The Intern

Chapter 18

When I pull up to the dinner I already see Niall at a table. He's just looking into blank sight and drinking his coffee. What's up with him? I casually get out of my car and walk into the cafe. I'm here to get to the bottom of the situation, not to get coffee.

"H-Hey" Niall says nervously

"Hi."

"How've you been?"

"Good, how about you?"

"I'm doing okay."

"So what did you want to tell me?" I ask

Tears puddle in his eyes. What?

"You're going to hate me. Actually, I don't think that's possible because I already have tons of self hate towards myself." he says

"Niall,"

"Its true," he laughs "You hate me. I'm such a dick and I'm hopeless with relationships. I'll just end up alone."

"Niall, what's going on?" I ask with sincere

"I cheated."

"Okay."

Niall and I never had a relationship or did we? We both did crazy shit but I'm confused.

"I have a girlfriend in Ireland." he whispers

"Excuse me?" I ask oblivious

"I don't mean to cheat on her but I'm a man and I have needs and-"

"That doesn't mean anything! You cheated on her with tons of woman and me! Oh God, I feel so bad. I feel terrible! How could you do this?!" I rant

"She's dying." he sobs

Well that turned the tables.

"I wanted to break up with her a long time ago. I loved her at once but then I fell out of love. Then she got cancer and I knew that if I broke up with her that would kill her even more. I couldn't do it but I don't love her."

"Niall,"

"I'm such a terrible person. When I got the call the other night I started to feel guilty. I think about her when I cheat and I can't get her out of my head."

Ouch.

"So, when you and me were together you thought of her?! When it was my first time you thought of her?! Are you serious?!"

"I didn't mean it like that." He says

"Of course you didn't," I chuckle

"I love you, Lauren." he confesses

He's told me that he's loved me before but he just takes it back. Not just by words but by his actions.

"Please, save it for another girl." I stand up

I walk towards the door and I can hear Niall behind me.

"Lauren, wait! Please, just give me a chance. I'm serious when I say I love you. I truly do."

I turn around and look at him for a moment.

"Do you even know what love is? I highly think you're incapable of loving someone actually."

I walk away from him and tears sting my eyes. I can hear his distant sobs when I get into the car.

It hurts the most when I'm in love with him. I'm in love with a cheating bastard.

(Niall)

"Harry, she won't take me back." I take a sip from my beer

"Oh c'mon, it's not like you told her about Meredith." He laughs and watches the TV screen

I stay silent.

"Wait, you didn't tell her about Meredith, right?" He says with caution

"You did! Jeez, Niall! Why would you do that?"

"I just thought that if I told her the truth that she would forgive me." I whisper

"Niall, my friend, the truth can be ugly so sometimes we just have to keep the truth a lie. It's best to put it behind us and forget it was even there. Like it was a distant tainted memory."