Forbidden Love

Goodbyes ~26

My heart skipped a beat as the familiar sound of Niall's engine let me know he was in the driveway. Why did I even call him? I took a deep breath looking at myself in the mirror. My damp hair hung down my back and I definitely looked distraught. And maybe scared. I was though. It was clear in my eyes.

The knock at the door made me jump. I sighed before opening my bedroom door. I realized my mother had beat me to the door. I noticed her confused expression as Niall stood at the there half smiling at her and half looking for me, but I was still looking down at them frozen at the top of the staircase.

"Well Hi Niall," my mother tried to welcome him, surprise laced through her voice. He nodded uncomfortably. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I called him." I finally said making my way down the stairs. They both whipped their heads towards me. Rudely, Niall sort of pushed his way into the house to get a better look at me & my hands shook. "Actually...I texted."

I took it one step at a time until finally I reached the bottom of the staircase. "Hi Niall." He waved, and I watched as his attention turned to my shorts, which I probably should've changed out of, but then he was looking up at me.

"Well..." my mom said trying to break the awkward silence.

"I just uh...wanted to speak to Niall." She eyed both of us looking confused, suspicious & surprised.

I should've just opened the door...

"You're room?" Niall thankfully suggested.

"Sure." I turned back around and trudged up the stairs. After a moment of what I assumed was him awkwardly waving at my mom he followed behind me, and before I knew it we were in my room closing the door behind us.

We simultaneously took a seat on my bed, and I crossed my legs.

"You're very forgiving." He told me.

"What do you mean?"

"Its only been a day and you're ready to forgive." A small, cocky smile crept onto his face.

"Who said I called you over here to forgive?" His expression quickly changed, and I was glad that I'd caught his attention. "You know what you did was wrong, right?"

He let out a breath, running his fingers through his ruffled blonde hair.

"On many levels." He whispered looking down. I didn't think it was that serious, but if that was what he felt then great. My next words literally hurt me to say.

"I don't want to be in a relationship with you Niall." That was the biggest lie Id ever told. I should've worded it differently, because that lie couldn't have been any more untrue.

His head snapped towards me, and I thought I saw water flash in his bright, blue eyes.

"What?" I took a second to compose myself before looking up at him.

"I-" I stopped to breathe. I couldn't let myself cry. Not in front of him anyways. "I can't do this anymore." I swallowed the lump in my throat & collected myself.

"Im sorry I didn't tell you about Haley. Im sorry Im so overprotective just...please."

"Its bound to happen Niall. Sooner or later we'll have to break up." A bit of frustration rose in me not because of his lack in understanding, but because I had to do this. For me and for him.

"But why does it have to be sooner?"

"Because why let something drag out that'll eventually have to die!" I took in a deep breath.

He unexpectedly grabbed my hand. For some reason I didn't resist, and he turned it over, tracing little circles in the center of my palm and over my wrist. And then, even more unexpected, he smiled. Not at me, but down at my hand.

"So...if Im gonna die someday you think I should just die now rather than dragging my life out?" I laughed at the way he tried to twist my words.

"I don't think that rule applies here." He thought for a moment before grinning.

"We could be badasses. And just crash it. The wedding I mean. Or ruin it before it happens." I smiled at the thought but quickly dismissed the idea of doing just what he said. I placed my hand over his hand that was already overlapping mine.

"We can't do that." He frowned a little, but then his brows came together as he formed a question.

"Would you be breaking up with me if this wedding wasn't happening?" There was no sadness or anger behind his voice. Just pure curiosity.

"I don't know. I think that if we were a normal couple Id need a little more time apart...maybe. But I wouldn't be breaking up with you."

"And are you breaking up with me because of the things Ive done or because of our parents?"

"Both," I answered truthfully.

We sat like that for a minute...just thinking. I wondered what was going through his mind. I couldn't even think of what to say to him next, but luckily he broke the ice.

"I have a feeling you've done this break up thing before."

"And what gives you that impression?" I laughed.

"You seemed like you knew everything you wanted to say."

"No. I haven't. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately." He frowned again.

"I've got an idea," Niall said.

"What?"

"I think it's time we got to know each other." I tried to interject but he continued. "As step brother & sister." I nodded.

Half of me was glad that he was prepared to move on. But the other half was pretty disappointed that it all happened so...easy. Maybe it was become he knew this was coming from day one. Or at least that was what I told myself.

"How do you suppose we do that?"

"We should do something. Im not sure yet though. Would you be willing?"

"Sure."

He sighed an exaggerated sigh before giving me a half smile.

"I guess this is it." I tried smiling back but it didn't work and it ended up looking like I had a twitch. I forced myself up out the bed. Then he pulled me in for a big, long, warm hug.

"Thank you Niall." I didn't have to tell him why I was grateful. He knew exactly why.

"You're welcome."

Luckily we pulled away at the same time so it wasn't too awkward.

"Goodbye kiss?" He suggested with a smile. He pushed me exactly where he had me cornered before, the very first time we kissed. I frantically tried to search for the words to stop him, but his eyes were smoldering. This was just like the first time but the only difference was that I knew what a simple kiss could lead to, and I wasn't nearly as weak as I was before.

I had Niall to thank for that.

"Stop." I suddenly commanded. He was clearly stunned. "We've been through this before." Sadness flashed in his eyes but he respectfully backed away and bowed his head embarrassed.

"Im sorry," I told him. He shook his head.

"I understand."

Niall grabbed my hand one last time.

"Be safe. I'll see you later. Sis." And then he left.

A/N

I REACHED MY GOAL!! Thanks for 2k :))

Sorry I don't update as much :/ Life's busy! Please please please vote & comment!! Btw Im thinking of posting a picture of the dress from the last chapter OR I could post it later in the story. Still deciding. Excuse any errors. I typed really fast.

New goal: 3k

Thanks again!