Never Leave My Side (A Niall Horan Story)

*THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER*

'Ugh! I don't want to go to school. Same stuff, different day.' I think to myself as I drag myself from my bed. I had that same dream last night, I've been having the same dream for two years. The dream that Niall comes back and saves me again. Every time I'm about to hug him again, I have to be woken by the sound of my stupid alarm.

I make my way to the shower and wash up, getting ready for another day in hell.

It didn't take long for the bullies to come back after he left. They gave me a month to prepare myself. But this time, I'm alone. No one to help me. The rest of seventh year was just me with no friends, just like old times. It never once crossed my mind to start cutting, and suicide would never be an option for me. I could never do that. Not to Niall. And especially not to my dads. I love them too much.

Eighth year wasn't any better, besides that I made two new friends. And even though I was skeptical about them, they still stood up for me everyday. Which, helped me learn to trust them more.

Victoria and Hannah were step-sisters, and got along surprisingly well. I'm glad they sat next to me on their first day here. They reminded me of Niall, when they explained to me that they were new, and just moved into the town with their mum and da.

I get out of the shower, and get dressed for school. I can't believe this will be my last year. Everyone hates that I'm already done at sixteen. But I'm switching to home school with my dad. I promised to stay in touch with Victoria and Hannah though. I don't know what I would do without them. I smile thinking of my two great friends, as I skip down the stairs to the kitchen.

I pick up an apple, and give my dads a kiss on their cheeks as i pass them. "Bye sweetheart." They call out in unison.

I turn around with a smile, that they never fail to put on my face. "Bye daddies. I love you." I say as I walk out of the house, on the way to school.

I found Victoria and Hannah waiting for me in their usual spot. "Hey, sorry I'm late. Hot shower was too good to resist this morning." I say as I walk up to them.

"That's okay, we weren't waiting too long." Victoria says first. "Only a few minutes."

"More like a few hours." I hear Hannah say next to me. I wonder what's wrong. Normally she isn't like this. "I'll see you guys later." She says before walking away.

"Is she okay? She seems really upset about something." I ask Victoria, watching Hannah walk away from us.

I hear Victoria sigh, "Not really. Her and Germy fought all night." She says. I look over at her before returning my attention to Hannah, who was just joined by none other than Jeremy himself.

I don't really like him. He was always with the crowd that laughed at me. He wasn't good for her and she knew it, but didn't want to believe it.

I can't help but watch as they yell at each other. I hate how he treats her. My eyes grow wide as he grabs her by her arms, and shakes her. Fear in her eyes. Fear I've never seen in her eyes before. I haven't seen fear in anyone's eyes like that since Niall stood up for me, against my bully. I feel Victoria grab my arm beside me and squeeze it tight, worry all over her. We look at each other then back to Hannah crying, and of course Jeremy holding her tight and apologizing over and over again. And like always, Hannah forgives him.

"One day he will take it too far." Victoria sighs, letting go of my arm.

"But how far will he have to go to make her see...?" I think out loud. Victoria and I look at each other, and shake our heads.

Hannah looks over at as and mouths, "Sorry..."

The rest of the day flies by surprisingly quick. I say goodbye to Hannah and Victoria, but glaring at Jeremy before walking home.

My dads were working late again, I sigh, I will be happy when they don't have to work anymore. I walk into the kitchen and see we have a few messages on the answering machine, I push play before going to pour myself a glass of milk and grabbing home baked cookie from my dads this morning.

Message one: "Hey sweetheart, it's da, I'm sorry I have to work late again. I will be home around eight or so. I love you".

I sigh, I was expecting that. Oh well.

Message two: "Hey love. It's dad. I won't be home until around nine tonight. I miss you already. Hope school was okay today. I love you."

I smile. I love my daddies so much. I stand up getting ready to leave the kitchen, but stopped by another message.

"Hey you. Uh, you probably don't remember me, but I was just calling to check on you. I miss you so much Sapphire." I hear the voice I've been waiting to hear for years. "I hope you're well. And I hope you've made some new friends. It took me a while, but I made a friend or two. They're nothing compared to you though. But I have to go now. I'll try to call again when I can. I love you Sapphire." I hear the message end. I couldn't help but let some tears escape at hear Niall's voice again. He sure did know when it came to great timing.

I stared at the phone. "I love you too, Nialler. I haven't forgotten you." I whisper.