The Bucket List

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Avierra's POV

**

            I whipped around to see a smiling Niall Horan standing there with a bouquet of roses. I stood up and ran up to hug him. He hugged me back tightly. It was true, what everyone said. Niall gave the best hugs in the world, without a doubt.

            He quickly handed me the bouquet and sat down on the couch next to me. I was once again in tears. “Don’t cry, love,” Niall said, quickly rubbing away the tears with his thumb. I blushed a little and laughed.

            “So you like my smile?” He asked again. “Yeah,” I said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. He laughed a memorable laugh. That sent chills through my spine. Sure, I heard him laugh before, but that was on interviews, never in person. It truly was an amazing laugh.

            Anyway, Ellen went on to question Niall about the band, and their album. Ellen had just finished asking Niall a question when he held up his index finger, whispering, “One moment.” He looked at me closely and studied me from the side. “What?” I asked insecurely.

             Suddenly, he reached for my bandanna and yanked it off. I was shocked. There I was, on national television, bald and my head was uncovered. Tears started to drip from my eyes as I turned away from everybody. Niall placed a hand on my knee and said to me gently, “No, no. I don’t want you to cry. I want you to feel beautiful the way you are. Avierra, you are a beautiful person, and I think you look better without the bandanna.” The audience ‘Awww’ed again, but I tuned it out. I turned back to him. Never in my life had I felt so vulnerable. “You really think so?” I asked.

            “I swear,” he said, taking my hand. That’s when I broke down in to complete tears. Niall tried to soothe me and it worked. “What he said really meant a lot to you,” Ellen said. “Yeah,” I hiccupped. My hands were still interlocked with Niall’s and he looked at me intently. “It’s just, no one’s called me beautiful since I lost my hair. No one but my mom, but I feel like she’s obligated to say it, you know?” I said.

            I felt a strong hand rest itself on my jaw. “Well, it’s true. Ave, you have to start believing in your own beauty. You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Don’t forget that,” he said.

            These words, my friend, melted my heart.