No Control

My Oath to You

Chapter 25:

NIALL

"Thank you for coming. Have a nice day." The lady behind the counter said. I thanked her as I took my bag of chips and my drink before walking out of the shops doors. I squinted a bit before putting on my sunglasses to block the light.

Today was a slow day. I visited my mum but was a bit disappointed when I didn't see Erik there. I'm sure he was just working with other patients, but his information and presence calmed me down. It was probably because he was a doctor and knew all the facts.

I was very worried about my mum. He said she was fine, but I read that the chemotherapy can get to a point where it actually stops working. With her cancer being found a bit late, it was a scary thing for me. It was probably worse for her, but my mum was a warrior.

I walked down the sidewalk as I opened my drink, taking a quick sip before I bumped into somebody, thankfully not dropping my drink all over myself. "I'm so sorry, Niall. Didn't see you there." I heard a calming voice say.

I looked up and saw Erik, looking at me with a bit of a worried look. It was only then that I noticed the dog by his side. "No, it's fine. I wasn't watching where I was going either. Um, are you off work?" I asked, knowing that was a stupid question as soon as it left my lips.

"Yes. Sorry I couldn't visit with you today, but I was working on another patient. A little girl that had a serious throat sore." He explained, and I nodded. I understood that he had other people he needed to help feel better, and it shouldn't bother me, but I guess I... missed him?

"It's no problem. Was nice to just talk to my mum for a bit. She seems really happy. They gave her pain medication today, and it helped a lot." I said, watching as he smiled at that. I chuckled awkwardly and said "Sorry, ut's just a bit weird not seeing you in your doctor's coat."

He laughed as well and said "I understand. It's just like seeing your teacher outside of school. But I do have a life other than medicine." He said, holding up the dog leash as emphasis. "This is just one of those normal day things I do."

"That your dog?" I asked, squatting down to pet the grey and white dog. Erik nodded. "What's its name?" I asked, not checking if the dog was a boy or a girl.

"His name's Storm. Had him for a while now. He was a present from my parents when I graduated med school." He announced, and I nodded up at him before looking back at Storm, seeing that he sat like he was loyal and very protective.

"Hey, Storm. How are you, buddy?" I asked, scratching all over his head and behind his ears. He gave a happy bark before he started prancing around in place, wagging his tail like he was ready to play.

"He's very friendly, as you can tell." Erik laughed, and I agreed as I stood back up from the ground, putting my drink back in my bag. "Oh, um, I met your boyfriend yesterday at the hospital. He was very nice." He said.

"Harry went by?" I questioned, even though that's exactly what he just told me. I was just full of stupid questions today.

"Yes. He wanted to see your mum, and he seemed pretty hesitant and shaken up by it. I can tell that he cares a lot. Said she was like a second mum to him." He said, calling his dog back as it was trying to follow a lady with a little kid.

"Sounds like Harry. My mum and dad use to take care of him when he was little. His parents were pretty busy- are pretty busy- people. I wish I could have been there at that time." I said, feeling a bit uncomfortable discussing Harry with him, though I'm not sure why. "Um, where are you headed?" I asked.

"I was actually just headed home. Would you like to join me for lunch? I do have a bit I would like to discuss with you." He said, and I knew it was about my mum, judging by the way his voice held seriousness and his eyes held sympathy.