Shattered

Chapter 12~ "She Just Needs To Get Laid!"
Chapter song- Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden
[The Attic, 9:50]
Liam's POV
~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
I rush up to Harry's room and burst through the door. "Get the fuck u-" He was standing in the middle of the room, dressed, shoes on, and scarf and coat in hand. "Y-you're dressed." I manage to say
"Yes... I am." Harry replied back, looking down at himself. "This is suitable, right?"
I was in shock, and I didn't realize that I had paused for so long so I nodded. Harry was now messing with a messenger bag, adjusting the strap and rearranging the notebooks and other items he had stored inside.
"S-so, you're coming," I finally say. Harry looks at me peculiarly.
"Yes, I am." Harry says slowly. "Why are you so shocked?"
I shake my head quickly and rub the side of my face. "N-no reason. I just thought that I'd, well... that I'd have to fight you with this too.."
"People can change, Liam" Harry mumbles quietly. "Besides, I'm just not fond of going to grocery stores."
I nod. Harry proceeds to walk past me towards the door when I stop him.
"Why the change?"
He doesn't turn around. "What do you mean?"
"Why the sudden change?" I ask again. "Why are you willing to go? You haven't been outside in nearly a year.."
"Because," He says. "I'm all she's got. This is my chance to fix it."
And with that, he proceeds to exit the attic, leaving me to stand there baffled by his words. The Harry I once knew was beginning to show again.
[Child Protective Services, 10:31]
Rebecca's POV
About half an hour later I was sitting in an air-conditioned office with Niall, Liam and Harry. Harry sat two chairs away from as if to look like he wasn't with us. He hung his head low and his hood was up. A gray-faced woman in a dark blue dress suit sat behind a heavy wooden desk- also known as Madaline Schuller, my case worker, the witch.
It was nine forty-eight, a Monday morning.
This wasn't my first time sitting in her office, but I could let that it sure was Liam and Niall's. The two boys sat nervously and messed with the hems of their shirts- i remember Liam commenting on how he should have dressed up more and how Harry needs to take off his coat. I also remember Liam telling me that Harry was a good bloke, despite how he looks. He thinks I haven't already seen him!
She did her normal routine where she'd tell me how sorry she was about my parents, reread the auto crash report, then go over the details of the will and how that would all work. Then she'd ask me how I was holding up, how I was doing, if I was getting enough sleep and then she'd turn to my foster-parent. Only this time, it was Harry, not some snob that complained that I was being difficult or that I was not doing well in school, or et cetra.
I gulped as I turned to Niall, Liam and Harry. This part was funny, in my opinion.
Harry lifted his head up, and Madeline Schuller let out a gasp, but quickly composed herself to look more professional and leaned forward to listen to what he had to say.
"She hasn't been an issue," He says, surprisingly sounding confident. I bet Liam and Niall were surprised by his answer, same with Schuller. In fact, she asked again.
"Mr. Styles, how has Rebecca been since she has been placed in your home. You are under no obligations to assume guardianship, and she has a record of being a bi-"
"I said that she is fine, Mrs. Schuller." Harry states again. "And I am sure that Payne and Horan would gladly agree. She has been nothing but wonderful. Now, why have you really called us in here?"
Madeline Schuller swallowed the lump that seemed to be forming in her throat. She was not expecting this meeting to go the way that it was. She was expecting Harry to gripe and complain about how 'She always takes off', or 'She won't eat anything', or ' there something wrong with this girl and it makes me fear for my husband and I's safety', or 'We don't think that she is a good match for our family'.
These were all things that were said time and time again. I bet Schuller already had a family lined up for me. Two or even three.
But this meeting, it was different. So, so, so different. And the fact that my green-eyed friend made direct eye contact and put her in her place, made me smile inwardly.
It was something truly refreshing.
