The Fangirl // Horan [temporarily on hold]

Chapter 15

In those typical cliché stories I hate so much, the girl sees the guy again, goes rushing into his arms and starts telling him she loves him.

Now, I'd like that to happen as much as the next overly-emotional fangirl.

But unfortunately that is not what happens here.

"What...what are you doing here?" I ask.

His face falls. He looks so forlorn that I snort with laughter. He looks at me like I'm crazy. I cover my mouth with one hand. "Sorry," I mumble thickly. "Sorry."

Then he breaks into a smile. "Fuck, I missed you."

"I missed you too," I confess.

"Can I...um, can I hug you?" He seems so nervous.

"Um," I say. "I think so?"

So he steps forward and envelopes me in what I call a Nialler Hug. I bury my face in his chest.

Then I shake my head and step away. "You left," I accuse.

"Um, yeah." He looks guilty. "But to be fair, you told me not to come back."

"I had a reason for what I said," I remind him.

He looks down. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I am."

He breaks into a smile once again, and I can't help smiling too. I glance down at the letter in my hand. He sees it too. "Um, it's not very good," he says, referring to it. "It took me a long time, but it still didn't turn out like I wanted it. So, um, you still have every right to be mad and-"

I hold up a hand to stop him. "I thought it was perfect," I tell him.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

He looks nervous again. "I...I do love you, you know that, right?"

"Look, I'm stupid, but I still understood that you love me from the letter, yes. You only mentioned it about a million times."

He grins. Then frowns. "You're not stupid."

"Jesus, Horan. I think we have established that I am not the brightest bauble on the tree."

"You're not stupid," he repeats stubbornly.

"Fine." I roll my eyes. "Dyslexic."

"Better."

"Fuck off."

"Really?" He is serious.

I sigh. "No. Shit, no. Just..." Just. I run my hands through my hair. "Just just."

"Just just," he repeats. "Okay."

"Okay then."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Are we having a Fault In Our Stars moment? Because I think we are."

"Yes, Char. I think we are. I will give you ten seconds to fangirl over it." He is grinning, he is joking.

I roll my eyes.

"I hope you know that even after this," I hold up the letter. "It won't be like it was before. For a while, anyway."

"But..." he frowns. "It could be. If we wanted."

"It couldn't. It's not always that easy."

"Not always," he allows. "But it could be. For us."