Extinguish.

Chapter 23; I can't do it anymore.

Niall POV

(5 weeks later)

The last weeks have been absolute peace. There was no sight of the boys who punched me and my friends have been holding me up.

I was heading out to get my math book when I got tapped on the shoulder.

"Ni?" In fear I jumped at the voice. Behind was Liam. I smiled at him and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank god it's only you." I laughed off.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" He frowned. I knew it wasn't a time to make jokes when Liam frowns.

"Yeah, yeah course. What's up?" I frowned back at him.

"Well you know that a couple weeks ago how you went home sick? Well, mate, I know you weren't sick. You looked afraid," he brushed a small piece of my hair from my beanie, "are you alright?"

"Y-" just then the doors to the hall flew open. In walked the two boys who had beat me. "I-I" I stuttered out. They noticed how Liam was holding my face. They whispered to each other, I watched the word 'fag' escape their lips. I pushed Liam away from me.

"What the- Niall?" Liam looked at me with concern.

"I-" the boys left into a classroom.

"Niall what the heck was that?" Liam looked at me angrily.

"Liam- I- I can't." I backed away from him until my back hit the locker. I winced in pain. "Liam- I've got to go." And with that I ran down the stairs. Liam called out to me but I ignored him. I felt my lungs becoming closer and tighter. I needed to leave. I walked patiently down to the nurses office to avoid any further questions. The nurse always allows me to head home if I tell her my burns are hurting. So the nurse called my mom and as soon as I knew it I was in the car. I pretended to be ill like I always do, adding fake coughs here and there. When we reached our house my mom dropped me off as she headed back to her work. I ran up to my room as fast as possible. As soon as the door shut behind me was when I allowed my fear to escape. I walked back and forth trying to calm myself. I decided to sit and let the panic take over me. My hand went through my hair as tears streamed down my permanent burned face. Breathing becomes harder and harder. I rock myself back and forth like a baby as I try to calm myself. I reached out to my phone and scrolled through the contact list. I figured the boys would be at lunch right now so I sent a text to the one person who could understand what I was going through. I clicked on Louis' contact and sent him a short 5 word text that I think he could understand.

Niall:
I can't do it anymore.

Sent. I dropped my phone to the ground as I continued to rock myself back and forth as hard heavy breaths escaped my mouth. The message echoed in my head, over and over, haunting me. I pulled out my red notebook from my pillow then started to write to somebody.

Dear Somebody,

I can't do it anymore. I need someone, anyone. Please. I can't breathe. I told the nurse that my burns hurt. I yelled at Liam today. Breathing is getting harder. Everything is getting so complicated. Help. I'm sorry. I can't breathe.. I can't b-

My lungs sunk into my chest and I knew I couldn't write anymore. The tears shed from my eyes as I slid my journal under my pillow.

I can't do it.
I can't do it.
I can't do it.
I can't breathe.

In the distance I heard my phone buzz over and over again. My breathing got harder and harder until I gave up breathing all together.

I couldn't do this anymore.

Louis POV

We laughed, Harry and me, waiting for the arrival of Niall and Liam.

"So, is Liam still upset at Ni? I heard they got in a small argument in the hallway." I questioned.

"I have no clue, I saw Niall heading towards the nurses office earlier. Looked pretty sensitive at the moment. I tried to call out to him but he couldn't hear me." Harry explained, which was news to me.

"Are you positive? Did he have gym today?" (THE GYM IS NEXT TO THE NURSES OFFICE FOR ANY CONFUSION) I replied with noticing Liam was coming towards our table. He had a wide smile on his face, "hey guys you won't believe this. Got my math test back, 95%!" He smiled happily though it was no surprise to me or Harry, Liam was a math master.

"Hey Li, that's great! Hey listen, did Niall have gym today?" I asked him, sure he would know being that he is the closest to Ni.

"No it's Tuesday and he has gym on Mondays and Fridays, why?" Shocked, I looked over at Harry who looked as shocked as I was. I whipped out my phone and attempted to give Niall a ring.

"Harry. No answer, let me try yours." Harry handed me his phone without hesitation. I rang him again getting more worried. Liam looked more panicked then I was. He had no idea what was going on. So I tapped Harry to tell him to explain to Liam what is happening.

"Hi! You have reached me, Niall, sorry I wasn't able to answer your ring but if you could leave me a nice little message I'll surely get back to you! Okay! Byee!"

I waited for the beep then spoke, "Niall please answer your phone, we are extremely worried about you."

I looked across the table to find a shattered and heartbroken Liam. He quickly whipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed Niall. He whispered "c'mon" every second, each one getting a bit more heartbroken. When he got his voicemail, he spoke. "Niall please call I'm sorry oh god I'm so sorry please be okay Niall please."

We each continued to call again and again, not eating a bite of our lunch although Harry insisted I did.

"Maybe he is okay! Maybe we are just over reacting!" I breathed heavily, knowing that I was wrong.

"Then why isn't he answer his phone Louis?!" Liam panicked more. My phone got a quick buzz as I earned a glance from each boy. I looked down to see it was Niall.

Niall:
I can't do this anymore.

"Guys. It's an emergency. We need to go now."