Chapter 15
October- Senior
[Liam’s POV]
Things are better. I know they are. Niall has been a lot more himself and I enjoy seeing that. He smiles and is carefree again. I’ve missed this version of Niall so much. Whatever Louis told him a while ago must be working. Niall comes out with me and Loki when we go on our runs, even Niall usually just walks Loki while I go running, but it’s still nice he comes out with us.
I woke up to my alarm at 6:30 this morning and I knew it was time for me to get up and walk Loki. I tip toed out of my bed, but Loki was already up and ready.
“Hey boy. You ready to go?” I asked and he barked in excitement. I had to shush him because everyone in the house was still sleeping. But what can I say he was a super excited little guy.
“Alright, well go wake up Ni. Go on boy,” I said. I watched Loki sprint out of my room and nudge Niall’s door open. I waited on the edge of my bed as I slipped on my shoes and only looked up to see Niall holding Loki who was licking his face excitedly.
“I think you forgot this,” Niall said, his voice thick with sleep. He held Loki away from his face and towards me, but then Loki began to whine.
“Awww, Niall, the poor guy just wants a little attention!”
“Yeah well, when I’m awake, I’ll give him some,” Niall groaned as he gently placed Loki on the floor.
“Well since you’re up, you want to go with me to walk Loki?”
Niall glared at me and then said, “Is that why you sent Loki into my room?”
“Whatever do you mean?” I asked as I feigned innocent.
“You know what I mean Liam James,” Niall said as he fell down on my bed face first.
“Well, Niall James, I believe I’m quite lost.”
“You’re an absolute wanker.”
“Love you too babe. Come on then, up and at ‘em,” I said as I patted his behind. Niall groaned, but pushed himself off of my bed and waddled into his room to change. I chuckled and strapped Loki’s collar on. I patted my dog on the head and murmured how he did a good job as Niall came sauntering back in.
“Ready?” He asked. I nodded and we walked to the front door together. There, we put Loki’s leash on and headed outside. It was a crisp morning and it felt nice out for an October morning. I smiled and began to walk with Niall and Loki. I enjoyed days like this. It was calming and no stress. We kind of just forgot about everything we had to do. I mean, we had already begun to apply to several Universities, so it was slightly surreal that we’d be graduating in about seven months. Where had time flown? I mean, Niall and I were about to celebrate our year anniversary in three months. It was funny how things work out, you know?
“What are you smiling about?” Niall asked as we walked down the sidewalk hand in hand. I hadn’t realized I was smiling on my exterior until he pointed it out. If anything my smile became slightly bigger as I looked over to the guy who had stolen my heart.
“Nothing much. Just, I think life is going great right now. Don’t you agree?”
“You’re a sap. But you’re cute so I’ll keep you around.”
I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness not realizing how he makes my heart flutter even to this day. “Really? I’m the sap? Usually it’s you.”
“Nah, I’m the man in this relationship,” Niall said as he puffed out his chest a bit. I barked out a laugh and Niall playfully shoved me.
“Sorry babe, but you are just too darn adorable.”
“Yeah, whatever. You’re not so bad either.”
“Well I’ll take that then.”
Niall smiled and I couldn’t help but smile back. Every one of his smiles just made me feel a bit better inside. I didn’t know, nor did I expect life to turn out like this, but I’m glad it did. I wanted to spend a lifetime with him by my side. With everything we had been through, I think anything is possible for us. I mean, Niall was finally accepting himself, and he wasn’t ashamed of us or who he was.
“Alright babe, I’m going to start running okay?” I said as we came around the corner.
“Of course. I’ll be walking with Loki here,” Niall said as Loki panted in excitement. I smiled and placed a tender kiss on my boyfriend’s lips.
“I’ll see you guys soon,” I said as I turned and hit the pavement running. I heard Loki’s barks behind me, but I didn’t pay too much attention to them. I was getting in the zone.
This was the time of day where I had my mind completely cleared of all my problems, fears, and regrets. All the negativity just seemed to flow out of me and the y rushed behind me. They sometimes tried to match my speed, but they couldn’t. I was too fast for them.
