Kyle overdosed. Kyle overdosed at 2:34 am. Kyle is dead. I know I never talked about Kyle, but he was a frat brother. He was outgoing, funny, and willing to help anyone. He dabbled in the drug culture, sure, but he was not that far gone that he'd do that to himself; not even accidentally.

Grandmother warned me about the butterfly effect. For every action there is a reaction. Even something as small as the fluttering of butterfly wings can make a natural disaster happen halfway across the world. Small causes can have larger effects. How ever you want to say it, it's all the same: be careful with what you want to change because you can only change the event once and you're stuck with the consequences.

Grandmother left me many rules in her attic when she passed. Another one of those rules were: you cannot cheat death. Louis succeeded on overdosing on his drugs and therefore, someone I know was supposed to die at 2:34 am. I used my power to save him, but that left an opening for someone I know to overdose in his pace....and for whatever reason, the universe picked Kyle.

FUCK. This is all my fault. I did this. I killed Kyle. I could go back in time and save him, sure I could, but somebody else would go just in his place. How do you pick someone and say, "Well you're worthy of dying today?" I don't want that. I don't! Maybe I should go back to when I first met Louis and ignore him, that way I never knew he existed...

But will I easily forget?

"Harry?" Niall asked rubbing my shoulder. "Wanna talk about it?"

".... About what?" I retort, too lost in my thoughts to hear him.

"About Kyle. I think we need to have a psychoeducation booth on campus about accidental overdoses and how to prevent them.... everyone knows Kyle was starting to use more and more. We were all talking about it, but I guess we turned a blind eye," Niall put his head down in shame.

"He did?" Wait...so this may be a coincidence and not my fault then, right? I mean, even Niall was made aware of his problem. "Then how did I not know?"

"I just...like to protect you, Lad. Shelter you. I'd rather you be your carefree self, waking up on the lawn using your glittery boot as a pillow." Niall looked down in shame.

I pull him into a hug, a lingering hug. Not sure if it's for him or me. Probably both considering the whole house is trying to process Kyle's sudden death. I can't help but to think how lucky I truly am though. I shared with you before: every hero needs a sidekick and Niall is mine. Always.

~*~*~*~*~*

I'm just going to tell you how the next two weeks went. They had Kyle's funeral back in his hometown, surrounded by people who loved him in his small town. His mother was devastated, rightfully so. Even she spoke that drugs kill, and he had a problem for a long time, but I can't help but think this is somehow my fault. It must be.

Then, there was Louis. I saw him back on East Main, the upscale regal part of town where I first laid eyes on his beauty. He was talking to Leather Jacket man, refused to look in my direction except offer me a half-hearted smile. I tired to talk to him, but he said he was in a hurry and had to leave. I watched as he and Leather Jacket man left in the same cab. I guess he truly meant he'd see me around. I guess he didn't like our cuddle session.

What the fuck was I thinking, anyway? Hello stranger that I met walking out of a gay nightclub. My name is Harry Styles and I'd like to take you out for dinner and drinks, take you back to your place, wake up to you overdosing and bring you back to life to only take you out for dinner and drinks again, take you back to my place, and cuddle and talk to you.

I just want things to go back to how they were before I met him. Sure, they were repetitive and mundane, but they were simpler.

That is why tonight, I am going back to Nautical Twilight and forgetting about everything, dancing with someone who treats me like I'm the best thing in the room and going back to the frat house and letting Liv and Ni take care of me (if they're available.)

I decide to wear a white blouse with vertical peach stripes and black skinny jeans. I unbutton the top to show some of my chest (I'm a thirsty man tonight, ok?). My boots are suede and with a heel. Niall told me not to wear them, that I'm tall enough and don't want to appear intimidating. Eh, I don't think I look that way, but I'll wear a black fedora just in case. Aww, I feel pretty.

The floor is lit in blue, green, and pink lights. Everyone is wearing their glowsticks, body paint, and having their drinks held high in the air. The DJ has a long EDM track on and I just stand casually in the corner, observing everyone so I can get a feel of the atmosphere as I often do.

A college girl, hey I've seen her around campus, just took a guy's hand and led him toward the bathroom. Hmm. Wonder what they'll be doing. *Smirks*. To my left, there is a bartender hitting on his third blonde of the night. Wonderful. To my right, a girl is trying to flirt with me. I give her a small wave, but that's about it. She isn't my type, sorry.

I continue to drink but stay in the corner. I figured I'd be out there by now. Why can't things go back to normal? This is pointless.

