Like Dreamers Do (Niall Horan Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 39

It wasn't easy for me to fall back into the steady rhythm of life.

If people didn't already know my name due to dating Niall, they certainly did now. It was largely thanks to the paparazzi, who never failed to wait outside my house, to follow me wherever I went. Everyone around the world now knew that Niall Horan's girlfriend was nearly murdered, by the same man who killed her parents.
And it was difficult for me to adjust to that. I had spent so long hiding my secret from everyone, so once everyone knew it was difficult to cope with. Everybody stared at me. I couldn't even walk down to the shops without a car slowing down to check if it was actually Elli Nichols, or a passer by stopping in their tracks to get a better look at me. Some had even taken to snapping a photo of me, I was even filmed by the press who were all over the story.

The only thing keeping me grounded is Niall. He hasn't left my side since the night he found me on the road, he knows how fragile I am. For a while, I couldn't even go outside without thinking the snap of a twig was a man with a gun. It has caused a lot of trouble for Niall, seeing as he has skipped two shopping centre signings this week. Instead of going, he simply lay with me at his house, telling me everything was going to be okay. I'm slowly beginning to believe him, I'm starting to accept the fact that Charlie is gone, and nobody is going to hurt me anymore.

Today is going to be the real test. Niall is flying over to the U.S with the band, they start their American tour in three days, inevitably leaving me behind. I know that they will only be over there a month, and I know that it's part of his job, but it's still killing me. I'm honestly not entirely sure how I'm going to cope without having him here, but I am going to have to figure it out soon, seeing as their flight boards in half an hour.

I decided coming to the airport was something I had to do. Danielle had told me that she always got too emotional when she said goodbye to Liam, so she wasn't coming. But Eleanor is just ahead, hand in hand with Louis as the two of them avoid the fans in order to get to our destination. Normally I would be all for Niall saying hello to the fans, but right now I can't let go of his hand. I'm even wearing his shirt, the one he gave me last night to keep while he's away. We've been dreading this moment for two weeks now, neither of us willing face the fact that we are going to be apart. We had spoken about it for a good four hours last night, getting angry, upset, fearful. Everything, really. The end of the conversation resulted in the two of us getting into bed together, and me ending up with the keys to his place and the confirmation that I go over there anytime I want. So kind of a win-win situation.

On my other side is Harry, waving to some fans who have shown up, with his hand placed on the small of my back. He's been so good to me since all of this has happened, coming over to give me company when Niall has interviews to do. He even showed up uninvited one afternoon last week, when Taylor and I had been doing an assignment together. He didn't even knock on my bedroom door, simply barging in with two blocks of chocolate and throwing himself onto my bed. Understandably, I'm going to miss him a fair bit too. Not to mention Liam and Louis, who organised a dinner in one of the most expensive restaurants in London, just for Niall and I. They booked out the entire restaurant. And even Zayn, who seems to have forgotten that there was any conflict between the two of us, had somehow gotten Justin Bieber to make a video saying that he wished me all the best, and that he would look after the boys while they were in America. These guys have become such a huge part of my life, it's going to be difficult to let that go.

We've reached a small holding area now, away from fans, away from people. The group of us sit down, the security surrounding us really nothing new for me. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them stayed behind to look after me, given that I am shaking right now.
"Hey." Niall begins, pulling me into him as I lay my head on his shoulder, feeling slightly empty. "I promise you, nothing will change. I'll be thinking of you every minute of every day I'm over there, the month will be over before you know it."
I nod my head to agree, hoping that he was right.
"Just don't kiss any American girls, okay?" I joke, watching the corner of his mouth curve into a grin.
"Don't worry, I prefer Australian girls." He winks, rubbing my shoulder lightly as I concentrate on the clock on the wall, with the minutes ticking down as fast as anything. Time seems to be going quicker than usual, with minutes feeling like seconds. As I bury my head into Niall's neck, I close my eyes and try to think of how amazing it will be when he comes back. We'll play board-games until stupid hours of the morning, waking up tired but cheerful. We'll eat enough food to feed a small African village, all to ourselves. Or maybe we won't do anything, we'll simply lie down underneath the clouds not speaking, just enjoying the others company.
And in the back of my mind, I know that if I can make it through the next month, I can make it through anything. Niall has taught me that.