I love to run because I am the one who is in complete control. No one is here to tell me what to do or how to do it. It is just me and my feet. We go and run as much as we can until it’s time to turn around. I felt invincible, until I almost ran into a familiar, unwanted figure.
I skidded to a stop as recognition dawned upon me who it was. He looked at me with a smile, which to most would’ve been familiarized with sincerity, but all I saw was a liar. A shadow of a man who had lost all respect from me and my family.
“Good morning Mr. Horan,” I said bitterly.
“Ah, Liam is it?” He said with the smile still plastered on his ugly mug. I nodded tersely, not wanting to speak much to him. “How are you today?”
“Fine, thanks.”
“I’m happy to hear that. And how is my boy?”
“Niall? Better that you’re not around,” I hissed out. Hate began to fill my heart, but Mr. Horan was oblivious to my emotions towards him.
“Good. So, you two still together?”
“If we are, so what? You shouldn’t care.”
“Just asking my boy. He is my son.”
“You sure don’t treat him like one,” I said before turning to walk the other way.
“I’ve come to apologize Liam!” He shouted behind me. I paused for a moment. I couldn’t believe he was actually standing here ready to apologize. That seemed too easy. Last month he called the cops on my family, and now he thinks he can just apologize?
“Tell it to someone who cares,” I said as I ran off the way I came. I kept running, but my run seemed harder this time. Thoughts of Mr. Horan trying to ease his way back into Niall’s life scared me. He wanted to take Niall away from me, I was sure of it. He wanted nothing to do with the Niall I know. He wanted to ‘cure’ Niall of his ‘disease’. What he doesn’t understand is that there is nothing wrong with Niall. He’s fine the way he is.
I continued to feel my feet pounding against the pavement. I began to think, what if they got to Niall before I could. I pushed myself a bit more, to make sure I would get to Niall before his family could. I wouldn’t forgive myself if they took him away. I know that Niall is their son, but he obviously doesn’t see a home with them anymore.
I rounded a corner when I saw the blonde tuff of hair swaying awkwardly from side to side as Loki peed on a stop sign.
“Ni!” I shouted as I sprinted towards him. I embraced him in a tight hug as soon as I reached him, and he looked genuinely surprised.
“Um, are you alright Liam?” He asked as I released him from my hug. I wanted to tell Niall I saw his dad, but I didn’t want him to go back to being the fearful guy he was a while ago. He’s been making such progress. I needed him to keep going forward. I feel as though telling him this piece of information would send him going backwards.
“Nothing. Yeah, I’m fine. What about you?” I asked frantically.
“Um, I’m fine? Liam what’s wrong?” Niall asked as he searched my face for any hints about what had just happened.
I bit my lip, debating on whether to tell him or not that his dad was looking for him; how his family wanted him home, but not for the right reasons. Then again, Niall just seemed so much better without them. Well at least from what I can see. Maybe Niall was dying on the inside. Maybe he hated staying here with me and my family.
“Liam?” Niall placed the hand that wasn’t holding Loki’s leash and put it on my cheek lightly. He looked worried and I knew what I had to do.
I had to be honest.
“I saw your dad. I literally ran into him,” I rushed out. Niall was silent, but he didn’t drop his hand from my face. Worry didn’t even cross his face. He looked calmer than ever.
“What’d he say?”
“He said, well first he asked how you were and stuff. I didn’t want to hear it, so I went to walk away, but then he screamed how he wanted to, um, apologize.”
“Really now?” Niall murmured.
“Yeah. Um, I’m sorry.”
“Liam, thank you for telling me. I know you didn’t want to, but sometimes, we- well, what I’m trying to say is that he doesn’t mean it. He just wants to take me somewhere far away so he can fix me like I’m some kind of animal.”
“No, I don’t think he-”
“The man has no limits Liam. He may be a Godly man, but his heart is controlled by the devil most times.”
I blinked in surprise at the words that flowed out of Niall’s mouth. I couldn’t believe he said that about his father. I understood how he must’ve felt, but to say his father had a dark heart was something else.
Niall slipped his hand from my cheek and took my hand as I stood there facing the floor. He gave it a light squeeze and all I did was look at him. Niall smiled, but of course it was a cautious smile.
