The Power Within [Narry]

--Chapter 14--

*falls onto the floor* It's basically the one year anniversary of this story and I'm about to cry. The lord give me strength D; But this chapter is a bit longer and I hope you guys enjoy! .x

Liam stops in his tracks when he locks eyes with the boy he has known since the beginning of time. A tornado of emotions overwhelms his senses: surprise, happiness, caution, and guilt. He manages a weak grin and waves his hand in a pathetic attempt to be casual. “Hey Niall.”

There's a moment of stunned silence. Niall's staring at Liam in indecision, going through his own hurricane of conflicting emotions. The rest of the occupants at the table are nervously looking between the pair, sensing the thick blanket of tension that fell atop of them.

“'Hey Niall'? Is that all you have to say? You've been missing for months! Things didn't add up and I thought something was wrong.” Niall wants to say more but he doesn't want to crack in front of the others—especially not in front of Harry.

“I really wanted to tell you but they warned me not to. I couldn't sleep for weeks and it was so easy to just call yo—” Niall suddenly jumps up and wraps Liam in a hug that even the toned boy considers a bit painful. Liam instinctively wraps his strong arms around Niall's slim waist and squeezes his eyes close in relief. Niall buries his head into the crook of Liam's neck in order to get closer to his best friend, the gesture bringing comfort and familiarity to both boys. “I missed you, LiLi,” Niall whispers so lowly that he doubts Liam caught it, but he did.

“I missed you, Ni. I'm so sorry.” Liam breathes against Niall's shoulder and slowly loosens his grip. They detach from the warm hug and halfheartedly ignore the coos from their audience.

“I'm guessing that you two want some time to catch up. We'll be, uh, getting some crisps from the vending machine.” Zayn stands up from the table and motions for the others to follow.

“But those bags are filled with empty lies!” Louis protests, getting up anyway.

“Just shut your trap and I'll buy you a god damn cup of cappuccino.” Skylar pinches the bridge of her nose and drags Louis out by his ear. Rolling her eyes at his indignant cries, she looks at Harry. “You coming or what, Styles?”

“Ma'am, yes ma'am.” Afraid of the fierce girl, Harry walks ahead of her and runs to catch up to Zayn, who began leaving the moment Louis said “but”. With the audience gone, Liam turns to Niall and scans the blonde's cerulean blue eyes, making sure that it's actually him. “What are the odds that we both end up here?”

Niall shakes out of his momentary stupor and belatedly realizes that his best friend also has unnatural abilities. “What can you do?”

“Strength. Sometimes I feel like the Hulk, minus the green skin and the inability to speak in complete sentences.”

“And the split marble table that I saw on your front yard. . .?”

“Was the accident that sent me here,” Liam gently finishes. He knows that Niall is still shaken up about this new life and he doesn't know if he should ask him about how he got sent to Brigid's Academy.

“Beats turning someone into a human popsicle.” Niall looks away from Liam, feeling like a monster in front of the boy who hates the idea of hurting others. Liam, being the sensible lad that he is, puts a reaffirming hand on Niall's shoulder. “It's not your fault. You know that right?”

Niall reluctantly shrugs, not wanting to remember the crushing panic and fear. Liam knows that Niall won't listen to him and that the subject is still raw, so he tries to move onto a lighter topic. “What dorm at you staying at?”