I'd say at least a good month went by before my life started shaping back up. The biggest issue were the visits from Grandma and Grandpa, who always questioned on how Niall was doing. I hadn't spoken to him since that day, and honestly told them that I had no clue. I beat around the bush and just gave details on how we both have new things to focus on, and I myself hadn't had much time for visiting.

"But what about that Louis fellow, hm? You seem to have visiting time for him and those other boys." Grandma would always point out, but I blamed school projects and events for our constant visits.

So I sat one day, for once having absolutely nothing to do. This gave me time to think, and consider my current life options. Niall, for example. How did I feel about that path? I thought on that, and eventually after weighing the pros and cons, decided it would be the better idea to step up and approach him now.

I had had enough time, and who knows? He did care about me, and perhaps with a little self-control, we could turn what almost was into something truer.

I didn't bother dressing up, but rather stayed in my long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants. Nerve filled me to the brim, but courage did also. It had to happen, so why not now?

I knocked, once, then twice, waiting for a response. Minutes passed, and I almost left, figuring he wasn't home when a door swung open. I stood to face the infamous Irish man, who looked baffled to see me, to say the least.

"Hi Em! What, erm, what brings you by?" he asked, looking and sounding quite panicked. I took in his appearance quickly before replying, which consisted of a bad case of bed-head, a backwards t-shirt, and a pair of old ripped jeans. Certainly I caught him doing work, as he was always dressed for success.

"Oh, I just thought, you know. Maybe now is the right time to... keep on?" I mentally scolded myself for such poor choice in words.

"Huh? Wh- oh! Oh I see! That's quite nice of you, but, I happen to be right in the middle of something, so sorry, I-"

"Niall, who is it?" a voice interrupted him, and a body soon appeared to match it. The familiar girl twirled her dark locks around a tanned finger, wearing what I supposed was one of Niall's shirts and a pair of shorts no longer than my forearm. Her lip was captured up in her teeth, eyelashes batting. Obviously oblivious to who I was, though I recognized her instantly.

Niall's face burned instantly, which didn't happen often, and his eyes widened to their full extent.

"Elsie! Haven't you met Em? My neighbor! Em, this is Elsie, you know Elsie!" he started to ramble, face turning sickly pale.

"Well, well, well! This is the ever-so-famous Em Niall talks about. Pleasure to meet you." she greeted, a less than wonderful gleam in her eyes. We shook hands, and I thought it best to not get on her bad side.

"The pleasure is mine. Niall always talks about you... I feel like we've already met." I smiled, hoping that was a good thing.

"Oh, Niall, you embarrass me!" her expression changed from suggestive to adorable instantly, as she jokingly hit Niall in the arm. He just chuckled nervously, confused at what to say.

"What brings you by, Em?" Elsie looked back over at me with bright eyes, all tension melting away.

"I... it's not important. Niall said he was busy, seems it's the wrong time anyhow." I replied, piecing the puzzle together.

"Nonsense! Niall was just a little... frisky... if you understand." she giggled, winking at me before pecking Niall on the lips. In all this, Niall was frozen, almost paralyzed in a state of blankness.

"No, really. Actually, it doesn't matter at all anymore. I'll let you two... carry on. Nice meeting you, Elsie." I smiled weakly, turning to leave.

"Em, wait, I can explain-" Niall's voice followed, but I shut the door and ran back to my own home before anyone could see the embarrassment and shame that escaped my eyes.

~~

"Em, can you get table #5? I'm loaded!" Jen asked, balancing trays of food on both arms.

"Sure."

A day passed, and I hadn't known what to think of myself then. Should I pity myself? Should I move on, seeing how Niall never promised to return anyways? I questioned the situation with great sorrow, and found slight humor in how I expected a fairytale ending so quickly.

"Hi, my name is Em-" I started, digging around in my apron for my notepad and pen as I approched the table. I was cut off though, by an unexpected visitor.

"I know, I know, you're Em. Everyone knows you!" a mess of curls said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, hello Harry! How've things been?" I asked, my focus switched momentarily. For the better.

