Eleanor

I fluttered my eyes open and I was confused when white walls were the first thing I saw.

Since when did I paint my room white?

I blinked and looked down on my wrist that was wrapped in a bandage. I frowned when I noticed I could only barely move it and that's when I remembered the past events. I looked around the room expecting to see the person who rushed me here but I saw no one. But as if on cue, the door opened. It wasn't like I was expecting anyone, but if I would've, it wasn't the person who was standing at the door.

"Max?"

He ran quickly to my side and pulled me in an embrace (which I thought was impossible since I was lying down). I might not be expecting him here, but it wasn't like I didn't miss my bestfriend so I hugged back. Seeing him never failed to lift my spirit up.

"Bloody hell, Eleanor! You f*cking scared me to death! Look at you! You're pale as a bloody ghost!" he scolded, still not letting go.

"Well, nice to see you, too." I chuckled as I clapped his back with my unharmed arm. He pulled away and I could see worry in his eyes. "Stop it, Max. I'm fine."

"It's not nice seeing you like this. You're not fine, Eleanor. What were you thinking?" he sternly asked. I looked away and right away, he knew. He knew me very well. He groaned. "Oh, not that as*hole again."

I furrowed my brows, "Why? Did you expect me to be with someone else while you were away?"

"Yes!" he quickly answered.

"Max, you were only gone for three months," I noted.

"Exactly! That's about enough time to forget about a douche bag!" he answered almost frustratedly. "What did he do?"

I flushed then looked away again, ashamed of my stupid self. "Nothing."

"You cut yourself because he did nothing? El, that is a very logical thinking, please expect me to believe that."

I glared at him before sighing, "He's dating Taylor," I continued, "I know that's a stupid reason but I was hurt, okay? He told me many times that he doesn't date and I kept telling myself that that was the reason he kept rejecting me but then he suddenly announced he's dating Taylor,"

"You mean Taylor-"

"Yes, Taylor f*cking Swift. What a f*cking coincidence." I sarcastically stated. "He f*cking announced, Max. He was so proud and he was f*cking smiling at her like he was inlove. I should know, I was there. I saw it with my own eyes." I was no longer reasoning, I was ranting. Weakly fuming at that, since I still haven't had my strength back.

"If it makes you feel better, I'm not listening to her songs ever again," he told me. "Continue." he ordered.

I rolled my eyes cause I knew he couldn't actually stop listening to her songs. She was our favorite singer. Or used to be. Whatever. "He told me him and Taylor weren't my business and told me he doesn't love me straight to my face! And I don't know, that just hit home and I guess that was my breaking point, then I realized I should stop." I paused, growing more serious as my voice went more quiet, "But I was shattered, Max. And alone. No one was there for me. And I don't know what came over me, I just knew I wanted to be numb cause it hurts so bad."

I looked at him and he was looking at me with soft eyes before it hardened again, "That f*cking prick! I swear one day I'll punch him straight on the nose."

I sniffled before snorting, glad to find a way out of the topic, "Have you seen him lately? He's well built, Max and you're," I scanned him from head to toe, "You're ... almost the same as my body. You're no match."

"What?" he spat out in exaggerated disbelief. "You call this," he flexed his arms and showed me his non-existent muscles, "A woman's body?" then he planted a kiss on his almost-skin-and-bones bisceps. I couldn't help but fall into a fit of laughs.

"You idiot!" I said, still cackling. It wasn't a hundred percent genuine, but it was better than sadness. I couldn't let myself drag anyone in my own pain, it wasn't their business. I have my own problem, they have theirs and they shouldn't mind mine.

I squeaked, startled when once again, he pulled me in for a hug, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, El. I really am." he sighed.

"Meh, no worries, it's not your fault. You're in uni, I understand." I smiled when he pulled back.

"Still. I promise I'll call you regularly now." he swore looking at me softly with worry in his eyes.

"Great," I responded. "By the way, thanks for rushing me here." I added, swerving topics so we wouldn't have to talk about it anymore.

He looked at me weirdly, "What?"

"I said thanks for-" I stopped. Surely he was the one who took me here? A guy found me inside my house and took me here. Wasn't it him? "Wait, when did you arrive?" I asked suspiciously.

"Uh, this morning? Your mum texted me and asked me to check on you since she can't go." he told me. He looked sorry when he said my mum couldn't go but I was used to it so I ignored that part. "So being me, the best bestfriend one could ever have, I drove myself here as soon as possible."

I ignored everything he said because I was consumed with my own thoughts. He arrived this morning but I was taken to the hospital last night, "Are you sure you just arrived this morning? Not last night? You weren't in my house last night?" I asked. Who could it be?