“Don’t worry about him Liam, okay? Let’s go home so you can shower cause you smell worse than Loki,” Niall said. I smiled and pulled him in for a hug.
“Embrace the smelliness love,” I said as Niall pretended to gag in my aroma.
“No thanks.” He pushed away, but still grabbed for my hand and I couldn’t help be loved in this very moment. He didn’t care about who saw right now. I know this isn’t a big deal for most couples, but we’ve made so many strides since the beginning of all of this.
We began to walk home and naturally we had Loki getting distracted at almost everything, so it took a lot longer than expected. We didn’t mind though. It was nice to see him so carefree, unlike the rest of us. Makes me kind of wish I was a dog.
When we finally got home, there was a note on the front door. I looked over at Niall and he looked just as confused as I did. Well, I can see that we both didn’t have a clue what was going on. For all we know, it could just be a note for my parents, but I still decided to take it down. I noticed it was addressed to me so I just shoved it in my pocket. Niall took notice of my actions and raised an eyebrow in question.
“Relax babe, it’s just probably from Harry. Knowing the goon, he probably got his phone taken away,” I said as I ruffled his hair. Niall’s features relaxed a bit, but I knew he wasn’t completely satisfied.
We walked inside of my house and I knew my parents left for work already, even though it was a Saturday. I hope that when I’m their age, I’m not working on Saturdays. I’d probably die.
“Hey, I’m going to take a shower, okay?” Niall said as he unclasped Loki from his leash. Loki barked excitedly and proceeded to run through the house, but of course he slammed into every wall on the way.
“Yeah, I’ll go take one in my parent’s room,” I said. Niall smiled and made his way to his bathroom. I made a pit stop before heading to the bathroom to get a change of clothes to relax in. After I had picked out a rather comfy pair of sweats, I made my way to the bathroom making sure to lock the door behind me. I flicked on the shower head, but I didn’t get in, at least not yet.
Instead, I sat on the edge of the bathtub and looked at the piece of paper with my name on it. I had a gut feeling who it was from, but I didn’t want to be right. I took a deep breath and opened the folded paper and revealed the message inside.
‘All you efforts are for naught.
I suggest you quit while you’re ahead, before you get caught.
He isn’t gay, this is just a mistake.
Back in the olden times, I would burn you both at the stake.
We may be in modern day, but that means nay.
I’ll have my revenge on the devil’s night as the clouds cover up the day.’
-MB.
I read the note over and over, fear striking my bones. What did that mean? I obviously could tell it was a threat, but the devil’s night? And is it revenge on me or Niall or the both of us? I sat on the edge of the bathtub as steam began to overflow in the bathroom. I don’t know how long I sat there, but it must’ve been awhile because a rap on the door made me jump for my life.
“Li? You okay?” Niall’s voice called out as I stripped my clothes.
“Y-Yeah. I’ll be out in a moment!” I hollered back as I jumped in shower.
I let the hot water wash over me as I thought about the paper. I didn’t know what it meant. I was probably going have to do some research. There was only one thing I was sure of. I couldn’t tell Niall.
I hopped out of the shower and slipped on my clothes after I had dried off. I made my way out of the bathroom and into my room where I slipped in silently and closed the door behind me. Maybe I could look up some of the information while Niall is preoccupied doing whatever he does when I’m not around.
“Looking for someone?”
I jumped as I turned around to see Niall sitting on my bed. He looked at me curiously, which he had every right to. I’m not the jumpy one. I’m usually quite tame.
“N-No. Um, I was, uh, I like, um-”
“Liam, are you sure you’re alright?” Niall asked before his eyes widened in realization. “What did the note say?”
“What?” I asked as my voice went several octaves higher than they should have.
“That note that was on the door. What did it say?”
“I don’t know wha-”
“Liam James Payne. I swear, you better tell me what that note said or so help me, I will find out myself,” Niall threatened. I had to look away from him, because lying was not my strongest suit. I took a quick side glance at him and he glared at me. I looked down at the floor, the next best place to not look at him, until I heard him get off the bed. I quickly snapped my head up and held the note far above my head.
