Part Thirty-Eight

Lauren’s POV

When they were packed we ran down to the lobby, telling Harry to say sorry and to let the boys know, because we couldn't say goodbye. Well, we could, but that would mean wasting time we might not have. The longer we waited, the longer she would be alone doing God knows what. It had been almost two weeks since we'd last seen her.

We got taxi to the airport. When we arrived at the airport Beth and I sprinted to the reception desk, whilst Molly and Mel grabbed all of the cases- only four of them. We explained about Harry booking our tickets and they gave us them before we took our cases from Mel and Molly, we then sprinted through customs, with Mel and Molly trudging along behind us. I can’t believe they haven’t worked it out yet, especially Mel.

We got on the plane quickly as we had gotten the earliest tickets possible. Beth was the first to get on the plane, but before she did she stopped and pulled something out her pocket, she fiddled with it for a second and then slapped her hand on the outside of the plane.

“What?” I mumbled as she walked on the plane, I followed her and looked at what she had done. She had stuck a sticker of a llama on the side of the plane, it wasn’t huge- about the size of a child’s hand.

I laughed lightly and hurried on after Beth. We showed them our tickets and they directed us to this separate place to where the other passengers were going. I didn’t understand. She opened a curtain door for me and I saw Beth bouncing on a small… bed?

“Where are we?” I asked taking the bed-sofa next to Beth.

“It’s first class,” Beth said.

“W-What?” I gasped. I’d never been in first class before, maybe we’re in the wrong place.

“Harry got us first class tickets,” Beth said as if it were obvious.

“Why?” I muttered.

“I don’t know, so we’d have a comfy flight, because he loves you, because he wants to take our minds off why we are going back early,” Beth listed possibilities.

“Speaking of that- why are we going back early?” Molly asked grumpily.

“Yeah, and why couldn’t we say bye to the boys? It’s okay for you Lauren, Harry was there, but we didn’t get to say bye,” Mel agreed with Molly.

“Guys,” I shouted over them and they stopped moaning and looked at me startled.

“We’ve got something to tell you, and you’re not going to like it,” Beth said slowly and they nodded for us to carry on.

“Now, we all agree something is wrong with Sophia,” I said and they nodded again.

“Well, we think we know what it is,” Beth continued.

“Earlier today, Harry came to me and told me that the morning after the prank, he woke up to Sophia smashing a mirror and screaming…” I said and Mel’s eyes widened and she looked as though she was going to protest.

“She’s been losing weight, she’s weak, pale, ill looking, and she’s been very grumpy and argumentative,” Beth said looking at Mel.

“Not again,” Mel whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek, “She can’t… they said… the doctors, if it happened again… she’d lose weight quicker and become critically ill in about a week, because her body hasn’t recovered properly. They said… if it happens again within in the next five years… she might… die.”

“That’s why we got the first flight back. We assume she’s gone back home, so when we get there we need to be ready for anything okay?” I said.

“Okay,” Molly whispered, her voice cracking a little. It had hit us all hard. The plane started to move and we all sat back and buckled ourselves in.

“When we get there we can’t mention we know okay?” Mel said after we were in the air and the seatbelt sign was off.

“Why?” Beth asked.

“Because she’ll panic and do something reckless, last time she tried to jump out her bedroom window, my dad had to kick down the door and pull her back from the window before she jumped,” Mel whispered, pain clear on her face.

“Okay, so no one mention it, just act normal,” Molly nodded.

“We should watch her for a day or two, and see if it actually is… anorexia… if it is we need to call for an ambulance, I’ll do that, so I can explain what happened last time; but no one can mention anything about hospital, or she’ll totally flip,” Mel said strictly.

“Got it,” We all muttered.

“So we all act normal and watch how she is for a day or two, then we decided what to do from there,” Beth said, checking she was right.

“Yes,” Mel nodded.

“Okay,” We all nodded once more and then settled down in our seats.

