Pre A/N

Only a few chapters remaining *cries* 

But I'd like to thank you guys for reading this book <3

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penitence:(noun)

the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance. "a public display of penitence." -synonyms: repentance, contrition, compunction, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, ruefulness, pangs of conscience, self-reproach, contriteness, self-accusation, shame, sorrow, guilt. "the writer prays to God in penitence."

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"Unexplainable the love that only we could understand, yeah. I know there's nothing I can do to change it, but this is something that could be negotiated. My heart's already breaking baby go on twist the knife." 

Song: Love you goodbye

Artist: One Direction

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...Two Months Later...

Joe

I've been avoiding Harry for the last two months, and it's been completely and utterly dreadful. I miss his kisses, I miss the way his lips feel against my own, I miss how he would tell me he loves me, I miss waking up with him by my side.

But it's my fault because I told him I needed some time alone with mum and Luke. Although it was a lie, well, kind of, I just needed to rethink my life.

Apart from being permanently marked with these tattoos, everything seems to be going back to normal. There's been no sign of Henry, I've seen Zayn a few times and Billy, but I haven't spoken to either of them.

Last week, mum decided to go back home, she said since Henry hasn't attempted to hurt us it'll be fine at home. She acts like everything is peachy, that everything is back to normal when it isn't. 

This isn't some kind of Fan fiction you can read about on sites like Fanfiction.net or Wattpad. It's real life and in real life, there are no such things as happy endings.

Luke walks into my room with a frown on his face.

I lift myself off the bed and sit on the end of it, "What's wrong?"

"I'm concerned about mum," This is the first time he's actually really spoken to me since mum told us she's dying. He sits beside me and brushes his hands through his hair.

I tilt my head at him saying, "Why? She's been cheerful."

"That's just it Joe, she's too happy," I see Luke has noticed it as well. Mum's been acting like nothing is happening. "You've noticed too?"

"Yeah," I nod my head in agreement. "Maybe she's just happy because Henry hasn't-"

"No, it's not that!" Luke's voice is suddenly filled with anger, he gets off my bed and looks over his shoulder. "I don't understand how she can act so happy, she's dying for fuck sake!"

"Luke!" I stand up, pushing myself towards him. "Don't talk like that,"

"It's true," He brings his bottom lip between his lip and bites it. "It's true Joe, she's dying." I walk over to him as the first tear slips from his eyes and rolls down his cheek. "She's dying, we've already lost dad and now we're going to lose her too."

I bring my arms out and wrap them around his broad frame, pulling him against my chest. "It's going to be okay," I breathe out, feeling the emotions I've been bottling up fighting their way out.

"Joe, Luke, can you come down here please?"

We pull away at the sound of mums voice, Luke rubs his eyes and cheeks, removing any tears that had fallen. I do the same. 

With no words spoken we walk downstairs to find mum seated at the kitchen table with a bunch of paper spread across the wooden surface.

"Sit, I have something to announce," Mum says as Luke and I sit opposite her, we don't speak so mum continues. "We're moving."

Luke's lips part, "Again?"

"Yes Luke,"

"But why?" I already know the answer, mum probably thinks moving will solve everything. 

Mum looks at the paper in front of her only when I take a glance at the nearest one, I realise they're photos. "I would prefer if I died back home with your father, in Australia."

"W-what?" Both Luke and I gasp. 

"I've already bought our tickets, and our home is still available in Melbourne." She tries to smile but fails. "I know how hard it is for you both, but believe me it's even harder for me-"

"You have no idea what you're asking mum," I suddenly snap, pushing my chair backwards as I get off it. "We have a life here, you can't seriously ask me to throw it all away!"

"I am your mother," Mum rubs her temples before looking up at me. "I am your dying mother, please don't make this any harder, Joe."

"Luke and I are not kids any more mum, we don't have to do anything you say-"

"I'll move back," Luke cuts across me. "I'll move with you."

My heart feels like it's being torn in half. "Luke-"

"I'm sorry Joe, but I want to be there a-at her end, I-I want to hold her hand when s-she-" Luke can't finish his sentence, his lips tremble and he begins to sob. "I'm so sorry mum."

Mum is quickly on her feet and hugs her son, she doesn't look at me though. "It's alright Luke, you'll be okay." 

I can't take this anymore, I might seem like a heartless bitch but it's too much. So, I turn on my heel and run out of the front door. 

Tears fill my eyes, my hands shake as I reach for my phone and dial the only one who can comfort me. 

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Harry

When Joe told me she needed space, I didn't think she meant two months. It's been so hard not for me to dial her number just to hear her voice again, or to visit her house. 

For the last two months, I've been working with Gemma to catch Henry and Zayn. But every time we get close, we fail, it's like Henry is always a step ahead.

"Next time Harry," Gemma pats my back as we walk out of the empty apartment building. 

I show her hand off me. "Stop saying that," I hiss, "You always say it, and it's pissing me off! You're supposed to be a secret Agent, but you can't even catch him!" My fist collides with the nearest object, which happens to be a brick wall. 

A crack sound echoes throughout the empty room, I loudly curse and grab my now bleeding hand with my good one. 

Gemma opens her mouth to speak but my phone vibrates in my back pocket, "Can you get that please?"

"I'm not putting my hand in my brother's back pocket thank you very much," Gemma states causing me to scoff. "Fine, whatever, but if I get some disease, I'm holding you responsible."

She takes my phone and places it at her ear, "Harry Styles phone---Yeah, he's here---hold up-" Gemma holds the phone to me, and says it's someone I didn't think I would hear from ever again.

"It's Joe,"

A/N

I have like five chapters left! A lot if going to happen in them...

Are you guys ready for some action?