Falling into You

Chapter 4: The Day Everything Changed

Graduation day had arrived, and Mullingar High was buzzing with the excitement of teenagers who, for better or worse, were about to break free from the clutches of their teenage years. Some of them were excited to leave, to get away from the place they'd spent the last several years—Niall Horan included. Others were pretending to be excited for the next stage of their lives, even if they had no bloody idea what that would look like.

Niall wasn't one for the overly sentimental crap that came with graduation. Sure, there were the usual speeches from teachers that made everyone squirm in their seats, and yeah, some of the kids were crying over the fact that they'd be leaving behind the only place they knew. But Niall? He just wanted to get out of there and never look back.

The only person who seemed to understand that was Sean.

"Alright, mate, ready to be free?" Sean asked, nudging Niall with his elbow as they sat in the crowded auditorium, waiting for their names to be called.

Niall scoffed. "Free? More like ready to get the hell out of here. You're telling me you're gonna miss this place? The bloody cafeteria food, the gossip, the teachers who think we actually care about their life lessons?" He paused, glancing at Sean. "Not bloody likely."

Sean laughed, a little louder than he probably should've, but Niall didn't mind. It felt good to laugh. To feel like they had something to look forward to.

"I'm not gonna miss it," Sean agreed, "but I am gonna miss having you around. I mean, who else is gonna deal with all my shit once you're gone?"

Niall grinned, elbowing Sean back. "You'll survive, mate. You always do. Besides, we've still got tonight, right?"

Sean raised an eyebrow. "You're talking about that afterparty, aren't you? Because I swear, if you start talking about some half-assed sentimental goodbye speech, I'm outta here."

"Nah, no speeches," Niall said with a smirk. "Just me, you, a bunch of drinks, and the rest of Mullingar probably thinking we've lost the plot."

As the ceremony went on, Niall zoned out, thinking about what would come next. The future was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. There was so much he still hadn't figured out, but there was one thing he knew for sure: he was ready to leave. Ready to step into something bigger, something that would challenge him. Something where he could finally be himself—whatever that looked like.

As their names were called and they walked across the stage to collect their diplomas, Niall's mind wandered back to something that had been sitting heavy on his chest for months now. His biggest secret. The thing he hadn't told anyone. Not his parents, not his classmates, not even Sean. And, God, he was terrified. But if there was anyone who would get it, it was Sean. They'd known each other for years—hell, Sean knew things about Niall that even Niall hadn't fully accepted yet.

After the ceremony, as the other kids filtered out of the auditorium and into the sea of cheers and celebrations, Niall and Sean lingered back near the school's main doors, away from the crowds.

"You alright?" Sean asked, noticing the way Niall was fiddling with his tie. "You look like you're about to throw up or something."

Niall chuckled dryly. "Yeah, mate, you could say that. But I've got something I need to say. Something... important."

Sean's expression softened. "Okay, what's going on? You're acting all weird."

Niall took a deep breath. The words were caught in his throat, but he couldn't keep them in any longer. "Sean, I... I don't know how to say this, but... I'm bisexual." He looked over at Sean, his heart hammering in his chest. "I've known for a while, but I didn't really get what it meant until recently. And I... I don't know. It just feels like something I need to tell you."

Sean blinked, clearly not expecting that. There was a moment of silence, and for a second, Niall thought he might've fucked everything up.

But then Sean grinned. "Mate, you're telling me this like it's some big bloody revelation? You think I didn't already know?"

Niall's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? How the hell did you know?"

"C'mon, Horan," Sean said with a laugh, "I've been your best mate since we were kids. You think I wouldn't notice the way you get all tongue-tied around certain people? Or how you get that look on your face when you're talking about someone you've got a thing for?"

Niall felt his face heat up, but he couldn't help laughing. "Bloody hell, you're one cheeky bastard, you know that?"

"I mean, yeah. But also, you're still my mate, no matter who you fancy," Sean said, clapping him on the back. "And don't get all weird about it. I'm happy for you, Niall. You're figuring yourself out, and that's what matters."

Niall couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him. It had been such a bloody weight on his shoulders for so long. The idea of not being able to talk about it, to hide this part of him from everyone, felt suffocating.

"I'm not weird about it," Niall said, shaking his head. "I just... I wasn't sure how to tell you. Or anyone, really."

"Well, now you've told me," Sean said with a grin. "And I think it's bloody brilliant. You're still the same Niall. And if anyone gives you shit about it, they've got me to deal with. But I think you've got a better chance of surviving in this world than they do."

Niall chuckled, feeling a sense of freedom he hadn't realized he was missing. It was like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

"Thanks, mate," Niall said, his voice sincere. "You really are a good friend."

"Well, what else would I be? I'm the only one who's had to deal with you all these years," Sean teased, punching him lightly in the arm. "Anyway, enough of the sappy stuff. What's next for you, Horan?"

Niall grinned. "Well, I'm off to audition for the X-Factor. Gonna go chase my bloody dreams."

Sean's eyes widened. "No shit?"

"No shit," Niall confirmed, nodding with a grin. "I've been thinking about it for ages, and now's the time. I'm gonna give it a go. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Mate, I've been telling you for years that you've got a bloody voice. Don't mess it up. Go smash it out of the park."

As the days passed and Niall packed his bags to leave Mullingar behind, he couldn't shake the nervous excitement in his chest. He was off to London. Off to chase his dreams. He was finally going to take a shot at something big.

But little did he know, his life was about to change in ways he couldn't even imagine.

Fast forward to the audition day in London...

Niall walked into the audition room, nervously running his fingers through his hair, trying to calm his racing thoughts. The nerves were eating him up inside, but there was something else, too—something that couldn't be explained.

The moment he saw the others, he knew something big was about to happen. And when his eyes met Liam Payne's for the first time, he couldn't help but notice the effortless way Liam carried himself. He was handsome, no doubt about it—like, really handsome. And Niall was pretty sure Liam knew it too, given the way he flashed that cocky little grin when he caught Niall looking.

Niall quickly looked away, a little flustered. What the hell was that about?

He shook his head. Focus, Niall. Focus on why you're here.

But the connection—no matter how small or insignificant it seemed at the time—lingered in the back of his mind as they all waited for their auditions to begin.

This was it. The first step toward something that could change everything.

And Niall was ready for whatever came next.