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

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 Carol’s breathing became difficult as she struggled to stay awake. She had already said her goodbyes with her mom who’s trying to keep herself strong and smiling for her daughter even though Carol already knew that she’s broken inside. She admires her mom’s courage in front of her but it wasn’t necessary. At least, that’s what Carol felt. She’s not afraid anymore, in fact, she felt blessed and happy. Carol asked Niall’s mom if she could see him again so Mrs. Horan went down to call her son. When he came, Niall’s dad decided to take Mrs. Evergreen downstairs for a glass of water.

Niall sat on Carol’s bed like he did before. He was looking at Carol and notice how fragile his friend had become. She was very thin, different from how she used to look. She had dark circles around her tired eyes and she looked very pale. Tubes stuck out from her arms and lead to medicine – medicine that only made her worse, Niall thought. He hated what the doctors did to her friend. He thought they were supposed to help her but every time she went to the hospital Carol only came back worse. He cursed them all in his mind while he tried his best to keep from ripping the tubes out from Carol’s arm. He felt angry. But what’s worse is the sadness that threatens to eat him inside out.

But that changed when he saw Carol’s smile. She looked calm and happy amidst all the pain and loneliness. He adored her like that while they just sat and stare at each other. Niall wanted to tell her a lot of things. He wanted to tell her that her pie was really good. He wanted to tell her that he wants more and that Carol should stand up and make him another one. But more than that, he wanted to tell her that he’ll always be there for her, that he won’t go anywhere as long as Carol needs him. He wanted to tell her how glad he was too that he met Carol and tell her that he can’t ask for a better friend. He wanted to tell her that she’s his best friend too and that no one can ever replace her in his heart.

But he can’t. He can’t say anything. He just sat there and looked at her, afraid that any sudden movement might take Carol away from him. For a long time they just sat, but Niall dared to move to touch her hand. He took it slowly and held her tightly while he moved forward to be near her. He wanted nothing more than to stop time and remain with her forever but he knew he can’t do that. This was the last time he’ll be able to have Carol all for himself so he did the only thing he can do to show he everything she wants to say. Niall leant in and kissed her. It was one tiny kiss but when he took his lips away, Niall lost control and cried. He wasn’t loud. He just let the tears he held back for so long come running down a river on his cheeks. He looked at Carol who was smiling happily.

“I love you, Niall,” Carol whispered to her friend for the last time as she closed her eyes to sleep without any fear, worry, anger, regret, or sadness because she understood that, in the end, it’s not how long we lived that matters. It’s how we lived our lives. Carol was finally at peace.