I Don't Love You Too

Chapter 12 - Nothing Without You

I don't usually say this, but this song is one you really need to play to understand virtually the whole chapter. So please play it, even if you hate Olly Murs :)

I glanced into the audience and I locked eyes with Merida in an instant. She was watching me with utter bewilderment and her eyes were wide in shock which quickly changed to anger. I couldn't blame her. I sat down at the ebony piano and placed my sheet music carefully in front of me. (play music) I began the chords slowly but surely, not looking up at Merida because that would make every word, every note I played, ten times worse.

"I pretend I'm happy - happy, lying man,
But it's easy to learn when I don't understand.
Never thought I'd be running back so soon -
But I don't believe in nothing without you.

There's part of me hoping there's a chance,
That you look in these eyes and hold these hands.
I don't care about finding someone new -
'Cause I don't believe in nothing without you.

Thought I had nothing to lose,
Thought I had nothing to prove to you.
And I wasted all this time, I'm sorry -
Funny only now I know it's true,
Baby, I got nothing without you.

Since you left I'm a cartoon, of myself.
I'm a mess, I'm a joker, someone else.
I keep telling this story like it's bad news -
'Cause I don't believe in nothing without you.

Oh, thought I had nothing to lose,
Thought I had nothing to prove to you.
And I wasted all this time, I'm sorry -
Funny only now I know it's true,
Baby, I got nothing without you."

By this time there were tears streaked down my face and some had landed on the piano keys. I stole a glance upwards and I saw Merida wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"I know that I'm a gamble,
I know that it's a long shot.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...
I do everything I can't do,
'Cause you're everything that I got, I got..."

I played the last chorus slowly and meaningfully, allowing each note to fill the room and resonate there forever. Most of the audience were looking at me in admiration, Jack was grinning and Rapunzel had her head on his shoulder. Merida had tears leaking out of her eyes faster than a power shower.

"Thought I had nothing to lose.
I thought I had nothing to prove to you.
And I wasted all this time, I'm sorry -
Funny only now I know it's true,
Baby, I got nothing without you.

And I wasted all this time -I'm sorry,
Funny only now I know it's true .
Baby, I got nothing without you."

I sang the last line quietly but loudly all at the same time and as the lyrics ended I didn't take my eyes off of Merida's. As I finished the song's final notes the audience erupted into applause. Jack stood up and clapped hard, grinning at me. Most of the audience followed, apart from a red haired girl whose name I don't need to mention. The teacher announcing each act and hosting the talent show, Mrs Tooth, came onstage clapping me too. The rest of the school sat down and she approached me, smiling.

"Well Mr Haddock, that was quite the performance! So meaningful! Was it directed at," she gave me 'the look', "a certain young lady in the audience, perhaps?"

"Well," I said quietly as I walked to the front of the stage, scuffing my heels as I went, "yes. It was."

The entire audience let out an "Aww!" and I smiled very weakly.

"She must mean a lot to you," the teacher said quietly into her microphone. I nodded slowly, wiping a fresh tear away.

"She does. More than anyone -"

"LIES!"

Merida's yell pierced my ears. I snapped round to see her on her feet with tear marks almost channelled into her face. The entire audience was either looking at me or Merida, the only two people in the entire room who knew what that song really meant to us.

"You never liked me like that!" Merida's voice cracked from sadness as I looked at her imploringly, trying to get her to understand that every word of that song was true. "You used me to get over Astrid! D'you know how much that hurt? I'm done with your exscuses! You liar!"

With that, she ran down the steps and out of the auditorium. I realised it was now or never. I might never get her to understand unless I followed her now. I jumped off of the edge of the stage and sprinted out of the swinging double doors, after her.

She'd gone outside, so I followed her immedietly. There was a stark contrast in temperature; snow was thin on the ground again and the moon was a perfect crescent. The sky was littered with stars and the darkness of the sky felt like a velvet cloth. Merida was standing by the music block, sitting on the freezing ground and crying her eyes out. I approached her slowly and sat down beside her.

"You'll catch your death out here," I whispered. My breath appeared in a cloud before me.

"Why would you care about me?" Merida choked into her hands.

"Merida," I mumbled, "you're everything I have. Without you, I'd have nothing. You've always been there for me. Now," she looked at me and our gaze locked instantly, making my heart stop, "let me return the favour."

She took a deep breath and looked away, eyes full of sorrow.

"I'm sorry Hiccup," she whispered. "I don't think I can trust anyone anymore." She stood up and began to run again, across the main road.

"Merida!" I yelled. "No Merida, you have to give me a chance to explain!" I ran after her, but knowing me, I'm considerably stupid when it comes to taking in the surroundings. I ran halfway cross the road but I didn't see the flash of the headlights. I didn't hear the screech of the tyres. I didn't see Merida's face contort in terror as she screamed,

"Hiccup, LOOK OUT!!"

All I remembered was a thud, a smash to the head, and complete darkness. After that, I remembered nothing, for a long, long time.

A/N Sorry for the cliffhanger, but everything'll come together next chapter, I promise! Thank you all so much for 1k! (Seriously the day that happened was the best. This story hit 1k and In Another Lifetime hit 6k. I DON'T DESERVE THIS!! xD) It's been amazing and you guys are incredible for sticking with me - so thank you!!