"Uh, yeah? How was I supposed to be in your house last night when I'm in my dorm sleeping?" he said in a duh tone, "Is there something wrong?"

I wasn't one to lie just for the sake of being mysterious so I frantically nodded my head, "Something is definitely wrong!"

"What?" he asked looking at me in a confused but worried way.

"Max, if you weren't the one who rushed me here," I paused, racking my brain to identify the owner of the worried voice that took me here, but I couldn't even remember how the voice sounded. "Then who did?"

Louis

Last night, I went to check on Eleanor and to give her company. I was worried she wasn't taking good care of herself in her state so I went to offer help. What I didn't expect was what I saw when I arrived. My heart pounded harshly in my chest when I saw her pale body lying on the bathroom floor that was stained with the blood that came out of the freshly cut on her wrist. I was an emotional mess. I was terrified, mad, and hurt at the same time. She was such a strong pretty girl whom I adored and seeing her in that state never once ran in my mind. So I did my best to take her as fast as my car would to the hospital so they could fix her.

Maybe not her shattered heart and scarred soul, but I would never let this beautiful girl's life in danger. She was strong and brave and I knew she could get through this, she could get through anything. She just needed a little bit of help.

And maybe I could give it to her.

I lowkey avoided Harry today at the voice rehersals. I couldn't talk to him for long not just because I didn't want him to know what happened to Eleanor but because I was mad at him. Yeah, I knew he had a reason for doing what he did because he wasn't that heartless to just keep on rejecting a girl but I wish he wasn't too harsh. As much as I wanted to understand him, I was worried about Eleanor's condition. She cut herself for f*ck's sake! And I couldn't help but feel that it was Harry's fault.

But he didn't have to know that. I knew he would want to visit her and that would cause Eleanor more stress. She had enough of it so I tried my hardest not to tell Harry. And it was hard. I always had a problem biting my tongue.

"Lou!" I snapped out of my trance when I heard someone call my name.

"Huh? What?" I confusedly blinked.

"You missed your part! Stay focused!" our vocal coach scolded.

I sheepishly smiled before uttering a silent 'sorry' and then we were back practicing Strong again.

**

I quickly gathered my things and prepared to take off so I could go straight to the hospital. But of course Harry would question me before I could leave.

"Slow down, tiger. Where you off to?" he asked.

I had the urge to roll my eyes. But I didn't.

"Uh, somewhere." I replied vaguely.

He eyed me weirdly before nodding, "Okay?"

No it's not okay. Eleanor hurt herself and she's now in the hospital. Thanks to you.

I bit my tongue hard it hurt.

"Yeah," I breathed impatiently.

Zayn, Liam and Niall bid their goodbyes and I just nodded and gave them a little wave as they walked out the studio.

"Is something wrong, Lou? You look bothered." he worriedly asked.

I inhaled deeply, "No, I'm just tired 's all." I almost tripped on my own words. I just wanted him to stop asking so I could go to the hospital already.

He didn't look convinced, "I don't believe you. Tell me, is everything alright?"

I didn't answer. I rubbed my face harshly and closed my eyes and bit my tongue to refrain myself from saying anything. I didn't want to snap at him, he was just worried but it was hard not to when Eleanor almost killed herself.

"You can tell me anything, Louis."

Stop.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered gently, "Are you okay?"

I yanked his hand away causing him to gasp loudly. My heart broke when hurt flashed his features but I stood my ground. "I'm fine. But I'm not sure if that's the case with Eleanor." I harshly said.

He looked at me with remorse, "Look, Lou. I'm sorry. You know I didn't want to hurt her but there's no other way. If I didn't do it, she wouldn't stop."

I know.

"I wasn't talking about that, dammit!" I snapped.

He furrowed his brows. "Then what are you talking about? Why else would she be hurt?"

I took deep breaths so I wouldn't snap at him again but it was almost impossible. I was furious and it was the only outlet.

"Because she f*cking cut herself! She's in the hospital because she nearly killed herself, thanks to you!" I screamed in frustration.

He gaped at me and I knew right away what I did was wrong. Sh*t Louis, you're an idiot.

"What?"

**
A/N: I'm sorry if what happened to El last chapter isn't exactly what you feel when doing it. I haven't harmed myself yet and I encourage you not to either.

I rewrote the Prologue and you might wanna reread that bc I changed the whole thing ;)

So how hot Eleanor was on Coachella? Damn her outfits were lit.

I'm also happy seeing Louis finally smiling again. :) and when he wore stripes I almost died. :) just putting it out there. :)