Gone Away

Chapter 22

            “Thanks, dad,” I said as Niall and I headed out the door.

            The whole night had been great. Niall had planned for us to go mini golfing and get ice cream. It wasn’t an extravagant night with candles and a fancy dinner, but it was nice to spend an evening with just the two of us. It was perfect. We finished the night and then headed back to my house. Niall parked the car and then came around to open my door. We walked up to the house and I noticed that my dad’s truck was empty. He must have taken the boxes to get them shipped after Niall and I left. We stepped in the house and it was completely dark. “I’m going to grab us some drinks and I’ll meet you in my room,” I said to Niall. He nodded and made his way down the hallway. I went to the kitchen and grabbed two beers from the fridge. I opened the bottles and made my way to my room with them. Niall was already laying on my bed, leaned against a pillow, propping himself up. I handed him on of the bottles and laid next to him. “Cheers,” I said as we clinked our bottles together. I took a sip and starred over at Niall. He took a big gulp and starred at me.

            “This is crazy. Spending our last night together,” Niall said.

            “I know. I remember the night we met. Who knew we’d end up here.” Niall chuckled. I took my feet and tangled them around Niall’s. “I remember seeing you in that café and thinking you were so cute with your laugh.” Niall chuckled again. “And then seeing you after the concert. You having the balls to invite me to that restaurant.”

            “And then to my hotel room,” Niall finished.

            “Yeah. And I remember thinking that I had to be absolutely crazy to go with someone I didn’t even know.” I looked over at Niall. “It was the best decision I ever made.” Niall leaned down and kissed me passionately. A kiss I will need to hold on to forever.

            He pulled away. “Well, what I remember is how stupid I may have been. You looked terrified when I dropped you off at the train station. I was so scared I wasn't going to see you again.”

            I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Me too.”

            “Are you sure you have everything?”

            “Yes, dad. I do.” The whole morning had been crazy! Niall had agreed to drive me to the train station because Amber had something going on that required my dad’s immediate attention. I grabbed my backpack and my purse from the chair. My dad came over to me and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

            “Here, dear.”

            “What’s this?” I asked.

            “Well, you’re going to be so far away, I thought it might be a good idea to put some money in your bank account. You know, to help you out for now. I unfolded the piece of paper and looked at it.

            “Dad! Four-thousand dollars? No, I can’t take that much! Dad, no!”

            “It’s too late. You’re going to take it. I don’t care.”

            I pulled my dad in for a hug. “I love you so much.” My dad hugged me back tight.

            “I love you too, Grace. Be careful out there, okay?” I nodded and hugged him tighter. I loved my dad so much. He drives me crazy all the time. But I know he means best. I pulled away.

            “I love you, dad. I’ll call you when I’m there.”

            “Sounds good, Grace.” He gave me on last hug. “You better get going. You don’t want to miss your train.”

            “Right.” I turned around and followed Niall out the door. Saying good-bye to my whole childhood.

            We arrived at the train station. Niall held my hand through the whole check-in process. Once everything was in order, we waiting outside for me to board. “Here we are,” he said.

            I looked around. “Yup. Here we are.”

            “Here,” Niall said as me pulled out a little bag from his pocket. “I got you something.” He opened the bag and pulled out a necklace and handed it to me. It was beautiful. I silver chain with a charm of the Gone Away band symbol.

            “Niall! I love it!”

            “I thought you would. Kind of a memory of where we met.” He took the necklace and put it on me. I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him.

            “Niall, I don’t know what I would have done if I had not met you. You are absolutely amazing. I-I-I love you so much.”

            “I love you, too. Please be safe, have fun, and please…please don’t forget about me.”

            “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to.” I looked up and kissed Niall on the lips. He pulled me closed to him. This kiss….this kiss I wanted to last forever. Then I heard a familiar sound that reminded me of sadness. The train whistle. I pulled away and looked into his eyes. “I’ve got to go.”

            “I know,” Niall said. I pulled away and let go of his hand. I walked to the train and climbed inside. I found a seat toward the back of the train and looked out the window. There he was. The boy who gave me not one, but two chances for his heart. A boy who made this summer absolutely perfect. A boy who helped me realize who I was and what I deserved. A boy who I hoped that I wouldn’t forget….and who I hoped wouldn’t forget me.