For Your Eyes Only

“W-what?” I stuttered. Home? To Massachusetts?
“We’re sending you back to your aunt. We really feel like Niall needs a break to focus on press and stuff before the debut show. He can’t do that with you here. He needs some time.” By now tears were spilling down my cheeks. No, no, no! I knew this would happen!
“Annie?” There he was, standing in the doorway, looking utterly confused. He was my angel, and now I had to go. “What did you do, Julian?” he shouted, reaching for me. I flinched and felt a stab in my heart at the hurt that flashed across his face. If I let this happen, it would just make leaving harder. “Annie,” he whimpered. “Please.” It hurt so bad to see him so broken. I couldn’t touch him, though, because I knew if I did then I’d never, ever leave. I wouldn’t be able to. I started to leave, but Julian’s voice stopped me once again.
“Annie, come back.” I stopped, remembering when my father said those exact words when the police were taking them. I turned and just stared at him. I didn’t know what to do other than wait.
“Julian, what the…” started Niall.
“We’re sending her home, Niall. She’s a distraction.”
“No.”
“Yes. You need to-”
“Don’t tell me what I need!” Niall screamed. I cowered, wishing I could disappear and make everything go back to the way it was before. “You can’t take her! You can’t send her home! I-”
“Niall, calm down. It’s just for a few weeks.” That’s when I turned and left. I walked to my room, ignoring the shouts behind me. I felt Niall’s hand on my arm, but I shrugged him off and shut my door. I knew something like this would happen. The moment I threw my heart in, it was ripped in half.
“Annie, please let me in,” Niall pleaded through the door, his voice small. I leaned my back against it. My room was a mess, just like my life. Why, just when I began to heal, was everything tearing apart again? How was I supposed to let him in if every time I let my guard down, I was attacked?
Niall and I hadn’t spent the night with each other since the first time, when all the boys were there too. We decided it was best. He understood my fear and trepidation, and didn’t want to push me. We didn’t want to ruin what we had, but now it was all crashing down anyway. Screw it, I thought pulling the door open.
I wordlessly grabbed Niall’s hand and led him into my room. I climbed on the bed and waited. I wanted him to hold me. To… to never let go. He scooted close and I cuddled into his chest, fisting his shirt in my hands.
“Don’t let go,” I whispered as I drifted off into dreamland. I tried to stay awake, knowing that if I slept I’d only wake to airplane tickets and goodbyes. This moment was so perfect. I never wanted it to end. I could stay like this forever, safely held against his warmth. His arms tightened around me as my eyes could stay open no longer, and he whispered something I’d never forget.
“I can’t let go of my heart. I love you, Annie Powl.”

Notes

HE LOVES HER GUYS.