We’ll Meet Again ~ Chapter FIFTEEN ~ A Niall Horan Fanfic
*HARRY’S POV*
It was early in the morning, and I was off to the Hospital to take my turn watching Blair. I hadn’t seen her since she’d gone into the coma because I thought I was better off going without seeing her. Apparently, my head thought wrong and it thoroughly damaged my heart. I missed every bit of Blair. Her soft hair that fell ever so softly over her shoulders, her fair skin which let luminous eyes beams brightly, her pink lips, her smile, her teeth. She was everything I ever needed to see and more.
I waved off Gemma in the Range Rover. I casually strode into the hospital, inching my way up to Room 502, which is where she was admitted to four days ago. As I approached, I could hear a girl’s faint giggle. My eyes lit up and my cheeks burned in hopes it could be Blair sliding out of her coma. I began to jog, and as I reached the door, a feeling of disappointment struck.
I saw Zayn seated across from Blair with a small girl wrapped in his arms. She was short looking, with average length auburn hair with bangs that swooped off to the side and chocolate brown eyes to match Zayn’s. Her frame appeared small, petite you could say. Their fingers with lightly intertwined and she was clearly making him happy. A smile ripped across my face as soon as I heard Zayn let out a loud laugh.
That should be Blair and I.
I stepped inside the door frame, only to have my converse make a small padding sound on the floor, which was enough to have Zayn’s attention directed towards me.
“Morning, Harry.” Zayn spoke softly.
“Morning to you, too.” I replied, smiling, I gestured to the girl, “Good morning.”
The small girl piped up, “Ello, I’m Hannah.” She seemed sweet. Her accent was thick, clearly she was from America. I walked over to her to shake her hand, which she kindly stuck out for me to do so.
“I’m Harry.” I replied quietly. She nodded and redirected her eyes back to Zayn.
“She’s been the same as usual, Haz, she’s still in her coma.” Zayn spoke. Harry could sense it was choking Zayn to spit out the word coma.
I gazed down at the ground, “Alright.” I felt a hand on my shoulder. As I peered up, I met eyes with Zayn.
“I know this is hard for you, Harry. It is for all of us.” He paused to sigh, “It’s been excruciatingly awful to you and Niall. You both knew her before we did, and we can see the hurt in your eyes as the days pass.” I’d resumed staring at the linoleum flooring now, being emotionless.
He pulled me in for an embrace, and I clung to him for a second, frowning.
“I want to see her eyes again, Zayn.” I choked out, “I miss her voice, so much.”
“I know, you do, and so do all the lads.” He patted my back and pulled away from the hug.
“I guess you guys should get going, I need to take up my shift.” Zayn nodded and grabbed Hannah’s hand.
“It was nice meeting you, Harry,” She chirped sweetly, “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around, yeah?” I nodded.
“Oh, and Harry?” Zayn called out as they exited. I turned to face him.
“Niall’s shift is after yours. Give him a twenty minute notice before you take off, alri?” I rolled my eyes and nodded again.
“I’m off now!” He waved to me, with Hannah close to his side and fingers interlocked. I closed the door behind them and turned to pace around the room. My feet led me over to the massive glass windows of the hospital room; I glanced out of the centered one, smiling.
“Y’know Blair, it’s been a few days since you’ve seen the sun.” I cooed. My hands were held behind my back by this point. I stood there, rocking back on forth, heel to toe. I ran my right hand through my mess of damp curls, fresh out of the shower not too long ago.
“It honestly seems like forever ago that I heard your voice,” I sighed, “It’s been troubling without you, love. I mean, everyone’s got their pants in a twist. Your mum and dad and your brother, Demitri, flew out yesterday. I haven’t seen them, and I honestly don’t want to. I can’t look at them now knowing that you’re here, paralyzed in this bed.” A tear rolled off my cheek and I let out a loud echoing sniffle.
Turning on my heel, I turned to face her. She was so delicate looking, even with paler skin than usual. I took a seat on her left side, taking her hand in mine. Her hand was cold as stone, which brought a frown to my face. It pained me to see her like this. The beeping of the machine was quiet and constant, just the way I liked it. I mean, I didn’t like the fact I had to listen to it because my best friend is in the hospital in a coma.
Her breathing was regular too, which was a relief, because in the first two days of the coma, it was harsh and unusual. The more I gazed at her unmoving body, the more often the sting of tears pricking my eyes occurred. A single tear rolled down my cheek and over my left dimple, falling onto the hospital sheets below me. My other hand came up and cupped her hand in mine. She felt cold, but I knew in reality she wasn’t.
I’d lost a lot of sleep the night before I came here because I was so thrilled to see her. I felt my eyelids start to droop a wee bit, and then my head began to fall forward. Noticing that I was sleepy, I pulled up a chair next to her hospital bed and sat upright in it. Extending my arm, I took her hand in mine and stroked her knuckles with my thumb. All of a sudden, I felt something hard and cold wrapped around her index finger. I leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the object.
I smiled and another tear rolled off my cheek.
It was a ring that I’d given her when we were younger; the day she left to be precise. It was made of metal, with a fake gemstone that was a lighter fuchsia shade, but it was stunning. For me, it was a token of our everlasting friendship. To her, it was adorable and a cute little accessory. Honestly, I never thought she’d wear it, but apparently she has.
With a smile plastered on my face, I felt my eyes close, my head lean on her bed, and I faded into a sweet slumber.
