the pain that shot through my head from the action. I covered my closed eyes with my hand, casting a shadow over my eyes to blacken the sight of my eyelids since darkness seems to help with headaches for some reason. After a few minutes of sitting like that, my head finally calmed down. I let out a sigh of relief and leaned my head against the cold car window to cool down my heated head.

“Are you okay?” I nodded to her, continuing to stare at the passing buildings. “Harry, you really need to see a doctor about that.” I glanced at the somber expression she wore as she kept her focus on the road. “It’s happened bef-“

I interrupted her by reaching over and gently squeeze her thigh, “Ada, I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“You’re just saying that because you want me to take you to the party still,” she huffed. When I didn’t say anything, that confirmed her assumptions and she let out a frustrated groan, tugging at the tips of her hair with one of her hands. “Fine, I’ll take you, but…” Here we go. “As soon as you have another episode like that, I’m taking you home.”

“Thank you,” I smiled to her. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Yeah, well, you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep,” she grumbled.

---

“Rules?” I nudged Ada as we walked up to Zayn’s house where the party is being held.

She sighed, “No getting drunk because I’m driving your ass home, and only speak nicely about you to other girls. As always, I won’t be speaking to any of those sluts, so it really doesn’t matter. What about your’s?”

“We agreed that whoever drives is the only one who gets rules,” I reminded her, feeling confused she would actually ask that.

“Well, you have one tonight. When you don’t feel good, you better come get me so I can take you home,” she said sternly, waving her dainty finger in my face as she did so. I rolled my eyes with a small chuckle falling from my lips before opening the door to Zayn’s house and holding it open for her.

“KYLES!” Niall shouted over the blaring music as we made our way over to the crowded living room.

“Why do you insist on combining our last names?” Ada raised her brows at the blonde.

Louis came up from behind us and wrapped his arms around our necks, a red solo cup occupying one of his hands, “Everyone knows you two will end up fucking, getting married, and living happily ever after.”

“And naming our kids Naomi and Darcy,” I played along, just as Ada and I always do.

“Fuck no,” she scoffed and crossed her arms. “We’re not having any snobby girls.”

“I want a divorce,” I stated while dramatically looking away from her.

Zayn rolled his eyes and shook his head, “We go through this shit every time.” We know it annoys Zayn, so we all just laughed at his response.

“Well, I’m gonna go get one drink,” Ada put emphasis on the word ‘one,’ letting me know she’ll follow the rules. “Want one?”

“Get me any kind of beer,” I smiled. She nodded and walked out, leaving me with the boys. Well, most of the boys. “Where’s Liam?”

Niall shrugged, “Who cares?”

“So I’m guessing he decided to be a fun sucker and not show up again,” I chuckled.

Our group likes to go to or throw parties a lot, except Liam. Liam has always been the “mature” on who makes “wise” decisions. We always tell him he needs to learn to loosen up and live a little, but he insists that college is more important. The thing is, we have our whole lives ahead of us, and we’re only young once, so all of us are trying to enjoy it while we can. We made a pact that we’ll start school in a year, but for now we’re just loving life. It’s not like we’re complete idiots though. I mean, we all have jobs. Liam just doesn’t think we’re very responsible, but we’re all determined to turn him around someday. We’ll make it happen.

Before I knew it, we’ve been at the party for hours, and I was piss drunk. Ada has been a lovely wingwoman, introducing me to a few girls that I happened to have some hot make out sessions with. I even got to grind a girl on the “dance floor” as another girl rubbed herself on my backside.

I teamed up with Niall in a game of beer pong against Zayn and Louis. Since Louis and Niall are terrible shots, it was pretty much me versus Zayn. At the end of the game, Zayn won, and we were all stumbling over our own feet. At least I was. Niall had to hold me up because I could barely walk. Ada is gonna be so pissed.

