Love Hurts

2. Reunited

**ONE YEAR LATER**

~Niall~

I zipped up my suitcase, surverying my efforts proudly. I flopped down my bed, absolutely exhausted, just as Louis called my name.

"Niall? We're just about ready to go, I think. What about you?" 

"Yeah, mate. Two seconds. Go out, I'll follow you." He nodded, and left my room quietly.

I sighed, looking around my room to check I hadn't left anything. The sun burst through the window, shining light on the right hand corner of my room. I squinted where the light shone, and my eyes fell on a picture of me and Charlotte, aged 10. My heart felt like it was being squeezed, and the pain hit me all over again. Intense as ever. I shook it off, determined to have a good time on this trip. 

4 weeks of sun, beer and good friends! What could be better?

I lugged my suitcase out to the car, flipping off all the lights as I went along. Harry opened the door of his Range Rover for me, and I slipped in next to Liam. He smiled widely at me.

"You excited, Niall?" His eyes sparkled. I nodded weakly, but he just returned to his iPhone.

"So, do we actually know who's going on this 'mega trip'?" I asked the car, and Louis turned around from the passenger seat to answer.

"Nope. Stan just said it was a couple of his mates, and his sister's friends. So, hot babes! Sound good?" 

"Well, if it's Stan's definition of babes...." I muttered, and Harry burst out laughing. 

I kicked off my shoes, stretched and relaxed. This was going to be a holiday to remember.

~Charlotte~

"It... won't.... CLOSE!" I whined, sitting on my overflowing suitcase. Jess just sighed, strolling over to me. She was either blind to my panic, or just used to it.

"Let me do it. There, see? Nothing to worry about babe." She cooed, rubbing my back. She knew how frazzled I got, and I was grateful I had at least someone in the world.

After the accident, the doctor's told me I fell into a coma for months. In that time, my father had been convicted on several counts of sexual abuse. I had suffered a severe bout of amnesia when I awoke, which the doctors said was usual. What was unusual, however, was that my memory hadn't returned. I had no recollection of what was now my 'former life'. To escape the confusion and muddle, I moved up north to Glasgow to study Law. I moved in with another student, Jess Lucas. I worked at the local Starbucks, earning my rent. My life was the cliched student life. And I was happy with that.

I was unsatisfied with the fact that I couldn't remember anything, obviously. Often I would have flashes of horror that would leave me in a cold sweat, or result in panic attacks. Panic attacks were the norm now, and Jess had learned how to cope. I truly didn't deserve her.

A car beeped outside, bringing me back to the present. Jess grabbed my wrist, hauling me to my feet.

"C'mon, sweetheart. That's Stan now. You ready?" She asked.

Stan was her brother, and he had invited us on a 'mega trip' to Hawaii. Apparantly there was loads of us going, and I jumped at the chance. Sun, beaches and relaxation. It was exactly what I needed.

"Yep. Lets get this party started!" I squealed, excitement taking over. She was also used to the mood swings, so just smiled at me.

We locked up, and hopped into Stan's minivan. I squeezed in between a handsome Welsh boy called Jack and a bubbly girl called Taylor. She babbled on throughout the journey, and I was happy to oblige.