Breathe Me // n.horan au *Completed*

[Prologue]

[Prologue]

11th of February, 2014

It was my big match at Dublin's most prestigious university; Trinity College Dublin. My highschool's football team made it to the finals and the officials wanted the last game to be in a very big and very well respected field.

Greg, my older brother, lived on campus so I came a day early to stay with him. It was his last week as a student. I thought I'd help him pack so he could move into his new flat when he was ready.

My team came on the bus last night and stayed in a hotel. Coach said it was okay for me to stay with my brother but if I was late for anything, that privilege would be stripped away from me immediately.

As I was about to make my way out of Greg's dorm room, he put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me. He stared at me for a few seconds before smiling. "I want you to know that no matter what the outcome of this match is, you'll always make me proud."

"Stop being such a sap!" I laughed and gave him a pat on the back, "But that's good to know. Thanks."

He nodded. "Mum, dad, and Kerrigan are on their way. Probably will be seeing you after the match."

"Good! I'll see you later then. Need to get going 'cause if coach finds out that I took all the time in the world, he'll go off about how to be a good role model as captain. That man makes it so hard to enjoy anything."

"Discipline, young one. Now, get your arse to the dressing room. Good luck. I want to see you put your all on that field."

"Will do, brother. Thank you." I waved at him before I lightly jogged to the team's dressing room.

It was a ritual for almost every team I know to have pump up music before any match. Our team was no different. Except for the fact that no one went on field without jamming to 'Fergalicious' by Fergie. It was a stupid superstition that everyone believed in.

I greeted the boys that were there before sitting next to my best friend, Louis Tomlinson, from the second grade.

"Daly! Turn it down," Coach said, coming into the dressing room, "alright boys! This match is going to make or break us today. We win, we get to take home the cup. We lose? Well, let's hope we don't because you boys worked your arses off to get here. Horan, take it from here."

I nodded at the coach and stood up, "Mates, we've come a long way to be in the position we're in today. We've been training and winning, training and winning, and it has all paid off. We are playing the final game. As your captain, I want to see all of you follow the game plan. I want to hear you communicate, see you cooperate. As your friend, I want to see you all play with your whole heart because- like my brother said before I came here- no matter what the outcome is today, I will be so proud to call you my team mates. Finish up and let's go kick some ass. Let's bring home this championship."

The whole room erupted in cheers and the music was blaring once again.

"That had to be your best pump up speech ever." Louis smiled.

"You boys deserve the best today 'cause I know I'll be getting it in return."

We continued to get our gear on, readying ourselves for this match. Coach came back in with a somber look on his face. "Niall, a word with you outside, please. Louis, can you come along as well?"