"I- um," She searched through her papers to find my file. She seemed to be having a bit of trouble. "Well, this is a mandatory check in, Mr. Styles. You're new to this, I see. I basically call a meeting every other week to ensure that the child that has been placed within your care has their needs met- being fed, properly clothed, is safe, and being cared for. Which sounds like all of those need have been met." She turned to her computer and began typing away. "I will schedule meeting at the residence next Tuesday, will that work?" she asks, raising her eyebrow.
"Hold on, Schuller." Spoke up Niall this time. "What do you mean?"
"I have to make sure that the residence is safe and meets all requirements for the child." she replies. A hint of evil glee glinted around the brown of her eyes.
"What requirements?" All three boys ask in unison. Madeline looked to Harry, giving him a look of something along the lines of disgust before smiling at Niall and Liam.
"I'll have some forms printed off for you," she says. She typed a couple of things in as then turns to the printer, where about seven sheets spewed out. She staples them and hands them over to Liam, giving him a flirty smile. I hated this woman.
"Next Tuesday," she smiles fakely. She stood up and opened the door, signaling us to leave.
The four of us did, gladly.
"What a bitch," Niall mutters under his breath. "Did you see the way she looked at us, Harry? She wanted to eat us! I'm only twenty! She had to be, like, thirty-five."
"Correction," Harry said solemnly, pulling his hood back on "She wanted to eat you two."
"Yeah, you're right. She almost threw up when she saw you," Niall replied. Harry huffed as we made it back to the car.
"Where to?" Liam asks me. They let me sit in front, Liam was the only one who could drive, so that left Niall and a moody Harry to sit in the back. He sat right behind me too. I couldn't help but smile inwardly.
"I- I dunno." I answered honestly.
"Well we've still got to take you shopping, and according to this list, we've got some bloody repairs to start on," Liam says.
"Ugh!" Niall groans. "So does that mean we have to work?"
"Well, we enjoy having 'Miss Lane' around," Liam said in a Louis voice. "So we need to make sure that bitch-witch doesn't swoop down and nab her."
"I think she just needs to get laid," Niall blurts. we were all silent for a moment. Before we broke out into laughter.
It was a good laugh and all, however, Harry was the only one not laughing. He seemed so solemn.
"Why don't we go for lunch first? There's this little restraunt and little market down by Thames? The have a lot of cool stuff I think you'd like. Afterwards, we can start looking at paint?" Liam offered me. I nodded. This could be fun.
It wasn't long before we arrived at a small quiet harbour along the Thames river. Liam was right, it was really nice. But even more so, it was so pretty. The water glistened beneath the spring sun and seagulls soared majestically to and fro in search for a good place to land. I remember my dad always making remarks about how they were the 'rats of the air', though. At the end of the wooden deck was a small shack painted a dark peach colour with red trimmings. and on the side, bolded in an aqua green font, was a sign that read, "Sal's Famous Fish and chips!"
"I know it doesn't look like much, but trust me, you're going to fall in love with this place." he assured me as we stepped inside. The dining area looked like it could fit, like ten people max, and the counter was lined with more stools than it could actually seat. And yet, the place was jammed-packed. It was a wonder how there was still enough oxygen for this huge mass of bodies, let alone the fact the waitresses were somehow able to get from one table to the other. One thing I found a bit funny was that Harry was at least a head taller than every single person in the room.
"Li, Niall!" someone called. Liam and Niall turned their heads and grinned, waved, then Liam took my hand and weaved me through the chaos over to a small booth. There were two people sitting there already. My heart leapt for joy.
"Louis!" I exclaimed. I felt myself being swept up in an enormous bear hug.
"Miss Lane, I'm so happy to see you, again!" He laughs. He sets me back on the ground and it was then I notced the other lad, the dark haired, carmel skinned bloke already siting down. His eyes were dark and his stare was intense. However he was not staring at me. I followed his gaze to fined that his eyes were locked with Harry's. Harry's were just sas somber. "This Rebecca."
The man broke eye contact with Harry and met mine. They quickly melted into something warm and maple coloured. He kindly, but then it quickly dropped. So much for being warm and friendly. We all sat down, Harry sitting directly across from the unknown man. On one side of the booth sat Louis, me, then the 'dark man', across when Niall, Liam and then Harry on the inside.
