Tangled

Chapter Twenty

This is the final chapter of Tangled. There will not be an epilogue nor will I be writing a sequel. At the bottom, there is a playlist of all the songs I reckon fit well with this story. Thank you ever so much for taking the time out to read this little work of fiction. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I loved writing every sentence of it.

A special thank you to my personal favourite member of One Direction, Niall Horan, and X Factor UK's, Janet Devlin, for playing the lead roles.  You are both so amazingly talented. 

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Chapter Twenty

Lost in her own little world where things actually went her way, Tatum failed to notice the car stop a mere distance from the doors of the airport. A bustle of people scurried in and out, in a hurry to reach their next destination in time. Everyone jumped out of the car, all quiet for the same reason. No one was ready to leave, yet they had to.

Flight 23 to London, England is now boarding. Again, flight 23 to London, England is now boarding.

"Come on lads, lets get a move on." Paul instructed, pushing the group forward.

Tatum fell in step next to Niall, their hands brushing every so often until finally, he interwined together. She felt the familiar tingle and it crushed her heart to know this may be the last time she would ever feel it for a long time. When she glanced back, making sure everyone else was near, she noticed Arden was a mess. She was clutching tightly onto to Parker's waist, never wanting to let go. Both girls felt the identical pain in which they were forced to leave the ones they loved.

As they all approached the waiting gate, Paul stood aside to let the teenagers bid their farewells. No matter how many times he had gone through leaving his own family behind, it still felt awful. He loved his job, he really did, but sometimes, being away from those you care about deeply is frightening and makes one think if the life they have built is worth it at all.

Elliot was the first to reach Tatum, pulling her aside to talk. For a long moment, both didn't utter a word. Then, Elliot coughed up some courage and told her the one thing he could: the truth. "I don't want to say goodbye," he whispered, his glance darting between her face and the filthy airport floor, "not to you...not yet."

She suppressed a weak smile, lightly placing her hand on his open shoulder. "I don't either, but we have to at some point."

He looked back up at her, at the girl who had not only been his best friend, but his sister. She was better than any blood-related relative he could ever have. She was kind, thoughtful and was forever putting his interests first. Everything she had done the past three years, not only for the band, but for him as well, was mindblowing. Without her, her patience, her determination and hope, the band would cease to exist. She had been through so much shit in her life, yet she never let it faze her the slightest. Elliot would give up the world to be assured her smile and beauty remained untouched and safe.

"I can't believe you're not coming with us."

Tatum's eyes softened as she dropped her arm to take hold of his hand, giving it a light squeeze. "I wish I could come, Eli, but my life is here. I have university in the fall and my family to take care of. I know you and the rest of the boys are going to make, not only me, but your families, this town and all of Australia proud."

Elliot's eyes glistened as stray tears fell down his cheeks. He didn't bother wiping them away, instead, he grabbed his friend and pulled her in for a tight hug, making it difficult for either of them to breathe. Stood in each other's embrace, both drank in the last of one another, content in the most beautiful way they could be in that moment. Eventually, time collapsed with reality and they let go. Tatum gently laid one fleeting kiss on his cheek, waving goodbye as he and his band mates headed for the gate.

When he turned back around, she was met with her boyfriend who simply did nothing but hold his arms open wide. She fell into him, crushing her face with his chest. The warmth lit a fire in her as he ran his hands through her hair, wishing he wouldn't have to go.

"I'm going to miss you," she said, her voice muffled as she stared up at him. "Promise you won't forget me?"

He chuckled, leaning down to peck her lips. "Don't think that's possible, babe. Promise you won't forget me?"

She stood taller, her nose carelessly coming in contact with his. "As if I'd ever be able to. You've grown on me, Horan."

He kissed the tip of her nose, bringing her close one last time. The gate was beginning to close, so he had to go. Niall left her standing, with a small smile on her face, until he rounded the corner and could see no more. He stuck his hands in his pockets and jogged after Liam who was waiting for him.

Tatum learned something that day: both love and friendship come in the most unexpected forms. Three years ago, she never would have believed she would accomplish something as amazing as putting together and managing one of the world's most talented group of boys. But she had. Two weeks prior, she never contemplated the idea of falling in love with a boy whose face was taped to the bedroom walls of millions of girls. But she had.

Even though their fate was bittersweet and had not ended perfectly like they do in most fairytales, she was lucky to have been with him for the time she had. He made her happy, in a manner of which no other boy had ever come close to. He broke down her hard soft exterior, thoughtlessly thinking it was the same underneath. But it wasn't, not by far. He learned about the aspects of her life she was too scared to admit, from her sister to her father. And with every bit of new information he learned, he fell harder and harder.

The story of Niall Horan and Tatum Ryder is more than some crazy tale. It's special, unique. Just like they are. And if fate would have it, someday, they would surely meet again.

As she walked back through the glass doors in the direction of her sister's idling car, Tatum could have sworn she heard his familiar laugh swim its way into her eardrums. But then again, the wind had a language of its own.

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PLAYLIST:

Five Days of Summer by Joe Brooks

U.N.I by Ed Sheeran

I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Look After You by The Fray

Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney

My Heart Will Wait by Joe Brooks

You and Me by Lifehouse

Dreaming With a Broken Heart by John Mayer

I Love You This Big by Scotty McCreery

Your Song (cover) by Janet Devlin

Wherever You Will Go by The Calling

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen