Lonely Road

Chapter 6: The Meaning Of Love

Hey everyone! This is Dill Pickle :P Sorry we haven't updated in a while but I promise to make it up to you soon! While you guys are waiting for updates, maybe you wanna send me some requests for one shots? Imani is pretty busy in her's but I'm mostly free! Hmmm what else... oh yeah! If you are wondering when this takes place, it's set around Liam's 19th birthday, before the shaved head. So yeah... ok enjoy!

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~Niall's POV~

I lied on the couch think of all the mistakes I've made with Liam.

I put out a huge secret of his.

I kissed Liam.

We got into a huge fight.

I ruined a friendship.

I believed he actually love someone like me.

I fell in love with him.

The last one hurt me like no other. The pain in my heart left me with tears that are being shed day by day from the shuddering feeling of a best friend leaving me. I don't know how or when it happened, but over the past few days I realized that I'm head over heels for Liam. Maybe it's always been this way or maybe it just happened, I don't know and I honestly don't care. I know my feelings now and I want I express them to Liam. I just hate that he won't let me because he wants nothing to do with me. All he wants is for me to stay away from him; of course I want to make him happy and give him his wish but I don't think I could do that even if I tried.

I'm taken from my thoughts as none of than Liam Payne walks into the living room, completely unaware of my presence. I lie as flat as possible on the couch, desperately trying to avoid him yelling at me.

"Save it Niall. I already know you're there." He says flatly. I sigh and sit up straight.

"I'm going to the beach, don't follow." Liam says just before exits the back door.

I sigh and slump back against the couch.

"Hey Ni." Zayn says as he plops down next to me and turns on the tv.

"Am I repulsive or something?" I ask Zayn and he let's out a small chuckle.

"Oh yes! You're absolutely horrific and I can't stand the sight of you!" He says jokingly.

"Whatever shut up" I say with a blush on my cheeks. Zayn giggles again and pulls my under his arm so he can ruffle my hair.

"You're perfect just the way you are and that's why Liam is soooo in love with you. He just doesn't know it yet." Zayn says with a wink.

"Haha yeah right." I sighed again and curled up under Zayn's arm.

We spent most of the day watching tv until Louis came down saying he had a fever or something. I watched Zayn's eyes fill with a strange emotion I'd never seen on him before.

"Guys I don't feel so well. Do we have anything for headaches?" Louis asked as he fell on top of us on the couch. I shrug and get up to search the cabinets while Zayn positioned Louis comfortably on the couch.

"We have NyQuil but that's gonna make you really drowsy." I said as I came into the living room again. Zayn was gently rubbing his thumb over Louis' cheek while small snores escaped his mouth.

"Too late for that. He's out cold." Zayn said quietly. I nodded and glanced at the clock, reading it was now 5:30.

I look over to the window as rain clouds begin to form and I can't help but worry over Liam.

"I'm sure he'll be back Niall. He's not stupid." Zayn tries to reassure me but I don't feel any better.

When the first clap of thunder goes off, anxiety gets the best of me.

"Go ahead and take Lou upstairs so he can rest better. I'm gonna go look for Liam." I say quickly and get up before Zayn can object.

The clouds above me and now getting darker and darker so I speed my pace toward the beach. You see, I have a quiet irrational fear of thunder so when a loud boom filled the air, I nearly screamed.

"Liam!" I yelled out once I reached the sand. All around me the wind was blowing and leaves flew about in every direction.

"LIAM!" I cupped my hands to my mouth and shouted louder over the wind. I nervously looked around and nearly cried with joy when I spotted movement from the trees not too far from me.

I sprinted forward as another clap of thunder went off, this time accompanied by a bright flash of lightening.

"Li! ARE YOU IN HERE?" My voice barely rises above the sound of wind and leaves. I groan in frustration and enter the small patch of woods.

It's much more peaceful and serene inside the trees and I can hear my breathing echoing off the bark. I scan around me for Liam as the small pitter patter of rain begins.

"Liam!" I call out and fall to my knees. But two large hands catch me before I hit the ground and I jump up.

"What the hell are you doing out here Niall!? Do you want to catch pneumonia or something!?" Liam shouts at me and I let out I sigh of relief.

"Oh my... Liam I'm so glad you're alright!" I lunge forward and wrap my arm around him without really thinking. He tenses up and I remember that he is still angry at me. I pull away from him and look down at my feet.

"Sorry" I mumble and play with my fingers. Liam groans and grabs my hand.

"Let's go back before-" Thunder booms loudly and scream, quickly covering my mouth in embarrassment. Liam stops and turns to me, cocking his head to the side.

"Niall? Are you still afraid of thunder?" He asks softly. I sigh as a blush creeps onto my cheeks and I nod slowly.

"Ohhh Niall" Liam coos and I raise my head to meet his gaze. His eye are soft and filled with pity, making my heart melt. We haven't properly looked at each other since he ran away and I've missed his chocolate brown eyes so much.

"Come here" He opens his arms and steps forward. I cautiously approach him when he engulfs me into a hug. I stay shocked for a few moments, thinking he might punch me or hurt me again but eventually relax and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I'm so sorry Niall. You didn't deserve any of this and none of what I said is true. You are an amazing friend and I wouldn't trade you for the world." Liam mumbled against my shoulder. I smiled as a tear fell down my cheek, luckily covered by the now pouring rain. I nuzzle further into Liam's embrace and close my eyes.

"No Liam. It's not alright. I'm truly sorry for all I've done to you" I choked on my words as more tears threaten to spill over. "You have no idea how sorry I am, and I will spend forever trying to earn your trust again and repairing our friendship, just please" I pulled back so I can look Liam in the eyes. "Please don't ever block me out again." I sniffed as Liam brought his hand to my cheek.

"I promise." He said and pressed our foreheads together.

A drip of water slowly fell from his soaking wet hair down his nose and finally landing on his pink parted lips. The familiar tingling spread throughout my body as I became aware of just how close we were. I held my breath as the speed of my heart increased drastically. Forcing my eyes back to Liam's I realized his were trained on my own lips. Slowly we both begin to lean in but then reality hit me. I backed away and a flash of disappointment filled Liam's eyes.

"It's raining pretty badly." I stated awkwardly as I shook the water from my hair. Above us was a palm leaf, barely shielding us from the increasing rain.

"Yeah. Maybe we should just stay here instead of going back. I don't think I can see very well." Liam plopped down against the trunk of the tree and patted the spot next to him.

I sat down, sure to make a good foot of space between us, but Liam pulled me closer.

"I know you're still afraid of thunder so there's no use in manning up now." He said with a chuckle. I smiled and decided to relax and just enjoy being in Liam's arms, but it's a very hard think to do when he is rubbing small circles on my hip.

"I really am sorry Liam." I sigh and rest my head against his shoulder. He nods in response and continues to rub his thumb soothingly over my hip. As I slowly drift off I'm almost certain I hear him whisper in my ear,

"I love you"