Breathe Me // n.horan au *Completed*

[Epilogue]

[Epilogue]

2nd of June, 2019

The nerves and anxiety continued to build up by the second as I stood in the long corridor with my fellow classmates. It was commencement night at Trinity College Dublin and the Bachelor of Arts, Music students waited for their name to be called to cross the stage.

As I had promised Greg almost five years ago, I enrolled myself into school the summer semester after Kerrigan's surgery. Greg finally got a permanent job as a mortgage broker in Central Dublin, immediately bringing in an avalanche of an income. I applied at a bank as a teller and got paid the double the wage as I did at the pub. We were making money and I could finally start my studies as a Music Tech student.

Greg and Denise had their fairytale wedding and even had their dream honeymoon. Two years later, they had my nephew, Theo. He's two now and keeps everyone on their toes.

Louis and Eleanor, Zayn and Irena were all engaged and happy as they ever could be. Eleanor was even expecting a little one. Kerrigan was healthy and had joined her school's football team. As for Aisling and I, we were still taking our relationship nice and slow. Being 23 years old, we were doing well. We were happy.

I came out of my thoughts and stepped closer and closer to the stage. There were only six other students in front of me and they were going up quick.

I glanced through a crack between the black curtains and looked for my family. Right there, in the third row, was where everyone was seated. Greg, Denise, Kerrigan, and Theo. Louis and Eleanor. Zayn and Irena. And Aisling. They all had their phones out and were prepared for me to walk the stage. I smiled at the thought of how far along I came with the support of all of them. And they were here to see me cross the biggest milestone of my life.

"Niall James Horan." The dean said into the microphone in his hand.

I put on the biggest, realest, smile on my face and stepped onto the illuminated stage. My classmates were clapping, cheering even, as were the people in the audience. I glanced at my family and heard them cheer the loudest, snapping as many pictures as they could. I waved at them and did a Superman pose before going up to the dean and shaking his hand.

He moved the mic away from his face and smiled at me, "Congrats, Mr Horan." He draped his arm over my shoulders and pointed at a photographer. We smiled and he nodded at me. "Go to your seat."

I grinned and made my way up the stage to find my row and chair.

The next half hour went by slow as the dean called out all the students. After everyone was seated, the head administrator made a speech about our road to success and whatnot.

"They've worked hard to come where they are today. Ladies and gentlemen," the administrator said into the mic, "I present you the graduating class of Trinity College Dublin. The class of 2018."

That was our cue to throw our caps into the air and shortly after, exit the stage. We had to make our way to the front hall and wait for our families. I stood on my tiptoes and tried to find someone, anyone.

A giant smile spread across my face when I saw Theo sitting on Louis' shoulders. I waved at them and skillfully made my way towards them.

"Congratulations, baby!" Aisling grinned before placing a kiss on my lips, "you finally did it!"

I hummed, "Love you."

Everyone else congratulated me and each received a wet and sloppy kiss to the cheek. Kerrigan gave me the tightest hug before handing me a bouquet of flowers.