Eighteen [Narry AU]

[18]

Niall

These last few weeks have been hectic, preparing for the music departments annual show. And since I am Ms Jacobs favorite student, I'm helping organize everything. Which means long hours after school.

Harry has stayed after with me many times while I helped set up, and he's even helped me with things. He's a godsend lately.

As of right now it's Tuesday there's 3 days till the show, and dress rehearsals start after school today.

"Are you guys coming on Saturday?" I ask the boys, we're currently at lunch.

"You really think I wouldn't come? Niall I've been going to these for awhile." Louis rolls his eyes.

"That question was definitely not directed towards you or Harry, you dumbfuck" I slap him upside the head, chuckling to myself.

"Owww! Well if I'm going why wouldn't Liam go?" He retaliates.

"Because your boyfriend doesn't have to follow you everywhere Lou" I stick my tongue out at him.

"No, I'm going. And Louis isn't dragging me there, I want to see you again perform" Liam speaks up, smiling.

"I'm coming too. I wouldn't miss it, Ni" Zayn says.

"Good. Because I'm freaking out. Dress rehearsals start today and I've had no time to practice because I've been helping set everything up." I ramble.

"You have no reason to be freaking out. You've been doing these shows since forever. You've been doing shows since we were kids! This is because of Point Blank. Niall you sent your portfolio in already, they'll hear you sing no matter what." Louis looks at me, shaking his head. I bite my lip and groan.

"Louis it's different when you don't have to perform in FRONT of them! Plus this time I'm performing a song I wrote. What if everyone hates it?" I mutter anxiously.

"Hey I thought my opinion was the only one that mattered!" Harry pouts.

"No yours is the only one that mattered on the song itself. If everyone else hates the song itself I don't care, but if they hate the song they might think I'm awful at song writing and THAT I care about" I explain.

"Niall, all of us here like the song. Plus I've seen many of the songs you've written and I think they're all amazing. You'll be fine." Louis places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes it. Oh Louis.

Speaking of him, that day we met Harry's sister and I went to meet up with him, he told me his ma is getting a lot worse. That was 3 weeks ago. He's been updating me but it's not getting better. I don't know why I keep thinking there will be some miracle, maybe it's because I've already lost a parent, I don't want Louis to lose his, and I don't want to lose someone else who was like a mother to me.

"Hey Lou, after rehearsals can I come over?" I ask him.

"Yeah, but I thought you and Harry would have plans" He chuckles.

"We never have actual plans we just spend our free time together" Harry speaks up "Don't you usually have plans with Liam?"

"Hey, I am perfectly capable of not having to spend 24/7 with Liam. And vice versa. It's you two who seem to have trouble with that" Louis teases. Liam and Zayn nod and laugh, agreeing with him.

I frown and bite my lip, suddenly realizing I haven't been a great friend. Not to Louis, Liam, or Zayn. I spend nearly all my free time with Harry, just us. Only some weekends do we all hang out together. I don't know how long I've been staring at the table in my thoughts before a voice pulls me out.