Niall's P.O.V.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Rachael was crumpled on the floor, covered in blood. At first, I thought Dan had attacked her. But then I got a closer look... there, on her left wrist, were three even slices. They were obviously intentional.
She did this to herself... because of me.
"Oh my God, Rachael? Are you okay? Please, answer me!"
I knelt down beside her and shook her gently. She groaned slightly and I immediately whipped out my phone and dialed 911.
"911, what's your emergency?"
My voice shook as I answered.
"Um... I-I just got to my friend's house a-and..."
I couldn't say it... If I said it, that would make it real.
"Sir, what happened?" The voice on the end of the line hinted impatience.
"I... I got to my friend's house and s-she was lying on the floor.. covered in blood. She has three cuts on her arm and I don't know w-what to do."
I figured it was better to refer to her as my friend, since I guess that's all we were...
"Alright, sir. Can you tell me your name?"
I hesitated before answering..
"Niall... Niall Horan."
I heard the woman slightly gasp.
"OH MY GOSH, MY DAUGHTER LOVES YOU! SHE HAS YOUR POSTERS AND SHE--"
"THIS IS NOT THE TIME." Anger surged through my veins. Rachael was getting closer and closer to death, and all this woman cared about was my fame. I felt sick... Physically sick.
"I-I'm so sorry.. Um.. Is she breathing?"
I looked down to where Rachael lay and watched closely as her chest rose and fell. It looked too slow.. unnatural.
"Well, yes. But barely."
"Okay, can you take her pulse?"
"Yeah, hold on."
I set the phone down and felt for a pulse.
"It's weak, but still there."
The lady sighed with relief.
"I'm sending an ambulance.. What is the address of your friend's house?"
I told her and hung up the phone. Until the ambulances got there, it was up to me to keep Rachael alive. I pulled her onto my lap and softly sang her favourite song to her; Gotta Be You. I stroked her hair as I remembered the day we spent at the beach...
We were sitting on the beach, her head resting on my shoulder, my arm around her. With my free hand, I played with her slender fingers. The sun was about to set and we had spent the whole day together. "Rachael?" I asked. "Mmm?" she lifted her head slightly. "What's your favourite song?" She looked at me and smiled slightly. "That's a tough question. I'm really into this one band, One Direction. Heard of them?" I winked at her and replied, "Maybe once or twice." She giggled. "Well, it's made up of 5 teenage boys. 4 from England and 1 from Ireland... He's my favourite. His name is Niall. I think he likes me, too." I traced circles on her thigh while I answered. "I think he does." She smiled and kissed me. "Anyways, my favourite song would have to be... Gotta Be You. I like the tune and the lyrics, but I'm not too crazy about the fact that Niall doesn't have a solo." I nodded. "Good choice. I think that may be used in the future." She looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?" I laid her head back on my shoulder and wrapped my arms around her. "Shhh.. You'll have to wait to find out.
Obviously I hadn't wanted this to be the first time I sang to her, but I felt it was somewhat fitting to the situation.
I'll be here, by your side.
No more fears, no more crying.
But if you walk away I know I'll fade 'cause there is nobody else,
It's gotta be you. Only you.
It's got to be you. Only you.
As I sang the last line of the chorus, I heard the howling of the sirens on the ambulance. Within 30 seconds, they were in the room, taking her away to the hospital.
"Wait.. Can I ride in the ambulance? I don't want to leave her."
"Sorry man, only immediate family."
He told me the name of the hospital in case I wanted to visit her. I nodded, and with that, the ambulance doors slammed shut and I stood on the sidewalk, alone.
I looked down at my shirt. It was covered in blood. Rachael's blood.
I decided to go to the hospital after her. I didn't want her to wake up to just the nurses.
I climbed into my car and sped off towards the hospital. As I was driving, Shake by Jesse McCartney came on. I smiled slightly, remembering our first date.
At the first red light, I rested my head in my hands. I felt water on my hands as I pulled away, not realising I had been crying. I wasn't usually the one to cry. I was the most easygoing of the band.
I suddenly remembered that I still hadn't told Liam where I was going. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed his number. After a few rings, he answered.
"Hello?"
"Liam.. Rachael... Hospital... Now." I said between sobs.
"What?! Okay, I'll be right there. Stay calm. Everything will be okay."
I hung up and felt a fresh set of tears stream down my face as I pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.
I checked in as a visitor and paced in the waiting room as I hoped for Rachael to wake up.
"Mr. Horan?"
I jumped and ran towards the doctor holding a clipboard. She smiled weakly before her look turned serious.
"Mr. Horan, I'm afraid we have some bad news."