Some girl I made out with earlier took me from Niall and dragged me to Zayn’s room. Fuck yeah, I’m getting laid tonight. We staggered into the room, and she was quick to shove me onto the bed. She ran over to the bedroom door, shut it, locked it, and began doing the sexiest dance. I grinned like a kid in a candy shop as I leaned my weight onto my propped up elbows, watching her slowly remove her dress. As her dress fell to the ground, I was impressed with the sight of her not wearing a bra. I cautiously stood to my feet and began to unbutton my shirt to level out the playing field. As I reached the bottom buttons, she started to undo the button on my pants and unzip them.

A sudden wave of nausea overtook me, and I immediately ran to Zayn’s bathroom to puke in his toilet.

“Dammit Harry, how much did you drink?” the girl asked as if I was capable of answering. Did I tell her my name tonight because I don’t remember mentioning it? What’s her’s anyways? Penny? Poppy? Paula? I’m pretty sure it started with a ‘P’.

She began stroking my hair in attempt to comfort me, but I didn’t want her fucking comfort so I pushed her hand away. This nausea wasn’t fading, and soon, my stomach was completely empty. There was nothing left to upchuck, yet I was still dry heaving. Goddam, it fucking hurts.

When I was done, I sat on my butt, leaning my back against the bathtub. I felt beads of sweat dripping from my forehead as I silently sat there trying to gain my composure. I felt excruciatingly sick, and at this point, I wanted to leave.

“Get Ada,” I groaned to the girl.

“Who’s Ada?” she crossed her arms and motioned her neck in a circle. Now is not the time to be jealous, Bitch.

“Fucking get Ada!” I snapped, instantly regretting it once queasiness took over me again. I was able to contain the feeling as the girl finally ran out of the bathroom, most likely to not get Ada. I pulled my phone out and searched for Ada in my contacts, so I could send her a message. I have her under the name "Blondie" since I started calling her that when I was nine. She hated it at first and called me Curly as revenge, but after a while the names just sort of stuck to us.

To Blondie:
Zzen’’’s bnathhrtoom,. Ccokme qauicjk.

Close enough to “Zen’s bathroom. Come quick.” Right? I’m fucked. I could barely read the screen with the headache I’m suddenly getting, and the nausea is causing my fingers to have small tremors. I hope she understands enough because I can’t even bring myself to move. I just sat there rubbing my stomach with closed eyes as if that’d help with any of the pain at all. Wait, why didn't I just fucking call her? I'm a bloody buffoon.

“Harry?” I opened my eyes to find Ada and Louis running to my side. Thank Christ the text worked.

“Hey,” I smiled. “The alcohol is being an arse.”

Ada rolled her eyes and threw my arms around her neck, “You and I both know this is not the alcohol’s fault. Let’s get you home, yeah?”

I nodded and allowed her and Louis to help me off the floor. They didn’t even let me say goodbye to anyone, immediately heading towards Ada’s car. Once they got me into the passenger seat, buckled in and all, they closed the door and began having a somewhat heated conversation. They kept looking over at me, rolling their eyes, and pointing towards me. Do they not know I can see them or something? Eventually, they hugged and Ada joined me in the car.

“What were you and Lou talking about?” I furrowed my brows at her.

She glanced at me for a second before focusing on the road again, “You.”

“What about me?”

“You didn’t drink that much tonight,” she sighed. I rolled my eyes and turned away from her, feeling a lecture coming on. “You drank the beer I got you, and when you played beer pong, Lou drank most of the beer. You were buzzed if you were anything at all. Haz, I’m telling you, there’s something wrong with you.”

“I’m fine,” I muttered.

A low growl came from her mouth, “You need to stop beating around the bush, and look at the facts! You weren’t drunk, you could barely walk, and then while you’re fucking some slut, you got sick!”

“I didn’t sleep with her,” I grumbled as I turned back to face her angered expression.

“Really? Your shirt and pants tell me otherwise,” a small smirk played on her lips. I looked down to find my shirt was still completely unbuttoned and the zipper of my pants were still down. She and I busted into laughter as I started to fix it with my still shaking fingers. It's funny how one stupid thing can distract us from our arguments. She and I can never really stay mad at each other anyways.

