* Two Years Earlier *
"B-but you can bring him back yet, right?" my little sister stupidly asks the question we already know the answer to. The doctor shakes his head, his eyes full of regret having to do so. I stare straight ahead, still in shock at the news we were just given. A few heavy tears slip out of my eyes, rolling quickly down my heated cheeks. He's never coming back.
I hurriedly wipe them away, fearing someone would see that I had broke. After four months of spending almost everyday in the hospital, I hadn't cried once. I was always smiles and laughs, never showing how I felt inside. But there was no point in hiding it now. No one to be strong for. As I realize this I let the next round of tears pour out, not bothering to try to wipe them away.
My mom goes into a fit of hysterics, her body shaking with every breath she tries to take in. I watch as my dad leans over and wraps her in his arms, his face solid, no emotion shown. He never shows anyone how he's feeling. That's exactly what I try to do, but obviously I'm not as well held together.
I look down to my little sister who's still looking up at the doctor. Any hope that once filled her eyes is now gone, and I can see the water beginning to glaze over her deep brown orbs. Soon she's now crying as well, causing the doctor to say something about 'giving us time to take it in' before leaving this depressing room. I turn around and leave as well, not sure where I'm going but just wanting to get out of here. Seeing everyone so upset doesn't help at all. I never liked grieving or feeling bad for myself, and all I would end up doing if I stay in there is just that.
After a few minutes I find myself taking an elevator down to the main floor, where the gift shop and cafeteria are located. I have no idea where I'm heading but I follow some hallway that looks the same as all the others down to some waiting room. All of the seats are vacant so I sit down at one in the back corner, furthest away from the door in hopes no one will find me.
I put my head in my shaking hands, closing my eyes as I try to block out all the thoughts. He's never going to laugh again. He's never going to eat dinner with us again. He's never going to climb into his superhero covered bed and fall asleep again. He's never going to leave this building- well at least not breathing anyway. He's gone.
Giving up on staying strong, I begin crying into my pale palms, my body shaking violently just like my mother's probably was still. But I had no one to comfort me like she did. And boy did I need someone right now.
As if God had answered my prayers, the door opens a few feet away from me, causing me to jump up and quickly wipe my tears away. I put on the 'tough guy' act I knew how to portray so well and observe the boy who walks in. His gaze immediately meets mine as he gently closes the door behind him, never breaking eye contact. I almost look down but for some reason something keeps me from doing so. His bright blue eyes soften as he takes in my appearance, and I watch his eyebrows lift a bit in worry.
"Did you lose someone?" he questions me boldly. I've never seen this boy before and he had the courage to ask me such a personal question. I guess I don't mind much though because I find myself almost instantly nodding, tears dribbling down my cheeks as I do so. He looks down once again and shakes his head slowly as he walks over to the corner I was sitting in. I should be nervous that an attractive boy my age is coming near me, but I have no energy left in me to be any emotion but sad.
I watch as he takes a seat next to me and places his warm hand on my back, calming me right away. I don't even know what I'm doing but soon I've leaned into him and I find myself hiding my face in the crook of his neck.
"It'll be alright," he coos into my ear, his hot breath against my tangled hair. His words only make me cry harder because it will not in fact 'be alright'. My little brother is gone from this world forever. Nothing will ever be alright.
His hand moves up and down my shaking back, making me feel safer every time he does so. I stop crying for a moment as I realize what's going on. Here I am, lying in a strangers arms, feeling more protected than I ever have, and I don't even know their name.
I pull away slowly and immediately regret it as I see hurt flashed across his face. "I'm sorry, I know what it's like to lose someone and have no one so I figured I'd try to help. I'm sorry I know you don't know me I just-" I cut off his rambling by placing a shaky hand on his, letting him know it's okay.
"Thank you," is all I manage to get out without bursting into tears again. His hand resumes its place on my back and I find us in the same position we were seconds ago. It takes a few minutes before I regain my composure and try to speak again.
"What's your name?" I whisper, looking up at his blonde hair that covered his forehead. I couldn't look into his eyes without crying. I could never make eye contact when I was upset, it only made it worse.
"I'm Niall," he answers quietly, probably not wanting to startle me. I was like a ticking bomb at this point. Neither of us knew what would set me off into a fit of hysterics again.
"Skylar," I tell him even though he hadn't asked me.
Niall looks down like he had done a few times before, and a blush creeps onto his cheeks as he replies," beautiful name."
I find my face heating as well and it was in that moment I knew this was the start of something.