"Not bad. Haven't heard from you or even Lou lately. Thought I might stop by to say hello. How've you been?"

"Could be better, I suppose. But I'm holding up. What would you like to drink?"

"Oh, so sorry, what's happened, if you don't mind my asking?" he ignored my question, looking genuinely concerned.

"Well, long story. Maybe I can tell you another time." I shrugged, hoping it would be forgotten by then.

"When's your lunch break? We can talk then, go anywhere. On me." he offered.

"In an hour." I sighed, wishing I didn't have to do this. But I couldn't turn him down, he was too sweet.

"It's a date." he smiled, which gave me hope for an odd reason.

"Right. Well, what was that to drink?" I again questioned, and wrote down the usual coke order before walking back to work.

~~

Exactly an hour later, I hung up my apron and grabbed my jacket as I saw Harry getting up to leave. He waited for me, and led me to his car.

"Where to?"

"Doesn't matter to me. I'm not all that hungry."

"Nonsense. You've been on your feet all day, you're starving."

He was half right, but the pit in my stomach that told me this conversation wasn't going to be delicate filled the gap. We finally settled at a sandwich company, quickly ordering and paying before taking our seat.

"Thanks again for lunch. It's very considerate of you." I smiled before biting into a chip.

"No problem at all. So tell me, what's on your mind?" he asked, diving right into his sandwich.

"Excuse me if I go over-the-top... I can't help but realize how stupid a situation I'm stressing over." I laughed sarcastically to myself, knowing any positive thoughts he had on me were about to be flushed down with my pity story.

I explained the whole situation to him, being hesitant around certain areas, but in the end, he had pieced it together. I admit, it was hard not to cry, and I'm sure a tear or two slipped by his gaze. For the most part, though, I sucked it up and hurried through it. It felt nice to let it to someone who seemed so caring.

Not once did he interrupt me, or ask questions, he only nodded and showed signs of deep sympathy when I started to break down. When I finished, I noticed that neither plate of food had been touched as I was story-telling, and I had lost my apetite completely.

"I'm sorry. It's real stupid, I know." I apologized, looking down to hide my burning cheeks.

"No, Em, don't be. That's serious. I'm surprised you're holding up at all, if I were you, I would be crushed too. I'm so sorry that happened to you."

"It's not your fault. I just..." I stopped myself before I started to ramble, and took a deep breath to calm the tingling in my eyes.

"Em, you shouldn't be working. You need time. This is huge, and not just a little thing you hope you forget."

"I'm fine Harry. Really, I'm just not used to relationships. I'm sure this happens to everybody."

"Not quite. I'll take you home."

"That's not ne-"

"Sure it is. Go wait out in the car, I'll get our food to go." he assured, and I didn't fight back anymore. I went outside, looking through the windows and watching as Harry boxed our food before joining me in the car. He put the boxes in the backseat and shut the door behind him, a sudden silence filling the car.

"Em, it's ok to cry." he quietly stated.

I took his advice all too quickly, and could not stop tears from flowing. My hands covered my face, and I felt a hand hesitantly touch my shoulder, in an awkward gesture of comfort. My manners suddenly disappeared, and before I knew it, my arms were flung around Harry and he was embracing me and calming me with comforting words.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but, I found myself sniffling here and there on Harry's shoulder while his hand caressed my back. Up until then, it felt completely normal and I was thankful for someone who literally was a shoulder to cry on. Unfortunately, reality stuck me hard and I pulled back from what was an awkward position.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I can be a total screw-up sometimes." I looked out the window, embarrassed again.

"You're not a screw up. Everybody has their moments, and you have a good reason to be heartbroken. I'm taking you home."

"No, I'm ok now. Thank you, but I can work." It took a few tried to convince him, but he finally agreed to take me back to work. As we pulled in, he stopped me from getting out to say something.

"Feel better. If you need someone to talk to, you have my number. I'm always available, I promise." he stared at me seriously.

"Thank you again, Harry. I feel much better already. Don't worry about me."

"Ok. See you around, Em."

"Bye." I waved after shutting the passenger door. When I walked back in the diner, I took one last look out the window at who I believed was an angel sent to me from heaven.