This was going to be a long, agonising nine hour flight.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When the plane finally landed in England we gathered our stuff, which wasn’t much and left the plane, Beth stopped and looked at where she had stuck her sticker… it was gone!

“It’s gone!” She turned around, her eyes wide.

“Wow,” I muttered.

“Someone in like China is going to look up and then BAM they will get attacked be le llama sticker!” Beth said her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Wow,” I muttered again.

Imagine it though… a Chinese man, casually taking a stroll in the streets then BAM he’s blinded by a llama sticker smooshing his face. He would be shouting and stumbling around like a mad man until someone pulled the sticker off, pulling off his hair as well… leaving him bald. Wow. Just wow.

“Focus,” Mel muttered and pushed past us, hurrying to get the cases. I think she thinks she should have noticed and stopped it before. She blames herself. She shouldn’t, none of us could have seen this coming. I think it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have been so harsh on her, I shouldn’t have gotten angry at her, I should have trusted her with Harry. I know they’d never do anything. I’ve ruined her life. I made Niall break up with her, I made her stop eating, I turned everyone against her, I made her life hell.

What sort of friend am I?

“I’ve got the cases,” Molly shouted and ran towards us dragging all four cases, looking very peculiar. She was hobbling and stumbling and tripping up the cases as she shuffled through the small crowd to get to where we stood with a trolley. We loaded the cases on and pushed the trolley outside. We had called Mel’s mum to ask her to pick us up from the airport.

“Mum!” Mel shouted and hurried over to her mother who was standing beside a car.

“Melissa,” Mel’s mother smiled and hugged her.

“Oh mum, I can’t believe it might be happening again,” Mel cried into her mother’s shoulder.

“I know darling, it’s going to be hard,” Her mother whispered. I keep forgetting that it’s Sophia’s Auntie. We climbed into the car, putting our cases in the boot of the car. On the way home we explained our plan to Mel’s mum, who’s name we found out was Wendy. She agreed with it and gave us some more pointers on how to act around Sophia. She also told us to keep her and Dean, Mel’s dad, in the loop. We promised we would and thanked her for the lift once we arrived outside the house.

We walked up to the door after waving off Wendy. I unlocked the door and we all tumbled into the house. We all ran upstairs and threw our cases in our rooms before meeting again at the bottom of the stairs.

“Right, so remember, act normal,” Mel whispered and we all nodded before Molly pushed the lounge door open- we heard music coming from there; you know the music that’s on the Wii Fit, that music.

“Sophia!” Molly shouted soon as the door opened. She ran forward and the view was soon cleared and we could all see Sophia lying motionless on the floor beside the Wii Fit board; the Wii fit was on and I could see that Sophia had done over three hours of fitness on the Wii, just today. Doing that much exercise when you haven’t eaten for about two weeks is very dangerous. We all ran to Sophia’s side and I shook her shoulders lightly, shouting her name. She moaned and her eyes fluttered open.

“Beth go get her a glass of water,” Molly said and Beth ran into the kitchen.

“Hey Soph,” I smiled as she blinked a couple of times and sat up.

“L-Lauren? G-Guys? What are you doing here?” She whispered hoarsely; Beth came back with a glass of water which Sophia downed quickly.

“We told the boys that we needed to check you were okay,” I said and Mel shot me a look, but I knew what I was doing, “I didn’t mean what I said Soph, I didn’t want you to leave, none of us did. I know you’d never do anything with Harry. I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault, I ruined everything with you and Niall.”

“N-No, it’s fine, honest, don’t blame yourself,” She smiled and stumbled over to the sofa and plonked herself down.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m rather hungry, and Sophia you should eat something if your fainting,” Mel said standing up.

“No wonder you fainted, look how much exercise you’ve done today,” I laughed. We switched off the Wii and switched it over to the television. We all sat and watched some random comedy show until Mel walked back in with a simple dish of spag bowl. Yum.

We all took our dishes, even Sophia… we all sat silently as we tucked into our meals, all watching Sophia out the corners of our eyes. I watched as she timidly put a small mouthful of food in her mouth, nearly gagging in the process.

