Broken Together

Chapter 21: Home

I can't fall asleep. I've been tossing and turning for who knows how long but it's felt like hours. My mind keeps racing preventing any sleep.

I sigh sitting up giving up on sleep. I get up throwing on my shoes quietly. I sneak down stairs and out the back door after grabbing the keys. They should really hide these things better.

I look over my shoulder seeing no one and walk out the back door into the back yard.

The cold spring night air hits me and I feel myself relax a bit.

I just want everything to slow down. These past 6 months have gone so fast and I don't want this to end yet. This place has been almost an escape from reality and I'm so not ready to go back to reality.

I walk over to the football field and kick around the football mindlessly. I stop looking at the fence and all I can think is

I could jump it again. I could run. I know they'd find me but at least then they'd make me stay here longer.

"Niall!" I turn around seeing Liam

"Wha-what are you doing out here!?" I whisper/yell at him as he walks closer to me

"I followed you. You're not planing on running are you?" He asks skeptically

I sigh "no" I shake my head "I just couldn't sleep."

He nods "me either"

"Why?" I ask confused. What does he have to be worried about he's going back home to his family tomorrow "aren't you excited to go home?"

"Of course, but I've been here for five years. A lot can change in that time. And a lot has. I guess I'm just nervous to go home and everything will be different" he explains and I nod understanding. I guess that would be nerve wracking "what's on your mind?" He asks kicking the football to me

I shrug kicking the ball back "I turn 18 in six months but I can't wait that long. I can't spend another six months stuck in a home" I shake my head

"What would you do though? I mean if you weren't put in a home? Where would you go?" He asks

"Get a job. Make enough money to afford a place to live" I shrug "I just can't go back"

He chuckles "what?" I ask

"It's just strange that when you got here you hated it and tried to leave now you don't want to leave"

"I know I'm surprised myself"

"Come on let's try to get some sleep" he wraps his arm around my shoulder as we walk "things are going to get better Nialler. They will"

I smile at him kindly "I hope so"

I'm sitting on my rucksack currently trying to zip it closed "having some troubles Niall?" Louis asks laughing

"I acquired a lot more things while I was here apparently" I sigh finally getting it zipped "Finally!"

He laughs helping me up "it's so weird seeing this dorm so empty" Harry says looking around the room which has been stripped of all the pictures the boys had near their beds of their families and friends. There's no longer clothing strewn around the floor. The boys personal bedding is gone leaving all four beds with the plain bark blue comforters and white pillows on the beds

"Yeah it looks so much different" I agree looking around the room

"I wonder who will stay in here next" Liam says zipping up his suitcase

"Who knows" I shrug

"Maybe four more boys who'll become best friends" Harry adds smiling

I smirk at the cliche thought throwing my bag on my shoulder