Love is a Time Limit (Niall Horan)

Chapter 3: Cracks in the Pavement

Chapter 3: Cracks in the Pavement

(Niall Horan, age 18)

Here are your fish and chips, lad. Enjoy!

I don't think I'll ever forget the taste of that greasy delicacy they call fish and chips. Ever since the day Verena brought it to me at the hospital, I had been paying quite a few visits to the vendor at the docks during the time I had spent in Mullingar. Other than playing guitar and occasionally singing a few songs, going out there and having the crispy snack took my mind off of life; in short, it was one of my only escapes out of reality. 

That's him! Niall!

I had turned fifteen that month, only reminding me more and more that my time was running out. I hated the constant depressed feeling that would arrive when my mind would wander to the subject. Back then all I wanted to do was be with Verena and live out my life to the best of my ability. But unfortunately I had come to the realization that more than just Verena could make me happy. At that age you can either become more mature, or just throw it all away and ruin yourself as well as hurting the ones around you. You can probably guess which path I chose. 

Can we have your autograph? We love you, Niall!

I would have given so much to be able to fix myself at that age; keep myself out of the trouble I caused and the people I hurt. But it was over now anyways, no use on dwelling on it. It was a rough time, but even if I did want to keep myself out of it, I was glad that I at least had a crazy experience like that crammed into my short life. 

The rumors aren't true are they?

~~

 (Niall Horan, age 15)

The beginning of September had a smooth start. Niall celebrated his birthday outside of the hospital for once with Verena at the docks with some of the famous fish and chips. School was also going quite well too; Colaiste Mhuire turned out to be different from Niall's original expectations. Sure the first few weeks were a little overwhelming, but the school was just as normal as any other. He had gotten used to the change in lifestyle now that school had become a top priority. Needless to say, he also adjusted to the piles of homework that were given.

That day had started out as normal as ever. Niall had woken up to the sight of another rain in Mullingar as well as the sight of high school students running around with a variety of umbrellas in hand. 'As if they haven't seen rain before,' Niall thought to himself with a yawn. Sleeping in his own bed in his own home for once was a nice change to the uncomfortable hospital bed. 

Niall lay there in his messy bed laden with sheets strewn across it after noticing that he had woken up earlier than he should have. Going back to sleep wasn't an option at that point; everyone knew that falling back asleep would only make you less likely to get out of bed later. As he rubbed his to wake up a bit more, Niall felt a low grumbling sound coming from his stomach. He smiled to himself as the thoughts of breakfast filled his mind and smiled even more when the whisps of cinnamon odor crept into his room. 

When food was in question, Niall would never waste any time going for it. That morning was no different than the others when the mysterious smell came into his room. Quickly getting out of bed, he changed into his school uniform that was just like the others his peers had to dress themselves in. He wore a white button down shirt that was covered with a light grey cardigan showing off the school's small embroidered logo on the breast pocket. The sleeves were rolled up half way to both the cardigan and shirt before undoing the top two buttons. Being comfortable was a necessity, he didn't see a point in choking to death at school all day. A tie was essential to any boys uniform, but Niall chose to wear his loosely. A set of slightly tight fitting navy blue pants finished it off with a pair of plain black Adidas hi-tops.