The Hitchhiker

Harry's POV

I park the car outside the hospital, and Tyra and I head out leaving our packed bags in the boot.
We make our way into the building, already knowing to which floor we are headed.
"Mom, you're awake," Tyra gushes in delight, "How did you sleep?"
"Well enough I guess, I'm feeling slightly better," Her mum smiles a weak smile.
"Mom you remember Harry? He is the guy helping me," She introduces me again.
"Hello hun, I'm so glad Ty isn't traveling alone," She grins up at me.
"Pleasure to meet you, and I assure you it is no problem at all," I reply.
"Oh, an English man, and what dimples, Tyra you didn't mention what a hunk he is," Mr. Horan winks at me.
"Mom, please, you can stop now," Tyra's cheeks flush red and I can't help but smirk.
"Mom, I had a dream about Ni last night," Tyra mumbles a moment later.
"He wasn't doing well, and he was running from someone, he owed them money and came to the house to find some cash," She goes on.
"That doesn't sound like our Niall," Her mum crinkles her forehead.
"No it doesn't, I need to go to LA to find him mom, to make sure if he's alright," Tyra holds her mum's hand.
"You do that," He mum agrees with a nod.
"But mom, I need to know you are ok, that you are taken care of, I can't leave without being sure of it," Tyra sighs.
"I'm fine hun, I have amazing people looking after me."
"I feel bad for going," Tyra's voice cracks. It kills me seeing her hurt for her mum this way. She is a strong girl and I know she is not used to crying as much as she has these past months, but she is holding all of her family's pain in her heart, which would take a toll on anyone.
"Don't! You will find Niall soon enough and we will all be together again, my only regret is that I can't come with," her mum says in a sad tone.
"Promise me you will call me if something happens," Tyra makes her mum promise.
" promise, don't worry sugar," Her mum kisses her forehead. Tyra hugs her mum tightly and kisses her cheek before letting go.
"Feel better," I wish her, and we leave the room.
Tyra is quiet and I know she needs time to calm down so I give it to her. She walks over to the front desk and asks for Dr. Malik.
Ten minutes later he appears with a smile and warm brown eyes.
"Tyra, how are you this morning?" He questions her with a wide smile.
"Well, and yourself?"
"Good, I'm actually on my way to see how your mom's doing," He remarks.
"Good, she is even up, I'm leaving now for LA but I wanted to ask a favor of you," She is twisting her fingers before glancing back up at the doctor.
"I know this is a lot to ask, but if I could get updates from you please? It will put my mind at ease and I will try my best to come back as fast as I can," She hurries to promise.
"You know what? Sure, why no, I would love to," He agrees.
"Really? Great! So this is my number, thank you so much! Really this means the world to me," She gushes.
"Take care ya'll, hope you find what you're looking for," He waves us off.
Tyra takes my hand in hers, and I can tell she is feeling much better about leaving again after this conversation with the doctor.
"Off to LA," She states as we reach the car.
"yes indeed," I smile.
I slid into my seat and watch as Tyra clicks the buckle in place.
"What?" She questions with a slight smile when she notices.
"Nothing," I smirk, but continue to stare.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asks, her smile more permanent.
"It's just... Just that- you know how amazing you are? Do you even know? And beautiful and wonderful and I love you," I lean in and kiss her softly.
"What was that for?" Her smile is wide and her eyes are shining and my heart, my heart feels like it will burst with love in any moment,
"Because- you are going through a shitty time and you still manage to pull through and keep your head up and smile and laugh, I admire it," I reply.
"I- for once I think I might be speechless," Her eyes go wide as her cheeks are coloured with blush.
"There is always a first time for everything," I chuckle and pull closer to her. I touch her cheek and bite my bottom lip.
"When I tell you I love you- I mean it, I really do love you," I whisper. Tyra nods and kisses me touching my face with both her hands, making me feel like the luckiest man alive.