“Really Liam?!” Niall shouted. He was obviously frustrated, but these are the moments that I knew I had the upper hand since I was taller than him.
“You don’t want to read it,” I retorted.
“Ah, but I do. And if you love me, you’ll let me read it.”
I stopped and looked at Niall dead in the eye. He had a smirk on his face because he knew he won. I just couldn’t believe how slick he was getting. He was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help but smile as he stood there looking so proud of himself. My smile only started to disappear as I lowered my arm with the note. I knew he would be distraught as he read it, but I think I had to trust him.
I passed over the paper and Niall gently took it from me. He began to unfold it as he leaned against my wall. He scanned the letter and soon he began to turn pale. It also looked as though he had started to hyperventilate a bit.
“Ni?”
“Who the hell is MB?”
“I-I don’t know,” I said as I watched him slide down the wall and onto the floor.
“Is he going to burn me at the stake? Oh god, what if he just shoots me?!” Niall began to become frantic. I slid on the floor and grabbed his face in my hands.
“Niall, calm down. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m here. As long as I’m around, I’ll make sure you stay safe.”
“Promise?” Niall sniffled as he held out his pinky.
I gave a half-hearted smile and locked our pinkies together. “Promise.”
I felt a load lighten when I saw him give me a small smile. I pulled him in for a hug and just held him. He didn’t deserve what was happening to him. I looked down at my wrist to see the present Niall had gotten me for our first Valentine’s Day together. I wore it every day and for some reason it just made me smile to remember the good times.
Of course I would protect Niall forever. But is forever enough?
[Niall’s POV]
This past month, I’ve been trying to keep my cool, but it’s been hard. I just wanted to stay inside all of the time and be safe, but I couldn’t. I had school to attend and friends that were constantly being vigilantes all day.
When Liam told Zayn and Harry about the note, they promised to watch out for me. I tried to tell them not to, but they wouldn’t have it. They worried about my safety and they were going to make sure I was safe. Thus, whenever I walked to class, they would all make sure I get there safely. We’d eat lunch in the cafeteria, because it was always crowded. When Liam and Harry had football practice, Zayn would stay with me and honestly it was all a bit much.
Harry even told Louis and boy did Louis freak out. He was going to fly home, but I had to have a very, very long Skype call with him to reassure him I was okay. He didn’t believe it, so he said he’d try to be home before the end of November. I wanted to smack him, but he seemed very stubborn about the whole thing. He agreed with the guys about watching over me 24/7.
Liam, Harry, and Zayn were going to use any sparing moment they had to try and find out what, or rather, who ‘MB’ was. I had my suspicions, but I didn’t voice them out loud. I let the boys try and figure it out, which is what we were now doing on Halloween. We could’ve gone out and done something, but these guys are so obsessed with figuring this out. So we sat in Liam’s bedroom, everyone on their laptops, and I sat on the bed and watched them as they came up with theories.
“Maybe, hear me out before you give me that look Liam,” Harry said as he glanced at a skeptical Liam. “I think maybe ‘MB’ isn’t even a name, but rather something they have. Like a Master in Biology!”
“That is the dumbest idea Harry,” Liam said before looking back on his laptop.
“Damn, someone’s snippy,” Harry said as he pouted. I ruffled his hair and gave him an encouraging smile. He flashed his pearly whites back at me and got back to work. I looked over at Zayn, who had been particularly quiet tonight, and he was glued on his phone.
“Maybe it’s something backwards?” Liam suggested. Harry booed at the idea and got a vulgar gesture from Liam I had to snicker at. Watching the two of them go back and forth at this was highly amusing. I was wondering why Zayn wasn’t even giving them a second glance.
“Oi Zayn!” Harry called out, as though he was reading my thoughts.
“Hmm?” Zayn said as he typed something out on his phone.
“You good buddy?”
“Yeah, just texting Perrie why we can’t go to this Halloween party,” he explained.
I sat up on the bed and spat out, “Let’s go!”
All the boys looked at me and I know they wanted to say no. They were actually dying to say no. However, they waited for Liam to say something since, in a technical say, his word because we were in his house.
“Ni, um, I don’t think it’s all that safe,” Liam said hesitantly.