“Did your man get to see how pretty you look today?” I grinned up at her. I never got a chance to try and figure out who the guy she's crushing on is.

As she replied, “Yes he did,” facing me with a beautiful smile, I noticed two bright lights getting brighter and closer behind her head. I tried to say something, but I was incapable of putting words together as they jumbled up in my mind. It wasn’t shock, but it was as if my brain wouldn’t allow the words to come out. I tried to lift my arm up to point out the window, but before I could, the owner of the lights collided into the car.

I watched frantically as Ada’s head flung towards me and back towards the broken window that was behind her. As I watched this in what seemed like slow motion, my heart was beating so hard in my chest that I could hear it pounding in my ears. The impact caused the car to spin wildly across the road, and before I could process it, another vehicle slammed into Ada’s car head-on. Glass shards, metal, and objects that were once sitting around the vehicle were flying everywhere as the car took another rough spin. I felt sick again as my head flew around the vehicle, hitting the door, windshield, and dashboard. The airbags didn't even pop out until the car finally came to a halt, hitting me right in the face.

I slowly lifted my head up and blinked as I stared straight out the shattered windshield with hooded eyes. My eyelids wanted to close, but I forced them to only blink as I looked at the sight before me. There was nothing ahead of us but darkness, an empty road, street lights, and a light pole. The other cars must be behind us, but my head hurt too much to move any further and check. I had difficulty breathing through my mouth considering how heavy and shaky each breath was. The cold brisk air hit my face and arms, causing goosebumps to rise and reminding me that the windows are gone. I tried to move my legs, but something was blocking it's ability to move. I suddenly felt a sticky substance dripping down my head and soon, my vision began to blur into blobs and lights.

The last thing I remember is my hand searching for Ada’s and holding it tightly, but her hand stayed limp.

---

When I woke up, my head was pounding. I let out a groan and tried to run my hands through my hair, but I felt something holding my hair back. What the fuck is that? I started scanning the room for a mirror, only to find myself in an unfamiliar room. Where am I? Where’s Ada? I have to find her.

I threw the covers off of my legs, finding myself in some kind of gown. Am I in the hospital? Is Ada here too? I need to know if she’s okay. I slid my legs so they were dangling off the bed.

“Mr. Styles?” I looked up from my view of the floor to find a doctor standing in the doorway. “It’s good to see you're awake, but you can’t get out of the bed.”

“Like hell, I can’t,” I growled as I placed my bare feet onto the cold tile that was below me. My head throbbed more, and my legs felt so sore. Before I could take a step, both of my arms were held back by the doctor and a nurse. “Let go! I need to find, Ada!” I yelled.

“Mr. Styles, you’re in no condition to walk around right now,” the damn doctor said. “If you lay back down, I’ll tell you how Miss Kane is doing.”

I rolled my eyes and huffed but gave in and laid back into the bed. The nurse pulled the covers over my legs and gave me a sympathetic smile before leaving the room. I was tempted to try and stand up again since she isn’t here to help him anymore, but I knew it’d be no use.

“My name is Doctor Stevens,” he said as he looked at a clipboard that held some paperwork. “Do you know why you are here?”

“Yup.” I really don’t feel like chatting, I just want to see her.

He looked up from the thick silver clipboard and sat down on a rolling stool, “Why are you here then, Mr. Styles?”

“I’m sure you already know, so why the fuck are you asking me?” I snarled while glaring at him intensely.

“You were in a major car accident,” he stated calmly.

“No shit,” I mumbled under my breath.

“I’m sure you already noticed, but there’s a bandage on your head,” he pointed out the fucking obvious again. “You have a few cuts along your hairline that required stitches. Your legs and feet have been bruised badly from being trapped between the dashboard and your seat. I wouldn't be surprised if you had a concussion as well. If you ask me, I’d say you’re pretty lucky to have survived the crash with so little damage.” If the dash board was pressed against my legs, then that means the car had to have been crushed pretty badly. Goddammit, I need to know how Ada is!

“Just to be safe, we did a couple of MRI scans on you; with your mum’s permission of course,” he continued.

