His Reflection

Prolouge

Trigger warnings have been mentioned in the intro <3

MARIE

I looked up from the box sitting in front of me on the floor, and glance out my window. It's my my first year of university. I'm both nervous, and excited. I've been wanting to be out on my own since I was probably 8 years old.

And now, I am.

Technically, I'm not completely on my own. I'm living with my cousin, Niall, in his apartment near campus. He was a senior this year, and was letting me live with him for my first year to get my feet on the ground.

He's letting me stay for free, which is amazing. I can get a full time job, and save up to live on my own once he graduates.

It's the perfect set up.

I sighed, watching as the sun was beginning to set outside my window. I could see the little specks of dust floating in the area that was lit, and smiled. It reminded me of being a kid, when I thought it was pixie dust. Smiling at the memory, I went back to unpacking.

I pulled a picture frame from the box, and another memory pushed its way through my thoughts to the front of my mind. In the frame, was a photo of my and Niall. He was about 8 at the time, I was 4. I had a bike helmet and knee pads on, standing over my tricycle. He was beside me standing by his own parked bike. We were holding popsicles, his yellow, mine purple, and they were melting into our hands. We looked so happy.

He was my best friend growing up. My mother only had one sibling, a sister. He was her only child, making him my only cousin.

They were both single mothers, and lived in a shared duplex, so we saw eachother often.

Since he left for college though, I barely got to see him. He was studying politics, and was so busy all the time, rarely coming home.

Today was going to be the first time I'd see him in lord knows how long. I couldn't wait.

I missed him so much.

He was supposed to be home at 8, and I was counting down the minutes. I couldn't wait to see him, plus he said he was bringing food and I was starving.

Soon enough it was 8:00 pm, then 8:15, 8:30... 9:00. He still hadn't gotten home. Frowning, I grabbed my phone sending him a quick text.

9:30 rolled around and he still hadn't answered. Picking up my phone again, I decided to call. Straight to voicemail.

What the hell?

By 12:30, I decided to go to bed. I tried not to overthink it, maybe he's having a night out and forgot to let me know. Classes start in two days, so it would make sense he's soaking up this last bit.

With that in mind, I had a bowl of cereal -he barely had any groceries and I hadn't gone shopping yet myself- and headed back to my room. After a shower, I was finally in bed.

-

I didn't wake up until around 10 in the morning. I groaned, I was still so tired and knew I had so much unpacking left to do.

I grabbed my phone from my nightstand, a morning habit, to look at my notifications.

Shit. It's dead.

Frustrated at myself for forgetting to plug it in, I went and rummaged it out of my purse and plugged it in while impatiently staring at the screen.

When I finally was able to power on my phone, my heart stopped, and I wished I could go back in time to not plug the phone in.

I had 14 missed calls from my mother, and then, a text message.

It was my mom.

Sweetheart, please call me when you get this. Niall was found dead early this morning. It appears to be suicide.

My hands shook and I couldn't bring myself to call my mother, not yet. I needed to process this.

He was dead. Niall, my cousin, my best friend, was gone.

Hey guys get ready for this ride. Poor Marie and Niall:/ anyway more coming soon!

-Bella