“Come on guys! Nothing’s happened all month! And besides, there will be so many people there and nothing is gonna happen!” I said as they all looked at each other. I knew I had them. I knew they were going to cave.
“Well maybe it won’t hurt if we stop for a minute?” Harry suggested. Zayn eagerly nodded his head and Liam still looked hesitant. I knew he wanted to keep me safe, but I just wanted to go out and have some fun I gave him a set of puppy eyes and all he could do was groan.
“Fine.” Liam was obviously not happy with caving in, but at that point, I was just happy that I was getting to go out and have some fun.
“Alright! So we’ll meet you guys back here in say thirty minutes?” Zayn asked as Harry and he rose off the floor.
“Sure, sure,” Liam said with a wave of the hand. Zayn and Harry scurried away and it was just Liam and I left. He got up from his desk and began to pace around the room.
“What’s wrong Li?” I asked as he went to his closet.
“Niall, I just really don’t want you to go to this party.”
“Why?”
“What if this ‘MB’ character is there?”
“I’ll stick by you!”
“It’s a party. We’re bound to get separated,” Liam said in a deadpan tone. He pulled out a pair of fireman pants and suspenders and turned back to his closet.
“Well, I also have Zayn, Perrie, Harry, and a couple of guys from the team that wouldn’t lead me astray. Liam, it’ll be fine,” I said gently.
He sighed and laid out an officer outfit. “Fine, I guess I’m overreacting,” he said exasperatedly.
“Li,” I said as I got off the bed, “you always do. But that’s why I love you.”
Liam smiled and pecked me on the forehead. “Alright, get change silly.”
I grabbed the officer outfit, because I had a feeling it was for me and stepped into the bathroom. I slipped off my jeans and t-shirt and slipped into the officer outfit which actually fit well on me. It hugged my biceps to make me look a lot more buff than I really was.
I slipped out of the bathroom and strolled into Liam’s room. I was going to try and get him a bit riled up, but I think I didn’t foresee the image before me. I mean, it was Liam alright, but my oh my was he looking good.
Liam had slipped on the fireman pants and kept the suspenders off to the side. He wore a tight white V-neck and but on a pair of boots. He looked chiseled and pretty much flawless.
“Well, have you come to arrest me officer?” Liam said as he sauntered towards me.
“Nuh-uh,” I said as I drooled over his appearance. Liam just laughed and gave me a light kiss. We heard Zayn’s car outside and a honk of his horn.
“Ready babe?” Liam asked as he snatched his phone up.
“Uh-huh,” I said. I still couldn’t get over how amazing Liam looked. Liam just snickered and guided me out of his room and to Zayn’s car.
“Well don’t you fellas look nice,” Zayn said. He was dressed up as, um, I think a male stripper of some sort. He had a bowtie on and a pair of dress pants. There wasn’t a shirt on and I couldn’t help but think someone was trying to impress his girlfriend. Harry on the other hand was wearing a plaid shirt, a bandana, and skinnies. He kind of looked like a hobo.
“Yeah, we try to dress to impress,” Liam said as he pulled me nest to him in the backseat. I blushed, Zayn made an ‘aww’ sound, and Harry, of course, groaned.
“I hate couples!” He groaned as Zayn pulled off. We all laughed, because the way Harry sounded, you would’ve thought he was single. He could be a bit ridiculous at times, but whatever, I still loved the kid.
It only took us about forty-five minutes to get to the party, and it was packed. I was grateful for that, because Liam could be a little bit calmer. I knew he wanted to get out, and I was sick of all this mystery getting in the way of our senior year.
“Ready?” Harry asked as we bolted out of the car and began to party.
The party was alive when we got in. Perrie was a great party host, but there were a lot of people I didn’t recognize, so I made sure to stay close to Liam. He made sure he had a hold on me throughout most of the night. Until one of his teammates wanted a team bonding picture.
“Stay right here, okay?” Liam said. I nodded and watched him disappear in the crowd. I stayed in the corner, making sure to keep myself invisible, for what seemed like forever. Well that was until I saw Harry.
“Hey, where’s Liam?” I asked Harry.
“He didn’t come over right after the picture?” Harry asked.
