Stand Up » 1D

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Mara Ingles

I bit my lip hard as Louis drove us to the airport. Niall's hand was in my own, and he rubbed little circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. Zayn and Abby were holding hands and smiling for whatever reason. Jasmine looked frustrated while Liam had his arm around her shoulder, looking nervous. Harry was sulking in the passenger seat beside Louis. Nobody was talking.

Today was the day; the day we returned to the US. I wasn't looking forward to it. I was heading towards my biggest fear, the fear of airplanes/heights, and I was leaving Britain and my beloved, Niall Horan. I wished we could stay forever and ever, but I knew that couldn't happen. We had to return to our families sometime.

Zach and Zaylin weren't with us. They drove separate. I felt like a piece of us was missing, because if it weren't for Zaylin, none of this would've happened. Jasmine and Liam wouldn't have met. Zayn and Abby wouldn't have met. Louis wouldn't have a new non-related little sister. Harry wouldn't have a broken heart. And I never would've met Niall.

I had to bite my lip again so I wouldn't cry. I didn't want to leave. Niall was my strength. He saved me from that rapist both mentally and emotionally. If it weren't for him, I don't know long it would've taken me to recover. Niall was my first boyfriend and my first kiss. How could I leave him?

"What are you thinking about?" an Irish voice asked softly, and I forced myself to look up. I managed a smile.

"You. Me. Us," I said shortly. "Everyone."

Niall chuckled and pulled me closer to him. I inhaled through my nose. For some reason, Niall smelled like cupcakes. It was weird, but I loved that about him. He was my little cupcake. I giggled.

"It'll be okay," Niall said, as if he had read my thoughts from before. "We'll be fine. We can visit each other. We won't let long distance get in our way, right?"

I smiled again, this time a little less forced. "Of course," I said. "Love don't know what distance is." I quoted Hunter Hayes' "I Want Crazy".

Niall grinned and squeezed me tighter. "That's right," he said. After that I just snuggled into him more and awaited the doom before us.

We arrived at the airport a little while later. It wasn't a long drive. I hated that. My heart beat harder in my chest as everyone in front of us got out and began to unload their suitcases.

"Where are we going to meet Zaylin?" I asked as I slid out of the car hand-in-hand with Niall.

"I don't know," he replied. "I would guess at the terminal."

"I can't believe she's going," Abby stated nonchalantly as she pulled up a suitcase handle. She had heard us. "I thought she would stay here. She has so much more potential here."

"What makes you say that?" Zayn asked as he helped her.

"College. You boys. Harry." She said the last part quietly so Harry himself wouldn't hear.

"Well, that makes me feel good inside," Louis said sarcastically. He didn't bother helping us. I wasn't sure if I was grateful for that or not. "Harry doesn't count as one of us. He's 'special'."

"Fine," Abby huffed. "You're special too, Louis. You big baby."

"That's no way to speak to your ex-celebrity crush," Jasmine chided her loudly. Abby's face turned beet red. Everyone stared at her.

"Your celeb crush was Louis?" Liam exclaimed.

"You're a crazy bitch," Zayn said, looking a bit hurt.