Climbing the Walls (a Niall Horan love story)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13








*Niall's P.O.V.*'


I couldn't fall asleep. I wanted to make sure Haley was okay. I made it my job to make sure she made it through the night, no more nightmares. I held her, loving the fact that she was mine. Her breathing was soft and even now, a welcome change from her previous thrashing, screaming, and crying. It broke my heart to see her like that. I couldn't even imagine what her dream must've been about... The way she was screaming my name and I couldn't be there in her dream to help her... I felt horrible.

By the time I finally shook her awake, tears were flowing freely like a rapid river from my eyes. I just couldn't stand to see her upset, it broke my heart to see my reason to smile cry. She turned in her sleep, and I loosened my grip so that she was facing me. She unconsciously leaned her head on my chest and placed her hand on my shoulders. I smiled, so elated with affection for her. No, more than affection... I loved her. I thought about that, let it sink in. I remembered our conversation about believing love at first sight, and I knew I believed it because we were the proof. From the moment I met you, everything changed. I smiled and kissed her head.

It was true though. I loved her from the minute she walked through the doors with Harry, her brown curls damp from the rain. I was so over-whelmed by this immense force of love for her; I was completely caught off guard. I waited my turn to hug her, and it was worth the wait. She was so beautiful... And I loved her little joke about my 'FREE HUGS' tee shirt. She was so cute. She made me believe in not only love at first sight, but perfection.

She snuggled her head against my chest, kind of like a kitten. I chuckled lightly, but tried not to wake her up. The corners of her mouth turned up for a second, and I smiled, relieved her dreams were better now. But nothing can compare to the joy I felt when I heard what she said next. "I love you, Niall," she murmured peacefully in her sleep. I prayed the thunderous beating my chest wouldn't wake her. Did I hear her correctly? That seemed too good to be true... But she wrapped her arms loosely around my neck in her sleep and nuzzled her face into my neck, kissing it lightly.

I tried my best not to giggle at the tickling sensation. She slightly wrapped one of her legs around mine, and I swear every time she touched me it was like electricity. I didn't want to miss anymore of this wonderful moment, but soon the fatigue took over and I was out. I fell asleep with my lips to her forehead, absolutely positive that I was holding the girl I was in love with in my arms. She was everything I needed, wanted, and more, and no one would take her away from me.



*Haley's P.O.V.*


My next dream was much more pleasant. It wasn't very detailed, just Niall and I in the meadow confessing our love for each other. I knew that he didn't love me back, though. Life was no fairy tale. It was love at first sight for me though, even if I had tried to deny it in the beginning.

Waking up might have been even more pleasant than my dream. Because when I woke up, I was in Niall's warm (and shirtless) embrace. And he had fallen asleep kissing my forehead. If heaven existed, this moment was where I was headed when I died. He was breathing heavily, but even though he was unconscious, his grip was still comfortingly secure. My heart was throbbing with love for him; I swear it was going to over-flow. Mental Note: Thank Louis everyday for the rest of your life.

After all, if he hadn't convinced me to open up my heart and give love a chance, I wouldn't be in this position right now. And you know what? I thanked Chase. Because, had he not inspired that nightmare, Niall wouldn't have felt inclined to protect me when I was asleep. So, yeah, thanks Chase, for making this the best morning of my life. That reminded me, I would have to tell Louis what my nightmare was actually about. I didn't want to tell anyone else, though. No need getting Niall worried, or madder at (or more motivated to kill) Chase. No, this was a Louis conversation to have.

My connection with Louis was different than the one I had with Niall. The connection I had with Niall was called true love. With Louis, it was more like soul mate best friends. He was like my older brother who teased me about my crush, joked around with me, tickle tortured me, but he was also there for me whenever I needed him. Plus, he always knew when I needed him. I could go to him with anything, and I didn't even have to ask to talk to him. He just had this weird ability to know when something was up with me. For reasons I had no explanation for, he just... like, knew my mind and how it worked. And he's the only one who fits that description.

