That Summer

Chapter 30

Now opening Niall’s door, I saw that he was exactly as I had left him, asleep. I walked over to his bedside table, where I had left the note, crumpled it up, and turned on the lamp. “Time to be human, Niall.” I said shaking him gently.

Niall’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at me confused. “You’re already up?” His voice cracked.

“I woke up a couple hours ago.” I said ruffling his hair.

He caught my hand and started to rub small circles into it with his thumb. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“There was no need for you to be awake at that time. Besides, I had things to get done and you looked just too cute to wake up.”

“What were you doing so early in the morning?”

“I was looking at flights to Santa Cruz. I’m leaving tomorrow night.” I took my hand back and walked toward the curtains. Without even looking I knew Niall was pouting.

“How long?” He asked.

“Just three days.”

“Why so long?”

I walked back to Niall and sat at the edge of his bed. “Three days is not that long. It gives me just enough time to quit my job, get the rest of my things from Claire’s, also getting to say goodbye to her, and even drive back into Sacramento to get me and my dad more stuff since we’ll actually be leaving the country now.”

“What if you go back and decide that you want to stay with Claire? Or if you go back home and realize you don’t want to be away any longer?” Niall asked, panicking.

“Niall,” I said taking his hand and lightly squeezing it. “That isn’t going to happen. They say home is where the heart is and my heart is with all of you guys.”

This made Niall break out into a large grin and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. I pecked his cheek and we both got off of the bed.

I knew I was making the right decision staying with my dad and the boys. I missed Claire and home like crazy, but home wouldn’t be the same without Claire and my dad and since Claire is in school being with my dad is home. Besides, I’m going to do what I’ve been dreaming about since I was almost thirteen years old; I’m going to see the world.

The boys were disappointed when I told them that I would be missing some of their interview to get things ready for my trip tomorrow, so they understood. As we were going to go our separate ways, I felt a large hand grasp my wrist. “Harry?” I questioned, noticing the others had already gone toward their waiting car. “What are you doing?”

“Niall told us you’re leaving tomorrow night.”

“Yeah, and I’ll be back in a few days, before you guys head off for your first UK stop.”

I was confused as to why Harry felt that this conversation needed to be happening right now and now when he is about to leave for an interview.

“So you are coming back?”

“Of course. Did Niall say I wasn’t?”

“No, no. I just wanted to be sure,” He smiled weakly. “I should get to the others before I get in trouble. See you later, Elizabeth.” He said before running to catch up to the others.

I wish I could say I was surprised or even hurt by the fact that the boys thought I was going to just up and leave again but, in all honesty I understood why they did. What they didn’t seem to see though was how much it had killed me in the first place and that I couldn’t do that to them again. It just made me realize I needed to prove myself to them again.

I sighed and left the hotel, going to the bank; to make sure I had enough money for my trip and to pay for a cab to the airport tomorrow night. Then, after a few more stops I was able to catch the end of the boys radio interview. Walking into the station, I was immediately greeted by my dad. He led me to the booth, where I was able to look through the clear window and see the boys, who were laughing at something the interviewer had just said.

Niall was the first one to spot me, giving me a small wave that, of course, didn’t go unnoticed by the interviewer. “Hey! Is that Elizabeth back there?” He asked.

The rest of the boys turned in their seats, giving me small smiles and waves before turning back to the interview. “Yeah, that’s her.” Liam confirmed.

“So, a few months back she had stopped being spotted with you guys. Did something happen?” The interviewer asked curiously.

All the boys paused, unsure of how to answer the question at first but, Liam was quickly able to come up with something. “Well,” He started. “She left us to help a friend of hers move into a new apartment a few cities away from her home town near her school.”

“She was gone a little over a month. That seems like a long time to help someone move.” The interviewer noted.

“They’re best friends and it’s almost impossible to separate those two when they’re together.” Liam chuckled.

“Now, is this the same friend that Niall had flown out while you guys were in Boston”?”

“Yes,” Liam confirmed. “Claire.”

“Right, I remember her now.” He said. “Since we’re on the topic of ladies, who is single and who is taken right now?” He changed the subject.

“Liam and I are still with our long term girlfriends, Danielle and Eleanor.” Louis smiled.

“What about you three?”

“I’m single.” Harry said.

“I’m seeing someone.” Zayn said sheepishly.

My jaw dropped slightly. This was the first time Zayn had admitted he was dating Claire since they had made their relationship official. My mind was racing with questions like, had he talked to her about going public, or did she want the world to know it was her?

“Do we get to know anything about her?” The interviewer asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“We’ve only been together a couple months but, she’s a great girl.” Zayn smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile myself. Whenever Zayn spoke to or about Claire he would get this twinkle in this eye and a large grin.

“How about a name? Is she anyone we know?”

“I’m not going to say right now.” He said politely.

“I respect that, thank you, Zayn. How about you, Niall? Is there someone special in your life right now?”

And my breathing stopped, with my mind buzzing.

“No,” Niall said quickly.

Shock spread across the rest of the bands faces, clearly not expecting that answer.

“Oh, well, there you have it ladies, only two single members of One Direction left. Thank you for joining us.” He smiled.

“Bye!” They all said at the same time.

I wasn’t exactly sure how I should feel about Niall saying he was single. He and I hadn’t made anything official or even talked about it so, I guess, technically, that means we’re both single.