No one really spoke. However, from the expression on every one's face, that was probably a good thing. Harry had his face tilted slightly down and and to the right, trying to avoid exposing his face to the crowded resturant. Yet, both men's eyes were still locked together, and there was no sign of it breaking.
I decided to speak up. I turned to the unnamed boy. "So.. I never did catch your name."
"I didn't give one." he replies.
"Oh, right." I say in response. "I'm Rebecca."
" 've already been told."
"Right, well?" I was really struggling at this point. "What's your name?"
"Zayn," he says.
"Well, its nice to meet you." I say. The man didn't answer, he just continue to stare at Harry. This is really be getting the bug me if I'm going to be completely honest. I think what I found most annoying ways that he would not make eye contact with me as I was talking with him. He just staired at Harry like he was some sort of disease, like he was trash.
"You know, you're pretty fucking rude, you know that?" I say to the bloke. He seemed shocked. Everyone was, actually. He turned to me slowly. And made eye contact with me now.
"What did you say?" he asks me slowly. If I would have been lying to you if I told you that his voice was not semi-intimidating. Sometimes I wish I was not so pugnatious.
"I said you're being fucking rude. Would you quit staring? Look at something else."
"You know what, kid, you obviously don't know what you're getting yourself into. So I suggest you stay the bloody hell out of this." He spat. He turned his attention back to Harry, who's gaze hardened even more, his jaw was set so tightly that the bone was purtruding on the sides. His face darkened too.
It was my turn to be taken aback. Like damn. . .
Louis leaned into me and mumbled, "Don't take it personally, Miss Lane, they have a couple of issues to work through."
"Oh," was all that I managed to say.
Niall piped up and talked about the deby game the next day, and how he was stoked because his county was playing. I was thankful for Niall's bubliness in that moment. It toned down the intesity between the two boys.
I also got a better look at Zayn. . .
His body seemed to be almost covered in tattoos, and they were nicely done, and were a nice contrast to his already darker skin.
Eventually the waitress came, took our order and we pretty much ate in silence. During that time- about half way through- Louis and Zayn had to leave. They had to got to work, they said. Which made me wonder..
"What do you guys do for a living?" I ask.
"Well, I'm a footie coach at this highschool during the spring, it'll start up again though in the summer though for try-outs and conditioning." Niall asnwered. "So m' job is seasonal."
"And I'm retired from the military," Liam aswered.
"wait, what?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "But you're like.."
"I'm almost twenty-three," Liam told me. "I graduated highschool half a year early and went straight in. Served for four years."
"Explains the bicepts," I mumbled.
"I suppose." humoured Liam.
We finished up and headed out. We went down to this little flea market and they let me pick out a bed frame, a mattress, and a rocking chair for my room, they picked out a couple things for the livingroom~ mainly picture frames and stuff to hang on the walls to make it seem more inviting for My witchy-bitch of a case worker,. The bigger items were to be delivered on the following Monday. I went to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of gummie bears when I heard bickering. Walking down the wallway somehow managing to find my way down to the main area. And to my surprise, I saw the boys taking a large flat screen out of a box. Wires and packaging foam strewn about them.
"What the hell are you guys doing?"
"Footie match this Sunday," Niall answered, his face buried in a large crumpled paper that resembled one of those road trip maps. It was almost as large as him.
"Niall, hand me the red one," Liam said as he was busy turning a black plastic box around in his hands.
"Which red one?"
"That red one."
"That's orange."
"Well hand me the orange cable then."
"I thought you need the red one,"
"For gods sakes Niall I don't fucking know!"
And the bickering continued for the next two hours. I didn't stay around for it.
There were several things that bugged me, for example Louis and Zayn. And then. . .
I got a note slipped under my door while I was changing into the pajamas that I had stuffed into my knapsack. I bent down and picked up the slip and unfolded it.
Tonight, do you want to talk some more? Please?
-H
I smiled. He pretty much read my mind.

Notes