*NIALL’S POV*
“You’ll never pass, Lou!” Liam shouted from across the yard, flailing his arms in the air, as if would distract him. Louis chuckled and kicked the ball around Liam, going toward the makeshift goal posts we had on the far end of the yard.
“Never, the Tommo always prevails!” he bellowed. We were all playing some footy out in the backyard of Harry’s house with two separate teams battling. Team one, which was apparently called ‘the Battleships’ consisted of Liam and Zayn. Louis and I were called ‘the Rogue’ for some odd reason. Louis insisted we were called that instead of Nandos.
The entire time we played, we had two spectators. One was Gemma, the other this girl called Hannah, who I was briefly introduced to before the game began. Zayn had brought her here. She seemed kind, and was distinctly American.
As the game came to a finish, Zayn and Liam had scored the winning goal, leaving Hannah cheering for us, and Gemma frowning since she was rooting for Lou and I.
“The Tommo always prevails, ay mate?” Liam chuckled, patting Lou on the back.
Louis glanced down at the ground, “Oh, shut up, LiLi.” Liam’s eyes bulged, causing me to throw myself back in a fit of laughter.
“LiLi?!” I snorted, “Hah, that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
Liam frowned and huffed, walking over to chat to Gemma, who was sitting by herself, since Hannah and Zayn were in full conversation.
“Aw, I hurt the poor Wolverhampton boy’s feelings. I should probably, y’know, apologize and stuff.” And with that, Louis turned on his heel and headed in the direction of a chatty Liam and intrigued Gemma.
Staring at the chatting groups, I realized the time and walked over to Zayn, who was staring at Hannah intently as she rambled on about the difference between football here and football in America.
“Hey man, I have to run, my shift is coming up.” I heaved, still slightly out of breath from the game.
Zayn nodded, “Alright, well here, take this towel and clean yourself up first,” He smirked, “You’re looking slightly greasy, mate.” I laughed and caught the hand towel Zayn had flung at me.
“Thanks, Zayn.” I glanced down at my watch and realized I was running out of time, “But I really need to go, my shift starts sooner than I thought.” I gestured over to Hannah, who was listening to the conversation.
“Hannah, it was a pleasure to meet you, I hope to see you some more, yeah?” I asked. She nodded shyly and flashed me a cute little smile. I waved and jogged over to Gemma, signaling her to give me a lift to the hospital.
—-
“Well, here you are, Niall.” She chirped, putting the car into park, only a few spaces from the entrance. I turned to face her, smiling.
“Thanks, Gem, it means a ton.” I replied softly, still attempting to catch my breath.
“It’s really no problem; I think I’ll come up to visit her, too.” She gave a half smile, “I haven’t seen her since, well, you know.” I nodded, knowing exactly what she was on about.
—-
When I arrived at the room, I saw Harry resting his head on the bed. My blood began to boil, but then again, he probably fell asleep from his lack of slumber last night. I approached him quietly, shaking his shoulder.
“Harry, wake up.” I shook him a bit harder from his lack of response, “Harold!” I semi-shouted. His head snapped up quickly, his curls falling carelessly all over his face. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at me, blinking a few times to bring me into focus.
“Oh, hey Niall.” He said in a husky tone.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked inquisitively.
He nodded, but appeared rather confused. I gestured over to stand at the window, that way we don’t potentially disturb Blair.
Standing side by side, I sighed, “I’m sorry for what’s happened, mate.”
He glanced out the window, studying the busy streets of Holmes Chapel below, “For?”
“Everything. The snapping I’ve done on different people, the neglect I’ve given this brand new band of ours, the emotions. Just everything.” I huffed out.
I felt a hand rub my back, “It’s not all your fault, Niall. No one planned this to happen, at all.” I reached up and rubbed the bridge of my nose, then I locked eyes with Harry.
“I know you got there first though, and you’ve known her for much longer than I have, but it’s become hard on the both of us and we need to all get along.” He just stared, as if inching me to go on, “This tension between us all is ridiculous.” He nodded. We both resumed staring out the window, my hands shoved into my pockets, Harry’s hanging limply by his sides. It was silent for a few, and then he spoke up.
“Have you seen them?” He asked, “I mean, her family.” I shook my head.
“I can’t face them either, you know, it’s hard, knowing that I couldn’t protect her.” I nodded in agreement.
“Her parents don’t like me either, so it’s best I stay away.”
“Really?”
“Well, her mum doesn’t. Demitri and Danial enjoy my presence.” I scoffed.
He mumbled a soft ‘oh.’
“I’m sorry to hear that, Niall.” He replied, as if someone had just died.
I laughed a little, “Don’t be sorry, I can’t choose who likes me, but I wish I could.” Blair ran through my mind at that comment. I smiled out at the horizon, as the sun began to warm the sky with rich oranges and reds.
“It’s beautiful, this view.”
Harry smiled, “Yeah, just like her.”
“Like who, Harry?” A small female voice piped up. We both instantly snapped our heads around to see those luminous eyes we’d both been yearning to see again.
I hope you like this one, folks. This is longer than usual. so bear with me, alright? NEW CHARACTER UNLOCKED: HANNAH. you’ll find out more about her later, I promise, along with another new character soon to be making an entrance. (; feedback HERE as usual guys! the more feedback, the quicker the next chapter will come. -jodie x
