1D • Stories

Niall ~ Seizure While Alone

Niall's POV
I was beyond excited for today. We were performing at the O2 arena for the third time, and it was going to be a huge show, because it was my birthday!

So, when I woke up on the ground, feeling awful, I was determined that not even a seizure would stop me.
"Arh..." I said as my body jerked, post seizure tremors having an effect on me. I was alone in my dressing room, but I was ok. I wasn't hurt.

Once the shaking stopped, I swallowed and took a few moments to come round.
"Argh," I said as I sat up from lying on my side, and there was a knock on the door.
"Lunch NIALL!" Louis called.
"I'm coming," I said and I heard him run off. I sat up fully and closed my eyes. My head was spinning, and aching. I must have hit it on the ground when I fell... "Argh," I said, but I forced myself to stand up.

If I was gone too long, the boys would know that something was up and I didn't want to be moddy-coddled, not today.
"You've got this Niall," I told myself as I was standing up, but I was having to hold onto the desk to steady myself. "Argh..." I said before I squeezed my eyes closed and put my hand up to them.
"Niall, it's lunch," Harry said as he opened the door and I looked up at him. "Are you ok?" He asked in concern as he came towards me.
"I'm good. Just got a bit dizzy."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, and I walked to the door as normally as I could.
"Yeah."
"Ok. Let's get some food," Harry said as he put his arm around me.
"Let's do it," I replied.

~

Lunch was as chaotic than ever, but I was feeling ok. We laughed, then we had an outside photo-shoot after lunch. As the day went on and the start of our concert neared, just 4 hours away, I was starting to feel dizzy and light headed.
"Who wants fish and chips after this boys?"
"I would kill for chips right now."
"It's done Zayn," Louis said with a laugh, and I leant on one of the nearby props.
"This way boys!"
"Harry, move a little to your left..."
"Niall...!" Someone called and they said something, but I didn't move. I was feeling worse and I was supporting myself using two hands now.
"Niall, are you ok?" Liam asked as I felt him rest his hand on my back.
"I..."
"What's wrong?"
"What's the matter Niall?"
"I should have told you..." I said before I sank down to my knees.
"Told us what?" Zayn asked me, and I soon noticed that all the boys were beside me, at my level.
"I had a... seizure, in my... my dressing room," I said as I noticed that my hands were shaking, and a tear fell down my face.
"Shit Niall, was anyone with you?"
"No... I thought I could... I thought I could do this," I said before more tears fell from my eyes.
"How long ago did you have it?" Zayn asked me gently.
"Before lunch."
"That was over four hours ago."
"I know..."
"Why didn't you tell anyone Niall?" Louis asked as he came round so that he was in-front of me.
"I didn't want... to ruin today. The O2..." I said before I looked down and Louis took my hand.
"You're in no state to perform like this Niall," Zayn said and I looked at him.
"But I can..."
"We will help you get ready for later Niall, if that's want you want. But you should have told us. Your epilepsy is serious," Louis said as he squeezed my hand and I turned back to him.
"I know. I'm really sorry."
"Don't apologise. Are you alright?" Liam asked me as he put his arm around my back.
"No," I said as the tears kept falling down my face.
"Did you get hurt during the seizure?" Harry asked me gently.
"No... I just... my head's killing me."
"You probably hit it when you fell Niall."
"We should get you to the medic."
"No medics. I'm sick of them and..." I told Harry and Louis before I broke down in tears. "I just want to perform."
"Niall, we need to get you seen to. Then we will help you through tonight. You need some help," Zayn told me sternly and I looked up. Tears had stained my face and with all the boys around me looking worried, I accepted my reality.
"I just wanted to get through today... With no interruptions."
"We know. The sooner we get you checked out, the better ok?" Louis told me and I nodded.
"Good lad," Zayn said, and I stood up before the boys came with me to see the medic.

~

The medic cleared me, thankfully, and all the boys gave me group hug.
"I'm so glad that you're alright Niall."
"You could have been badly hurt."
"I know."
"Next time, get some help Niall."
"I will," I said before I closed my eyes and my knees buckled.
"Shit!"
"Niall!" Louis and Zayn called as the boys caught me.
"Maybe you're not alright," Liam said as they stood me back up.
"I just need a nap. I'm really tired."
"That we can do."
"Come on Niall," Liam said before he picked me up.
"Woah, have you got him?"
"I'm made of muscles me."
"I can walk on my own Liam," I told him as he started to walk with me in his arms.
"No, it's alright Niall."
"Ok," I said, not feeling up to arguing with Liam.

We performed for the O2 a few hours later, and I was feeling a lot better after getting some sleep. The boys had my back, and when I flagged during the concert: they brought the energy back up and made sure that I was ok.

~

"Fish and chips Louis. It was good call."
"I know it was."
"Shhhhh. Niall's asleep," I heard Harry say. I was lying in my bunk on my side away from them, as I had gone to bed as soon as I had got back to the bus.
"Shit. Sorry," Louis said before he whispered: "Let's eat outside Zayn."
"Yeah, let's go," Zayn said, and I heard them leave.

"...ut up!" Zayn said in a heavy whisper as he woke me up.
"Oh Niall. Fucking hell."
"Seriously Louis. He seized with none around, the least we can do is let him sleep."
"I know Zayn. Calm down," Louis said before they made their way through the bus.
"I hope you haven't woken him up."
"I'll check," Louis said, and I heard him pull my curtain back before light hit me. "Niall?" He whispered, and I rolled my eyes before I turned to him. "Oh bloody hell. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You're very loud. Both of you," I told them sleepily.
"When did we wake you?" Zayn asked me as he came over.
"When you came into the bus. Both times," I said before I rubbed my eyes.
"Oh Niall, I'm really sorry."
"It's ok," I said before I looked back at them. "Thank you for looking after me today."
"You needed us."
"But you should have told us sooner."
"Ok, we can stop telling him off now Louis," Zayn told Louis.
"Sorry."
"Is everyone else asleep?" I asked as I looked across at Harry, who was fast asleep and Louis followed my gaze.
"I think they are."
"Then we should stop talking."
"Ok," Louis said, and he mimed before he smiled.
"And happy birthday," Zayn whispered.
"Thanks," I said before I looked at Louis. He'd clearly had a few beers, but he was being super cute and caring about me. "Can you sleep with me tonight Louis?"
"I'm not gay Niall."
"No. I just want someone to cuddle."
"It is his birthday," Zayn said as he gave Louis a small bump.
"Ok. As you're being so nice about it."

Louis climbed into my bunk about 10 minutes later, and he cuddled me like a koala bear. I accept him with a giggle and we fell asleep together a few moments later.