I stumble down the street, trying to walk home with two motives in mind: safely and without a public intoxication charge. I would just call an Uber, but I spent all my money on drinks, like always.

"Ow!" I laugh as my boot turns sideways due to a pothole. I sit on the pavement for a minute, trying to recollect my balance. Oh, the stars, they're so pretty.

"Harry?" Delicate hands caress my bare shoulder. "You could get hit by a car love,"

"You so—und like someone I kn—ow," I giggle. "Have hi-s ey-es too."

"Let's get you home then?"

I suddenly stand on my phone, using this person as a crutch. "Louee," I say as I breathe deep in his neck. "It is you."

"That it is. Come on. My place of yours?" He hums "Let's not make a habit of this, Styles."

"Supr-iseee me," I squeal, jumping in his arms.

(iMessage)
Harry: Hey Ni. N o t comin hom to nigh.
Niall: Where are you?
Harry: Car
Niall: You walked. Your car is still on campus.
Harry: la la la la you're beautiful you're beautiful it's true

3 missed calls from Nialler

"Hello?"
"Who is this?"
"Louis..."
"Oh, Harry with you then?"
"Let me see the phone! Niall you're beautiful, you're beautiful it's true,"
"Yeah, he's with me. I'll bring him back in the morning unless you want to meet me tonight."
"Eh..." (Olivia: "Niall, come on!") ("Should we get Harry? He's with Louis.") ("Lame. No! He's been pouting about that boy for days. You know that. Just come here and leave him alone.") Can't. Watching movies with Liv. Just promise to take care of him?"
"Alright. Will do."

"Louis..." I mumble once we're in the uber. "You love football, dogs, and the color red." I scoot incredibly close to him, clumsy falling in his lap. My surroundings begin to move, dizziness. "I'm drunk."

"Yes, I do, and yes you are." He says amused. I feel him entangling his fingers in my hair. "You're too pretty to be wandering these streets inebriated, Styles. What if it wasn't me that found you?"

"What if I wanted you to find me?"

~*~*~*~*~

Louis POV

I just had gotten off work. Harry better thank his lucky stars. I wouldn't have done this for just anyone. I am far too busy. Maybe I should have taken him back to the Frat House. I don't know. I read on the community forum that Delta Alpha Phi had a recent death. Maybe he's drinking to deal with it. I can understand that.

He doesn't know it, but he saved me two weeks ago. The last I can do is help him out of his rut.

The uber parks in front of my apartment complex and I leave a tip, exiting with Harry as we made our way up to the glass elevator. He's swaying. It's hard to keep him upright. He's much taller than me.

"Alright love, let's get you to bed...." I guide Harry toward my room, gently laying him down.

"I love these covers....so much...." Harry says as he rolls around, getting tangled.

I can't help but laugh at him. He is quite cute. "Be still for a second," I continue to giggle as he tries to stay complacent but starts to wiggle again. I remove his boots and cover him up. If he wants anything else off, that is entirely up to him. "Here are some crackers and water. I'll be on the couch. Night."

As I turn to leave, he grabs my wrist. "Wait! I like to be...."

"Cuddled, I know," I say fondly, removing my shirt.

He sits up, raising his hands above his head, signaling he want his shirt removed too. I contemplate staying under the blanket. I don't want to get this close to someone. I wish I could say no to him, but I can't.

"Better?" I giggled as he nods.

He makes a twisted face, scrunching his nose. "Hu—rt."

"You're drunk, Curly. Go to sleep." I encourage him, wrapping my arm around his waist, bringing him closer to my hips.

"Leather Jacket guy...." He mumbles. "You're hurt."

I swallow thickly. "Please go to sleep. You know nothing." I run my finger down his shoulder. I see little goosebumps form on his arm. "Night."

"Louis, if you could change one thing from the past...what would it be?" He asked, hardly coherent, slurring his speech.

I stick my tongue to the side of my mouth, thinking. "We don't know each other for this convoy, Curly. Please just sleep," I beg again.

"I wanna know you better..." he whines as he flips over, face to face now.

He stares into my eyes. "Blue. I lied. Pink is not my favorite color. Blue."

"Harry......"

"I know you're from Doncaster. I know you like to watch rom coms. I know you like strawberries...."

"Harry......"

"I know you want to kill yourself."

"Harry!" I feel my mouth drop open. "Sleep, alright?" I try to get up. I can't do this tonight. I want to sleep on the couch.

He grabs my wrist again, this time weaker than the last. "Stay."

"Harry..."

"Stay." He pouts.

"Promise no more talking?"

"Promise."

"Night," I say as I position myself behind him again, pulling his back into my chest.