Lessons Learned

Part 23

Louis's memories were a lot like Liam's, quick snippets of multiple performances.

I started at his audition, watching as he sang Hey There Delilah and made it through to the next round. His nervousness was visible throughout the performance, his hands shaking slightly and his smile a bit scared. I was happy for him when he was given the yeses he needed to move on.

Next I was back at a scene Liam had shown me, where the boys were singing Torn for Simon Cowell. I kept my eyes on my feet so I didn't have to see Niall. It hurt too much.

As every performance the boys had given on the show that had founded them flashed by my eyes I found myself focusing on the curly haired boy I had yet to meet. I couldn't watch Niall without feeling the tears flood my eyes and the other three reminded me too much of the limbo world in which I had been brought. The curly haired boy was safe. He was a nobody for now. I could watch him without feeling a stabbing pain in my chest for the beautiful blonde haired boy dancing around the stage with him. But every so often my eyes strayed, my gaze sliding over to Niall. I wanted to run out on stage and take him in my arms. I wanted to cry into his chest and never let him go. I wanted him to smile that smile at me and call me Belly. But I knew I was nothing more than an illusion here. I knew if I attempted to touch him I would just fall right through him.

I sat through each performance, watching and listening as everyone but Louis received a solo. I had no idea if this was important or not, but it was something that stood out in my mind as I tried not to focus on Niall.

The last performance I saw was one on the stage where I had left Louis. In this song, he finally got a solo. I smiled. He had a gorgeous voice, all though I already knew that from listening to their albums with Niall. When Grenade ended I faded out and awoke on the stage where Louis was sitting.

"Feeling better love?"

I nodded slightly.

"Good," he smiled brightly.

"You have a very pretty voice," I blurted. "I don't know why you were so nervous."

A small half smile settled on his features, "Everyone gets nervous about something."

"That's your lesson," I rubbed my eyes tiredly as I tried not to think too much about Niall. "Face your fears."

Louis reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my eyes, "I know you're scared to go back to the real world. I also know you're scared to live without Niall. But I know you can do it."

"Bye Louis," I whispered as everything started to fade about.

"Bye bye Annabelle."

One last boy, the curly haired one, and I would be done.

And Niall would be gone from my mind forever.