Love is a Time Limit (Niall Horan)

Chapter 7: Goodbye

Chapter 7: Goodbye

(Niall Horan, 19)

Let's get some fresh air. It will do 'ya some good. 

Yet again I found myself thrown into the hospital; as if I'd been there enough. One night was all it took for me to think things over and come to a realization. It was a grim one at that but as painful as it was for me to think about everything that had just happened, I knew my decision was for the best. I wanted to cling to her so badly, but what I had done to her kept slapping me in the face over and over again convincing me that maybe it was time to start a new chapter in my life. This time, without her.

Maybe I'll call Verena for a visit, it'll cheer 'ya up. Would you like that, Niall?

Everything I had lived through now seemed to have melted away. Whatever I'm living for now is just her smile, just to see it again every day before my damned time is up. The happiness she brings me just by being in the room is enough to convince myself that this life I was given had a good run despite it all. I needed her then, and I still need her now. This sense of demise hanging over my head becomes stronger each day now; who knows when this clock will stop ticking. The transplant list is still marked with my name, though I've had enough with sitting and waiting for change to come my way. The final thing for me to do is lay here as my time slows down day by day.

Son, smile for me. Come on, just like you always did....

~~

 (Niall Horan, age 15)

A sleepless night filled with lingering bitter thoughts still ate at Niall furiously as he waited in the hospital lobby the next morning. His breathing was heavy and shallow, somewhat drawing the attention of the others waiting in the deathly quiet room. The faint ticking of the wall clock perched neatly above subtly added some audacity and comfort. Utter silence would have been too overbearing on Niall's part with it's massive weight growing heavier as his thoughts escalated. 

Wherever Greg was, Niall prayed that his older brother wouldn't show up anytime soon. As painful as it was to sit in the waiting room with the thoughts of Verena swimming in his mind, having his older brother arrive to take him home only made his thoughts cut deeper wounds. He didn't want to face Verena and tell her what had been on his mind for the whole night, even if that moment was going to come around at some point that day. 

Niall sighed and idly fumbled with his fingers as his foot began to furiously tap at the pristine, white linoleum flooring. 'Not long now until he's here,' he thought with his blue eyes transfixed on the floor, not wanting to look at anyone or anything while at the hospital. Greg normally was the one in the family to be there for comfort, but the young blonde highly doubted his older brother would help ease his heartache. 

A cool gust of wind poured into the main lobby, both bringing in the crisp fresh smell of life from the outdoors as well as the presence of a surprisingly calm Greg Horan. The automatic doors shut behind him swiftly, cutting off any further lively outdoor air to crawl inside the blank lobby. His mature eyes hiding concern searched for his brother, until finally spotting his passive form sprawled out in one of the equally plain lobby chairs. He gave a grimace at how bruised and battered Niall looked, but pressed onwards to meet him with gently clenched fists. 

"Doing alright, lad?" Greg decided on being mellow with Niall considering his current vulnerable state. He flinched at Greg's sudden touch, but looked up and gave a weak nod.

Greg grabbed hold of Niall's shaking arm, afterwards giving him a tight hug for reassurance. He knew something was going on inside of his little brother's mind, and whatever it was it was definitely hurting him deeply. Niall didn't bother returning the affection given to him, choosing instead to leave the blank look on his face apparent for anyone to see.