Keep Me From Falling Apart [Niall Horan]

Chapter Nineteen

1 missed call: Mom 

“Well we can’t take them down, they’re all over Tumblr too,” Nicole stated as Josh scrolled through the rest of the pictures.

“You’ve drank so much coffee, your hair smells like it,” Niall said quietly, his mouth close to my ear as I stared at my phone screen.

“I accidentally knocked it over onto to me earlier,” I mumbled as my phone beeped, reminding me of the missed call.

“Oh.. why didn’t you answer?” He asked, looking at my phone.

“I-I was talking to you all.. and I didn—” I sputtered but Nicole interrupted.

“Where’s Harry?” She asked.

Niall turned his attention to Nicole as I stuffed my phone in my pocket.

Nicole watched Niall, waiting for an answer. He chewed on his bottom lip nervously.

“Liam couldn’t find him.. he tried calling but—”

“He didn’t answer..” Nicole finished.

Niall nodded.

“Alright, lad, I’ll see you in the morning,” Josh mumbled, walking towards the door.

I knew we were all leaving for Fairfax tomorrow, but when he added the ‘lad’ in there, I knew that was directed at Niall. Then the guy saying he’ll have something by 6:00 in the morning. Then Josh repeating that to Niall. I started to just plain out ask ‘what are you doing with that smelly guy!?’ but I decided against it.

“Paul’s still at the party looking for him, he’ll be back soon,” Niall assured Nicole but I still saw the expression that covered her face before she turned back to her laptop.

The door shut behind Josh and Niall glanced at me before turning back to the computer.

“I’m not really worried about this, I mean it’s just a rumor, and Paul knows there’s nothing going on, but I’m thinking Marie is gonna be a bit…” he let the words hang there, as random words to describe her reaction flooded my mind.

“Unwilling to listen to the real story?” Nicole suggested.

“You can’t tel-” I blurted out, but I caught myself to late.

They both looked up at me, a bit surprised at how loud and fast the words escaped my mouth.

“Tell what? I thought Marie knew about your..” Niall said, but trailed when he looked me in the eye.

“She did.. she does.. but..” I didn’t know what to say.

I had lied. I had lied too much. I’d told Marie that I was fine. I was.. corrected. I no longer have mental problems. Niall and Nicole, and possibly more, know that I’m not fixed. Not even close.

I saw Niall’s eyes flick to my wrist bandages and I hid my arm behind my back.

“But what?” Nicole asked, not catching Niall’s expression.

His jaw was set. He knew that I was lying. His blue eyes watched me, wondering if I was gonna tell the truth or not.

I wasn’t. If Marie knew that I’d been to the ER with Niall because my wrist stitches had been damaged and the reason I had the stitches in the first place, she’d call my mom. No doubt. Then I’d be sent home to the mental ward and be forced to take medications that slowly waste my brain.

No. I wasn’t gonna do that.

“Just let Paul explain it,” I said.

Niall’s eyes drifted to the floor. I could see an argument practically hovering above him. I wasn’t starting this again.