FOREVER [Niall Horan] ✔

Chapter 74.

This is us- Jimmie Allen, Noah Cyrus

He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.

Niall's POV

I watch her as she peacefully sleeps on the single bed, adorned in a blue hospital gown. I gently trace her bruised cheek, blaming myself for everything that happened in the past twelve hours before skimming my hands against her bandaged wrists. I crane my neck to kiss her temple before softly kissing on her cheek, my lips lingering there for a little while before I completely pull away, but keep touching her or some part of her body, afraid that she might disappear.

After I saw her collapse on the floor in that abandoned house, to say I was worried and anxious would be an understatement. I was writhing and felt tears burn my eyes when I pulled her to me and saw how lifeless she looked. I don't even know much that happened after that but I could hear police sirens ringing in the back as they enter the house and arrested the trio before I was shaken by Louis. I remember him taking us to the hospital as I tried to shake Ana awake but she didn't wake up. I was never more relieved when the doctors said that she is completely fine and had fainted because of the sudden drop in blood pressure.

When Louis told me that he's going to try to fit in with those people and act like he wanted to hurt Ana, I was absolutely against it, but he persuaded me somehow. Even though I was very skeptical about it, he promised to tell me everything that they were planning but he lied. He lied to me about Tristan. He let me believe that Rebecca was the bad guy when it was Tristan, and I don't think I can forgive him for that. He let me live in the dark for very long, in fact, I didn't know about her until I saw there, but my mind was consumed by Tyler and everything he put Ana through, I was burning in anger. Louis also promised me that he'll never let anyone hurt her but he did let them. I am so fucking angry at him for everything that I feel like I'll do something that I shouldn't the next time I see him.

I cannot believe that Tristan would do something like this to the person I love the most. I always thought that I could trust her but I was wrong. I never knew she could be so detrimental and a fucking psycho. I still don't know why the fuck did she fucking do it, I thought they were friends. When Louis texted me to come to the address, I never thought that I'd see her, she was the last person I expected to be there. Then I saw that fucking Aiden and Tyler. I lost it. I've never been so pissed and angry at someone and I'm very happy with what I did to him. I always thought that it was Tyler who was threatening Ana through texts but it was Tristan. She did it, she probably did it because of me.

After everything, I'm happy that it's over, but I'm also very mad at Louis for lying and not keeping his promises. I'm mad at Ana for me never listening to me. And mostly I'm fucking mad at myself for letting Ana walk out of the door, for letting my anger take over me, for not keeping up with my promises to keep her safe. I couldn't protect her, I failed her.

"Niall," Ana softly whimpers and I jerk to sit upright on the stool. "Niall?" She calls again, looking around the dimly lit hospital room before her eyes land on me. I move my hands to cup her cheeks and she leans into my touch.

"Hi," I murmur and she says it back, taking a deep breath. "How are you feeling?"

"I think, I'm fine." She nods against the pillow, putting her hand on top of mine that's resting on her cheek. "Is it over?" She asks in a small voice but I can hear the pain in it.