Not Your Typical Running Back || nh au

Fourty-three: "Max, please look at me."

Michael lets me go but pulls me back again into another hug. I feel tears running down my face. He hurt me so bad but it's amazing to be back in his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Max. I was so stupid to hurt you so much. Can you forgive me?", Michael asks, letting me go completely.

Troy gives him the box with tissues, so we can both get rid of our tears. Niall comes towards me, hugging me. I still didn't answer Michael.

"Forgive him, please. I talked to him and he truly is sorry for what he did", Niall whispers.

I nod and Niall steps away from me, letting me look at Michael completely. Why do we have to do this in front of all the boys? It's quite embaressing. Michael's eyes are blurry and his shoulders hang slump. I can't believe how sorry he is. He looks broken and fragile. All I want to do is take him into my arms and keep him there forever. I don't care about Niall right now. It's just about me and Michael, as selfish as that sounds. Harry clears his throat because I just stare at Michael.

"I forgive you, Michael", I laugh with tears in my eyes.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you", Michael mumbles, as he takes me into the tightest hug of my life.

Everyone around us starts clapping and Luke even cries. He's such a pussy. We rip appart, as we hear someone sobbing. I turn my head to see Harry in tears next to Luke. They both share a box of tissues.

"You're such pussy's", I laugh at them.

Harry and Luke laugh along with the other boys.

"So now that we're all friends again, let's get a party started at Niall's!", Troy shouts.

*****

I take a coke from the kitchen counter. Nia, Troy and Calum are having a conversation I just broke out of to see other people. Luke and Missy are together somewhere. Michael and Ashton decided to go to Niall's music room to find new music. I don't know where Niall is but since Michael and I are friends again, he didn't talk to me. He ignored us the whole ride home. I even tried to calm him by laying my hand on his theigh while he drove but he didn't react to that. Usually he leans his leg more into my position but he didn't do anything this time.

"Max?", someone asks.

I turn around to see Niall standing there. He looks sad and has a slight frown on his face.

"What?", I ask smiling.

He takes a few steps to me.

"Could we talk?", he tells me.

My happiness is replaced by worry. I nod and follow him out of the kitchen. We walk up the stairs to his room. Niall tells me to sit on his bed while he stands in front of me, just staring at me. I let my eyes fall to my feet. What if he breaks up with me now? What will I do? I really like this boy a lot. He's my happiness. Niall gets a chair and sits down in front of me.

"Max, please look at me", he whispers.

I lift my head and look directly at him. He opens his mouth to say something but doesn't say anything. I play with my fingers while Niall inhales deeply. He is going to break up with me, I can tell.

"Max, I-I uhm wanted to talk to you because of what happened in the locker room earlier. The way you looked at Michael and how he looked at you. I just have the feeling there's still something between you two. You looked like you missed each other for so long. I think he's great for you and since you were with him before, you guys would be perfect."

"Niall, wh-"

"He has a better future than me. He's going to be rich and he'll be able to pay for his future children and his wife would have an amazing husband. Michael would be the best guy you could have. I'm very sorry to tell you this but I don't think I'm the right guy for you. Michael truly loves you and he could take care for you when you're older. I told Michael the same. He agreed with me but said I shouldn't take myself down so much but I decided something that'll break me. I won't ever be as happy as now again but all I want is that you're happy, Max", tears run down his face.

I shake my head and feel tears running down my face. Why is he doing this to himself and me?

"Niall, please don't do this. I don't love Michael anymore. I am happier than ever", I explain.

"He's better for you, Max. I think you should leave now."

Niall looks down at his feet while crying. I can't believe he's doing this. All because Michael and I are friends again. Michael isn't the right guy for me. Of course he's nice and was my boyfriend but after what happened, I can't be with him again. He hurt me. Niall is my everything. I feel a sob escape my lips, as I look at the picture of me and Niall on his desk. It's from the first game we played together. Missy forced us to take this picture before the game. She said it would find use sometime and it did.

"Do you just want to throw away everything we had? It's okay but just never forget that I love you, Niall."

I get up and walk towards the door. I can't believe I just told Niall that I love him. The door opens before I reach it. It reveals Luke. My feet carry me past him, down the stairs and out of the door. I start walking to my place. This is going to be a long walk since I'm still a little handicaped with my leg. Niall just broke up with me. He broke up with me because he thinks Michael is better than him but nobody is better than Niall. He's my everything. I feel a raindrop falling on my nose while I cry. Fuck, my leg brace can't get wet. I see a bus stop about 10 feet away from me, so I walk a little faster and stand under it. Tears continue running down my face. I sit down on the bench. My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket, so I take it out and look at the screen, wiping the tears away. Luke.

"Max, where are you?", he asks.

"Leave me alone. I just need time to myself", I whisper silently.

"Please tell me where you are, Max. I'm worried sick over here."

"Bus stop down the road."

I hang up and put my phone back into my pocket. The rain pours down on the road and the passing cars. The sky is feeling with me. After a few minutes, I hear someone's car pull up in front of the bus stop. I look up and see the boys rented car. Luke gets out from the drivers side and runs to me. He pulls me up, hugging me to his body.

"What did he do again?"