Niall P.O.V

I sat staring at the clutter on the small table in mine and Harry’s lounge room. The apartment seems smaller somehow, no longer welcoming. Like the walls are slowly closing in, but they aren’t moving fast enough for me to not feel the chocking feeling they are giving me. I can’t believe once again that I have fucked up. It doesn’t seem right that I am able to cause people this much pain, especially Harry. All I do is cause him pain, while all he does is try to help me, save me from myself and this world. But I don’t appreciate it, I never have. If I did, I would have seen it for what it was, but I hadn’t and once again I had made a horrible mistake. The sad part is though, is that I knew it was a mistake, even while I was with Liam I knew it was wrong, but I needed it. That doesn’t make up for the fact that I cheated on Harry, but at least I can acknowledge it for what it was. I don’t even have the guts to call Harry, too afraid of what he will do, how he will speak to me. But I need to talk to him, I have things to tell him, things that will change mine, his and everybody else’s lives forever. But I have to tell the other three first; if only so I can psych myself up to tell Harry.

I grabbed my keys and phone and walked out of the apartment thinking Zayn will probably be the easiest person to tell. We’ve had a relationship filled with tension these past weeks, but if anyone can understand my decision it’s Zayn.

Harry P.O.V.

I ran down the London street, having stupidly left my car keys in Louis’ flat, my feet pounded on the pavement as I rushed by bystanders on the sidewalk waiting for their food from street carts, waiting for a loved one, waiting for anything that might bring them the slightest bit of peace. I pushed past people who were not able to move out of my way fast enough; I left them with an apology that I yelled back over my shoulder, my words carried away by the wind before it reached their ears. The distance between Louis’ and Niall and mine’s apartment was short, but running now with only one goal on my mind, getting Niall back, it seemed like an eternity later that I found myself at our front door, doubled over and panting from loss of breath. I reach my arm up about to knock on the door, quickly remembering that this is still my apartment. I placed my hand on the knob surprised when it turned, either Niall forgot to lock it or I’m about to walk in on another very compromising situation. This time I don’t care, I need to get Niall back. I need to.

I push the door open wide, allowing it to hit the wall, creating a loud bang, letting anybody who might be in here know of my arrival. But the flat was quiet; I can’t hear anybody rustling around in the rooms, trying to gather clothes and various other possessions.

“Niall!” I call out into the empty, stale air of the apartment. I’m met with only silence.

Walking through the apartment I continue to call out, not wanting my appearance to take Niall by surprise.

“Niall, if you’re hiding somewhere and jump out when I walk past I will not be held responsible for the damage I inflict on you!”

There was nobody here. Maybe he had gone to see Zayn or god forbid gone to see Liam. I race out of the front door ignoring the lift and taking the stairs two at a time. I remember again that I’m left to travel to Zayn’s on foot. I ran the opposite way I had before, avoiding people the best I could, taking sharp turns down allies that would get me to Zayn’s faster. I lifted my hand to knock when the front door opened inwards, making me lose my footing and stumble forward, hitting Zayn in the chest with my raised hand. We both stared at each other, before both taking a step back, Zayn with a confused look across his face, while I mumbled an awkward apology under my breath.

“What are you doing here, Harry?” he asked, stepping out of the flat and locking the door behind him.

“I’m looking for Niall, have you seen him today?”

“Yeah, he came by earlier to tell me some news. He mentioned that he was going over to Liam’s,” his eyes looked sad.

My jaw tightened as I listened to Zayn’s words. Zayn looked at me, knowing exactly what I was thinking.

He raised his hands, “No Harry it’s not like that at all. Niall went to tell Liam the same thing he just told me,”

“And what did he tell you?” I asked, through clenched teeth.

“I’ll leave that for him to tell you. You have to hear it from him, Harry,”

Realising that Zayn seemed to be in a rush I asked, “Where are you going anyway?”

“I have some things I need to do,” his answer was vague at best.

“Alright then mate, thanks for telling me,” I started to turn away, ready to run to Liam’s.

“Wait Harry! Where’s your car?” he yelled. I just looked at him and shrugged. “Just wait for a second and I’ll give you a lift,”

“No time for that, Zayn. Thanks man,” I yelled back over my shoulder as I ran down the street towards Liam’s.

*

Stopping outside Liam’s flat I prepare myself for what I might see.. Again. But this time I’m not giving up I’m not going to walk away, I’ll fight for Niall because I know he deserves better than what Liam is trying to offer him. He deserves the best, and I can give it to him.
I pushed the door open, why does everybody leave their doors unlocked? Anybody could just walk in. Again I let it slam against the wall, making the wall slightly shake. I hear muffled whispers coming from the lounge room, and I walk towards them.