We had all finished our meals by the time Sophia had taken about three tiny mouthfuls. She stood up, saying she’d wash up. We all smiled and thanked her as she took our dishes, hiding her own nearly full bowl under our empty ones.

I stood up and followed her out quietly. I stood hidden in the shadows, under the stairs, as Sophia scrapped her food into the bin and then pulled out some tissues from the nearby tissue box and scrunched a load up before throwing them in and covering the leftover food. She then dumped the dishes in the sink and ran quietly up the stairs.

I waited a few seconds before following her. I heard her go into her room so I slowly opened the door and crept in behind her. I shut her bedroom door behind me and crept over to the bathroom door. I pecked around the slightly agape door and saw Sophia scrape her hair out her face before leaning over the toilet. I watched in utter shock and silence as she forced her fingers down her throat and made herself be violently sick into the toilet.

I quickly ran out of her room, remembering to shut the door silently after me. I had to get out of there, I felt nausea spread through me and my head was spinning slightly as I ran into the lounge and collapsed on the sofa, all the girls staring at me. I know I was the one who first thought of this, but seeing it in front of you; it’s completely different. Seeing it, makes it all the more real.

“What happened?” Beth asked me softly, as she sat beside me.

“S-She went into her bathroom,” I scrunched my face up in disgust.

“And…” Molly pushed.

“Sh-She forced her fingers… down her throat and made herself be sick,” I whispered, my face draining of all colour.

“Guys,” Beth whispered after a few seconds silence.

“Yes,” We muttered.

“Am I the only one… who noticed the… cuts on her wrists…?” Beth whispered.

“What?” My head snapped up to Beth, as did everyone else’s.

“I saw them,” Molly whispered too.

“No, no, no, this is worse than before. She never hurt herself like that before…” Mel started breathing heavily and quickly.

“Mel, breathe, try and stay calm, we have to do this, we need to help Sophia,” I soothed her.

“Okay,” She nodded, taking a shaky breath, “I’ll go make the call.” We all nodded and Mel walked off to the house phone. I pulled my mobile out my pocket, and then threw it abruptly in the bin. I had totally forgot about the haters who had my number until then.

“Why?” Beth muttered watching me.

“Stupid haters got my phone number and my E-Mail; I’ve been getting hate since I started dating Harry, I can’t take it anymore,” I said, “I have too much to deal with at the moment without worrying about what people are saying and thinking about me.”

“Hey Lauren, don’t cry,” Molly said standing up and hugging me. It was only then that I realised that I was crying. I guess it was all just getting to me. At least the boys don’t have to deal with this, they can enjoy their time left in America and then in Australia.

“Can I borrow your phone to text Harry?” I asked Beth and she chucked her phone to me. I quickly typed a two word message and sent it to Harry. The two words said everything.

She is

They are the two words I text him.

“They don’t usually take in anorexics unless they are under four stone; I told them I didn’t know her weight, but said it’d happened before- last time she was about three stone I think. They said they’d make an exception and bring her in to see how bad she is. They’re sending some people over now, if someone keeps her out of this room we can talk to them in here and explain the situation,” Mel said walking back in.

“Okay, I’ll do it,” I said and stood up. I walked out the room and saw Sophia was in the kitchen.

“Hey Soph, you want some help?” I asked.

“Sure,” She said, I could see just how skinny she was now, her collarbone was sticking right out, and her shirt was quite baggy but I could see her ribs jutting out. Her eyes had huge bags under and her arms were like sticks, “You can wash, I’ll dry and put the things away.”

“Okay,” I smiled and rolled my selves up on my jumper. I began washing up and tried to get a glimpse of Sophia’s arms, I needed to see for myself that Beth and Molly were telling the truth.

They were.

Sophia had cuts on one of her wrists, some were still bleeding slightly, others had scabbed over, and a couple of them had almost healed, but were going to leave scars. I felt a lump rise in my throat, knowing I had at least some, if not all, part to play in the reason they were there.