“I don’t care!” I threw my fists at the bed. “Where is Ada?!”

He sighed, “Mr. Styles, I’ll tell you about her in a minute, but there’s something you need to know.”

“Stop stalling, and fucking tell me!” I demanded.

“If you don’t calm down, I’m gonna have to sedate you,” he gestured me to lower my voice. Bloody Bastard. I crossed my arms and looked to the side as he continued. “Mr. Styles, we found a malignant tumor in your scans.”

My jaw dropped. Did I just hear him right? I have a tumor? The headaches, the vomiting, the clumsiness, and the inability to speak suddenly makes sense. I should’ve listened to Ada and the boys when I first had symptoms. A tumor…I have cancer.

“You have Stage Four Glioblastoma,” he said with sympathy in his voice. “Since it’s so far in, there’s nothing we can do other than buy you time.” I sat there silently trying to process the information I was given. “We could perform a Left Frontal Craniotomy on you and we can guarantee a one hundred percent removal of the tumor. The thing is, although the tumor will be gone, cancer cells will still be lurking, meaning you’ll still be sick.”

“So, I’m dying?” I asked softly.

He nodded, “I’m sorry Mr. Styles.”

“How long do I have?” I asked as I twiddled my thumbs in my lap.

“It’s hard to say, but I’d guess you have around twelve to fourteen months left without the surgery,” he frowned.

“And with it?” I bit my lip nervously.

“It would add a good couple of months.”

“Then there’s no point,” I said, suddenly getting angry again. “I’m not doing the surgery. Now tell me where Ada is. I need to see her.” He frowned at his lap. “At least tell me if she’s okay.”

He looked back up at me, lightly shaking his head, “I’m sorry Mr. Styles, but Miss Kane passed away at the scene.” No, no, no. This can’t be happening.

“You’re lying!” I shouted at him.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized again, only making me fume even more.

“SHE’S NOT DEAD! YOU’RE LYING!” I screamed at him. I started climbing out of my bed again to go find her.

“Harry!” my mum and Ada’s mum ran in with tears rolling down their faces. Fuck. No. It’s not true. She can’t be dead.

"I have to find her!" I yelled at the concerned faces that were watching my every move. "She's fine!"

I observed as two nurses came running in, probably to sedate me, but the doctor stopped them in their tracks.

"Oh, Baby," my mum sniffled as she stepped towards me, but I took a step back in dismay.

"I need to see her," my voice was barely audible. "Please tell me it's not true, Mum."

Mrs. Kane let out a trembling breath as she fought her tears back, "Harry, she's gone."

I shook my head and whispered, "No, she can't be. She just can't." My mum just nodded without another word falling from her lips; her simple nod confirming what Mrs. Kane had just said.

Eventually, all the information sunk in my brain. I'm dying, and Ada's dead. My legs became weak, and before I realized it, I fell to my knees onto the cold tile. My mum and Mrs. Kane surrounded me and wrapped their arms around my torso and shoulders as I began to sob into my hands. At the moment, I don't care about the pain that is shooting through my head and legs, and I certainly don't care I have a tumor. Only one thing is on my mind:

The girl I've known for twenty years has vanished from my life forever. The girl I hung out with twenty-four/seven is no longer with me. My other half, my wingwoman, my go-to friend, and my little thrill seeker no longer exists. Her sandy blonde hair, her big brown eyes, her pale pink lips, her golden tan skin, her kindness, her witty humor, her recklessness...it has all dissolved.

She’s gone. My best friend is gone. Blondie is gone. Ada is gone.

It should've been me. I am the one who's dying anyways...

Notes

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! iHarryStyles and I have been extremely excited to write this story for weeks and it's finally out! I'm so happy!

It's definitely a different and interesting one, so I'd suggest you subscribe to see the obstacles and adventures that are to come for Harry. Also give it a vote for us since it'd be much appreciated.

Also, I ask you to please check out my other story, "Mistreated" and iHarryStyles' story, "Stay With Me..."

Thank you and love you all<3

- Mylalaland