The siguiente morning, Carter shot up from her cama and stood up. She journeyed into her en-suite bathroom and looked in the mirror. Dark bags hung under her eyes and she looked very pale. Sticky blood marks clung on her arm and she wiped them carefully with a cloth, wincing as she did so. She tied her hair into a messy bun and threw on a hoodie.

She couldn’t seem to stop sneezing and had a horrible headache. She felt so un-well and didn’t feel up to anything today. She dragged her body down the stairs and ventured into the sitting room. Harry smiled warmly at her when he saw her, which made her furrow her eyebrows in confusion.

“Morning Harry.” Carter mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Morning? Carter it’s two o’ clock in the afternoon.” Harry chuckled. “Oh, sorry.” Carter bit her lip, looking down on the floor. “It’s fine.” Harry chirped. Carter gazed at him strangely before jogging into the kitchen. She made herself a bowl of cereal and sat down at the cocina table.

“CARTER! Quick! Come here!” Harry shouted. Carter grunted and padded into the sitting room. “What’s wrong Harry?” Carter quizzed. “Look what’s on the TV!” Harry said, pointing in the direction of the television. Carter gazed at the TV and listened attentively.

Thousands of people have been killed in a humongous earthquake right in the centre of Ibiza's well-known city, San Antonio.

“That’s where Liam is!” Carter exclaimed.

The quake occurred at about 4am this morning, and it measured a massive 8.1 on the Richter scale.

As well as the thousands killed, many others have been injured and left homeless, devastating the population of the city.

“Harry what if the boys are hurt! o even worse, dead!” Carter burst into tears.

Liam Payne, a student from Homes Chapel in England, was one of the lucky few.

Carter perked up and gazed at the screen to see her brother looking upset and traumatized.

“Liam, where were tu when this tragedy took place?”

“Me and my mates have come here on holiday. Two of us went to the playa on the outskirts of town, and weren’t affected. But now some of my friends are dead and I just can’t believe it.”

This is por far the worst thing that could ever happen to this town.

A smile cracked on Carter’s lips seeing that her brother was ok, but it soon disappeared knowing that the rest of the boys may not be.

“Harry what if the boys aren’t ok?” Carter quivered, looking up at him with teary eyes. “They’ll be fine Carter, trust me.” Harry re-assured her, patting her on the back. Carter couldn’t understand why Harry was being so nice to her. It baffled her to be honest. “What am I wearing today?” Carter asked. Harry turned to her. “You can decide.” He said. Carter’s jaw dropped. “Really?!” he eyes lit up. “Yup! I’ve decided to give tu the día off!” Harry grinned. “Why…..” Carter queried, narrowing her eyes at him. Harry paused for a second.

What was he supposed to say? That he felt bad? What would Carter think of him then?

“Because I’m tired and it’s winter.” he replied. “Oh.” Carter gazed at him oddly before looking away. “So you’re free to do anything tu want!” he told her, nudging her side. “Can I have my phone back then?” Carter inquired. Harry frowned before reaching into his pocket and handing Carter her phone. “Thank you!” Carter beamed, marching upstairs and into her bedroom. Her phone buzzed in her hand so she scanned the screen to see Jake had texted her.

[/i]‘Hey babe. U wanna go to cena tonight? I’ll collect tu at 6 :) X’[/i]

Carter smiled at the text message before replying:

‘Sounds great! See tu then! ;) Xx’

Carter grinned and threw her phone onto the bed. She scampered into the bathroom and jumped into the shower. The warm water instantly hit her back and massaged her muscles. She wrapped a towel around her body and skipped into her room. She then dried herself and tied up her hair before putting on a bra and knickers.

She glided towards her wardrobe and peered inside, sighing a couple of minutos later because she didn’t know what to wear. Harry entered the room but Carter didn’t notice his presence. He gazed at her and his eyes widened seeing that she was only wearing lingerie.

“Oh shit! Fuck!” he cursed, leaving the room. Carter jumped with the fright and covered herself up with a blanket. “Is it seguro to come in?” Harry asked from outside. “Yeah!” Carter replied. Harry returned to the room with a slight smirk on his lips. “Sorry about that.” Carter muttered, her cheeks flushing a crimson red colour. “It’s okay. What were tu doing anyway?” Harry quizzed. “Looking for something to wear.” Carter responded. “For what?” Harry inquired. “Dinner with Jake.” Carter chimed, venturing over to her wardrobe once more.

Harry rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Do tu want me to help tu pick something out?” Harry offered kindly. “Yes please. As long as it isn’t the maid outfit….” Carter giggled. Harry chuckled and nodded before searching in Carter’s wardrobe for something for her to wear. “Here, try this.” Harry said, handing Carter a beautiful dress. “Thanks Harry.” Carter smiled. “Come down when you’re ready.” He told her. She nodded and he exited the room.

* * * * *

About an hora later, Carter decided to get ready. She dried her damp hair and tied it back off her face using a hair band. She put on the dress Harry had picked out and gazed in the mirror, smiling slightly at her reflection. The dress was absolutely gorgeous, and suited her dainty figure well. Afterwards, she put on a light capa of make-up and curled her hair. She slipped a pair of pumps on her feet and stood up.