“So,” Sophia said.

“So…” I muttered and handed one of the dishes.

“How are you and Harry?” She asked.

“Good,” I answered. Wow, this is awkward. I don’t know what to say!

Act normal. Act normal. Act normal.

The two words kept going around in my head. How can I act normal when my best friend is not eating and is self-harming, and it’s my fault?!

“Do you hate me?” I blurted out.

“What? No, of course not, why would I?” She asked, looking shocked.

“Well, I’ve been so horrible to you lately, I just want you to know that I do love you Soph,” I smiled at her, “And nothing will ever change that. I want us to go back to how we were before we left to America.”

“Okay,” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her eyes were once sparkling with life and happiness, but were now dull and… dead. I carried on talking to her for about another five minutes whilst we washed, dried, and put everything away.

“Lauren are you done?” Beth popped her head in the door, giving me a knowing look.

“Yes,” I smiled.

“We’re going to watch a DVD now, are you two in?” Beth asked.

“What DVD?” Sophia asked.

“Final Destination 5, you know the most recent,” Beth smiled, knowing it was Sophia’s favourite movie series and she’d never say ‘no’ to watching any of the five final destinations.

“I’m in,” She nodded and Beth nodded before walking back into the lounge, I nodded for Sophia to go first. I decided it’d be best if I stayed behind her to block the exit.

“W-What’s going on?” She asked as she walked in, her head darted around the room, flicking between Mel, Molly, Beth and the two paramedics.

“We’re paramedics, from the hospital… we’re going to take you in, just to see if you’re okay,” One of the paramedics spoke softly and took a step towards Sophia. Sophia spun round and looked at me, I’ve never seen her look so upset and confused in my life.

“I-I don’t understand! I’m not ill! I’m fine! Honest!” Sophia said in a shrilly panicked voice.

“No Sophia, you’re not well,” I whispered looking at her with tears in my eyes.

“B-But I am… I’m fine, don’t make me go, please don’t make me go!” She pleaded, her eyes sparkling with un-shed tears.

“You’re friends are worried about you Sophia. We share their concern, you’re very thin, too thin, you’re not healthy Sophia. We’re going to take you to the hospital and get you checked over, it’ll be fine,” The paramedic spoke again and Sophia whipped around to face her.

“No, no! I don’t want to go! You can’t make me!” She shrieked hysterically.

“Sophia please,” Mel whispered.

“This is you! You’ve done this!” Sophia shrieked loudly, thrashing around as the male paramedic held her back and tried to drag her out the house.

“Sophia,” Mel choked out.

“No! I hate you! I hate all of you!” She shouted, as she twisted in the paramedics arms.

“I wouldn’t listen to what she’s saying, she’ll be thanking you in a couple of weeks’ time,” The other paramedic turned to us as Sophia was forced into the back of the ambulance, “You did well to spot it so soon, or it could be much worse.”

“Thanks,” Molly muttered, knowing none of us could speak. The paramedic nodded in understanding and walked off. We all numbly walked back in the house and I went straight up to my room. I’ve never seen anything like that before. I didn’t know how to react… it was like, nothing I’ve ever seen before. The only thing that came remotely close was when I watched Hannah on Hollyoaks, she was like that when she was anorexic. But, in real life… it’s so more… real.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sophia had been in the hospital for two days now, they’d admitted her to a ward. She wouldn’t allow any of us to see her, the only people who had seen her was Wendy and Dean. They said she hasn’t spoken since she got there. She wouldn’t eat, so they put a tube into her that will give her the vitamins and things she needs for now, but she'd tried ripping it out a couple of times. They’re going to try and get her to start eating again soon. A little at a time, is what they said.

Harry and I had spoken over the phone a couple of times, he said Niall was distraught when he told the lads, well all of them were, but Niall most of all. He blames himself too, he thinks that he was too harsh on her and he should have trusted her. He thinks he drove her to it, and that it’s all his fault because he broke up with her. To be honest, I think we are all partly to blame. We should have realised earlier something was wrong.

