Taking Chances (Niall Horan Punk Fan-Fiction)

Chapter Sixteen: "Type"

I stared at the text, afraid to look away. I didn't want to find that I was seeing things, mainly because I've been feeling a little more off than usual, and not just because Niall has taken me in and allowed me to stay here for these next two weeks.

Honestly, the words seemed numb. I couldn't speak, couldn't move, nor could I think clearly on what I was going to do.

It wasn't until the couch groaned that I jumped back on Earth and put the phone back down on the counter. Niall rubbed his beautifully tired eyes with his palms and slugged into the kitchen. I'm sure he didn't have a particular reason, maybe just needed to wander to wake up a bit.

For reasons I couldn't fathom, I pretended he wasn't in the room. I wanted to say it was because of the text, but I tried to tell myself he was doing it for me and not to be in league with him.

Who's to say it's even me the text is about? What if it's about some girl who's done wrong to someone and Niall is helping find her and bring her to justice? What if it's a girl Niall's been looking for but never was able to truly find her?

I was too confused to keep thinking, so I went back to rinsing my bowl out and quickly moved passed him.

But he stopped me before I could get to the living room. I inwardly sucked in a breath, thankfully not acting on my thoughts for once.

"Why didn't you tell me my phone went off?" he asked, not necessarily angry. But he wasn't necessarily happy about my not telling him, either. It was more neutral...

"Didn't know it did," I mumbled, turning to look at him for only a moment. When he glanced at me, I offered a tiny smile, one that I'm sure he could hardly see.

"Okay," he whispered. It was too obvious that he was exhausted, but I didn't point that out.

I turned to leave again, seeing as how he didn't seem to be too interested in anything but his text, although he grabbed my arm gently and pulled me back. I honestly didn't know what to do with myself when I realized just how close he'd pulled me.

"Brielle, I'm sorry," he mumbled. As I looked up into his eyes, I noticed he was more awake than a few seconds ago, and part of me was scared about that.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "About what?"

"I didn't mean to tell at you when you came in... I was just worried."

I gently moved my arm from his soft grip, hoping I wouldn't feel bad when his hand fell to his side. Unfortunately, my hopes weren't worthy.

"It's fine," I whispered, and cleared my throat a second later. "I get it."

"I still shouldn't have yelled. You didn't deserve that, and you certainly don't deserve to be living this life. Not now, not ever. And I know that you blame yourself about everything, but I really want you to know that I think you're too selfless and innocent to be guilty. No matter what you say to me, I will always think that."

I sighed and shook my head. "Niall-"

"-I really want you to know that I'll never let anything happen to you, Brielle," he immediately said, and the seriousness in his eyes made my heart stop short.

"I've been fighting myself for so long on whether there was something you did to me two years ago. I kept telling myself that the night you crashed here, it was only a one thing and I'd never see it happen again, no matter the consequences. And I vowed that if anything were to happen and you're involved, I'd keep you safe until your very last breath. When your heart stops beating is when I'll stop being the shadow to keep you safe. And I'll spend every night and day reminding you of that."