Last First Kiss

Chapter Twenty-Three

Five Months Later

'Bea!' Hannah ran towards me, dropping her bag on the floor. Her long black hair flew out behind her as she bounced towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I struggled to stand up as Hannah's grip tightened around my neck.

'Hannah. Hannah, can't breathe!' She brought her arms to her side and stepped back a few steps to pick up her bag. 

'I'm sorry, Bea. I've just missed you so much.' I sat in the seat and watched as she sat opposite me. Hannah left to visit her grandma in North America for the past five and a half months. When I heard that she came back, I texted her immediately and begged to meet her in the nearest cafe. 

'I've missed you too Hannah. How's your grandma?' I swirled a wooden stirrer around my coffee, staring at Hannah. A smile appeared on her face,

'Great! She's getting a lot better. How's Niall? And how's your family? Your dad, and your mum and Danny?' She smiled. She placed two arms crossed on the table and leant forward to look at me. I sat back and stared at her. How was Danny? Lying in a coffin. Eyes closed. Forever.

A lump formed in my throat. I tried taking a sip of my coffee but I choked instead and spluttered. I quickly wiped my mouth and looked up at Hannah.

'You okay?' She asked. The smile disappeared from her face and she stared at me, her eyes full of concern. I just had to say it. 

'Danny was murdered about five months ago. And erm..me and Niall broke up.' Hannah stared at me for a few seconds before turning away her gaze.

'Bea. I'm so sorry.' She looked at me and stood up. I followed her and let her wrap her arms around me for a second time. I tried to hold back tears but they just fell on to Hannah's grey hoodie. She pulled away and stared at me.

'I'm sorry. I wasn't here for you. Wha-wha-what happened?' 

I bit my lip and looked away, thinking back to the look on Danny's face when Declan held the barrel to his head. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was about to explain about what happened when I suddenly thought of the promise that I made to Declan. 

'I erm.' I opened my eyes and stared at Hannah. 'I just saw Danny. And he was dead..I don't know how..'

'Right. How long have I known you, Bea?' Hannah asked. I frowned at her and muttered

'About six years, why?'

'I know when you're lying. I understand if you don't want to tell me what happened to Danny. But you don't have to lie. I can assure you of that.'

'But..'

'If you're going to lie. Then don't waste your breathe. I'll call you later, okay?' Hannah gave me a smile before hugging me and rushing out of the door; just as a familiar face came into view. Messy blonde hair covered his bright blue eyes and an Irish voice echoed in the cafe; making the few customers inside the building, look his way.

'Bea?' Niall yelled. His cast had come off, and he began walking quickly towards me. I sat on the chair and turned my back to him.

'What?' I asked, frowning at him.

'I just..haven't heard from you in a while. Four months I think.'

'Five actually. Five months since Danny's death. Five months since our breakup. And it wasn't up for debate. I don't want to see you.' I stood up and grabbed my bag before stepping beside him and trying to walk out the cafe. But Niall grabbed my arm and stared at me with sad eyes. 

'I just to know why you broke up with me. I called Declan. You haven't spoken to him for a long time. Even before Danny died. So don't tell me you still love him; when it's pretty obvious that you don't.' He let go of my arm and continued to stare at me; but I looked away. 

'Why can't you just accept that i'm happy? Without you. Now leave me alone.' I walked passed him hitting him on the shoulder as I did, and burst out the cafe doors leaving Niall to stand alone in the cafe. 

* * *

I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. It was half ten. The room was dark.

The duvet was soft beneath my bare arms. My parents hadn't bothered me since Danny's death. Nobody knew what had happened. The doctors found that it was murder from the bullet in Danny's neck. But nobody knew who did it or why. Except me. I saw Declan's face before the trigger was pulled. And I saw how scared Danny was. I'd probably never forget either. 

But the worst bit? I couldn't tell anybody. Or else, I wouldn't just lose my brother; i'd lose the person who probably cared the most about me. 

My phone vibrated on my dressing table. I reached over and pressed it to my ear. 

'Hey Bea. I just wanted to say sorry for today. And I hope you're okay. You know i'm here for you, whenever you need me. But I remembered that you're eighteen tomorrow. So I planned something tomorrow for you.'

'What is it?' I asked.

'Just be at the pub at nine tomorrow, okay?' 

'Right. Okay. See you then.'

'Bye, Bea!' The phone line went dead and I threw it on my dressing table. The back of my phone fell off; just as I let out a sigh. I was tired and I had no idea what Hannah was planning. I just knew that I couldn't be bothered. Even with my own birthday.