“Lauren,” Beth said walking into my room.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Do you know where Sophia’s phone is?” She asked.

“No, why?” I frowned.

“Because I keep hearing it buzz but I don’t know where it is, and it’s really annoying,” She sighed.

“Have you looking in her room?” I asked.

“Yup.”

“Bathroom?”

“Yes.”

“Kitchen?”

“Oui.”

“Lounge?”

“No…”

“Well, she was in there when we found her, maybe it’s there, I’ll help you look,” I said and we both went downstairs. We searched the lounge for ages before I had a thought.

“Why don’t you just ring it?” I laughed, I should have thought of this earlier.

“Oh yeah…” Beth laughed lightly too. Beth pulled out her phone and called Sophia’s. We waited a moment in silence until we heard her ringtone, when we heard it we both laughed. It was the One Direction Niall ringtone. Sophia, you legend.

“Here,” Beth dived on the sofa and stuck her hand down the back, she fumbled around for a second and then lifted up Sophia’s phone. She frowned and clicked on something.

“Those mother hulkers!” She shouted angrily.

“What?” I frowned and Mel and Molly ran in.

“Look, she’s been getting tweets from all these haters, saying she’s fat! All the time we thought we were the ones that drove her to this when actually it was One Direction fans who hate her! This is their fault! Sure we might have not helped, and made it worse, but they should have called her fat! She wasn’t fat!” Beth shouted in outrage and we all peered at the tweets. I angrily took Beth’s phone off her and dialled Harry’s number.

“Lauren?” Harry answered.

“You get on Twitter right now and you tweet those mother hulkers! It was you’re stupid fans Harry! They’ve been tweeting Sophia calling her fat!” I shouted angrily down the phone.

“What?!” Harry shouted angrily.

“You heard me, check Twitter if you don’t believe me,” I growled angrily and hung up.

Harry’s POV

Lauren hung up and I quickly pulled up Twitter on my phone. I went onto Sophia’s profile and scrolled through her tweets. I saw #SophiasSoFat was trending as well.

“What’s going on Harry?” Liam asked, seeing my thunderous face.

“I thought they were our fans!” I shouted angrily. How could they do this to someone we all love? She’s not fat!

“What?” All the lads turned to me frowning.

“It’s them! They’ve been tweeting Sophia for ages calling her fat! They drove her to this!” I growled. All the boys looked shocked. I showed them the tweets and trends and then they were all angry. We all tweeted telling people to stop tweeting sh*t about Sophia, Liam checked all our tweets before we sent them, he didn’t want us saying anything ‘inappropriate’ or anything about Sophia’s condition. Once he okayed the tweets we all tweeted them.

@Harry_Styles: To all of our fans that are tweeting @SophiaLucky or any of the girls hate, stop, it’s not going to make us like you, only hate you, because we love them.

Oh yeah. I went there with the full stop.

@zaynmalik: Stop sending hate to our girls, it’s not cool, and it only upsets us and them

@NiallOfficial: How could you? Sophia’s going through a hard time now, and all you haters are making it worse. I love her, get over it.

Niall’s got the full stop thing going as well.

@Real_Liam_Payne: It’s not big and it’s not clever, so stop sending hate to our girls. I know it’s not all of you, so thanks to those who aren’t

He would say something like that wouldn’t he? Got to set a good example. Who cares? We shouldn’t show those haters any respect. They’ve done it to Lauren and Sophia, and probably Beth, Molly and Mel as well, they’ve probably just not told anyone.

@Louis_Tomlinson: please stop the hate on @SophiaLucky or any of the girls, Soph’s in a bad way because of all this hate, I hope your happy.

Aw, my BooBear is in with the full stop vibe as well.

Within seconds of tweeting we all had 50+ retweets and favourites. I just hope it stops now, or at least most of it. Sophia doesn’t deserve it, none of them do, especially because it’s all lies.