“Uh, no? Harry, how long ago was the picture?”
“About twenty minutes or so. Oh my god,” Harry said as fear kicked in the both of us.
“You check upstairs, I’ll check outside,” I said. Panic was settling in as I ran through the crowd. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Liam on my account. I hurried until I made it to the front door and outside. It was pretty silent, just a few people idling around, but I didn’t see sight of Liam.
“Liam?!” I hollered as I walked out onto the sidewalk. I looked around and felt someone bump into me. I turned to apologize, but I realized my left side of my body was drenched in water. I made a disgusting face as I looked over at the person who bumped into me. They wore a mask so I couldn’t really see who it was. I smelt my arm as I went to turn to walk away when I realized that the liquid wasn’t water at all. It smelled familiar, but I couldn’t really put a finger on it.
I felt myself being grabbed and spun around to the person with a mask. They looked at me and all I heard was a muffled, well-known saying.
“Happy Halloween.”
All of a sudden a bright flame seemed to encompass me and I heard a girl screaming for help as I collapsed on the floor.
Man, it felt really warm for an October night.
[Liam’s POV]
I came out of the bathroom to see Harry sprinting down the hall, his face relieved when he saw me.
“Liam! Oh man, we were so nervous!”
“We?” I asked in confusion.
“Niall and I. He went and checked outside,” Harry said calmly.
“You let him go outside? BY HIMSELF?” I roared as I sprinted past Harry. I went down the stairs and heard a scream from outside. I didn’t pay attention at first until I heard more commotion, so I thought I would go and check. The crowd was enormous and it looked as though some people were trying to put out a fire.
I walked next to some girl who looked shaken and placed an arm gently on her shoulder. She jumped a bit at my touch, but then she looked as though she was about to cry as she saw me.
“Um, hi. Can you tell me what happened?” I asked her. She began to breathe heavily, but not really forming anything I could comprehend.
“LIAM!” I heard Perrie’s scream coming from the group around the now dead fire. I ran over to her and noticed that Harry and Zayn were by my side in a minute. Perrie fell into my arms, and I was so confused. I heard ambulance sirens and I couldn’t help but pull Perrie off of me and hold her at arm’s length.
“Perrie, what’s going on?” I asked. I searched her face for an answer, but she looked shaken and all she could do was point at the ground. I let go of her and passed her gently over to Zayn. I walked through the ground and fell on my knees.
It was Niall.
He was unconscious, but that wasn’t the problem. Niall’s left side of his body had severe burns. I wanted to hold him, but I didn’t want to hurt him.
“Who did this?” I asked the people who were crowded around. No one answered me, and naturally I became upset.
“I ASKED WHO DID THIS?” I roared as I stood up. Everyone gasped and took a step back from me. Harry stepped through and gently placed his hand on my shoulder. I heard the ambulances getting close as Harry just looked me in the eyes. His bright emerald eyes told me it was going to be okay, but I couldn’t believe him at the moment.
“Step aside everyone!” A paramedic said as they came through with a stretcher. I was so grateful at whoever had called.
“Can we follow you?” I asked. My voice was smaller than I expected it to be, but the paramedic heard me.
“Of course. If you can contact family or somebody, that’d be great,” the paramedic said before they wheeled Niall away.
“Let’s go,” Harry said to me. We ran to the car, only to be stopped by Zayn and Perrie.
“We’re coming with you guys,” Perrie said as we got to Zayn’s car.
“But what about your party?” I asked.
“Niall’s more important,” she said with a smile. I smiled and turned to get into the car when I saw another note with my name on the window shield.
“What does it say?” Zayn asked as he unlocked the car. We all hopped inside and only then did I decide to unfold the paper. It was another rhyming message which made me irritated.
‘Oh how he lit up the night sky.
His skin peeled away and the Lord heard him cry.
Let’s hope he learned his lesson tonight.
So now you’re next in line for a bit of a fright.
But tonight I’ve had my tricks so how about a treat?
I will give you a warning, not a terrible feat.
My next attack won’t be this violent you see.
Rather it’ll hurt you and benefit me.
-MB’
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” Harry shouted in aggravation after I had read it out loud.