Niall stirred and mumbled something incomprehensible. "Are you awake?" I whispered. He moaned a little and opened his eyes slightly, a hint of blue peeking through his droopy eyelids. He smiled at me and kissed me on the forehead. I smiled and giggled weakly, not having enough energy to actually laugh yet. "Morning, sleepy head," I said.

"Good morning, beautiful," he replied. God, his morning voice was sexy. I'm pretty sure I was living The Dream; waking up in a shirtless Niall Horan's arms, him kissing me on the forehead, and saying "Good morning, beautiful," in his sexy morning voice that makes my heart's knees go weak. "I'm tired," he complained, hiding his face in my neck. I giggled as his voice vibrated against my very ticklish neck. He kissed my neck, making me giggle again. He lifted his face from my neck and looked sleepily into my eyes. "You know something?" he asked.

"What's that?" I replied, half out of it with sleepiness. What he said next woke me up with an electric jolt through my heart.

"I'm in love with you," he confessed with a nervous smile. I smiled, literally uncontrollably. He loved me back? He loved me back! I was so ecstatic, I couldn't even think about anything else but my happiness.

"I loved you from the very first day." I didn't know if he knew I was quoting Taylor Swift or not, probably not, but oh well. She put the words right in my mouth, and they flowed out so truthfully.

"You make me believe in love at first sight," he whispered, leaning his forehead against mine. My heart was racing like a horse at his close proximity to me. My hopes were rising, blood pumping. I didn't know what was going to happen next, and I guess I'll never know. Because in walk Larry Sylinson themselves.

"Oi! Niall, where's your bloody shirt?" Harry screamed jokingly, making us jump apart. Niall blushed, but I just rolled my eyes and smirked.

"Nebraska," I retorted sarcastically. All three boys looked at me weirdly, making me giggle. I always said that when someone asked where something was, I'm not quite sure why. I've just always loved Nebraska for no apparent reason. And Ohio. I've never been to either of them, but they both seem like really awesome places.

"Why Nebraska?" Harry questioned in response. I shrugged.

"It seems like a nice place," I answered simply. He seemed to think about that for a moment, then accepted my weird fetish with a shrug.

"Okay then. Well, Niall, I hope your trousers are on your legs. Now get your arse into the kitchen, we made pancakes and bacon." Niall blushed, but his face lit up at the mention of food. He jumped out of my bed and waited for me at the doorway as Harry headed downstairs. I went to follow him, but there was a Louis Tomlinson in the way, preventing me from joining.

"I need to steal your captive for a moment. Just save some for us," he instructed Niall, sitting me back on my bed. Niall nodded and obliged, leaving the room and even closing the door behind him. I was happy that he had no problem with the fact that Louis and I had private talks a lot. It was either that, or his hunger won above everything else. Oh, Nialler, I thought, a loving smile playing across my face. "So," Louis broke me lovey dovey thoughts, "What was that dream last night actually about?" he asked concernedly, taking my hands in his.

"I told you, a very rude monster," I mumbled. I thought that was a pretty accurate description, actually. He just looked at me with those oceans of eyes that had the power to see through any act or mask I tried to put on, urging me to continue. I sighed. "So, in other words, Chase." He sighed a bit, gaze softening.

"What did he do?" he questioned. Not in a pressing way, in a comforting way. I loved that he was genuinely concerned. He draped his muscular arm around me protectively, and I began to explain.

"Well, it started out wonderfully. I was in the woods out back with Niall, and I was the happiest girl on earth. But then it changed to the woods back in New Jersey, and all of a sudden I was with Chase. He was beating me, but the things he was saying hurt so much more," I confided, leaning into his side as my breathing became unbalanced and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. He rubbed my arm soothingly, and I went into further detail. "He was calling me fat, ugly, worthless. He reminded me of all the things he did to me, the things I did to myself..." I trailed off on that last statement, ashamed and knowing the time had come to confess my nasty habit to Louis. He would learn sooner or later, and I figured sooner was better.

