Drag Me Down (h.s.) EDITING

Apology #2

"Lani. Lani, babe. Wake up." I heard Niall's voice saying my name as he shook me awake.

"Hmm." I mumbled as I pushed his hand off. I just wanted to sleep. I heard him laugh as I pushed him away.

"C'mon now. The place is cleared out we've gotta get going." I felt his hands slide behind my back and under my knees before being lifted in to the air. That certainly woke me up.

"Oh shit. Put me down. I'm up now!" I said as landed on my feet. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. I was still groggy as Niall led the way out of the arena. It was so different seeing the place empty. I stopped to take a look at the stage before we took the side exit. I couldn't believe just hours ago all the boys had been up there. It doesn't seem so large and out of this world when it's just you. I wanted to laugh. It was such an odd concept; how high of a pedestal I put the boys on just like a million other girls.

"Lani? You comin'?" Niall asked from the exit. I took a chance to look over at him. He was smiling this huge smile while he patiently waited on me to follow him. That's when I knew. I not only needed to apologize to Niall and makes things right but I also needed to leave the tour. Right now may not be the time but it would be soon. I didn't think straight when I was around them. I didn't live a normal life around them. They were beyond generous and gracious. I loved them for it but I needed to go back to normalcy so they could concentrate on what they needed. I needed to concentrate on what I wanted and needed in my future as well. They were still skyrocketing toward the moon with no end in sight.

"Niall, before we go.. I have to tell you something." it took everything I had to get the words out. Now all I needed was to get the rest of them out.

"Yeah, anything, what's up babe?" he looked so concerned. I wanted to say nothing. I wanted to tell a lie. I wanted more than anything to not hurt his feelings. He stepped away from the door and walked over to where I stood, halfway in the middle of the stage. I hadn't realized I had moved.

"You know, I love everything about you. I love how down to earth and nice you are. I love how you laugh at everything. I love how you try to not take things too seriously. I love all those things and I want you to know my decision has nothing to do with you personally.. I think it would be best for everyone that we went back to being just friends." I rushed my words and whispered the last sentence. My heart was beating erratically in my chest. I was really hoping I didn't faint.

"If that's what you want, then that's what I want. You know I wouldn't wanna do anything that hurt ya, Lani. Is that why've you've been acting so off?" he chuckled at the last part. I didn't know what to say. I felt like I was in an alternate reality. Harry was so accepting and forgiving and now Niall too. I knew Niall would be more understanding than most because of his personality but I don't think I expected this. Just like I hadn't expected Harry to be so easy. I wanted to burst in to song. I felt as if that would be an appropriate reaction to all of my good luck.

I ran the remaining few feet to Niall and threw my arms around his neck. I honestly don't know what in the hell I had done in my life to be blessed with such amazing friends. Honestly, they were beyond anything I could ask for. I felt like crying but I kept my happy tears at bay. I'm sure Niall's acceptance and understanding only stretched so far.

"Are you two coming or what?" I heard a very cranky Zayn ask from behind us. I laughed and pulled Niall with me to follow Zayn out to the tour buses.

I knew now that any decision I made about leaving them would be okay. I would be sad to depart with these boys but we would always be connected. They were going to do amazing things and I would be right here to watch even from afar. I would stay around for this leg of the tour but once we got stateside I would tell them the news. From this moment forward I knew that everything would be alright no matter what.