Promise Me a Dream (A Niall Horan Short Story) EDITING

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Niall found out the next day that all of Carol’s classes are the same as his but she rarely speaks to him. In fact, the only time she spoke to Niall was to say “thank you” when Niall picked up the pen she dropped. What’s worse, Niall noticed, is that she doesn’t seem to talk to anyone at all and even tried her best to stay away from everyone which, of course, meant that every bully in class zeroed in on her. Not an hour went by without Niall hearing people call Caroline fat, ugly, unwanted, and disgusting. Niall hated it told everyone to shut up. He even went so far as to say some nasty things about the boy who kept on irritating Caroline, and, since Niall hardly does that at all, the bully sensed Niall was serious and did as he was told. Caroline, however, just gets mad whenever Niall stood up for her. This went on for weeks and Niall just let it go until he can’t take it anymore and decided to speak with Caroline. He found her in the canteen.

            “Hey,” Niall greeted as he slid down the seat in front of Caroline’s in the canteen. No one else is seating with her and she seemed to want it that way because she stood up to leave the moment Niall appeared. “Why do you hate me?” Niall whispered more to himself than to Caroline. She looked back at Niall who was sulking in front of his food. He looked up to meet Caroline’s glare and she was surprised to see how sad Niall looked. His eyes looked like he was about to cry and Caroline can’t help but sit back again.

            “I don’t hate you,” She whispered dryly as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear what she said. “I know my mom and Mr. Fischer wants you to be friends with me, but I don’t need one so stop it,” She added and was surprised, again, when she saw Niall grinning triumphantly. She knit her eyebrows in confusion as Niall let out a loud laugh. “Shut up!” She shouted in a whisper while looking around if anyone noticed Niall laughing. She got even more confused when no one seemed to care that Niall laughed like a loon.

            “They’re used to it,” Niall told her like he knew what she was thinking. “I always laugh loud. And, my Horan Face always works like a charm,” He explained and looked proud at the last thing he said.

            “Horan Face?” Caroline asked. She saw Niall pull out the puppy dog face he did earlier to keep Caroline from leaving and realized it was a fake. She got mad and Niall panicked. She found this really cute and funny that she can’t help but laugh the way Niall did which no one seemed to care about too. Niall looked at her in shock and then smiled happily. “I guess my Angry Face works on you too,” Carol teased and they both laugh.

            “Touché,” Niall conceded after their laugh died down. He looked at Caroline and realized this was the first time she saw her smile. “You look pretty when you smile,” He told her and her face bloomed a rosy pink. She looked down, trying to hide her face. “You never answered when I asked if I can call you ‘Carol’,” Niall asked her. She bit her lip and thought for a while before answering.

            “Yes,” she answered quietly. “Niall?” She looked up again at Niall while he remained silent, waiting for Carol to continue what she wanted to say. “Why are you doing this?” she asked and Niall’s face twisted in confusion. “I mean, I know the principal asked you to be friends with me, but you don’t have to do it, you know,” She pointed out.

            “I know,” Niall smiled at Carol. “I do it because I want to,”

            “Right,” Carol rolled her eyes. “I guess your record will look bad if you didn’t make friends with me?” She joked but Niall took it seriously and went silent. He looked like he was hurt and Carol felt guilty. “I’m kidding!” She told him and apologized.

            “I…” Niall began but cannot continue so he just looked down on the table.

            “Niall, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Carol begged.