"Did to yourself...?" he asked, worry written all over his face. "Haley, please tell me you didn't-"

"I didn't hurt myself," I cut him off. "Well, in that way... I... Well, I kind of went through a bulimic stage," I confessed quietly. 'Bulimic stage' sounded so much better than puking out everything I put into my body. He hugged me so tightly, but there weren't as many tears as I thought there would be. "I'm sorry," I apologized, much more calm than I was when I confessed to Niall. Well, Niall was the first I told, so I suppose that would naturally be the hardest time. "I stopped after about a year and a half, and I haven't since. It just, the things he would say to me..."

"Shh," Louis stopped me, rocking me back and forth slightly. "I get it. But Haley, you are beautiful. I mean I'm not trying to steal you from Niall or anything, but..." I lifted my head from his shoulder and smiled giddily into his grinning eyes. Remembering I was Niall's made everything seem so much better, so much easier to deal with.

"Oh, he doesn't have to worry about that. No one could ever steal me away from him," I replied, being completely honest. I smiled dreamily, just the thought of my relationship with him lifting my spirits.

"Oh trust me, I know," Louis replied. I giggled.

"Do I really make it that obvious?"

"Very."

"Good," I smiled, giggling again like a little high chick. "He deserves to know." That was the truth, as well. Hell, I wanted the whole world to know how madly in love I was with him! I was suddenly over-come with an immense feeling of guilt. "But that's the thing," I sighed in frustration, "I have the most perfect boyfriend in the world, the best friends life has to offer, I mean my life is perfect; I'm surrounded by the most amazing people ever! And here I am, still having nightmares about my ex from three years ago!" I exasperatedly threw my hands up, annoyed at myself. Why couldn't I just forget the bastard already?

"Don't feel bad," Louis soothed, "I understand. It was a scarring experience; I'm not surprised it still haunts you. I'm sure anyone would understand. No one deserves to go through what you went through, especially not you." I smiled at his words, taking them in. Maybe he was right; maybe emotional scars never really fade. I mean, they don't exactly make Mederma for broken hearts and shattered confidence.

"Thanks, LouLou," I smiled, giving him a huge hug. I loved his hugs, but in a different way than I loved Niall's. Both gave me strength, but in different ways, ways that I can't exactly explain. They were both so important to me.

"Any time, love," he replied. "Now, let's go get some breakfast. I'm sure Nialler's missing you, poor boy probably has a hard time spending the two minutes it takes to hit the loo away from you." I laughed stupidly as we stood up.

"Loo... That's your name. You're a bathroom." I was laughing uncontrollably now, and yes I realize I have the humor of a seven year old. Louis rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Oh gee, never heard that one before. But you might want to keep those jokes to yourself; wouldn't want another tickle attack, would we?" he threatened playfully, raising one eyebrow. God dammit, why can't I do that? I thought indignantly as my eyes simultaneously widened with fear.

"Deal," I agreed, willing to do anything that would save me from one of his vicious tickle attacks. No, they weren't attacks, they were bombardments. He smirked at my weakness as we walked down stairs together. "I'll be down in a sec," I informed him, running back up to my room when I realized I didn't have my phone. I knew only they could text me without international fees, but I guess it's a teenage girl thing to have the need to have your phone with you pretty much everywhere you went. When I retrieved my cellular device, I was surprised to see I had a new message. Dani? I opened up the message in confusion.

Dani-My Classy Lovely Wife: guess who lied and came four days early? ;)




I literally screamed my head off.






A/N***

Heyoo!

Thank you so much for reading! And extra thanks to anyone reading this, because you've read all the way to chapter 13! You make me a very happy little girl, let me tell you that. (And if you don't let me tell you that, well cover your ears! Or eyes... whatever!)

LOVE YOU ALL❤

Oh, and have an...
AMAZAYN
PHENOMINIALL
EXTRAORDINHARRY
FABULOUIS
BRILLIAM
day😁

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