HARRY'S POV
"Wait. . . WHAT?" Niall says, shock gathering in his blue eyes and hurt pouring over his face.
"Her parents died," I repeat, holding back tears as i hear Jovy let out a strangled sob from the other room. "They died three years ago. Your 'your mom' joke wasn't funny." I say, bringing up the obvious problem with the situation.
"Shit," Zayn says, puting his head in his hands. "I feel so stupid. I'm so sorry, Harry."
"Me too," Liam and Niall say, voices drenched with guilt.
"You guys didn't know, so don't take it so hard. She'll be alright. Let me go check on her," I say, turning and walking to the kitchen, patting Zayn's shoulder as I pass by.
I step into the kitchen and see Jovy there, Crounched on the floor, leaning against the counter with her knees to her chest and her head buried in her arms on top of her knees. She is still crying, and now she's trembling.
"Jovy," I say, dropping to the floor and scooting over to her. I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest, causing her to unfold a bit and bury her face in my shirt. She wraps her arms around my waist and lets her bent legs lean againts mine.
"It'll be okay, love," I whisper, stroking her hair gently.

JOVY'S POV
I run into the kitchen and begin to sob uncontrollably. My parents are gone. They are gone forever and there's nothing I can do about it. I knew this before but I just didn't really let it sink in until I heard someone else say it. Granted they said it meaning it to be a joke, but the words them selves are true. I sink to the floor and cry some more, knowing they can probably hear me in the other room, but I can't seem to control the tears or noises. When Zayn apologizes, my heart breaks at his tone. He sounds so guilty and hurt and I want to run in and hug him and tell him it's okay, but i can't will myself to stand up. Instead, I pull my knees to my chest and sob into my arms.
"Jovy," a soft raspy voice says, and then I hear him move over to me. He wraps me in his arms and I know it's Harry, so I let myself unravel a bit and I lean on him, sobbing into his shirt.
"It'll be okay, love," He says as he gently strokes my hair. I nod into his chest and let some more tears fall.
"They didn't know," I say, pulling back and speaking with a croak. "It's not they're fault, they must know that," I say.
"They're only worried," Harry says, pushing a stray bunch of hair out of my face and behind my ear. "Like I am."
"I'm fine, Harry," I say, grabbing his hand and placing it on my chest above my heart. "Feel that?" I ask, recieving a puzzled look from Harry. "That's my heartbeat. As long as it's still thumping away, I'm okay. The world will keep turning. Things happen for a reason, people make mistakes, and things go badly. I don't think of those boys any differently because of an honest mistake, nor do I see you differently. It's okay. It really is. I've been needing to let those tears go for some time now." I chuckle a bit and look at Harry.
His face is of complete awe, like I'm some amazing specimen. I don't get it. I'm nothing compared to half the beautiful girls throwing themselves at him everyday.
"You're amazing, Jovy, you know that right?" He says, seriously, making me blush and look down. He lifts my chin gently with his hand and smiles, warming my heart. "You really are. You're forgiving and strong and wise and beautiful and so many more things. I love being around you every second because you brighten up the room just with a smile."
I smile crazily and lean in to kiss his cheek. He turns at the last minute and our lips meet, sending a shiver down my body. I pull back and smile at him again.
He stands up and offers me a hand. "Come on. Let's gp make sure they know you're okay."
I smile and take it, and he helps me up and leads me into the living room where everyone sits idly, wallowing in their guilt.
"Guys," I say, stepping toward them. Before I can go on, I'm engulfed in a hug from three guilty goofballs.
"We're really sorry, Jovy," Niall says.
"Yeah, we didn't know," Liam says.
"Can you forgive us?" Zayn asks.
I laugh and pull away. "Of course!" I say, smiling. "You were forgiven the moment you said it. I just needed to let those tears go."
They all three let out a breath they'd been holding and smile.
"Well, we just want you to know that you can always count on us whenever you need something," Liam says, placing a kind hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah like financial troubles, job troubles, boy troubles. . ." Niall says the last part and shoots Harry a playful glare, who rolls his eyes and chuckles a bit.
"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it," I say.
"Do you like food?" Niall says, grabbing my shoulders with a sudden urgency.
"Love it," I say, smirking.
"Well, then, Jovy, I challenge you to help me make the best round of pancakes there ever was!" Niall says, smiling from ear-to-ear.
I smile too and say, "Let's do it, Horan."
Niall and I race to the kitchen and begin grabbing ingredients, passing by a slightly jealous looking Harry (great). I really like these guys. They're sincere and funny and, might I add, gorgeous! I could spend hours upon days upon weeks with them and love every second of it.
Niall stirs the batter while I add ingrdient after ingredient into the bowl. Then we pour the batter pancake by pancake onto the flat stovetop and begin flipping. In no time, we have about two dozen pancakes made and ready for a hungry group of people.
"Orrrderrrrr UP!" I shout toward the living room, hearing a few whoops in response as the grou gathers in the kitchen, awaiting their scrumpcious snack. Including Harry, who's looking at Niall with complete jealousy. Great. I'll have to deal with him later. Right now, I have hungry mouths to feed and friendships to build.

Notes

Hope y'all like it! I think Jovy and Niall are going to be great friends. Feedback is appreciated!

With love,
lifeisabook