"Now boarding first class passengers on flight 901 to Los Angeles. I repeat, now boarding first class passengers on flight 901 to Los Angeles."

The words on the speaker cause my heart to skip a beat, my eyes snapping open at the sudden commotion of passengers gathering their things to board the plane. I try to forget what is about to happen as I watch Louis and Eleanor giving a tearful goodbye, both Niall and I not moving from our position on the seat. I look to him slowly, my eyes watery and my mouth shaky as I realize he has to go. We both knew this moment was coming, but somehow I never really thought it would happen. And now it has.
Niall stands up quickly, pulling me up with him and wrapping his arms around me tightly, not letting go for a good two minutes. I cling onto him, absorbing his touch, his smell, the feel of him against me, because I know it's the last time I'm going to do this for a while. As calm as I am trying to remain, I can't help but let out a brief sob as he entangles his hand in my hair, planting a small kiss on my lips.
"I promise you everything will be fine." Niall whispers over another announcement for passengers to board the flight, before I am ripped away from Niall and into the bone crushing hug of Harry Styles.

"I'm going to miss you more. And get you better souvenirs." Harry smirks into my neck, rubbing my back as he places his arms on my shoulders, looking me dead in the eye. "Love you Elli. Just know that we all love you, and just how much it's killing Niall to leave you." He finishes, kissing my cheek quickly as the other boys all come over one by one.
"You'll be alright love, he'll be back in no time." Liam smiles as he pulls me into a hug, followed by Louis who, still holding onto Eleanor's hand, wipes away a small tear and says 'I know how you feel.'
Zayn loiters at the back of the group, before the two of us grin and he opens his arms to hug me, just as friendly as the others had been.
"He really loves you, El." Zayn mumbles as I lock eyes with Niall, who looks as though he has so much to say, but so little time to say it. I kind of feel the same.
"I know." I whisper back, unable to hide my smile at the exchange. As the group of them begin to walk towards the boarding area, Niall steps towards me again and takes both my hands in his, his blue eyes piercing mine as my breathing becomes heavy.
"I don't know if I can do this." He mumbles, running his palm over the top of mine softly as I watch his eyes tearing up. "I don't know if I can leave you, after everything that has happened-"
"You've been perfect." I interrupt, bringing the two of us closer together as I listen to the third and final call for passengers on flight 901 to Los Angeles. "There's nothing more I could ask of you than what you've done. And I know you're right, I know I'll be okay. As long as you call and text me 63 times a day, we're good." I joke, my smile oddly paired with the tears that are now falling down my cheeks. Niall forces a smile and wipes away the tears, resting his forehead on mine softly, planting a short kiss on my lips.
"I love you Elli Nichols." Niall muses, running his hand down my arm as security begins to wander over, warning him that he doesn't have long if he wants to make this flight.
"I love you too Niall Horan." I grin, feeling as though this is some kind of movie. My first airport goodbye scene, and it hurts just as much as I thought it would.

It takes two of the security men to forcibly pull Niall away from me, and I slowly make my way back to Eleanor who is sitting on one of the seats, looking a little worse for wear.
"I feel awful." She sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I can't even imagine how you're feeling love, so brave."
I don't answer her, as I feel a little numb. But in a strange way, I feel comfortably numb. Niall has saved me, in every sense of the word, the least I can do is allow him to do what he loves, singing. If that means we have to say goodbye every so often, then that's the way it has to be. And I am truly happy for him.
I close my eyes quickly and exhale deeply, taking a last look at the corridor the other boys have just walked down in order to board the flight. I get a last glimpse of the boy who has managed to make me fall in love with him over and over again, his blonde curls ruffled as he too turns to give me one last look.
I can't tell you what that moment was like. Even worse was the moment when he was forced to walk away or miss his flight, and he was out of my sight for the next month. But I swear, that moment took me away from being an individual, just for a second. That last look cemented the bond I share with the most lovely, crazy guy in the world, and we were no longer two singular people. We were one, and I know that's the way it's going to be for a long, long time.
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AND THAT WAS THE END! Thank you all for reading this story! It has come a long way and I thank you all for keeping me motivated!
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