"Do you ever think that your best years are behind you?" Clementine asked, voice soft in the the dark room.
"Mmm," Niall hummed, nodding. "Sometimes."
"Me too," she murmured.
"You're what, like 22?" Niall asked, turning his head to look over at he...
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Eight: you're the closest thing to heaven
Niall thought about what it was like, the first time he performed. It was nearly ten years ago, on a stage with millions of people watching. The nerves that he felt, made him want to quit.
The nerves, Niall thought, were the worst. The racing heart, the heavy tongue, the clammy hands. It only lasted a short while, until the curtain opens and adrenaline takes over.
Niall could name all the feelings Clementine had on opening night. The nerves that started late the night before, and wouldn't fade until she stepped on stage.
That moment, though, when the curtain opened and Clementine stood center stage, the bright light on her, Niall was the most proud he's ever been.
Niall sat in awe of the way she moved and the way she used her body to tell stories. For a moment Niall wondered if what he was feeling was ridiculous, if Clementine was just okay, and if it really wasn't a spectacular performance.
Niall thought that couldn't be true. he thought that if she was actually bad, he'd be able to tell. Niall was not blinded by Clementine. He was objective when considering her talent. It just so happened that she was actually incredible.
Liam pulled Niall from his concentration, whispering, "Dani's part is coming up."
Niall hummed in response, nodding, though his eyes were glued to Clementine who was making her way off the stage.
As the show continued on, Niall felt himself grow fonder and fonder of Clementine. He didn't think it was possible, but it was.
Only when the curtain closed for good, did Niall think he could catch his breath. His eyes fluttered as the lights came on. Louis stood first, muttering past them, already clutching his cigarettes in his left hand.
"That was really good," Liam commented. "Clementine was fantastic."
"Yeah," Niall agreed, already beginning to think about the words he wanted to say to her when he got her all to himself.
The moments leading up to seeing Clementine were what Niall would describe as torturous. Niall paced around the lobby aimlessly as the performers filed out. Danielle came first and then Georgie and then a million other girls before Clementine came out, a pair of joggers hugging her hips.
Clementine was pulled from Liam to Georgie to Rosie to another group of girls until finally, she bumped into Niall, smiling up at him in a way he almost didn't recognize.
"Clem," Niall murmured, fingers itching to reach out for her but he didn't. He shoved his hands into his pocket, pushing the feeling down.
