Reminded

Chapter Three

I packed my stuff into the black Ford Tahde. I only had about one half-full suitcase, since my dad never bought me much. The agent handling my case, Mr. Sheridan, closed the trunk for me.

"You've got about three minutes to say your good byes." he said, gesturing towards Niall, the only person there, "We need to catch your flight."

"Okay." I say, and walk over to Niall.

"So I guess this is it." He says regretfully.

"Yeah..." is all I can manage.

Niall grabs me in for a final Horan Hug. "I love you and will miss you forever, Madeline."

"I don't want to say 'Me too', but you stole the words out of my mouth, so you're kinda forcing me to..." I say softly. That earns me a weak-hearted laugh from Niall. Boy, am I gonna miss that.

"I'll be thinking of you everyday your gone." Niall said. "If that counts."

"It does. There's no way we can really stay in contact..." I sigh.

"You got your inhalor?" Niall asks.

I groan. "Niall, don't scare yourself like that. Nothing's going to happen to me."

"Mad, I seriously don't care if you think nothing'll happen. Please. Show me it." he begged.

I smile in defeat. Taking the inhalor out of my pocket, I give Niall a stupid face, waving it in front of his face. "You happy?"

He looked up at me, eyes glassy. "Oh... Wrong choice of wor-"

"Madeline! Finish up." Mr. Sheridan moves his hands in 'Hurry up' motion.

"Okay, one minute." I call back.

Niall kisses my forehead. "Don't ever forget about me, M&M."

"Never." I promise.

I start to walk over to the car, when Niall calls me back.

"Madeline, wait."

I look over to Mr. Sheridan. I could tell he was rolling his eyes behind his black Aviators. "Sure. Run." He says.

I run back to Niall, and he gives me a small silver box. "What's this?" I say.

"Just open it." He demands.

I unwrap the midnight blue ribbon, remove the lid, and find the most beautiful locket I've ever seen. A silver shamrock encrusted with dark green emeralds.

"It opens." Niall reminds me.

I open it, and find a picture of Niall and I. To the side is a little note that says:

M&M,

I will find you again. This is just temporary. I never will forget about you.

-Champ

"Niall..." I say, gobsmacked. "How did you afford this?"

"My mum heard how you were leaving," Niall explained, "so she used all of this month's salary to let me get you a present."

"I can't take this." I say.

"You have to." He orders.

I hesitate, but give him the necklace. I turn around, and feel him push my long, dark brown aside. He clips the locket on, and turns me around for a final embrace.

"Don't look back." Niall whispers.

"I won't..." I replied.

I make my way back to the car and Mr. Sheridan opens my door. I look at Niall, standing there. Then force myself to get into the car. When Mr. Sheridan enters, he looks back at me from the driver's seat and flashes me a smile.

"Don't worry. You're going to love America." He goes on to tell me more, sounding so ecstatic, but his words drain out. As we pull away, I break my promise, and look back at Niall out the window. His eyes have turned bright red as some tears stream down his broken face. I turn away, put my head down, and silently cry all the way to the Dublin International Airport.