Tyra's POV

As Harry drives and the radio plays softly I am looking out the window at the changing landscape outside. Harry's hand is rested on my thigh, and I lace my fingers with his. I feel relaxed and I know it is his doing, making sure I know I'm not alone, that I have someone with me, step by step, and it is amazing how better it can make me feel.
Harry's phone rings and he answers it. I pull a face hating him talking on it as he drives, but he doesn't notice.
"Yeah, very well, see you soon," And he ends the call.
"Who was that?" I ask. The only people calling Harry are his family and they are all in the UK.
"Calum," He shrugs.
"Calum? Why did you say see you soon?" I inquire, not fully comprehending what is going on.
"He is on his way to meet us, he will be joining us on the look in LA," Harry explains.
"Seriously?" I am shocked, "When did that happen?"
"Yesterday, when we got to your house, with everything that was going on I reckoned it was best to let him know, since I thought it will take time for you to get back on track so someone should be looking for your brother in the meantime," He takes a turn into a gas station.
"So he just agreed to come down?" I am staring at Harry with an open mouth.
"Well yeah, he asked me to call if we need any help so I did," Harry parks the car and turns to me.
"Are you cross with me?" He questions.
"No- why would I be?"
"Because Calum is coming all the way down to LA with us?"
"No- no I'm not, I am just surprised that's all,” I smile to assure him.
"Thank you!" I add leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for calling him- I'm touched by it- really," I wrap my arms around his neck inching closer to him in the car seat.
I can't believe it. I know Harry would do this for me- but Calum doesn't owe me a thing, so I can't help but feel overwhelmed by it.
"Don't thank me babe, I would do it all over again," He kisses my temple.
We get out the car and walk into the little shop on the side.
Apparently, we are meeting up with Calum here, which will take him about another half an hour.
I decide to try my luck and walk up to the cashier, holding Niall's photo in my hand.
"Can I help you sugar?" She asks. She smells of cigarettes and cheep perfume.
"Yes please, I wonder if you've seen this guy? It must be a while back.. but still.. maybe you remember?"
"Show me that," She snatches the photo out of my hand.
"This boy- is he your boyfriend?" She asks me.
"Well no-"
"He was here all right! With another punk! I am still paying off the damage they cost me!" She raises her voice.
"What is this?" Harry steps in next to me.
"Apparently he was here with another guy and they-"
"They trashed the place that's what they did! What do you have with them?! I will not have you two in here causing trouble as well," The woman points a chubby finger at me.
"Of course not! We are here to buy some food and wait for a friend that will be meeting up with us, and then we'll be off," Harry smiles at her.
"You have money to pay for your food?! I will not be cheated again!"
"Yes, can you please tell me what my brother has done?" I ask.
"He's your brother then?! That brother of yours and his friend ate here and wanted to leave without paying! When I confronted them on it they ran knocking over a whole bunch of things and breaking things- leaving me with a mess and damage."
"Are you sure it was him?! That doesn't sound like him," I stutter.
"Am I sure?! Are you calling me a liar?! I know what I saw young lady!" She shouts.
"Ok- she wasn't accusing you! Just making sure," Harry hurries to point out to her.
"That punk of a brother you have- you should know what he is capable of by now don't you think?" The woman snarls at me.
"That's the thing- he isn't like that- this is why I'm so surprised," I try to explain.
“Well, you don’t know your brother very well do you,” The woman huffs.
“This is not an excuse- however, the boy has been through a lot.. He has lost his father and his mum is very sick this moment, so we are looking for him to get him back home to see her,” Harry states to the woman.
“I’m sorry for your lose, but I have a business to run and expenses to pay and no time for trouble makers like your brother,” She folds her hands as she directs me.
“You know what Harry? Let’s wait for Calum in the car, we can stop someplace else for food,” I say bitterly.
“Yeah, you do that,” The woman calls after us, as I take Niall’s photo off the counter and make my way back out of the shop.
I can’t believe this is Niall she is talking about. That cannot be so. He is kind and truthful, he will never cheat his way or leave without paying.
I have to find him as fast as I can. I need to see him, make sure he’s alright, and bring him back home to mom.

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