All Hidden Away

I woke up lying down with a very sore and pounding head. There were hushed whispers which I recognised as Stu and Jared. I opened my eyes to see a doctor talking to them. All three figures’ foreheads displayed frowns and concern. Stu was facing me and had his hand grasping his mouth forming a funny fish-like-mouth. His eyes widened and he smiled when we made eye contact.
“Morning sleeping beauty!” he took a step towards my bed as I tried to sit up. But my arm couldn’t come to help me; there was a slight tug and then a sharp stabbing feeling in my left elbow. I looked down and saw the needle protruding from my skin and suddenly felt sick again. There was a reason I wasn’t studying to become a doctor. I groaned loudly and the woman in the white lab coat came forward.
“You might want to hold tight just for a few moments.” She said with an applied smile. “You’re quite concussed.” she added looking at the file in her hands.
“How bad?” I asked with a grimace.
“Enough.” She said with a sad smile. “Stuart was telling me you were meant to drive home today, and I don’t think-“
“Today?” I asked cutting across her very confused, it was Thursday, not Friday.
“Well you’ve been asleep for 10 hours.” Jared final pitched in.
“10… so its 1 am?” I asked trying to wrap my head around it.
“Yes… but as I was saying, I’m not letting you drive for a couple of days, at least until the headaches gone. So Stuart said hell drive you home, so don’t stress.” She said closing my file.
“And I called your mum.” Stu added.
“Well she’s probably having a field day…” I muttered.
“Right well I’ll let you get dressed; you can go home and get some rest there.” She said coming and taking out the drip. “And please don’t not eat in the morning again. Your body can’t handle it with the heart, ok love?” she said smiling at me.

By six we were headed home. Jared dropped us off and said goodbye. I thanked him for everything and he wished me good luck for traveling home.
“You know what,” Stu said opening our door with my keys. “You actually remind me so much of your brother when you don’t brush your hair.” He winked as I pushed him out the way and went to my room. As I was about to open my door my phone started ringing. My ringtone; Throne by Bring Me the Horizon echoed through the house.
“Hello?” I answered the unknown number.
“Heyo me Luv!” a thick Doncaster accent screamed at me. Was it Louis?
“Hey, um, is this-”before I finished my question he screamed
“IT’S LOU-BEAR!!!” he screamed so loudly in my ear I dropped the phone and clutched at the throbbing pain in my head. Stu heard the clatter and came running. Lou was still shouting ramblings while Stu checked I was ok. He picked up the phone and answered for me.
“Dude calm down!” he screamed back. “She’s concussed as fuck and the screaming’s making it worse!” there was a sudden glint in his eye while talking to my brothers best mate. I went into my room and put down my stuff and called Stu in while I took off my shoes and curled into bed under my patterned black and white covers.
“No, she’s ok. She just passed out at lunch… yes… two or three.”
“Put them on speaker.” I said closing my eyes and fitting into my pillow.
“- but why did she?” Lou sounded concerned and I could practically hear his frown.
“I’m ok Lou-Bear. Really.”
“Sorry about all the shoutin’ luv…”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know. You with Harry?” I asked wanting to check my brother wasn’t doing his nut like he normally does when stuff like this happens… which is does… a lot.
“He’s just puttin’ on some pants. Should be down in a few. All the boys say hi.”
At this point a small choir exploded with “hellos!” and “how are you’s?”
“Keep it down lads! She’s concussed!” Louis screamed making more noise than they were - causing me to flinch.
“SHE’S WHAT!?” we heard a faraway scream over the phone followed by footsteps and a loud thunk as the phone was stolen out of Lou’s hand. “What happened? Are you ok?” Harry said into the phone obviously stressed.
“She’s fine. Just didn’t eat breakfast. Doc said she should be fine my Monday.”
“Jesus… thanks for looking after her Stu.” Harry said letting out a loud sigh. “Have you told mum? Maybe I should call and-”
“Stu called her but I was about to message her when Lou called.” I sat up and the room tilted. “Stu, can I please get a glass of water?” I said looking at him.
“Sure,” he said standing up “I’ll be back” he said into the phone handing it to me.
“So what’s up?” I asked rubbing my temples.
“Well, we haven’t spoken in about-” Harry got cut across by Niall.
“5 days and we were all missin’ our little sis!” his thick Irish accent portrayed perfectly through the reception.
“Yeah, but lads… she’s my little sister not ours.” Harry joked and the sound of someone getting pushed onto the floor sounded through the phone.
“Well thanks guys, I’m really missing you too… don’t be such a hog Hazza.” I said as Stu walked back in my room with my water. “Thanks Stu.” I said taking a large glug of the lovely freshness and swallowed my prescribed meds.
“Okay well I’m not wanting to play the daddy Direction, cause I know that jobs taken.”stated Stu as Niall started laughing on the other side and a strange mutter was heard from Liam. “But T needs to sleep; she looks a bit like death and just took some meds.” I kicked him in his side. “So maybe we can do some catching up later?” He suggested.
“Yeah sure thing… shit man, hope you ok Tasha” Liam said in response as I lay back into bed.
“Yah, get betta soon luv!” Louis called through.
“Luv you, girllie!” Niall said his voice fading away.
“Stay safe, kay? Love you Tasha, chat soon.” Harry made a kissy noise which I replicated before promptly falling asleep.

When I woke up, the sky was a very clear and pretty blue. And there was a suitcase next to me on the floor. I slowly got up and out of bed and walked into the kitchen to find Stuart and Jared sitting there having some cold drinks and food of some kind that smelt really good but I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it down.
“Morning sleeping beauty” Jared winked at me.
“Aahhh,” I pretended to swoon. “My prince in shining armour!” I pulled up a stool and sat next to Stu across from him.
“Here,” Stu slid me plate with a bun on it and said “You need to eat.” I picked and nibbled at the bun while they spoke about some lecturer or something. I checked the time, it was about ten am. Jared caught my glance and shoved the rest of his bun and ham in his mouth, mixed it with some water and swallowed.
“We best get going, before it gets too late.” He signalled to Stu.
“Where you guys headed?” I asked grabbing another nibble of my bun.
“Well the two of us are going to drop you off at your mums for the weekend.” Jared said with a twinkle in his eye and smile playing on his lips. “So quickly go pack your stuff!” he said, his smile spreading to his amazingly green eyes.

Notes