The next few weeks go quickly. They are filled with schoolwork, exams, and preparations for graduation. I had happily passed my exams and classes with decent grades. I was worried about my final grades in a few classes because a lot had happened this semester. Thankfully, I studied hard in the last few weeks.
Harry had tried to convince me to let him come for a few days to see me, but I did the hardest thing I've ever done, I refused him to come. I told him how badly I needed to study and that I really needed to pass these classes so that I could graduate and come on the road with him for a while. He understood and told me that he could try and wait another week.
I currently stand in line with Liam, waiting to pick up our cap and gowns from the admissions building.
I had come with all of my friends, but we had lost Zayn and Louis somewhere along the way. It was something called 'Gradfest' that the school had set up. It was a fun time for all of the graduates coming up, and the school decided to host a sort of festival for the students. There was a ferris wheel and a few other rides, some games, lots of food, and the graduates were supposed to pick up our caps and gowns for the upcoming graduation ceremony on Sunday.
"Can you believe it?" I ask, looking around in awe, "Four years gone just like that."
"Crazy, isn't it? I remember our second day when we walked into the wrong classroom. We were already late and so embarrassed that we just sat down, not knowing we were in the wrong room," Liam laughs.
I remember that day so clearly now. Liam's alarm had failed to wake the both of us up, so when we eventually got up and realized the time we rushed to class. I had read the numbers of the room wrong and we ended up in some sort of quantum physics course.
Once I pulled out my notebook and settled into my seat, ready to take notes I looked up at the board that read the title of the class. My face burned an even brighter red and I looked over at Liam in shock, telling him that I must've read the numbers on the schedule wrong.
He wore a worried look on his face but said that he didn't want to leave now because we had already made fools of ourselves. We were hopeful that the professor hadn't called on us for any of the answers because we had absolutely no clue what was going on. We had a good laugh afterwards though, which causes me to laugh at the fond memory.
"How could I forget? I think I still have the page of notes from that day. Not sure what any of it means though."
"Me neither mate," Liam laughs and we move a step forward in line.
"Remember that time Louis streaked across the quad when we were coming home from our first college party?"
"And those girls laughed and pointed at his dick? One of the funniest moments of my life," Liam grins, "We didn't let him live that down for weeks."
"Let me live what down?" Louis asks, pushing in between the two of us with Zayn following closely behind. The person behind us in line complains but Louis replies with a quick 'Fuck off' and Zayn apologizes for him.
Liam gives him a disapproving glance but answers his question, "When you went streaking in the quad."
"Oh God," Louis throws his head back dramatically, "Let's not bring that back."
"Why Lou? Don't want anyone knowing about your tiny package?" Zayn howls and slings a shoulder over Louis who flushes and tries to shove Zayn off.
"I'm a grower, not a shower," Louis defends, "And it was cold out!"
"Whatever you say Lou," Liam responds and he along with Zayn and I laugh. We ignore Louis' threats of beating our asses and laugh harder, jumping off of each other's jokes about that story.
Our laughter is cut off by the person behind us clearing their throat. We stop laughing and look over at the smaller lad.
He gulps and points behind us, "Would you mind moving up?"
"Sorry mate," Liam replies cooly and we turn back around to take the few steps in front of us that we were unaware of due to our laughter.
The line starts to move quicker when the volunteers find their rhythm and soon enough it's my turn.
"Name please?" the woman I step up to asks with a sweet smile.
"Niall Horan."
I wait patiently for her to search the boxes ordered numerically behind her. I peek over at Louis next to me as he's handed his package including his cap and gown. He catches my eye and waves the bag around excitedly. I shake my head at him with a smile.
"Here you are dear," the woman is back, handing the bag over to me, "Will that be cash or credit?"
"Credit please," I respond, pulling out my wallet and handing her my card.
Once the transaction is complete, she hands me the receipt and my card back saying, "Congratulations!"
I smile in thanks and meet up with Louis and Liam who are waiting for Zayn and I by the doors.
"Just a few more days boys," Zayn smiles after walking up to the group of us.
We walk out of the building and back towards the festival. I have an extremely proud feeling in my chest as I take my time looking around at all of the buildings that I've come to know very well in my past four years here.
"It's hard to wrap my head around. We really did it," I tell them, glancing at each of my best friends, "I wouldn't change a thing."
The boys agree with me and we all have a long group hug. I hold onto them as tight as I can and I clench my eyes shut when I start to think about all of us going our own ways. I know we'll all be friends for life and we'll try to see each other as much as we can, but I know I'm going to miss seeing them almost everyday.
"You okay Nialler?" Zayn asks, squeezing my shoulder gently and sending me a sympathetic look.
"Yeah," I wipe a fallen tear, "I'm just going to miss this. I'm going to miss you all."
"I'm going to miss you lot too," Louis says, clearly choked up, "You're all my best friends."
This calls for another round of hugs. We probably look like proper fools right now, crying and hugging in the middle of a festival, but we couldn't give a single fuck. It's a very emotional time for the four of us and I don't care what anyone thinks.
"Right," Liam asks, letting out a chuckle and rubbing his red eyes, "What's the plan for our last Friday as college students?"
