Trace

Chapter 34

"Maybe we should go out for icecream?"

        I shake my head slowly at Niall's one hundredth suggestion. I feel so numb. Somewhere in my mind is a little voice saying that he's only trying to help me, to make me feel better. But I can't think of anything that could possibly make me feel better than me in Harry's arms. 

     Niall offered to drive me home, and spend the night with me so I could have some company. Although I desperately just want to be alone and cry, I know that's not what best for me. I have to keep moving forward and not sulk around. Because Harry will be back. It's not like we broke up. . . yet. 

      A feel a stab in the heart at the aching feeling of Harry and I splitting up. 

"Niall...pull over! I'm gonna puke!" I yell, and gasp. 

  "Oh geez, I can't just pu-"

"Goddammit! Pull the fucking car over!!" 

  Niall swerves to the left and I practically fall out of the car. I grasp my stomach and hunch over on the ground, but nothing comes up. 

     I start to sob and feel Niall rub my back.

"Come on, love. Let's get you home."

   The Irish boy helps me up and opens the door for me. He puts his hand on my knee as we drive back. I let my hand fall into my hands as I quietly sob for the rest of the way home.     

***********************

   "So which one of these should we watch?" Niall asks, crouched by movie basket.

"Dear John," I flatly suggest while laying on my bed.

  Niall chuckles, "I'm pretty sure that's not the best choice due to your. . . situation."

I sit up on my elbow and glare at him, but he says nothing back.

    "Oh...here's a good one!"

I look at Niall and see him holding up "Dumb and Dumber."

    "My God, that movie is so stupid!" I comment, though I smile.

Niall grins, "That's why we gotta watch it! Come on, we both need a good laugh."

   I sigh and pull back my bedspread and climb under the sheets. Niall slides in the DVD and brings the remote to my bed.

    Niall slides under the sheets with me and wraps his arm around me. I breathe out a long, exhausted breath, feeling relaxed for the first time in a few hours and lean into him.

   About thirty minutes into the movie, I hear my phone ring and I hop out of bed. When I see Harry's name and picture, I find myself feeling giddy. Niall pauses the film as I answer.

    "Harry?"

"Hello, gorgeous," his voice sounds raspier and deeper over the phone.

  "How was the flight?"

"Uh, not too bad. I was sitting next to this girl who wouldn't shut up," he chuckles, though he sounds exhausted.

    "Are you at the airport?" I ask him.

"Yep, we landed about fifteen minutes ago. "What are you doing?"

    "Niall and I are watching a movie," I say casually.

"Niall's with you?"

  I can't pinpoint the feeling he feels when he asks me that, though it definitely isn't a positive one.