Coming Home

Chapter 23

~Ellie's POV~ 

At first I thought he had come to the wrong room, but seeing that he stayed there in silence, he had meant to come see me.

"Can I come in?" He said so innocently.

"Of course." That was all I could say as I opened the door wide to let him through. He took off his snapback to fix his hair, and put it back on to look at me. He looked frustrated, and his eyes defeated. Those eyes. "So what's up?" I said as I tried to put a smile on my face.

He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Look I..." He looked down to try to find his words. "I'm sorry." He looked up with a face of a child.

For what? I wanted to ask. It wasn't like one of us had won a battle and the other lost. We both lost.

"I really thought you and Malik hooked up when I was gone. And I really never liked Rebecca. I like you. And I really made a mistake. I'm sorry."

I didn't want to be here, awkwardly standing just few feet away from him. I just wanted to go back in time and avoid all this. "...Okay."

I glanced at him. He looked at me, waiting for something more. I had no strength to say a word. "Niall,"  I felt sick to my stomach as I tried not to tear up, "I don't care what happened between us anymore. It's past. We can't change it. It's alright." I tried to smile. "I understand."

He wore a blank expression as he stared at me. "I don't think you understand. I still like you. I always have."

My lungs were heavy; I couldn't breathe. His words were burying me alive. "I..." My thoughts raced as I tried to figure out what to say. Is it better to stay? Or is it better to forget it and move on?

"I know."

He looked at me, very perplexed with my response. I couldn't look at him; how could I lie to him?

"Ellie," he spoke, but seemed to give up after seeing that I wasn't responding. He sighed as he looked down.

'Shoot, did I go too far?'

"Alright." He looked up and stood up. I kept my eyes down as he walked past me and to the door. I didn't have to see him; I felt the anger and sadness in him. My chest was heavy; each heartbeat drummed as I heard the door close.

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the feeling of loneliness. I could feel myself shattering into pieces as everything around me stopped.

No no no, I don't want him to go. This isn't what I want.

The next moment I was holding him from behind, sobbing as I felt his warmth and smelled his cologne. My heart was racing, and my knees felt weak. Holding him in my arms felt right.

"I'm sorry," my voice trembled as I spoke. "I really can't do it without you. I'm sorry. Please don't go Niall."

I looked up as he turned around; he had tears in his eyes. He licked his lip as he looked into my eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but he sighed.

Does he not want me-

He suddenly held my face and pulled me into a kiss.

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I woke up to a blank wall as I felt an arm wrapped around my waist. I couldn't help but to smile as I thought back to last night. I traced his hand that lay on the bed in front of me. He inhaled and tightened his hold around me, snuggling his head into the back of my head.

This felt right. I teared up as I locked my fingers between his.

He yawned as he finally woke up. He raised himself up to kiss my cheek, bringing me into a smile. "Morning princess." I let his kiss lingered on my skin before I turned to face him to look him in the eyes. I've never seen anything brighter than his eyes. He couldn't hide his smile as he analyzed my face. This moment was unbelievable to both of us. Slowly, his lips met mine.

This was such a long journey, but I finally found my way.

I was finally home, in his arms.