Dress: link

“CARTER! ARE tu READY YET?!” Harry shouted from downstairs. “Coming!” Carter replied.

Harry was stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Carter. His jaw dropped as he watched Carter slowly drift down the steps of the stairs. Carter looked down at her feet shyly as Harry continued to stare at her.

She looked…. Beautiful.

Harry gulped as her tanned legs crept out from under her dress. She reached the end of the stairs after what seemed like hours of sexual torture for Harry. He tried to avoid eye contact with Carter’s deep eyes while she gazed up at him.

“Are tu ok Harry? Are tu ill?” Carter asked in a worried tone. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” Harry shook his head, ruffling his hair. “Do I look ok? I wore too much make-up, didn’t I?” Carter fretted, biting her lip. “Nah, tu like alright I suppose.” Harry shrugged, venturing into the cocina and grabbing his phone. “I’m just popping out to the shop, do tu want anything?” Harry inquired. “No thanks.” Carter smiled. He nodded and strolled out the door.

Carter padded into the sitting room and plonked onto the couch. She switched on the TV and put on wrestling. Over the past couple of days Carter didn’t really get to watch TV at all as Harry decided to hog it all the time. There was peace in the house for once. Well, if your definition of peace is watching two sweaty men fight each other with the volume up to the fullest, that is. It felt weird watching it alone though, as she was used to having her legs sprawled across one of the boys’ laps and them making bets about who was going to win.

Carter couldn’t wait to go to dinner. Jake is one of the best things that has happened to her in a very long time. It was quite peculiar though, because lately, Carter seemed to notice how much she fancied Harry. She didn’t want to fancy him, but she did. Her corazón always seemed to flutter when he was around. And now that she sees him topless in his boxers the whole time, it just makes the situation worse. But she knew she never had a chance against all of the girls in school. They were beautiful. They had an amazing fashion sense, their hair and make-up was always perfect and they had every boy worship them.

And then tu have Carter. The girl who never gets her make-up right. The girl that prefers wrestling and playing soccer in a muddy field than going out shopping. The girl that isn’t notice por many and is hated por the people that do notice her.

But, she had Jake, and that’s all that mattered. She didn’t care what people dicho about him, as she knew they were wrong. He was one of the most amazing guys ever and she wouldn’t trade him for anyone, not even Harry. He made her feel special, like her life really had meaning after all.

* * * * *

Harry burst through the door of the house. “CARTER! COME HERE!” he roared. Carter rolled her eyes and paused the television. “What now Harry?” she queried. “You’ve got to come with me!” he retorted instantly. “But Harry, Jake will be here any minute! And besides, tu gave me the día off!” Carter chimed. “JUST COME WITH ME!” Harry yelled as he grabbed Carter and threw her over his shoulder.

He ran down the calle with Carter in his arms. “Harry where the fuck are we going?!” Carter asked impatiently. “You’ll see.” Harry chattered breathlessly. Carter sighed in his arms as he journeyed though their neighbourhood. Harry finally came to his destination moments later.

“Still think Jake is a sweetheart now, eh?” Harry quizzed, putting Carter down and spinning her around. Carter looked straight ahead to see a boy and a girl besar up against the wall. Wait, let me rephrase that: Carter looked straight ahead to see Jake and a girl besar up against the wall. Carter froze as she gazed at them with teary eyes.

“Jake?” she whispered in a feeble tone.

Jake turned to see Carter eyes locked on his, her lip trembling and tears brimming in her eyes. His eyes widened as he moved away from the girl. Carter recognised the girl from school, her name was Nikki.

“Carter…. I can explain…” Jake mused; bring his hand to touch Carter’s cheek. Carter bit her lip in order to stop the tears and shook her head. “N-No. It’s ok… I understand.” She smiled bravely, gently moving his hand away from her cheek and bringing it down to his side. “Carter, I promise… it was just a mistake! It didn’t mean anything, I amor you!” Jake told her, pulling Carter into his embrace, the scent of his aftershave lingering on his shirt.

“You weren’t saying that in cama last night.” Nikki muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Carter grimaced at her words and pulled away from Jake. “I’m sorry Carter. I’m really sorry. Please forgive me!” Jake pleaded. Carter closed her eyes. “It’s fine. It’s not your fault, it’s mine.” She told him, smiling at him and Nikki before walking away. Tears rolled down her cheeks más frequently now as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Harry came from behind and turned her to face him. “What the fuck was that all about?!” he questioned, scowling at her. “Please, can we not talk about it here?” Carter begged, wiping a tear out of her eye. Harry took her arm and led her into the alleyway. The alleyway where he usually beats her up.

“How can tu be so fucking nice to him when is fucking another girl behind your back?!” Harry shouted. “Please Harry, stop shouting at me.” Carter winced. “Answer me Carter.” Harry demanded. Carter swallowed hard. “What if I haven’t been a good enough girlfriend?! I never made a massive effort to impress him with my looks! And Nikki is obviously way prettier than me!” Carter explained.

