Time

27;

The time we decided on tattoos.

I was pretty disorientated when I reached LA, but once I was in the car on the way to the hotel I woke up a little bit. Checking in, I headed straight for my room and straight in the shower.

I always feel yucky after a flight.

I rang Esther twice, but she didn't answer. I sat on my balcony and rang her again when she did, thankfully, answer.

"Harry... hi."

"Hi Es, are you still in LA?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm looking for a flight home actually as we speak."

"Don't do that."

"...What?"

"I'm here," I sigh. "I'm in LA."

Esther was silent for a moment. "You are? Why? I thought you were in New York?"

"I was, but I can't just let you be here alone."

"I'm not alone-"

"I know you didn't text Lou or Niall,"

She was silent again.

"I'll pick you up in half an hour, okay?" I ask.

"Yeah, sure."

"Cool, bye."

"Bye Harry."

. . .

It was weird, I didn't feel nervous or awkward as i waited for Esther to appear round the back where I was picking her up from, the second I saw her I realised how much I had actually missed her. Her hair was lighter and shorter, and she seemed to be toned up and more confident in her appearance.

"Nice car you have here," She chuckles awkwardly as she slides in.

"Thanks," I answer putting it into drive.

.  .  .

"So you flew back here for me?" Esther asks as we sit outside a cafe. I could see paparazzi taking photos and fans sneekily trying to film me but I just ignored it. People generally leave you alone when you're in LA - well, they leave me alone most of the time.

"Not just for you,"

I see her smirk. "Liar,"

"Alright I did, let's not dwell."

"You didn't have to H."

I blink as I look up at her, her sunglasses pushed through her hair so it fell around her face. She looked happy, genuinely happy.

"I've missed you Es."

She stirs her drink with her straw. "I have missed you so much, you wouldn't even believe."

I smile. "Really?"

"You're my best friend. I can't function properly without you, even Nathan's told me I'm a miserable person without you."

At least I'm not the only one.

"I just felt like you were over me, bored with our friendship."

She shakes her head. "And I feel terrible that you felt like that. I never want you to feel like that, ever. Okay? I was just going through a weird.. phase. But I never want to lose you or even feel how I've felt recently. Okay?"

I nod. "Yes,"

"I thought of an idea, you don't have to agree, but it just came to me whilst I was on the plane over here."

I watch her smile grow.

"What?" I ask. "What are you thinking Es?"

"Why don't we get tattoos,"

"Like matching tattoos?"

She shrugs. "If you want, I mean we're best friends. That's what best friends do.. right?"

I shake my head. "I don't care about the pain but you've never had one Es."

"Exactly, that's why it's perfect. We get them done together, and you can also help me through it."

I smile as I watch her excitedly talk about ideas, but I thought of the best one yet. "Why don't you get HES, for me and I get ELT for you?" I ask.

Esther's eyes sparkle. "Each other's initials?"

I nod. "Why not?"

"That's brilliant H."

"I'm full of brilliant ideas." I grin.

"So it's official.. we're going to get each others initials." Esther concludes holding up her pinky.

I lock my pinky with hers and smile. "Looks like it,"