"Hey" I hear next to my ear.

"Wakey wakey" softly sounds next to my ear again.

I wake up to the sound of the voice that felt like butter melting in my ears but don't open my eyes.

Instead I hug the pillow tighter to me and snuggle further into it.

However, the pillow feels a bit unusual. It feels like it has crevices and not as soft but comfortable as hell. Maybe it's just my tired brain but I could have sworn the pillow just moved.

Then I hear a familiar laugh that instantly shoots my senses back to reality.

I'm not on a bed. Hell I'm not even in a hotel.

Which means this is not a pillow. What was I sleeping on?

I bolt up straight in the seat and widened my eyes.

"C'mon, we have to go. Unless you rather go back to Ireland" he chuckles standing up.

"Now I'd be all for it and I'd gladly feed your spontaneity but I don't think getting in trouble right now would be the best idea" he slings his small duffle over his shoulder "Gem would have our heads if we didn't get home on time"

He watches me with concerned eyes when I don't respond or make a move to stand.

But I can't move.

Did I really fall asleep on his chest? God, this is so embarrassing! I wonder how many people saw?

Why did it feel so damn good? Why did I want to stay longer?

I try to trace what happened before I fell asleep.

I know for a fact that I was exhausted. Still am.

I haven't slept properly for the past few days. Not after Gemma's unexpected call.

"Hey! How's it going?" a joyful voice sounded when I answered the phone.

"Hi? Who's this?" I asked to the voice on the other end of the line with the unknown number.

"Oh silly me! I forgot I changed my number"

Why do I feel like I know this voice?

"It's Gemma" the familiar voice finally registers in my mind. A feeling of elation washes over me at the sound of her voice. I haven't heard from her in a while. Once upon a time, her voice felt like home and hearing it in such a long time reminds me of that.

"Oh hey, it's been a while" I said balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder while styling Niall's hair and Harry's poking on my cheek.

'Quit it!' I mouthed at him but he just smiles cheekily at me and continues.

He's been at this for a while now. He wanted me to watch the show tonight but someone doesn't take likely to rejection.

He's resorted to irritating the shit out of me until I give in.

"Yeah I know. Listen I'm in a bit of a rush" she says hastily"I need a favour"

"Of course. What do you need?"I quickly agreed knowing that I'd do just about anything for that family if they needed.

"Well..." she drawls out and I wait for her to finish"it's okay if you say no but I'm desperate"

"What is it Gemma? I'm sure I can help" I pressed. The poking on my cheek immediately faltered at the mention of her name.

With furrowed brows he points to the phone and mouths 'Gemma?'

I put my finger on my lips indicating for him to remain quiet.

I wave Niall off as I finish his hair and take a seat where he was sitting, listening to Gemma.

"Mum and Robin's anniversary is on Sunday and I'm planning a little get together in the park to celebrate but I need a band. Know anyone?"

"Getting a band won't be a problem, I've got one in mind but you'll need to find a singer"

"Well that's the thing" she cuts in"I was hoping that you'd sing" she rushes out so fast that I struggle to understand what she says.

"What?" I ask confused both at Gemma and Harry who is pointing to the phone and mouthing 'speaker'

I move the phone from my ear and put it on speaker.

"Please pretty please" she begs "it would be really special if you sang at the party, especially to mum. You know how much she loves it when you sing"

She's making it really hard to say no.

I look at Harry who looks puzzled and I motion that I'll tell him later to which he nods.

"Okay" I give in "just send me the setlist and I'll deal with the band" somehow...

"Actually there's one more thing" she says after a pause.

"If it's to bring Harry then the answer is no"

"If I have to sit next to him for more than an hour again, I think I might just throw myself out of the moving car" he gives me a mock offened look still not making his presence known to his sister.

Okay, I'm lying. Well partially.

Truth is, I really liked the plane ride to Glasgow from Dublin and back sitting next to him. I find myself actually glad that he won that staring match.

