One Year Headed In One Direction (Sequel to One Month)

Chapter 8: The One You're In Love With

[AN: Have you heard The Script’s new album?!? I am having such a music crush right now. It has been on repeat all dang day! :D]

[NIALL’S POV]

“She has retrograde amnesia,” the doctor said to us as we all huddled in the hallway outside of her room. “All she can recall is that her name is Nora. She doesn’t know who any of you are or why she is here.”

“But she didn’t have a head injury,” Louis protested. I could see that he was slightly shaking. Harry gently rubbed his back, but it did nothing to calm him.

“We think the amnesia is psychological,” the doctor replied.

“Which means?” Annie asked.

“The memories are there, but something is blocking her from accessing them. Her mind is blocking the memories to protect her for some reason.”

“But she can remember eventually, right?” Carrie asked. “Like if we keep telling her about her life it will eventually come back right? RIGHT?” The doctor stepped back slightly intimidated by Carrie. She was yelling after all. I looked around noting that Sam stayed silent. Liam leaned down to whisper something in her ear and she pushed him away. They both just looked angry.

“I really can’t say,” the doctor said focusing on the chart in his hands rather than our concerned faces. “Our hope is that the memories could come back at some point. They are most likely still intact, but just blocked somehow. She just needs time, but I must caution you that she might never remember her past or any of you.”

“Fuck that!” Louis shouted. “She’ll remember me. She loves me, and she wouldn’t forget me.” He stormed back into Nora’s room angrily.

“The only treatment we can suggest is that you keep an eye on her, and don’t force the memories on her. If you overwhelm her she could backslide quickly and lose the little bit of self-identity that she has right now. She will be here for quite a bit recovering from her internal injuries and then released into your care.” Then he walked away calmly as if he had just told us she had a mild cold. Miserable little fucker.

“He said not to overwhelm her,” Ammie said quietly. “Maybe the rest of us should head home and just let her stay with Louis. We can come and visit later.”

“You go ahead,” I said handing her the key to my flat and kissing her cheek. “I think someone should be here to watch Lou in case he gets upset.”

“Y—you want to stay here?” Ammie asked. She sounded vulnerable and hurt for some reason. This whole situation was pretty overwhelming. I gently pulled her into my arms stroking her hair.

“Nora will be okay Ammie,” I whispered into her ear. “I’ll make sure of that.” Ammie pulled back and nodded. Everyone else started to disperse down the hall and Ammie made to follow them, but at the last minute turned around and ran back to me hugging me tight.

“Niall,” she asked softly, “I’m the only girl you really love right?” I held her tight taking a deep breath as her scent surrounded me. I know it sounds ludicrous, but she really does smell like a summer’s day. “Not that you can’t love the other girls like family, but I’m the one you’re in love with right? No one else?” She pulled back and I lifted a hand up swiping a tear from her cheek.

“Of course Cookie,” I replied confidently. “You are the only girl for me.” She nodded with relief and waved goodbye as she ran to catch up with the others. I pushed open the door to Nora’s room trying my best to not focus on how easy it had just been to lie to my girlfriend.

[NORA’S POV]

[ONE WEEK LATER]

I wish that I could remember them. They all seemed so earnest and sweet. I was amazed to find that I had such a big family. Apparently they were musicians of some sort. That was kind of cool. I flicked through the television channels before looking to the side of me where he lay passed out on the edge of my bed. He never left. Well almost never. The others would come and make him eat something or go shower, but most of the time he remained by my side.