Chapter 21: Better Now Than Ever and Your Life's Okay

114 4 0
                                    

~Kaitlynn’s Point of View~

“I figured you’d want your own room…” Niall said awkwardly and motioned his arm towards some section of the flat that I’ve never seen. I followed to his direction and into some room with soft green walls. It was kind of like a brighter shade of the green in the Irish flag, which was my favourite colour. I sent Niall a grateful smile and he just nodded proudly. It took me another moment to realise the entire decoration of the room: empty white canvases on the walls, a big Ireland flag above the bed, which had green and orange sheets. There was a canvas holder with some paint bottles, brushes, and a palate for the paint near it on the wooden shelf. Another look around the room assured me that there was a window seat with view to all of London.

“Niall, it’s…” but I couldn’t say anything. I was too shocked. How could I ever thank you enough for this? I don’t deserve this, Niall. I don’t deserve this room or even you. “How’d you know I like green and orange? And what’s with the paint? I mean… do you paint?” I asked awkwardly with such a huge smile that I couldn’t feel my cheeks. When was the last time I ever smiled like that?

“I uh… I don’t paint, no.” He said with an awkward smile and sat on the edge of my bed. I looked around the room once more and counted 12 canvases on the walls and some other plain ones on the floor next to the stand.

“Then why…?” I trailed off with my finger pointing at all the white canvases and painting equipment.

“I remember you painting a few years back. I mean, I don’t remember anything too… uh… I don’t remember you actually painting something finished, but I remember you sketching and colouring some stuff when you were like 7. I just thought you’d want to do it more… professionally.” He said with a shy smile and patted the bed next to him so that I could sit as well. “It’s not much, but I figured it’ll do for you. Is it okay?” I was too stunned to speak or even make out a single sound, so I just hugged him as tightly as I could, sobbing quietly to his neck. I just cried out everything that I had in me until I wasn’t even sure why I was crying.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” I whispered to his neck. He tried to grab my shoulders and make me look at him, but I didn’t let go.

“Katy, you don’t have to thank me at all. It’s the least I can do for you after all I’ve caused you. Do you… do you even want to stay here with me? I mean, it won’t be much and I can’t promise you a very interesting life or whatever… I mean… I just…”

“Niall, I love it. Thank you. I don’t know how to thank you enough. I uh… Niall?” I asked shyly with a childish tone that I was absolutely ashamed in. Nonetheless, I just had to ask…

“Yeah?” he asked with a small smile and placed his arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.

“I don’t want to go back to Dad’s house or Mum’s house or even Ireland. I don’t want to go back. Please don’t send me back. I will do anything!” I begged and sobbed into his chest whilst holding onto his shirt for dear life as if it’s going to slip away from my fingertips.

“Katy, listen to me. I will never make you do anything you don’t want to do. I promise you, I won’t.” He said softly and kissed my temple firmly, lingering his lips on my hair. “A-are you still Gallagher? I mean… is your surname still –“

“Horan. It’s Horan.” I said with a smile. He smiled widely and hugged me tightly.

“Do you want me to look for a different school? I mean… I don’t know what you could do whilst I’m on tour.” He said and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“N-no. Please don’t send me to another school. I don’t want to study anything. Please?” I begged yet again.

“Okay, but what can we do? You can’t just stay here all day when I’m away.” Niall said thoughtfully.

Look Away, Ignore the PainWhere stories live. Discover now