The Fatal Flaw | LT

XLVIII

CHAPTER XLVIII

December

The tears were still falling as I pack the remaining of my things in a box, lucky for me; I managed to pack a lot the last time so I just had a little to pack as I was itching to get out of Manchester as soon as I can.

Small things were enough for me to break down again, like the ticket stubs when Louis and I went to the cinema, my sheets that oddly enough smells like him, the picture board that I turned so quickly to avoid seeing our memories and things like remembering me throwing popcorn at him when he tries to get my attention as I watch my shows on my bed.

My car was full of boxes as I finish and I'm lucky to have found a pair of sunglasses because the first time I went down, people looked at me weirdly with my bloodshot eyes and reddish nose.

As I close my trunk, realizing how Manchester changed me and of course, how the people in it changed me, a voice interrupted me from my thoughts.

"So you're just going to go, without saying good bye to your best friend?" Niall spoke with sadness in his voice and his hands shoved into his front pockets.

"I thought you hated me." I smiled dejectedly, tears brimming in my eyes.

"How can I hate you? You're my best friend." He said walking towards me slowly then wrapped his hands around me. It surprised me that I still have tears to shed because I have shed way more tears today than the last 20 years of my life.

We stood there at the parking lot, me crying and clutching on him for dear life, and his shirt will probably be ruined by me but we didn't care as he just soothed me, placing a kiss now and then on my forehead.

"I know you didn't cheat." He spoke first as he rubbed my back up and down. "I know you're not ready to tell me why you did what you did but if you are ready, I will go to Holmes Chapel and listen to you, just call me. I will be there, no matter what I'm doing, okay?"

I nodded timidly and went to pull away. He looked at me with his eyes full of love and sympathy.

"Thank you, Niall." I said, wiping the tears with the sleeve of my shirt.

"Call me at least twice a week, okay?" He said as he wrapped an arm over my shoulder.

"Would you um, like to go with me to BJ's? I need to say goodbye to Alex." I asked him as I open my car door. He nodded and went to the passenger seat.

We drove in silence but it was comfortable.

I didn't need to say anything for Niall to know what I was feeling, though he didn't know, he understood I needed the tranquility.

"Hey, Alex." I greeted, trying to put some effort in my voice but I just sound defeated.

"Venus, lass!" He exclaimed, bringing me for a hug. "Niall told me you would be going home, it's a bummer but you know if you want to sing for me here and there, we're always open, yeah?"

I nodded smiling slightly as I pulled away.

"Thank you, I'm sorry to leave on such a short notice." I said, shoving my hands on the pocket of my sweatshirt.

"It's alright, love. You're always welcome here at BJ's, yeah?" He said as he put his arms around Niall's shoulder casually. "Have you both eaten?"

Both Niall and I shook our heads and as if on cue, our stomachs grumbled, making us burst out in laughter.

The feeling was foreign to me as I was crying the whole day but it felt nice.

"Come on! On the house!"