Across the Hall

Chapter 16: A Night to Remember

Niall's P.O.V

I don't know why I listened and ran after her. There's just something about Bree that I cannot lose. Not only is she beautiful, but she's kind, thoughtful, smart, and simply perfect.

She was sitting on one of the patio chairs. She had tears running down her cheeks and her hands were attempting to cover her face. Soft sobs escaped her mouth as her whole body shook. Bree looked broken.

"What do you want?" Her voice shook. Her glossy eyes met mine. The sight was unbearable.

"I'm so sorry," I sighed. I felt disgusted with myself.

"I didn't mean what I said. I was angry," I explained, trying to console her. She flinched away from my touch which hurt more than any word could come close to describing.

"Being angry doesn't give you an excuse to be a total dick to me, Niall," she said, wiping the last year that managed to escape her eye.

"I know, baby. And I'm terribly sorry. I don't know what came over me I swear. I miss you so much," I admitted. When she said my name a familiar tingling feeling I felt when I first met her appeared again.

"Niall I don't know if I can anymore," she said her tone unclear.

"You can baby. You can do anything. Please, I'm so sorry."

"I think I just need a break," she sighed, running her hand through her orangey red hair.

"How long?" I asked my voice cracking. I didn't even realize a few tears had fallen from my eyes as I begged her for her forgiveness.

"I don't know. I just need some space. It's just been too much lately. You hate me. I hate myself for causing you to hate me. You know what's ironic?" She laughed emotionlessly.

I raised my eyebrows. I didn't like the side of Bree. So impersonal and empty.

"I was falling for you Niall," she sighed.

"I was falling hard," she said, causing more tears to form.

"Bree I love you. I love you so much. Please stay. Stay for me," I begged. I was on my knees holding her hands in mine as I looked up at her with pleading eyes.

"I can't," she said, her voice straining as it cracked.

I looked at her, but she wouldn't meet my eyes.

"I have to go," she said, as she got up and ran back into the house. And like that, I was left on the ground, my heart shattered around me as I watched the girl I loved run away from me.

--

Annabelle's P.O.V

I played with the ends of my hair, a habit that was prominent when I was nervous. Niall and Bree had been out there a little while now.

The sliding back door opened and I heard footsteps running. In came Bree with tear-stained cheeks, looking heartbroken and lost.

Emily immediately stood up and tried to approach her. Bree backed away and faked a smile, "I'm going to head home. I can get a cab. Thanks so much for tonight Liam and Sophia it couldn't have been more fun."

She was trying to appear normal, happy even. I hated when she did that. She gets hurt and just keeps it inside and puts up more walls to separate herself.

"What do you think happened?" Harry asked me, as soon as Bree closed the front door.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling we might find out soon," I said implying that Niall would be coming in soon.