“Niall? Liam? Are you here?” I yell out.

I walked further, looking up to see Niall now standing in front of me. A shocked look on his face. I’m glad that he is still fully clothed.

“Harry?” he asked, as if he didn’t believe I was standing in front of him. “What are you doing here?”

Liam came out then, tears welling up in his eyes. I can’t tell if they are happy tears or sad tears. I just look at him, disgust written all over my face.

“I think the question is, what are you doing here Niall?” I said, glancing over at him, before staring back at Liam.

“I ah, I came to tell Liam something,” he looks nervously down at his shoes.

“And?” I prompted.

“Harry, I think you and Niall need to speak privately. I’ll give you some time alone,” Liam said stepping towards the door.

“You don’t speak to me. You’re a backstabbing dick Liam. I don’t even want to look at you, you don’t speak for Niall,” I snap at him. “And just so you know, this time I’m not going to let you win, I’m going to fight for Niall because I’m the best for him, I can give him things that you can’t.”

“Harry, no that’s not it,” he looked at me sadly. At the time I thought it was because he was sad I had won. It wouldn’t be until later that I realized Niall would be the one to ruin my whole world.

*

“You’re doing what?” I yelled shocked at the news Niall just revealed to me.

“Harry, you need to calm down. I’m only doing what’s best for everyone,” Niall pleaded.

“You’re doing what’s best for yourself, Niall. Don’t try to spin this into something that it’s not,” I retorted.

“I’ve already talked to Simon, it’s done,”

“Niall, you don’t know what you’re doing. You’re not thinking clearly. Just take a week or two and think this over. Don’t make this choice on a whim,” how could he do this?

“I need to do this Harry. I thought you would understand,” he looked unbelievably sad.

“Well at least we’ll still be together,” I said, finding comfort in the thought.

He just stared at me.

“We are staying together, aren’t we Niall?” he can’t do this.

“That’s the other thing Harry. If One Direction is over, I’m leaving. I need to get out on my own. I’m sorry,”

“Is this because of Liam?” I was almost positive he was leaving me for Liam.

“No, of course not. I love you, Harry. But I can’t do this, not anymore. I was forced to choose between you and Liam, and as much as I wish I could, I can’t. It’s too hard. So I need to leave. I need to leave this band, I need to leave you, and I need to leave this place, Harry. I’m sorry, but I need to do it,” he looked at me, pleading for me to understand. But I can’t, I don’t understand why he has to leave. “Maybe I’ll see you, after all this has settled down, but until then, I don’t think I want to see you. I need some time,”

“I can’t believe you are doing this,” tears started to fill my eyes.

“I love you, Harry,” he said, before taking two steps towards me and placing his lips softly against mine. I closed my eyes, wishing for the moment to last, it didn’t. All too soon Niall had pulled away and was almost out the door. I didn’t have any words to say to him, all I could so was stare, tears falling in fast streams down my cheeks. He gave me a sad smile before closing the door and walking out.


*

What was I doing? I need to go after him.

I ran down the street again, everything seems darker, more bitter, than it had earlier in the day. I reached our flat, and tumbled through the door.

“Niall! NIALL!? Where are you?” I shouted, hoping for a reply.

I walked through every room in the apartment; Niall’s stuff had been cleared out. I walked into the bedroom; the only possession left of Niall’s was his old plaid t-shirt that I always said I loved. He had left it for me. I crawled onto our bed, holding the shirt to my chest, the smell of Niall lingered strongly on it, and I let myself break down because of a blonde haired, blue eyed, Irish boy who changed my world and never realized the impact he would make.

Niall P.O.V.

I couldn’t believe it, it was all over. Me and Harry. Me and Liam. One Direction. My whole life was over. It was time to start again. My phone buzzed in my pocket for the millionth time, I need space from the boys. All of them. I pull the phone out to read the caller ID, Harry, just seeing his name flash across the screen causes butterflies to flit through my stomach. It took all the strength I had to move my hand over to the edge of the fountain I was sitting next to and drop the phone into the water. And just like that, in a split second I erased the most important people to me from my life. Grabbing my suitcases I begin to walk down the London street to the bus stop where I would begin my new life.

Notes

it took me a lot longer to write this chapter than I had originally planned. Its not exactly how I wanted it, but I figure it will do, so enjoy.

This is also the LAST CHAPTER of this story! but have no fear because I will be writing a sequel. I'm actually really sad that this story has ended, it's been my baby for over a year now.. But I appreciate everyone who took the time out of their lives to read it, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

Thanks guys (:

GUYS THE SEQUEL IS UP! I JUST COULDN'T WAIT. IT'S CALLED Loved You First please go and read it (: