Diall: The Untold Story

Chapter 10: It Feels Like A Lifetime Ago

*buzz* *buzz* I reached my phone out of my pocket to see Demi was calling. I hadn't spoken to her in what? at least 5 years? So much has changed, I'm no longer in the boy band that changed my life, I've made it as a solo artist, I've fallen in & out of love and moved on from Demi, but here she was calling and I didn't know how to feel.

"Hello?"

"I know this is kind of weird, we haven't talked in so long, but I just wanted to congratulate you on your ten year anniversary! I'm so proud of you and how far you've come. I've listened to Slow Hands over 100 times." I wonder if she also knows Too Much To Ask was written about her. Back then I was still hoping she'd one day walk through my door or phone me up and we'd continue where we left off. 

I chuckle a bit before answering, I'm flattered and hearing her voice after all this time is pretty comforting. "Thanks, that means a lot Demi. It's good to hear from you. I can't believe it's been 10 years and I can't even celebrate it with the lads properly. How are you?"

"You know.. 2020 has been such a weird year, but in a way I'm so grateful for it as well. I've had a really rough last few years and now with quarantine it forces me to be out of the spot light and people expect me to just stay home instead of going out and putting on a show. I'm so grateful to have my boyfriend and my dogs here with me." Right...boyfriend.. I heard she started dating someone new recently. Demi is too great of a girl to ever be single long. "How are you holding up?"

"That's great Demi, I'm so happy to hear you're doing well." Truthfully I'm not sure how I really feel, jealous? hurt? confused? "I'm good! Been writing lots of new music and reflecting on life. I can't believe how much has changed in 10 years. One Direction feels like a lifetime ago and like it was yesterday."

 We continue to talk about how much has changed since we've last talked. We so easily fall into the comfort and ease we once had years ago. 

Demi pauses for a moment before saying, "Do you ever wonder how different life would be if you ever made that one big decision differently? Made better or worse choices?" 

"All the time Demi." A few years back, it was late at night, I had a few pints and before sleeping I almost texted her. But I dozed off and in the morning deleted the draft I had typed out. I still wonder what we could have been if Demi had let her guard down and let me in. Now the opportunity to say more is here, but Demi has a boyfriend and I don't want to be that guy. "Like what if I never showed up to that X Factor audition? None of this would be my life. I would have never met you. I'd still be a wee blonde in the crowd at one of your shows."

"I'd like to think we would've still found our ways to each other. I'm sorry how I treated you Niall. I was awful to you sometimes but to be honest, talking to you was always the best part of my day even when I didn't act like it. I hope we can be friends again. I miss you."

"Thanks." I didn't realize how much I wanted to hear an apology, to hear my feelings were valid. I will always love Demi whether that's only as a friend or more. I miss having her in my life. "I miss you too.. You know you'll never find that pot of gold without me right?"

Demi laughs; her full bodied, infectious laugh. "Shit! You weren't supposed to figure out my angle!"

"At least you came clean quick, that's the first step in gaining a leprechaun's trust." 

"Good, I'm on track! Let's find the end of the rainbow next time you're in LA? If that's not too much to ask?" I can hear her smirk in that last sentence.. she knows.

"Ye- yeah" I'm caught a bit off guard and I can feel myself getting flush. Thank god Demi can't see me. "Yeah lets do it. I have a video chat with the boys soon so I've got to go. Thanks for reaching out."

"Thanks for picking up and congrats again! Bye Niall, see you soon."

"Bye Demi. Talk to you soon."

........

Happy 10 year anniversary everyone!! I haven't touched this story in such a long time, but it felt fitting to add a chapter 10 on the 10 year anniversary. One Direction will always be special no matter how many years pass.  

(also i wrote this before demi announced she's engaged so in this universe, she's not)