“Props to the writer though. He really knows how to rhyme,” Zayn said.
“Could be a she,” Perrie said. We all kind of looked at her and she just shrugged us off. She had a point, but a woman to do all this? Don’t they all come with some form of motherly instinct?
“I don’t know, but at least no one’s getting hurt next time,” Harry said softly.
“There shouldn’t have to be a next time Harry. This is ridiculous. They’re playing a game and I don’t know how to play!” I shouted. I was stressed and freaking out. If Niall dies, then I won’t forgive myself.
“Hey, we’re going to figure it out,” Zayn said as he looked at me through the rearview mirror.
“What if it’s too late?” I whispered. We all became silent after my morbid statement. We were all thinking of what could happen, but it was a dark place.
It seemed like fate that we had arrived at the hospital at that moment. We ran out of the car and into the hospital. The nurse sitting behind the desk seemed alarmed at our frantic entrance, so when I ran up to her and got in her personal space, I probably didn’t help anything.
“Horan! Niall! He, just checked in- I just-fire,” I tried to form a sentence, but I wasn’t doing a great job.
“What he means to say,” Perrie said, coming from my right, “is that Niall Horan was just checked in for severe burns and we were wondering what room we could find him in.”
“Are any of you his family?” she asked glaring at me. I stepped back a bit, knowing I was getting on her last nerve.
“I am,” Perrie said with a straight face. We all looked at her funny, but she ignored us.
“Really?”
“You’re questioning if that’s my brother?” Perrie’s voice rose as she got to the end of her sentence. She then leaned into the nurse and motioned the nurse to come closer as well.
“Yes ma’am?” the nurse asked timidly.
“You listen here and you listen well. Don’t you dare, and I mean, dare question me about my family,” she hissed at her.
“But it’s just-”
“Customary to leave a family member out here while her only sibling could be dying?!” Perrie screeched. Everyone in the waiting room glared at the nurse and she couldn’t really do anything except stumble over the room number.
“Um, it’s room 432 ma’am,” she said as she pointed down the hall.
“Alright thanks!” Perrie said with a sweet smile. She gathered my hand and Zayn’s and dragged us down the corridor to the elevator. Once we were inside Harry began to laugh.
“Perrie!”
“What? She was getting on my nerve,” Perrie pouted as Zayn kissed her on the side of her head.
“I owe you Perrie,” I said. She shrugged it off and just gave my hand a quick squeeze.
We heard the elevator ding and the doors opened at a stupidly slow pace. We rushed out and found room 432 not too far from the elevator.
When we walked in, Niall was in gauze all along the left side of his body. Part of his face was wrapped up as well and I wanted to cry.
“Li?” Harry asked as he came a bit closer.
“I’m fine,” I said softly. I walked a bit closer and held Niall’s right hand. The only noise in the room was the heart monitor that was beeping steadily. I pulled up a chair and sat next to him as I continued to hold his hand. I drew the infinity symbol constantly on the back of his hand with my thumb.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. This was all my fault. I let him out of my site. How could I be so reckless?
“Liam, this is all my fault,” Harry said. I hadn’t noticed he had been standing above me.
“No, Harry, please don’t blame yourself. You tried, we all did, it’s not your fault,” I said as he sat on the arm rest.
Harry just nodded, but I knew he was still blaming himself.
“Hey, you want me to call you parents Li?” Zayn asked. Perrie had already whipped out her phone, so I knew she was already calling either Louis or my parents. I simply nodded and they both left the room. I felt myself zoning in and out, but I didn’t want to sleep. I wanted to be here when Niall woke up.
“Sleep Li. Don’t fight it. I’ll stay awake okay?” Harry got a blanket from the other armchair and draped it over me.
“Okay, thanks,” I mumbled. I rested my head on the edge of the hospital bed as I felt myself drifting off. I made sure I was still holding onto Niall.
I didn’t want to ever let him go.
A/N:
.....
Yep. I just did that. I wrote that. Love me still xx
THANKS FOR EVERY READ, FOLLOW, COMMENT, VOTE, AND BIT OF LOVE Y'ALL HAVE GIVEN ME! You guys are the best <3
-Ariel x