Niall Horan: My Bad Romance

Chapter 27: Brief

Somebody followed me into the toilets and held my hair back whilst I choked up all of the food I had consumed with Niall the day before. Somebody stroked my back comfortingly whilst my eyes started to water from the sting in my throat.

Not just anybody.

It was Niall.

Lily and Ruby had come bounding into the ladies rooms behind me, their voices calling to my departing figure. Harry had tried chasing me too but he knew not to cross the boundary into the toilets. Niall on the other hand defied these boundaries.

He had shoved past both of the girls who had been crouched behind me, hairband and tissues at the ready. 

Through the ringing that was resonating around my head I could make out the faint voices of the girls, yelling and screaming at Niall's back and from the door, Harry and Charlie debating whether it was appropriate to enter in to help me.

Niall was unfazed.

He worked rapidly, holding my hair in one hand, the other wiping my mouth and rubbing my back. Occasionally, he would shift his position so I was leaning against him, my body too weak to support it's own weight.

The glimmering white of the toilet and the tiles bore into my brain and blinded me. I squinted my eyes and laid my head against the blue cubicle wall. 

The lingering question on my mind: how was Niall always there on time to save the day?

'I'm always here for you flower,' he murmured into my ear softly and I felt my pale face flush with colour. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

'I know,' he chuckled and I could sense the cheeky smirk that was lighting up his face.

My whole head felt as though it was floating underwater, sinking to the bottom. But I fought.

I fought against the darkness, for the first time ever; I wouldn't let my body shut down.

I was in charge.

After sitting, slouched up against the stall for however long, I took a deep breath and made a move to stand up.

Niall's hands gripped my waist, taking the burden of my body on himself and he helped me hobble over to the sinks.

I looked up to see my reflection in the smeared mirror and jolted in shock. I was a state.

I grimaced and wiped the black mascara that was smudged beneath my eyes. Ripping my hair from the messy ponytail and sorted it out so it framed my face perfectly. Something was missing.

It's the sparkle in your eyes, my conscience sneered at me. It's what you get for feeling guilty and having the whole world up against you. 

My eyes locked with Niall's ocean blue ones from the mirrors reflection. Boy, did he look good.

I shook my head and continued to wash and dry my hands, Niall trailing my every action to ensure I wouldn't fall.

'Thank you,' I murmured in appreciation, turning to face him head on for the first time. 

He was wearing a grey hoodie with a plain white t-shirt underneath, a blue beanie adorning his head.

His small smile was enough for me to comprehend that his actions were nothing in comparison to what he could do to make sure I was alright.

As I exited the bathrooms, Lily and Ruby jumped on me. Lily handed me some lip-gloss whilst Ruby shoved water down my throat.

The juxtaposition between both of their concerns was almost humorous. That is, they would be humorous if I didn't feel like complete crap.