Like Before (Niall Horan)

Chapter Twenty: But You Love Me Anyway

I had eventually called Niall back and told him about Mom's visit and he tried to comfort me but there were just some things that no one could give you comfort after. I didn't feel sorry for Mom, because no matter what, she brought this all on herself. There was no way anyone in their right mind would let Mom have Tia. I had kept going to school and I told Jaesin about the visit. He told me that I shouldn't have to deal with that and we hugged.

I was still getting hate from Niall's fans. Since they now had pictures of us kissing, there was really no denying that we were together. They sent me hate through my twitter and some had found my email and some had found my house. They knew where I went to school and they had seen Mom leave my house that night. 

It was all getting to be too much for me all in this time frame. I was supposed to be happy. I was turning eighteen in ten days and graduating in seventeen and I wasn't happy.

"Steph how do you handle everything with Harry's fans so easily? I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack every time I log onto twitter. Or into my email. I'm so worried that someone is going to hop out of the bushes to tell me how awful I am for being with Niall." I told her as I flopped down onto my bed.

"Alix, you just have to know that none of it is true. Niall really likes you and you know that. Whatever anyone says about it, is just because they are jealous of your relationship with him."

"But it hurts Steph."

"Don't look at your mentions then. Or skip over the hate. If people can't be happy for you guys then they aren't worth your time."

"But they found my house. They know where we go to school." I told her.

"They know me too. And they know we're friends. Just because they think they know us, doesn't mean they really do. They know the idea of us. They don't know us though." Steph told me as I sat up and grabbed my laptop. Niall and Harry wanted to Skype us so we went downstairs and logged onto my computer. We sat on the couch waiting for Skype to load.

"Hello Alix!" Niall called out just as Harry called out "Hello Steph!" We laughed.

"Hey guys." Steph and I said together.

"How are you Alix?" Niall asked me.

"I'm good." I told him. I wasn't going to dwell on everything happening and just seeing his face was enough to lighten the mood a lot. He could always relax me when I was stressing out.

"Only ten days until your birthday. Nine until we're there again. And we talked to management and we can stay until the Sunday after your graduation." Niall told me. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too." Harry made a big deal and pointed his fingers to the back of the house and I crinkled my eyebrows at him and felt Steph stand up. 

"I'll be right back." Steph told me and walked upstairs.

"That was weird." I told Niall as Harry shut the door behind him.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you alone for a minute. We've barely had time to talk, just the two of us."

"I know. Everything's just so crazy." I told him.

"Alix, I wanted to say this in person but I can't wait. Seeing how everyone is treating you being with me I want you to know this okay."

"Okay." I told him and felt my dragons take over. How is it possible he can do this while he's so far away?

"Alix, I love you." Niall told me and my jaw dropped. He loves me? Niall was smiling and that smile slowly started to fall and he put his hand up behind his head.