That Summer

Chapter 22

We arrived to the destination of the concert and quickly made it inside. Instead of standing around awkwardly by myself while everyone was off working or getting things ready for the show I decided to go to the roof. It was amazing how different something can look from high up. My thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of the roof door slamming. I quickly turned around and met a shocked Niall. “I didn’t think anyone would be up here.” Niall mumbled looking down at his feet nervously.

“Sorry. I was just leaving.” I said about to brush past him.

“You don’t have to leave, I’ll leave. You were here first.” He said stepping in front of me.

“Or, we could just both stay up here. There’s no reason why we can’t both enjoy the view, right?”

Niall didn’t respond at first. He merely stared at me, as if he was thinking. After a few moments he finally nodded. “You’re right.” He said moving toward the edge of the building and leaning against it, staring out into the city.

My mind instantly flashed back the first time I was even on the roof of a building, which was with Niall. I slowly walked over to a spot next to him and cautiously rested my arms on the ledge.  “Niall?” I asked after a few moments of silence.  He turned his head and looked at me, waiting for me to speak again. I looked up into his eyes and just looked at him.

He looked slightly older than the last time I saw him. His blonde hair was longer; his eyes looked tired, and more serious, which if you knew Niall, was not a normal thing. He’s usually smiling and looks full of life, but not now, now he looks like he’s trying to hold himself together honestly. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to put that gorgeous smile back on his lips. “It wasn’t your fault.” I finally said bringing my hand up to his cheek and rubbing my thumb across the bone. “It was none of your faults.” I dropped my hand and walked toward the roof door.

“Lizzy?” Niall almost whimpered.

I shut my eyes and held back the tears threatening to fall from my eyes at the sound of his pain. “Yes, Niall?” I asked refusing to turn around.

“Please, stay here with me.” He begged. I turned around and stared at him. I nodded and moved back to the spot I was previously in. “Will you tell me what happened?” He asked cupping his hand over mine on the ledge.

“I thought I was doing the right thing.” I refused to meet his gaze and continued to stare forward.

“What about now? Do you believe running was the right thing now?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think it was. I should have just stayed and faced you and Harry. I was just scared. Whenever things get too hard I run it’s just the way I am. I thought if I stayed it would ruin yours and Harry’s relationship and I couldn’t do that. I already hurt Harry by cheating on him and I hurt you by pushing you away.”

Niall moved behind me and snaked his arms around my waist, pulling my flush against his chest. “I thought you hated me.” He mumbled into my neck.

I lifted my arm and ran my fingers through his hair. “Quite the opposite actually.” I chuckled slightly. “I could never hate you, Niall. Ever.” His grip tightened around my waist. We stayed in this position until it was show time.

Harry noticed that we had both come from the same direction and gave me a questioning look. I responded with a look that told him I would fill him in later. Niall’s energy level definitely had gone up after our time on the roof; all of their energies had gone up really. Being back with them felt right. I didn’t realize how much I had missed them until this moment when I saw them on the stage belting their hearts out to their music. When it was over all the boys ran off the stage with huge grins, causing me to break out into a grin myself. They surrounded me in a group hug and I gladly excepted, not caring that they were sweaty and gross.

Finally, my dad and I were able to leave and spend some quality time together. “It’s great that you’re back. We’ve all really missed you.” My dad said before taking a bite of his dinner.

I smiled. “It feels great to be back. I didn’t realize just how much I missed you all until tonight. The boys looked so happy tonight on stage.”

“They did, even Niall.” My dad hinted.

I rolled my eyes. “They told you didn’t they.” I said dropping my fork and crossing my arms over my chest.

“I’m your dad!” He protested. “I have a right to know what’s going on with you and I’m in charge of those boys so it’s my job to know what’s going on with them.”

“I wasn’t saying it wasn’t your business, Dad. It’s just embarrassing, you know? Having your dad practically be a part of your love life.” I said picking up my fork and resuming eating.

“It’s not like I’ve been asking you a million questions or pushing you to tell me about it. I’ve been giving you your time and space, haven’t I?”

“Yes, you have, Dad.” I smiled at him.

“Now that the cat’s out of the bag, care to fill me in on what’s happened since you’ve gotten back? Have you and Niall worked things out? And how are you and Harry?”

“What happened to not asking me a million questions?” I laughed.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

I rolled my eyes. “Harry and I are fine. We talked things out right away and as for Niall, well, we didn’t talk much he mostly just held me and we looked over the city from the roof.” I smiled at the memory.

“Do you think you two will be more than friends? Or even just best friends again?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure yet, Dad. Enough about me though, it’s your birthday. It’s time for the spotlight to be on you.”

My dad just smiled and continued eating.