It was filled with laughter and really bad dad jokes and music.

I feel my pulse speed up thinking about that day.

"That's not it, but...you know, if you don't mind" she hints slyly.

"I guess I could. We're suppose to be in Manchester that weekend anyway"

"Splendid!" she pauses again so I clear my throat.

"Okay! You remember one of your songs that you played for mum, that almost brought her to tears"

"You want me to sing a song that's going to make her cry?"

"Not when you put it like that..."

"Which one are you talking about?" I ask nervously fearing the words that leave her mouth next.

"The one that yourself and you-know-who wrote together"

I feel my heart drop. I can't do it. I can't even listen to it anymore and she wants me to sing it? In front of people?

If I agreed to sing it, I know I'd choke or find someway to mess it up and I can't do that to Anne and Robin. Not on such a special day.

"I can't" I say quietly.

"Why?" Harry and Gemma whine in unison.

I facepalm myself as he quickly closes his mouth realising he spoke out loud.

"Oh hey little brother" she greets but then interrupts herself "Wait-Harry?"

"Hey sis" he chuckles nervously running his fingers through his hair.

"Why is Har- anyway, why the hell not?"

"I can't do it!" I sigh defeatedly "I just can't"

"Please Mia. Don't do it for me, do it for mum"

"I-" I look at Harry, seeking some help but he just shrugs his shoulders.

"Fine"

"Yes!"

Since then, I haven't slept well at all. Whether it be the nightmares or my overthinking.

I just wish I had the strength to do this without feeling like I'm going to mess up.

Too many memories and heart ache lives in that song and I just want to shoot myself for giving in so easily knowing how hard this is going to be for me.

"Mia come on. Everyone's already off" Harry's voice brings me back to the present. I watch him with tired eyes as I grab my duffle.

I feel warmth spread through my body as he puts his hand on my lower back, guiding me out of the plane.

Upon exiting the aircraft, a tall, buff man wearing all black and a stoic face escorts us into what I learn is a VIP lounge.

Harry says something to him before walking back over to me. Only now with a serious expression.

"Sit" he commands gesturing to the couch with a small circular table in front of it behind me.

Usually I'd protest and demand why we're not sticking to our schedule but I just can't find it in me to do so.

I blame the exhaustion.

I begrudgingly comply and sit on the couch.

He then walks away without another word. Though I'm not complaining. I take the time that he's away to rest my head in my hands on the table and relax my burning eyes.

Not too long after I feel a presence in front of me causing me to look up.

"Drink up, be careful it's hot" he rests a coffee cup in front of me.

I pretend to gag "I hate coffee"

"I'm quite aware" is all he says before taking a seat next to me.

I take a look at the security guard stood a little way from us, observing our surroundings attentively.

I don't know his name. Maybe Harry knows.

But what if he doesn't?

You know what? He reminds me of a modern Shaft.

Let's go with Shaft 2.0!

I chuckle quietly to myself at the weird thought.

"What's got you all smiley? Can't be the coffee" he sends me a small smile when I turn to look at him.

"Nothing" I dismiss looking away from him and staring at the coffee cup.

The strong scent fills my nostrils and instantly makes me feel sick.

God, I hate coffee.

I had it once when I was younger. Couldn't finish it. I never took a liking to coffee.

The only time I ever managed to finish a cup of coffee was on the last day of exams in Form 4.

My aunt made it for me.

She spiked it with vodka.

Just a bit.

And cocoa powder.

Anyway...

After staring at the cup for a little, I push it in Harry's direction and resume my previous position.

"Alright Mia. Cut the shit and drink the bloody coffee so we can get out of this god forsaken airport!"he snaps and I widen my eyes slightly at his tone.

"Why and when did you even get the coffee in the first place?"

