Something Great (Narry)

Chapter 24

The next few days after Liam passed away droned on. Niall and I having to comfort Louis and all the while attempting to hide our emotions. At night when Louis would finally go to sleep, Niall would break down. He would cry into my chest and I'd soothe him until he fell asleep. I told them I had to stay strong for them. The whole time I had guilt hanging over me. I watched my two best friend's lives fall apart and it was all my fault. I refused to let myself cry because if it wasn't for me, Liam would still be here.

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I straightened my tie as I stood at the front door with Niall, waiting for Louis. Louis descended the spiral staircase with a bouquet of flowers in hand. It was the first time I had seen Louis in anything but sweats for the past week. Louis looked down and his hands and his eyes widened.

"Shit one more thing," Louis forced the flowers into my hand and sped upstairs. Seconds later he returned and walked back down to us.

"Let's go then," Louis gave a sad smile and brushed past Niall and I out the door.

It was a relatively long ride to Liam's parents house where he lived as a child. Louis stayed quiet the whole drive there, leaning his head against the window. Niall and I didn't speak much besides the odd comment about the weather or how much longer it would take to get there.

We finally pulled up in front of the quaint home. Niall and I stepped out of the car. The weather was beautiful and the sounds of birds joyfully chirping filled the air which was kind of ironic for a day like today. I noticed Louis hadn't stepped out of the car yet. I lightly tapped on the window.

"Lou, come on," I said gently.

Louis didn't look at me he just kept his head leaned against the window. I sighed and opened the door. Louis' head snapped back up as he was unable to lean on the door any longer.

"Come out of the car," I carefully took his hand in mine.

Louis shook his head.
"Why not?" it seemed ridiculous that I had to treat Louis like a child but then again, I had no idea how tough everything must have been for him.

"I don't want to say goodbye," he whispered.

I felt my eyes getting watery but I quickly blinked the tears away. After all, it was my fault Louis had to say goodbye. 

"It sounds stupid but I didn't really believe he was gone. I just expected that one day he'd walk back through my door and kiss me like he used to and hold me in his arms," a small smile curled up on Louis' lips as slick tears stained his cheeks, "but now, now I know he's not coming back. It kind of just hit me. That he's gone."

Other cars began to pull up near the house. Louis wiped the tears from his eyes and finally stepped out of the car, clutching onto the flowers he brought. His body tensed before the 3 of us headed towards the backyard.

Liam's body had already been cremated or as the doctor morbidly put, "what was left of him". Since then, Liam's parents were holding a reception for him at their home.

We walked into their backyard where chairs had been placed near a table. On the table were pictures of Liam, awards he had won in school, and of course, Liam. My heart felt twisted at the sight of this. I noticed a man and a woman holding onto each other tight at the front of the chairs who I assumed were Liam's parents. Louis walked up to the table and stared at the objects for a minute. A small smile crossed his face when he spotted a picture of himself and Liam. He placed the flowers down and took a seat near the front where Niall and I joined him. The ceremony was short with just a few speakers. I held onto Niall's hand tightly when Liam's mum went up to speak.

"Liam was born with only one functioning kidney. It was tough for him as a kid but he fought through it like I always knew he would. It all worked in his favor in the end and he managed to grow up to be a fine, healthy young man. And although he was teased in school, he never let it get to him," she paused for a moment and lifted her glasses to wipe her eyes, "Liam always saw the good in people. He grew from his experiences and became one of the kindest people I'll ever know. A kind soul such as himself didn't deserve what was given to him. Be it the kidney, the taunting in school, or the cancer. And he definatley didn't deserve this. However, we could sit around blaming the driver of that truck," my grip tightened on Niall's hand, "or we can learn from Liam. We could all be a little more like him. A little more kind, a little more sensitive. And not a day will go by where I won't miss my baby boy. I will forever love Liam."