One Year Left (Niall Horan)

Bad News (Part Two)

   GRACE'S P.O.V.

     Harry and I were sitting on the sofa watching Hairspray. When the end credits began rolling, I turned my face to his; we were really close. "See, now I bet you're glad I forced you to watch it!" I say. He smiles a bit, chuckling. "Yeah, I guess. It was pretty good." I grinned. "Yay! Now you have to take to whatever new chick-flick comes out!" He looks bewildered. "No, no, love. I don't watch chick-flicks. I only liked this, and it doesn't even count!" I giggle. "Oh, fine." I pout subconsiously, then remember Harry loves it when I do that. Most of the guys I hooked up with didn't, but Harry's different. Very, very different. He lowered his eyes to my lips, and I took the hint.

          I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, and he automatically moved his hands to my waist. My arms flew to his neck, and he smiled a bit into the kiss. Somehow, one of us began moving our lips, and we were soon moving perfectly in synch. Every kiss with him was intimate, and none of them were just moments to be tossed away. No matter what, he always knew how to take out the slut in me and bring the innocent girl to the moment. He bit my lip, slightly, and just as I was about to let his tongue slip in, my phone rang.

       I picked it up, and looked at the caller ID. It's Ari. I feel a leaden feeling drop into my stomach, and answer immediately. "Hello?" I say cautiously. "Grace?" she replies. I hear her sniffling, and the sound of someone else- I hear Niall sobbing. "Ari, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" There's a pause, then "N-no. It . . . It's not okay. The d-doctor told me some ba-bad news." I wait for her to continue. "He says . . . Grace, he says I have one year left before I die." A wave of shock rushes over me, slow at first but then like a waterfall. "W-what? Ari . . ." I say, my voice hoarse. I begin to cry, so hard I can barely speak. "Grace, I . . ."

    But I don't hear her. I'm already on my way to her house. Harry silently follows me, concern in his eyes. He says nothing as he gets into his car and begins to drive to her and Niall's house. I am sobbing, as I try to explain the phone conversation with Harry. He seems to understand, and doesn't seem at all upset that she called when she did. I want nothing more than to kiss him again, but Ari is more important than what I want. I can't live without her. I can't lose her . . . Not after we've come this far in the battle.

       When we arrive, I run to the front door. I don't even knock, I just take out my key, unlock the door, and walk in. I leave it open slightly, so Harry can come in, too. I call out her name, and she and Niall come rushing to meet me.I give her a hug, then Niall. We walk to the living room area, and I make it that far before collapsing into sobs on the floor. She sinks down beside me, and we sit there on the carpet, crying in each other's embrace. Niall just sits on the couch, slowly rubbing her back to comfort her. His eyes are elswhere.

      I soon hear Harry come in, lock the door, and sit on the floor behind me. He has his eyes closed, and looks almost like he's saying a prayer. I decide I should say one, too; even if that's not what he's doing, I want to help Ari in every way I can. After a bit, we stop crying because our eyes are out of tears. My head, stomach, and throat hurt, but I'm putting aside my pain. After all, Ari has Leukemia for crying out loud! A little headache won't kill me. But from what we know as of today, Ari's pain will.

   I slowly unwrap myself from her and take her arm in my hand. I push up her sleeve, and see more bruises than I ever have on her. I know this is a side effect, but to me it's just another way of proving that she'll be taken by this disease. But then, I decide there on the floor of her living room, that I will not let her die from this. She is stronger than that. I don't care what the doctor says. She will live.

           I look up at Harry, and gesture for him to move closer. I whisper in his ear, saying "Harry, can we stay the nigth tonight? I . . . I can't bear to leave." He nods, and looks at Niall. He asks if it's alright and Niall nods. We are all silent and solemn. Harry gets up and walks out the door, and I hear his car driving away after a moment or two. He is most likely getting clothes and blankets for us, and I am thankful to have such an amazing, caring boyfriend. I sigh, sadly, and help Ari up to her room. I decide I will sleep on the floor in her bedroom, because if she needs anything I want to be able to bring it to her. I help her lay down, since she is weak and worn out from both the Leukemia and the crying.

     Soon after Harry comes back, I fall asleep, too. I can hear them whispering, but they aren't in Ari and Niall's room; they took the living room to let us grieve together, as friends who have known each other for years do. I wish, right before I fall asleep, that  will wake up in the morning and everything will be fine. Ari won't even have cancer, much less be sent on a year long death march because of it. Everything will be fine. I want it to.

                     But it won't.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: How do you like it? I think I'll publish it now, since I'm sure no one will read it; therefore I won't have any pressure to update. If you do read it, I want you to tell me how you feel about it, some things I could change to make better. Thanks!

     Comment, Follow, Vote! Stay strong. ~Kara