masked

#32

"Okay, I think it's kinda risky." I said, chewing on my bottom lip.

Simon sighed, "Babe, it's the only way."

I shook my head. "What if something goes wrong? I can't lose you."

Simon took both of my hands and held them softly in his, like he always did when he was reassuring me. "You won't ever lose me, I promise you." He lowered his head to place a kiss on my hand.

"Guys, you'll have enough time to be romantic after we get this over with so I think we should call the rest of the boys over." Ethan spoke up, looking slightly awkward.

"You want in on some action Ethan?" Simon smirked, blowing kisses at him. Ethan threw his head back and laughed, his eyes widening and his entire face going red.

I giggled as Simon loosened his grasp on one of my hands to get his phone and send a message to all the other guys. He looked a little apprehensive. "What if they don't show up?" He said, horrified.

"They will."

-

The doorbell rang and we all jumped to our feet after 20 minutes of nervous anticipation. I was keeping it together for Simon's sake, he was a mess. He had run his fingers through his hair so many times there were visible partition lines.

"I'll get it." I said, sternly pushing Simon back down on his chair. Then I walked over to my door and twisted the lock to pull it open. Immediately, a gust of wind entered the house and all the boys were standing outside.

"Willow!" Tobi rushed towards me and engulfed me in a bear hug, holding me tightly. "I'm so sorry-"

I cut him off. "It's fine, I'm not mad anymore."

"You sure?" He questioned dubiously.

I nodded and gestured for everyone to come in and then led them into where Simon and Ethan were sitting.

JJ gave Simon a quick, firm hug and said something inaudible to him which caused a faint smile to appear on my boyfriend's face.

"Are we really doing this?" Josh spoke up, looking at me.

"You willing to?" I answered back, not breaking from his gaze.

"I'm in." He replied at once with no hesitation, his serious hazel orbs focused on my own.

"So am I, this Eric prick needs to be taught a lesson." Harry said, stepping forward and flashing a smile at me. I nodded at him, we could exchange our thoughts through looks now. I knew he was apologising from what had happened in school and he knew I was forgiving him.

"I agree." JJ said quietly, he rarely spoke and it was even more astonishing when he smiled at me. This huge, goofy grin that made me feel less nervous that he was talking to me.

We all huddled together and discussed ideas and all the possible outcomes of our plan. Everyone had something to say and I could see Simon was getting more confident being the instigator, his apprehensive look had been wiped off his face. In fact, as the hours went by I was beginning to enjoy myself.

I was shocked when I heard my mother coming back from work, the hours had just flew by. There was some shuffling and then she popped her head around the corner. I could tell she was surprised by the number of boys in her living room and then me in the midst of them all.

"Oh, hello everybody." She said cheerily and shook every boy's hand they offered.

"Willow, could you come help me with the shopping?" She asked, smiling. "

"Yep." I said at once, jumping up.

"I'll help!" Harry smiled, following me to the kitchen.

My mother's back was turned as she was putting her shopping away. Bustling around the kitchen without looking our way. She pulled out a chopping board to slice some vegetables and the turned around to say something to me.

But her mouth was left hanging open, the words died down on her tongue as she stared in shock, at Harry. He cleared his throat and shot me a glance, letting me know he was confused.

"Mum, what's wrong?" I laughed but it sounded fake and high pitched.

"Harry." She whispered, walking over and bringing up a hand to brush his cheek. "My god, you're all grown up now." I was astonished to see her eyes glisten with tears.

Harry was even more perplexed by what was happening and his eyes were wide as my mum continued staring at him with so much affection.

"Mum! What is going on?" I demanded a second time.

She sighed and shook her head. "I didn't tell you both because I never thought I would have to explain."

"Explain what?" I was rapidly getting more afraid of what she was going to say.

"Sweetie, Harry is your half-brother."

A pause. I shook my head, stepping back a little bit. "What? How is that possible?" I choked out, Harry's expression mirrored mine.

"You better sit down, so I can explain all of this. You're old enough, now." She said softly, not taking her eyes off Harry.

"I'll ask the others to leave." I said, getting up and walking out of the room. My mind was whirring away so fast, confusion and hurt and injustice was what I felt. However, deep down I felt like I had always known.

I had previously questioned our similar traits and I knew even my drunken mind couldn't just conjure up that memory I had. This just felt scarily right.

I walked in the living room to see all the boys laughing and talking. They stopped when I came in.

"Everything okay, babe?" Simon asked, smiling.

I nodded, "Something came up, I'm sorry guys but I need to ask you to leave."

Tobi nodded, along with the other boys and they slowly filed out after thanking my mother and bidding their farewell. Simon stayed behind, sitting right where he was.

"Simon, you too." I said.

He looked confused, "Harry's staying?"

"Yeah, I'll explain later. Could you sneak out?" I asked him.

He nodded and swiftly gave me a kiss before walking out the door, too. I returned to the kitchen and took a seat next to Harry, gesturing for my mother to carry on.

I could see she was struggling with emotion but I couldn't help feeling angry.

"Your father didn't abandon us, Willow I asked him to leave." She swallowed, looking away from me. "You were only young when Harry came along, used to play together all day. Harry and Willow, inseparable. But what your father didn't know is that, Harry wasn't his."

My eyes widened as I started understanding what she was saying.

She paused for a second and then carried on, wiping a tear of her cheek. "I didn't tell him because I was ashamed, it was a stupid, drunken mistake and then I was pregnant. So I told him that it was his and of course he was overjoyed but it broke my heart keeping the truth from him. He loved Harry like his own, he was a daddy's boy and your father used to spoil him rotten. I eventually told him the truth, it hurt like hell and I told him to leave and get away from me. He was hurt and angry so he agreed but then he decided he wanted to take Harry with him and care for him. I let him do that and made him promise never to tell Harry anything until he was old enough to understand."

My mum didn't even bother wiping away the flood of tears cascading down her face, she couldn't even look at us. I was flabbergasted, trying to process all of this was hurting my head.

Instead, Harry reacted first. Jumping up from where he was sitting to face my mum...our mum.

"I always dreamt about having a mother." He said quietly and then hugged her, clinging on tightly. I joined the hug, all of us needing support.

"I'm so sorry." My mum said, her voice wobbling.