The Story Of Six (Niall Horan Fan-Fic) •ON HOLD•

Chapter 1

6 years later:

"Yeah, just lemme check."

I shuffled around my apartment, holding a plate of probably burning pancakes in one hand and resting the phone in between my ear and shoulder.

I used my free hand to run my finger over the page labelled "January" until I reached the 27th.

"How does 5:30 sound?"

"Perfect, I'll see you then. Bye."

I hung up the phone and scribbled down 'lunch with family' in the small box of the calendar.

"Shit."

Looking down at the pancakes, I saw that they were turning as black as charcoal. I tried flipping them. Unsuccessfully, I might add.

Sighing, I peeled the rock-hard black pancakes off the kitchen floor and tossed them into the trash.

"Screw it" I muttered, and snatched a granola bar off the counter.

After I showered, I put on a pair of black skinny jeans and a white long sleeved shirt with a picture of a tiger on it. I slipped on my grey jacket with a fur-lined hood and my new uggs. Then on top of all that, I added a white and black knit scarf and a pair of bright pink breast-cancer awareness mittens. Finally I grabbed my purse and headed out.

After about 10 minutes on the quiet city bus, I realized I forgot my headphones at home and became incredibly bored.

I decided to get off at the next stop and walk to Starbucks, then to Moxies for lunch with my parents and Belle. Which meant I had to tough it out for 10 more minutes.

Ugh.

I surveyed the passengers sitting around me to pass the time. There were nine of us seated on the bus, and 5/9 were on their phones.
The only three that weren't were an old couple in the second seat from the front, and a baby in a carrier in the seat across from me.

I smiled at the elderly couple. They gazed at each other with such love in their eyes, it sure as hell made you feel lonely. Especially if you weren't in a relationship. But I chose to focus on something other than my relationship status.

Instead, I wondered how long they'd been together. 30 years, at the least ast. I assumed they were over 50.

"Mmmsihjhjggttttthhjjoug" the bus driver mumbled. In city bus language, that translated to "passengers getting off at Arthur Street please leave now".

Finally, I thought. I walked up the bus aisle and descended the stairs.

The cold hit me like a truck.

A transport truck, for god's sake.

It was at least -40 degrees with the wind chill. I felt like a polar bear with the blowing wind and fur lined jacket. Oh well. I pulled my scarf over my nose, tucked my hands in my armpits, and began my journey to Starbucks.

By the time I arrived, my cheeks were bright pink, my teeth were clacking together, and my hands were shaking like crazy.
I ordered a grandé mocha and a lemon loaf for the walk to Moxies.

"Damnit, I'm already late".

I can already see Belle bouncing around in her seat, complaining about the wait and colouring outside the lines on some circus elephant in the the kid's menu.

She was always jumpy, even as a baby. I'm not exactly sure what she was like from 1-5 though. Isn't that terrible? I gave up 6 years of my life so that she wouldn't have to.

I missed my prom, my first year of High School, my High School graduation, my first REAL boyfriend, etc.

But along with that, I missed Belle's first birthday, her first steps, her first laugh, her first words, her first year of school, and more.
I only met the REAL her 6 months ago. So, in total, I've known my little sister for 12 months (a year). Meanwhile her 7th birthday is in 6 months.
I'm not even sure if she remembers that I'm related to her, since she didn't grow up with me.

I want to just scream, "HEY, ISABELLE. I'M YOUR OLDER SISTER. YOU JUST DON'T REMEMBER BECAUSE I WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN DENVER FOR 6 YEARS.". But I can't. That sucks.

I started walking with my head down, hoping it would block out the raging wind. The coffee was warming my insides as I took a big sip. I looked at all the people hustling around the crowded sidewalks. Busy streets, busy lives, I guess. There were so many...... THUMP.
"CRAP." I said.
I just spilt my mocha all over some innocent person.

"Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap crap crap. I am SOOO sorry."

"It's okay, really. It was an accident. I hope, anyway..." A boy's voice stated. I could tell he was smiling.

I'm so clumsy, and stupid, and now apparently covered in mocha...
I looked up from trying to wipe off my coffee-stained jacket.
I was staring into the bright blue eyes of a cute blonde haired teenager with a smug look on his face.
He smiled. "Wow," I thought... when he smiled, his eyes smiled with him. Like, I know that
sounds odd and slightly creepy, but I can't describe it any other way. It was quite beautiful, actually.

"Wait..."

I put the pieces together in my head. I knew I've seen him before, but where? Ok, let's think. Blonde hair, Blue eyes, Heavy Irish accent....

"Yeah?" The boy asked.

"Aren't you...." I started.