Don't Hide

Chapter 6

So, I just wanted to say how excited I was when I clicked on notifications and saw how many comments this story has! I honestly never would have thought my silly little One Direction fic would get so much attention.

Also, sorry this part is a bit shorter! I'm going to try to update more regularly. I just have a paper to write... and some tests... and other work I'm avoiding at the moment.

Anyway, just wanted to say thank you guys so much for reading and commenting. And now here's some more fluff:


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Louis woke to find Niall sitting on the couch nearby. He was eating from a massive plate of food and watching Louis.

"Niall. Don't be weird. Stop watching me," Louis said, slowly pushing himself out of bed.

"I was worried about you," Niall said around a mouthful of food.

Louis couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, but I'm fine. I think I'll be good as new by the concert time." He quickly pinched his nose in an effort to get rid of the tickle. It didn't work.

Niall smiled. "Lou, just sneeze. We all know you're sick."

Louis blushed before turning away. He tried to leave the room but only made it to the doorway before... "Hut'schoo! Het'schiew!" He rubbed his nose and doubled over with another sneeze. "Huh-chiew!" He glared at Niall, who grinned. "I'm going to get food," Louis grumbled, heading towards the kitchen.

Once he had left, Niall felt a sudden tickle in his nose. What...? "Hh'tsch! Het'kshhh! Ugh."

"Bless you."

Niall looked up to see Harry standing in the doorway. His hair was a mess, and he looked exhausted.

"Hey, look who's up!" Niall forced a smile, then grimaced at how scratchy his voice sounded.

"Hey," Harry replied groggily. "What time is it?" He stumbled into the room.

"It's about-" Niall cut himself off and his breath hitched. He twisted away and sneezed into his palms. "Hut'ktchh! Hh'tsch! It's about eleven."

"Bless you. Again." Harry looked suspicious. "Are you getting sick?... You're getting sick." He collapsed on the couch next to Niall. "What are we going to do for the concert? We can't have Zayn and Liam sing the whole song!"

Louis suddenly appeared in the doorway. "I have food!" He handed a plate of eggs, bacon, and fruit to Harry. And a donut to Niall. Harry smiled and took the plate. Niall sneezed.

"He's sick," Harry confirmed.

"Whatever happened to 'never getting sick?'" Louis teased.

"Ugh." Niall glanced up, and Louis noticed for the first time how horrible he looked. His eyes and nose were red, he was pale... and he hadn't eaten all his junk food.

Yep. Definitely sick.

Niall finally looked away, trying to muffle a cough into his sleeve. This just made him cough more, and Louis pounded his back and winced at how painful they sounded.

"How long have you been feeling sick, Niall?" Harry questioned.

"Um... since yesterday, maybe," Niall mumbled.

"Yesterday? Why didn't you tell us?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me. Because... I never get sick. Hh'tsch!" He snapped forward and covered his face.

"That's very convincing, Niall," Louis said, rubbing his band mate's back. He turned to Harry. "How are we ever going to pull off this concert?"

Harry shook his head. "Let's see if we can get through a rehearsal."

Downstairs, the five boys had gathered for a rehearsal.

"Okay, everybody ready?" Liam asked.

"Hh'tsch! Het'kshhh!"

"Niall's sick," Louis explained.

Liam nodded. Zayn looked worried. "Guys, our concert's in six hours. We'll never do well with the three of you sick!"

"Liam, we're fine. At least, Harry and I are getting better," Louis said reassuringly

"Okay," Zayn said, looking doubtful.

"Lou. Here's some advice," Harry said. "Next time you're sick, just tell us. Maybe we can cure you before everyone else gets sick too."

Six hours later, the boys were backstage getting ready.

"We're on in thirty seconds," Harry said.

"Heh-isch!"

Everyone turned. The sneeze had come from Zayn. He looked down quickly as the other boys groaned.

"You guys, we don't have time to worry about this now! Get ready," Liam prompted. "Let's just hope this goes well."

The curtain fell. Lights danced across the stage. Deafening screams and cheers echoed throughout the room.

Louis smiled, sharing a glance with his band mates. They were ready for this performance. He stepped forward as the music began to play.

And then Niall sneezed.

Luckily, he had the sense to move his mic. He sneezed again. Louis sighed. It was going to be a long night.