"We could all go out on the town one more time," Louis suggests.
I shrug, "I don't know, my family is coming in late tonight."
Louis' mouth opens in shock, "Niall Horan is not declining a drink right now. I literally must be dreaming, someone pinch me."
I roll my eyes and pinch him on the arm.
"Ow."
"You said to do it."
"Please Ni," Louis practically begs, "It's not like we haven't drank when we had important things the next day."
I look to Zayn and Liam for their inputs.
"My family is driving up tomorrow. They won't get here until late afternoon," Zayn says.
"Same here," Liam adds.
I chew on my lip, thinking. Louis pleads with his big blue eyes and finally I let out a sigh. Louis perks up immediately.
"Fine."
"Shall we all go out to one last boys dinner as well?" Liam throws in, leading the way to where he has his car parked.
"I'm all for that," I grin.
Liam drops me off at my flat after I told them that I'd like to change and that I have to make some calls.
"I'll see you lads in a bit. Thanks for the ride Li."
"No problem, want us to meet here in an hour? Your's is closest to town."
"Sounds like a plan. You all have a key."
He nods and I shut the door behind me, walking up to my building. I pull out my phone and aimlessly scroll through social media on my way up the stairs to my building.
I shove the phone in my pocket and exchange it for my keys. I unlock the door and set my backpack on the table. I rip open the bag that has my gown in it and set the contents on the table.
I then take the gown and bring it to my room. I grab a hanger from my closet and hang it up on the rack in my bathroom. I'm hoping the steam from the shower will get out some of the wrinkles. If not, I'll ask my mum nicely if she'll iron it out for me.
I shower quickly and once I'm done I wrap the towel around my waist and go back into my room. I swipe my phone off of the bed and I decide to call Harry as I get dressed.
"Hey babe," he answers with.
"Hi," I say, struggling to put socks on my semi-wet feet.
"You okay? Sounds like you're having a hard time with whatever you're doing."
"I'm fine," I grit out, mentally cheering when I have both socks on my feet properly, "I was just putting some socks on."
"What kind of socks are these?" he asks, "I didn't know this was such a hard task."
"Yeah it's a wonder I'm actually graduating," I roll my eyes playfully and Harry laughs, "You're still coming right?"
"When is it again love?" he asks me and I immediately feel a twist in my stomach. He couldn't have been bothered to write it down when I had told him?
I brush the feeling off, "Sunday."
"This Sunday?"
"This Sunday," I confirm, trying my best not to sound annoyed, "Why?"
It's silent on his side of the line. It's too quiet for too long and I'm getting irritated. I just want to hang up but I promised him and myself that I would be better.
"Hello?" I snap.
Well at least I didn't hang up. It's a start.
"I can't make it," Harry responds so softly that I almost don't hear him.
"What?" I ask, shocked, "I told you weeks ago when it was."
"I'm sorry Niall, I forgot."
"You forgot one of the most important moments in someone's life," I respond, fuming.
"I'm sorry."
"Stop saying that," I pace around my room, clad only in boxers and socks, "What are you doing anyways? Can't you cancel?"
"I'm signing the papers for a house," he says.
I stop in my tracks, "Seriously? You can totally postpone that."
"I can't Niall. This is a really great house and I can't miss this opportunity. You'll see when you get here."
"If I go there," I clarify, angrier and more disappointed in my boyfriend than ever.
It's his turn to sound upset, "If?"
"Yeah, if."
"Have you changed your mind?"
"I seriously you're going to miss my graduation for a stupid house," I seethe, running my hand through my wet hair in frustration.
"Niall–"
I cut Harry off. I don't feel like talking anymore, "No. Don't say anything."
I stand in the center of my room, trying to calm myself down. Harry stays on the other line and it's so silent that I think he may have hung up.
"Niall, we're here?" I hear Louis call. His voice is muffled by the door.
"I'm going," I state to Harry.
I don't give him a chance to say anything before I hang up on him.
I let out a big sigh and shake my head, willing my tears not to fall. I clench my fists, nails digging into the skin of my hands as a distraction, and I finally will myself to calm down.
I quickly pick out something to wear from my closet, classic black skinnies and a black shirt to match. It reflects my current mood.
"I'm just finishing up getting ready," I yell through my door to the boys.
I don't wait for a response as I go into my bathroom and shut the door behind me. I put the necessary things on like cologne and deodorant, and blow dry my hair so that I can style it up. The whole time I'm trying not to cry, since I don't want to have red crying eyes in any of the pictures I know the paps will be sneaking of me tonight.
"Ready?" I ask, after having put some shoes on and entering my living room.
"Ready," they confirm.
As we head downstairs I peek at my phone sadly and see Harry's name pop up, telling me that he's calling me. I bite my lip and shut off my phone, then I shove it back into my pocket.
"You okay?" Zayn asks, having seen my actions.
I look at him startled, "Not really," I respond honestly, "But I don't want to talk about it. I just want to have a great last night together."
He nods in understanding, "Let's do just that then."
"One condition," I force a smile, "You hold onto my phone for me tonight. Just so I don't do anything I'll regret."
Zayn smiles, "I can definitely do that."