He shakes his head while muttering to himself "she's so tired, she didn't see when I bought the coffee"

"I'm not blind, Mia. You're wiped out! And you have the dark circles under your eyes as proof! I know you're not sleeping properly at night and I wish I knew why but you don't have to tell me. I just need to make sure that you're okay, starting with the damn coffee" he rants with frustration clear on his face.

I had no idea that he could tell. I've been going days like this and no one's noticed, mostly because I cover it up with makeup.

But somehow, he still sees.

I don't know how to feel about this.

Harry has a kind heart. If you're happy, he's happy. If you're sad, he's sad.

He can always tell when something is wrong and he will do everything in his power to try and make it better. He will not stop until he does.

"I'm worried that the amount of sleep you're getting is not healthy, especially now that you're flying country to country with difference in time zones and all that" he admits, his eyes piercing through my soul.

I'm the first to break the contact.

"Look at that, almost twenty years old and you're still looking after me" I chuckle.

"Well I have a promise to uphold, don't I?" he smiles at me and I return it knowing exactly what he's talking about.

May 1, 2002

"Help! Won't someone come and save me?" Mia calls dramatically from the makeshift fort.

Harry jumps out from behind the couch wearing a foil armour over his chest, his blonde hair peaking through the foil helmet on his head and foil covered shoes.

"Have no fear, my princess. I'll save you!" he says gruffly as he puffs out his chest.

With a broom between his short legs, he gallops towards the makeshift fort with a determined look on his innocent face.

However, his short legs trip over the foil that started to separate from the shoe causing him to fall to the ground.

Young Mia has to hold back her giggles at the sight in order to stay in character.

Harry quickly picks himself up and resumes his position on his pretend horse, smiling brightly at the thought of saving his princess from the scary lion, showcasing his missing front tooth.

Much to his disappointment, his journey gets cut short by a roar that honestly sounded like a cat dying.

"You don't scare me! Nothing can keep me from saving the princess" he says confidently at the homogenous version of Mia on all fours and big brown circles around her eyes who in response lets out another feeble sounding roar that resulted in her voice cracking slightly.

"Mis amores! Time to go my loves, tell Harry adíos" the twin's mother calls as she enters the room.

They whine in protest, not wanting to leave just yet.

"Harry didn't rescue me yet!"

"Rescue you from what?" she asks amused at one of her eight year olds.

"The scary lion!" Mia points her tiny finger at her sister who waves wildly at her mother.

"Where did you get that makeup from?"their mother inquires inspecting the brown surrounding her other daughter's eyes.

"Aunty Anne said we can use it" they said in unison.

Not quite believing their words, she looks to Harry, who is picking at the foil on his chest, for confirmation. He simply nods.

She crouches down to his level and smiles adoringly at him.

"So, you're the brave knight who's going to rescue my daughter from the scary lion"

"Yes ma'am" he salutes "I promise to protect her and never let anything bad happen to her as long as I live" he promises with a slight lisp.

"Quite the big promise for an eight year old" she comments and then grins at him "but I believe you"

He sends her a toothy grin as she removes his foil helmet and ruffles his straight blonde hair.

"Let's go mijas, you'll see him tomorrow"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Did your mum really say we could've used her makeup?" I laugh remembering the mess we made trying to apply it to Tia's eyes.

"No" he smiles sheepishly "she was fuming when she found out but I told her that it was me"

"That's sweet Harry" I smile at him, cringing after taking a sip of the coffee "but you could've told her the truth"

"I could've but I didn't" he mused "besides, we needed a scary lion"

I take another sip of the coffee to hide my widening smile. I'm touched that he took all of the blame for our mischievousness.

A ringing sounds between us and Harry takes his phone out of his pocket and stares at it intently.

"Its Gemma, we best get a move on" he stands up slinging his bag over his shoulder waiting for me to do the same.

I start walking towards Shaft 2.0, hoping that he forgot about the coffee but unfortunately he didn't.

"Take the coffee Mia" I groan stumping back towards the cup and taking it.