“Carter, you’re not the fucking reason he cheated! It’s Jake campana we’re talking about! He doesn’t keep a relationship up for más than 2 months!” Harry remarked. Carter looked down at her feet. “What if I hurt him?” she asked, trying to make an excuse for Jake. She knew that he wasn’t like that. “Oh my god! Why are tu so stupid Carter?! He only dated tu to annoy your sister o to simply get a quick shag, which tu didn’t give him…” Harry said. “I’m sixteen Harry!” she yelled. An awkward silence followed.

“Look, can we just go home? I really want to get out of this dress.” Carter spoke a couple of minutos later. “Fine.” Harry grunted, walking ahead of Carter as they strolled home.

Carter immediately changed into her pyjamas when she came home. She washed her face thoroughly and tied her hair up. She dabbed around her blood-shot eyes as they had become sore from rubbing the, she then walked downstairs. “Do tu want dinner?” Harry quizzed. “No I’m fine. I’m not hungry.” Carter replied. Her phone began to ring in the sitting room so she ran over and grabbed it. Her face lit up when she saw Liam’s caller ID displayed on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Carter! How are you?”

“I’m fine Liam! Are tu ok?! How are the boys?! Are any of them hurt?!”

“Niall and Zayn are in hospital with a couple of injuries but I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

“I couldn’t believe what happened when I saw it on the news this morning. I was so scared!”

“I know! It’s so surreal! How have tu been Carter? Have tu and Harry been up to anything exciting?”

“Nothing really, no. Well, nothing compared to tu guys anyway!”

“Ha ha! How’s Jake?”

“Um….”

“Carter? What’s wrong?”

“Me and Jake broke up just about an hora ago.”

“Why?!”

“…..”

“DID HE BREAK YOUR corazón CARTER?! IF HE DID I WILL KILL HIM!”

“Uh…”

“Answer me Carter!”

“He… erm…. Cheated on me…”

“THAT’S IT. HE’S DEAD WHEN I GET BACK.”

“Leave it Liam, there’s no need.”

Carter could feel tears brewing in her eyes once again.

“Carter? Are tu sure you’re alright babe? Has something else happened?”

“N-No. I suppose I just miss tu guys a lot.”

“We’ll be back very soon babe! We just need to wait until the airport is up and running again.”

“What do tu mean?”

“I mean, we may be gone for más than three weeks. A lot más por the looks of things.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be back as soon as we can. I promise.”

“Great! I can’t wait to see tu guys!”

“I can’t wait to see tu too! Tell Harry I dicho hello! I’ve got to go now babe, amor you!”

“Love tu too Li Li. Enjoy yourself! Goodbye.”

Carter put her phone down and buried her head in her hands. God knows how long Liam’s going to be away for now.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Liam was chatting to Louis about Zayn and Niall’s state.

“How are they?” Liam quizzed. “They’re going to be fine Liam. They’ve only got minor injuries.” Louis replied, patting him on the back. “How did they manage to get hurt?” Liam questioned. “Niall tried to save his Nandos and Zayn tried to save his Niall.” Louis chuckled. “Niall’s such an idiot. I’m going to kill him when he wakes up.” Liam muttered, earning a laugh off Louis.

* * * * *

Carter continued to sob in the sitting room as she curled up on the couch. Harry had overheard her conversation with Liam and was now listening to her crying. He strolled into the room and Carter immediately avoided his gaze. He sat down and they were both silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry about not believing tu about Jake Harry.” Carter said, looking at the floor. “I told tu so!” Harry laughed. Carter frowned and turned to him. “Did tu really have to go that far?” she asked. “What do tu mean?” Harry furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “Did tu really have to drag me outside to watch Jake besar Nikki just to see me get hurt?” Carter questioned. “Would tu rather I didn’t tell tu at all and have him cheat on tu behind your back?!” Harry yelled. “…. I don’t know.” Carter whispered, tears once again filling her eyes.

“Why does it mean so much to tu anyway? Just go and get a new boyfriend!” Harry shrugged. “I’m sorry Harry, but in case tu didn’t realise, I’m not exactly an A-lister when it comes to school!” Carter argued. “Oh quit your whining Carter! If tu were más like Nikki and all of them girls in school I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard!” Harry retorted aggressively.

“But I’m not like those girls Harry! I don’t have a flawless body with a perfect bum! I can’t talk to boys with confidence! I can’t walk in high heels! I still poke myself in the eye when applying eyeliner! I don’t go to night-clubs every night and I don’t sleep with boys 24-7! I will never be as pretty as those girls Harry! I’m just a loser Harry. No one is ever going to amor someone like me.” Carter bit her lip as tears trickled down her cheek.

Harry sat there in silence, staring at Carter immensely. For once, he was absolutely speechless.

“Things can go back to normal staring tomorrow.” Carter finally spoke moments later. “What do tu mean?” Harry queried. “I mean, when tu bullied me and I did nothing about it. Things were better that way, for both of us.” Carter replied, wiping the tears out of her eyes. Harry nodded and turned to the TV. Carter jogged upstairs and went to bed, crying herself to sleep.

She just didn’t care anymore. There was no más hope.

* * * * *