Meant To Be

Chapter 30

After the concert, the boys took pictures with the kids.

"Would you like to take a picture with them?" I asked Eli.

"Yes, but after everyone else is done," she said.

"Ok." I gave her a smile.

We waited until everyone left, then we walked over to the boys. Eli held my hand and she squeezed it as we walked towards them.

"Hi. What's you're name?" Niall asked.

"Eli," she said quietly. She was hiding behind me and I knew she was nervous.

"What was that?" Loui asked.

"Eli." I told them.

"That's a really pretty name. It fits for a really pretty lady," Harry said smiling at Eli.

Eli blushed and moved to my side. "Thank you."

"Of course. I speak the truth," Harry said. "Would you like to take a picture with us?"

"Yes please." Eli moved to stand with the boys and I took the picture.

"Ok. One more. This time make a funny face," I said. They did just that and I snapped the shot while smiling at them.

"Maria. Can you take a picture with us?" Eli asked.

"Of course," I said with a smile. I turned towards Mary-Beth. "Would you mind taking the photo?" I asked her.

"I don't mind at all." She took the camera and I went to stand next to Eli and Harry. "3,2,1." She took the photo. "Perfect."

We all said thank you. Then Harry took out a sharpy and grabbed the picture we just took. He wrote on the back of the picture:

Hello beautiful Eli. I hope you're doing well. Stay strong love. Don't let anyone or anything drag you down, because you are strong and powerful. You are you, and that's amazing.

Harry Styles.

"Thank you," Eli said.

"Your welcome love." Harry smiled at her.

"Ok. We should start cleaning up if we want to get back to the hotel in time," Niall said. Everyone started to clean up and I turned to Eli.

"Are you ready to go back to your room?" She didn't answer. She looked down at the floor. "What's wrong?" I bent down so I could be face to face with her.

"When will you be back?" I didn't know how to tell her I wasn't coming back.

"Oh. Um. I'm...I can't come back. I'm supposed to leave back to England Monday morning." I saw a tear roll down her face.

"So I'll never see you again?" I didn't answer her. I had to think about what to say first.

"I could come back tomorrow? I mean, it's my last day here and we were just going to walk around the city. I can stop by here for an hour or two if you'd like?" She looked up at me.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. That's what friends do, isn't it?" She leaned in and hugged me.

"Thank you." We stayed in our hug for a minute, then I saw Harry walk over to us.

"Am I interrupting?" He asked.

"No. You're fine," I said. Eli and I stopped hugging.

"Are you two related?" Harry asked.

"No. We're just friends. I met Eli while you guys were setting up for the concert," I told him.

"Oh. So that's where you were."

"Yup." I looked over to Eli, then back to Harry. "Hey, Harry. Would you mind if I stopped by here tomorrow for an hour or two? I just want to hang out with Eli one more time."

"Ok. That's fine. I can come with if you'd like?" He asked. I looked towards Eli and she nodded her head.

"We'd like that." I smiled at Harry.

"Great," Harry grabbed my hand and kissed my palm.

"Are you two dating?" Eli asked us.

"Yes," I said.

"Great. My future husband is dating my friend." She put out a pouty lip.

"Future husband?" I asked.

"Ya. I took a quiz and it said I'd marry Harry." I bit my lip so that I wouldn't laugh.

"Oh. I'm sorry about that."

"Mhm."

"Why don't we make a plan. I can keep him until you turn 21. Then I'll give him to you." She smiled at me.

"I'm right here," Harry said.

"Deal," Eli said bringing her hand out to me. I shook it and let out a small laugh.

I turned to look at Harry. "Looks like our time is limited."

"Then I guess we better make the most of the time we have hm?" He said. I smiled at him as he kissed me.

"Gross," Eli said. Harry and I laughed.

"Ok. Now let's get you back to your room," I said to Eli.

"Ok." I stood up and grabbed Eli's hand as we walked back to her room. Harry went to go help put the equipment away.

Once we got to her room, I gave her one more hug.

"Goodbye Eli. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Ok. Goodbye Maria. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome." I waved to her one more time, then left the room. I went down the hall to the bathroom. I had been so distracted that I forgot I had to go.

When I got back to the cafeteria everyone was ready to go. I put on my coat and we left the hospital. None of us were ready for the 2 hour drive back to the hotel.