Breathing For This (Sequel To Trembling Hands)

Chapter Forty Eight

Chapter Forty Eight 

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~ Niall's POV ~

A couple of days have passed since we've moved in to our new home. Brielle had no interest in talking to any of us, in fact, we hardly saw her. She would spend most of the day in our bedroom alone, only coming out for the bathroom and food. If any of us tried to talk to her, she'd respond with one word answers until we left. It was extremely frustrating. 

"Brielle, Louis brought Dominos home for us, do you want pizza?" I asked, popping my head in the room. She was laying in bed with the lights off staring at the ceiling, "we know how much you like those lava cakes!" 

"In a while," she replied. I knew what that meant. She would wait until we all left the kitchen, grab some food, and sneak back to her room without having to talk to anyone. 

I frowned, "please, Brielle, come eat with us?" 

"I'm really not in the mood right now, Niall," she sighed. 

"You're never in the mood - we're worried about you," I confessed, "we're worried, and we miss you." 

She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes, "okay."

"Okay?" I smiled, walking towards her and offering my hand. 

"But please don't bring up...." she begged, her voice fading away softly.

"I won't, not right now," I reassured her, "but I can't stop anyone else from talking about it. It needs to happen eventually, Brielle. You can't keep going on like this, it's not healthy." 

"I know, I know," she frowned, "I'm just not ready yet." 

I pulled her off the bed and wrapped my arm around her as we slowly walked downstairs, "I don't think this is something you'll ever quite be 'ready' for." 

"You're probably right," she admitted, "I'm just not strong enough right now, Niall." 

"You're the strongest person I know," I said truthfully, "but the only way you're going to pull yourself through this one is when you learn to confide in your friends and accept help when you need it." 

She nodded and grabbed two plates, handing one to me. I watched her expression change, becoming uncomfortable and anxious as she walked up to the table and chose a seat next to Liam. 

"You're here," Liam smiled, hugging her quickly. 

"I am," she nodded nervously. I sighed and took the empty seat on her other side.

Harry slid the box with the lava cakes in them across the table, "eat up, I know these are your favorites." 

"Thanks, Harry," she smiled weakly. 

"So, how did everyone's day go today?" Louis asked, trying to fill the silence that hung in the air. 

"I went to a store today and I didn't get mobbed," Zayn offered with a smile, "so that's a plus."

Liam laughed, "yeah, any outing without getting mobbed is a good one." 

"I made a trip to the children's hospital today for a little girl," Harry said, "her mum sent me this lovely note about her being such a big fan - I had to stop in." 

"Awe, that's so sweet," Brielle smiled, relaxing a bit as the tension faded. 

"I try," Harry shrugged with a smile.

"What about you, Lou? What did you do today?" I asked

"I played a shit-ton of Fifa, ate some pizza, and now I'm eating more pizza," he laughed, "Liam? Niall?...Brielle?"