The Brighter Side (Ziall)

Chapter 16

** A little bit of a Rated M Warning**

I didn’t give Maura an answer right then and there. I couldn’t. I needed to think about it. It was a big step in my life and I needed the time to gather my thoughts and of course, talk to Niall. “I-I’m going to go upstairs.” I told Maura, taking the papers with me.

“Sure.” She smiled at me, not questioning my postponed response. When I to upstairs I set the papers down on my nightstand and grabbed my pack of cigs. I walked out to the small porch and lit up. I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular. I had a week worth of free time to decide my future path. Today, well today is a day for me too relax. My chin throbbed with each puff of tobacco I inhaled. After a I finished my cigarette, stamping it out with the heel of my shoe, I went inside to take some pain medication and maybe sleep away the rest of the day.

What I didn’t expect was for Niall to be sitting on my bed with the papers in his hand. I guess Maura had went and called the school, sending him home early for the day again. “Hey.” I said softly, walking over to him and sitting down. Our legs touched and I leaned into him. “Did you read those?”

“Yeah…” Niall set the papers down and turned to me. His blue eyes were darkened as his eyelids hooded them. “It’s just-“

“I don’t have to be a part of your family. I’m fine with it like this. We don’t have to be brothers and then we can continue like this.” I reached for his hand and I saw his hesitate before locking fingers with me. “What do you think?” My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for Niall’s response. He gave me a shy smile.

“I’m worried, that’s all.” Niall shrugged; thumb stroking the top of my hand. “Because what if you don’t sign these and your dad calls again? What if he decided he wants you back?”

“I won’t go back to him.” I said firmly. There is no way I would ever go back to that man. He treated my mother and me like dirt and was never there, even when we needed him the most, when I needed him the most. He was nothing to me and if he called and wanted me to come with him, I would outright refuse. Niall had to know that I wouldn’t leave. He just had to. “Niall, I’ll never go with him.”

“You wouldn’t have a choice.” Niall said sadly. “He’s your real dad. He would have custody over you.” He took his hand away from my own and placed it on my shoulder. “I don’t know what I would do if you were gone.” Probably move on with his little country life. I’m not that big of a deal.

“So you want me to sign those papers?” I asked.

Niall nodded frantically. “It’ll just be legal. Physically, we’re not related. That’s all that matters right?” His expression was hopeful and I gave him a small smile and nodded. “So this means you’ll sign them?” He wrapped his arms around me happily. I hugged him back; whispering out a ‘yes’ and breathing in the cologne he wore every day. We pulled away from each other and Niall leaned in to kiss my lips. It was short and sweet, or at least I thought.

“Ugh, you just smoke didn’t you?” Niall grimaced and I could only laugh. “Really, that’s the only gross thing I can think of about you.” Niall wiped his mouth and I didn’t give him another chance to complain. I kissed him again and again, pecking his lips. His cheeks. His forehead. He giggled and tackled me down to the bed, something that occurred often.