Another World [ON HOLD] (in editing)

I Love You More

Claire’s POV

I can’t believe that guy just hit her and drove off! I am pissed right now! I’m scared for Annie, too. I didn’t get a single scratch even though I was standing right next to her, and now she’s in the hospital. I was frustratedly thinking about these things as the doctor came out of Annie’s room and said, “Well, I think she’ll make it, but she had some serious injuries. She had some internal bleeding, and her right leg is broken. Everything above her ribs is fine, but her whole right side is banged up pretty bad. She also had bleeding in her ears, but no other head trauma...” Niall’s face drained of all color. He staggered, then dropped to the floor in a heap, hands covering his face. He sobbed and put his head between his knees. Liam put a comforting hand on his shoulder. The doctor looked at Niall with sympathetic eyes and softly said, “She’s not awake yet, but you can come in if you want to see her.” We walked into the white room and saw Annie in the bed still unconscious. Her face was slightly bruised and she wore a cast on her right leg. I gasped and put my hand over my mouth. Niall couldn’t even look at her, it was too painful for him. He simply stood at the door crying. After about an hour of sitting there, I went with everyone to the cafeteria for some food, and to comfort Niall. He’s always up for food, but was more reluctant to go this time. As we all left the room, I turned to see Harry sitting in a chair next to the bed looking at Annie. “Aren’t you coming, Harry?” I asked.

“Huh? Oh, no, I’ll, um, stay here for a while. I’m not hungry.” I shrugged and left him alone in the room. He probably needed some space anyway.

*Two Days Later*

Annie’s POV

I slowly awoke after what feels like weeks. It felt like I was in a hospital bed. I peel open my eyes to a blinding light in the room. It was in fact a hospital. I couldn’t remember why I was there. I was confused and alone in the room. Oh wait, no. I turned my head to find Harry in a chair next to my bed. He was hunched over with his head in his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. “Ha-” I squeaked. I could hardly speak at first. I tried to say his name again, louder this time. “Harr-” His head snapped up and he saw me awake. “Annie! Oh, thank God you’re awake! You’ve been unconscious for two days. How are you?”

I managed to say, “It hurts.” He let out an unexpected. “Yeah, I would imagine so. Listen, I’m really sorry about all of this. I shouldn’t have told you I love you. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t have gone off with Claire and then you would never have gotten hit by that car.” His words cause everything to come flooding back into my memory. I remembered playing volleyball, Harry telling me he loves me, Niall telling me he loves me, crying, talking to Claire, and... and after that, everything became a blur of screaming and bright lights. Then I was in darkness. For two days, apparently. “Harry, it’s not your fault. You can’t blame yourself for any of this,” I say hoarsely. It becomes easier to talk. “Don’t for one second think any of this is your fault. And don’t be sorry for telling me how you feel. I appreciate your honesty. I know that you trust me... Where is everyone else?”

“They went to get some food.” He looked tired and weak.

“You should go eat something too. You don’t look too great. Just go, I’ll be fine.” I smile sweetly at him.

Reluctantly, he gives in. “Okay. I’ll tell Niall to come see you.”

Niall! I smiled as my heart skipped a beat. Just saying his name makes me anxious to see him. Harry stood up and left them room. I laid there alone, thinking about what I would say to Niall when I finally see him. All I can remember dreaming about was him. There were times during the past two days where I was sleeping and had no dreams at all, but other times, he was still there, in my dreams. I felt like the past few months have all just been part of my two-day dream. Was I really dating Niall Horan? I hope so. He’s so amazing. He makes me feel whole. He makes me feel wanted. And he loves me. I took a deep breath, trying to separate my dreams from reality when Niall rushed into the room, grinning madly. My heart began to pound faster as he made his way to my bedside. He exhaled in relief. “Babe, I’m so glad you’re okay.” He studied my face and continued. “Well, actually you’re not completely okay, but you’re alive! Ah, you scared me to death. I thought I lost you.” I held out my hand for him to take. He gently took it and sat next to me in the spot where Harry was. I squeezed it as much as I could, which isn’t a lot. He saw I was weak. His face softened and his eyes became sad. “I can’t stand to see you like this,” he said.

I swallowed hard and tried to be strong for him. For me. For us. “I’m okay, Ni. You make me feel better already.”

He hesitated. “I... I love you, Annie. And I was so relieved when you said you love me, too. I’m just really sorry we had to tell each other the way we did. But if you hadn’t told me you love me before this happened, I don’t know how I would’ve made it. If you didn’t survive, I would never be able to live with myself knowing I never told you how I feel. You gave me hope.”

I simply smiled and looked into his beautiful blue eyes saying, “I love you... Niall.” He leaned over me and gently pressed his lips against mine. It was so soft I could barely feel it, his lips touching mine without moving. This sudden physical contact, after what for me was a very long time without it, made my head spin.

Being the great friends that they are, everyone all of the sudden barged in, interrupting our beautiful moment. Niall quickly pulled away and took his seat again, his cheeks bright red. “Oooh, Niall’s kissing Annie!” Zayn taunted.

“Oh shutup, Zayn. It’s cute. Look at them! They are just so damn adorable! I mean seriously, have you ever seen a cuter couple?” said Louis. I laughed at his comment and looked adoringly at Niall who was smiling too, a light shade of pink flushing his cheeks. Then I was bombarded with hugs. After a few quiet minutes, I asked, “What happened to me exactly?”

Claire stepped in to explain. “Well, we started walking down that back road after leaving the park. You were telling me everything that happened with Harry...” She glanced at him. He sat in the chair zoned out staring into the end of my bed. She continued, “Anyway, a car was driving insanely fast around that one corner, and... the driver slowed down but still hit you. He stopped, backed up, and kept on driving. So I screamed for help and luckily the guys heard me, so they ran over and called an ambulance.” I was trying to process this all just as the doctor came in and said, “Sorry, kids, but you have to clear the room now. Say goodbye for now, but you can come back tomorrow morning. We have to do some overnight tests.” Everyone was shooed out after saying goodnight. Niall was the last to leave. He was just kissing my cheek and standing up to leave the room when I said, “You’ve gotta be kidding me!” He turned around with a surprised face. “What?” he asked.

“All you give me is a kiss on the cheek? I haven’t seen you, literally, in two days! Get over here!” His eyebrows raised and his mouth hung slightly open in a smile. I raise one eyebrow back at him. “You’re right,” he giggles, “come here!” With sudden force he took my face in his hands and crashed his lips against mine. It was a fast moving and sloppy kiss, but it slowed down once I wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled away and bit my lip, smiling. “That’s better,” I said.

“Good,” he replied, kissing my nose. “Now get some rest. Night, hun.”

“Nighty night Niall.” I waved bye and watched my perfect boyfriend leave the room. “Wait!” I called. He popped his head back in through the door. “Yes?”

“I love you,” I said.

He grinned and winked. “I love you more.”