A/N: I'd just like to point out that there will be a point of view change in this chapter. ;) And also, please don't be silent readers. I'd love to know what everyone thinks!

Vote? Comment? Love.

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My body was beyond tired. I wasn't used to being up this late. Normally, I was in bed by 10. I knew it had to be past 1 am by now, but my mind was still wide awake. It was unbelievable how a single person could so easily keep my racing thoughts at ease.

I stayed quiet in the back seat of Jake's jeep, listening to the smooth sound of Avery's voice as it filled the car, her and Jake yet again beginning to bicker with each other. Jake's girlfriend only found their sibling arguments amusing as she sat in the passenger seat bopping her head to the music that was playing through the speakers.

"Oh my God, Jake! Would you just park already?!" Avery spoke worriedly as her brother swerved the car instantly, pulling up next to the curb. "You should not be driving."

"I don't know what you're talking about, that park job was perfection," Jake laughed as we all stepped out of the car. "Right, Niall?"

I hadn't been paying attention to what he had said. Instead, my eyes were surveying the scene around us. I had no idea where we were. Either I had never been to this part of the city or the darkness of the late hour was obstructing my vision. I watched as a few people I didn't know headed down a flight of stairs that led to somewhere I couldn't see.

"Hello? You in there?" Jake waved a hand in front of my face and I was quickly pulled back to reality.

"Huh?" I stared up at him dumbly.

"Ave, I think you've picked a real winner here," Jake turned to his sister, who I hadn't noticed was standing by my side. "He has such a way with words!"

I rolled my eyes as Avery laughed loudly. Jake really knew how to make a guy feel confident in himself.

"Jay, leave the poor boy alone!" His girlfriend pulled him in the opposite direction. "We're late enough already."

My curiosity peaked as we finally descended the stairs I had seen those other people disappear down moments before. To my surprise, the steps led down to one of the many underground walkways that were placed around the city for people to use during late night endeavors in hopes of making them feel safer. But I've heard plenty of stories about people being mugged in these tunnels. The only difference was that in the tunnels you could see your attacker coming instead of having them sneak up on you in the dark. I shook my head of the nasty thoughts, taking a subconscious step closer to Avery as we made our way into the brightly lit passageway.

My eyes squinted at the harshness of the fluorescent lights that lined the ceiling. There was graffiti for as far as the eye could see, the blue glow of the lights making them pop off the dingy white walls. Or maybe that was just the pressure on my brain playing tricks on me. I tried not to think about my head starting to hurt as our tiny group weaved around a few stragglers who hadn't quite made it to the large group of people a few feet away.

I was surprised by a number of young adults that had taken up the tiny space. Maybe 15 to 20 people had crammed themselves in here, all to listen to one guy play his guitar. But I could see why, he was definitely talented. I leaned my back against the cool wall in hopes of relieving the tension that had started to build inside me.

I was a careful person to begin with, but ever since I was diagnosed, that need to feel secure had grown tenfold. How was I to know this was going to be my fate? If I would have known that this was how my life was going to end up, I might have tried to take more risks in my past. Like I'm doing right now with this girl.

Feeling Avery's hand on mine pulled me quickly from my thoughts as I watched her take a step toward me. I clenched my jaw and swallowed hard as she took my hand in hers, guiding my arm so it wrapped loosely around her shoulders. I smiled slightly as she leaned herself against me, all the while watching the acoustic performance happening in front of us. I could really get used to this.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, happy with the fact that the chord progression bouncing off the walls was putting me at ease. Or maybe it was just the pretty girl pressed up against my chest.

The crease in my forehead only grew as I stared down at the small group of girls huddled around a crying Mel. The show had ended no more than 10 minutes ago and once Avery and I had found our way out of the tunnel, Mel was the first person we had spotted. And now here we were. She was obviously still intoxicated like most everyone was, but I tried not to pay any mind.

I turned quickly, heading toward the line up of parked cars and to where I knew Jake's jeep was. I glanced his way as he stood in the bushes relieving himself. I found that Jake hadn't locked the car, so I quickly opened the back door and began rummaging through the trash that littered the floor. Luck was on my side as I fished the tiny black and gold purse, that Mel thought she had lost, from underneath the driver's seat. Once the purse was safely in my grasp, I shut the car door.

"What do you have there?" Jake came up on my left after having quite the time getting himself out of the bushes without tripping.

"Do you like it?" I joked as I slung it over my shoulder. "It's my newest accessory."

Easily getting a laugh out of him, Jake finally answered. "Looks great on you, really makes the whole outfit!"

I snorted back a laugh as we made our way over to the still crying Mel. Who would have guessed a missing purse could make someone so upset. Much less, how did it get under Jake's front seat when Mel had come in a different car? I crouched down slightly as Avery took the purse from my outstretched hands, thanking me quietly.

"Look, Mel! Look what Niall found for you," Avery pushed the purse toward her friend.

"He did?" She was now choking back tears of joy as she clung to the purse for dear life. "That's so sweet! He's great. I told you he would be great."

I tried to laugh off her comment, knowing she only said it because she was drunk. But I felt my heart leap into my throat and my cheeks redden as Avery smiled up at me, grabbing my hand momentarily and giving it a light squeeze. I frowned slightly, realizing that I shouldn't have done this to myself. Because tomorrow when I'm laying in that hospital bed all I'm going to be thinking about is this night and this girl. And she'll still have no idea what she's done to make my last night unforgettable. Maybe I should have just stayed home.

Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, all eyes were on Mel as she began to cry once again.

"Melly, no! What's wrong?" Another one of her friends cooed, rubbing her back slightly.

"It's just-" She paused, sucking in a large breath of air and I noticed Kevin walking toward us. "It's just, I'm so old!"

I felt a jolt of pain shoot through me and I took a large step back from the crying girl. I grimaced as I tugged at the front of my shirt, getting worked up over the simplest of words. She had only just turned 25 years old! She had no idea, none of them did. I might not even make it to see 24. The feeling only worsened as I caught the worried glances Avery was shooting my way. I didn't want to ruin the rest of the night. Luckily, Kevin's voice distracted her from yet another one of my tiny breakdowns.

"Well, why don't we go to the tree then," He suggested, trying to make Mel feel better. "I hear Matt's got a party going on."

"No, we should just head home," Mel's friend tried to persuade her differently, but Kevin just started chanting, 'tree, tree, tree'.

My body screamed for my bed and yet again my mind was still here in this moment.

Mel's eyes turned toward Avery as she wiped away the last few stray tears. "Will you come?"

Avery just smiled down at her best friend. "Of course, I will."

Then Mel turned to me and everyone waited to hear my answer. And even though it pained me to say, I tried to joke anyway. "Mel isn't going to get old on my behalf."

Everyone laughed and cheered all the same, none of them having a clue about my inner turmoil. within minutes we were trying to fit as many people as we could into Jake's car in hopes of keeping the party going for Mel's sake.

I sat pushed up against the door in the backseat. Avery was sitting halfway on my lap and half on Mel's as Kevin talked loudly about something on the other side of her. As much as my mind willed me to stay awake, the heat radiating off Avery and the movement of the car had me falling asleep. I had no idea where we were going, but I trusted these people enough. My head lulled to one side, leaning against Avery's shoulder as my eyes finally decided to close.

[Avery's POV]

Oh my god, what a night it's been! Never would I have thought that inviting the cute guy who came into my work to my art show would have turned into him and I having one of the best nights ever. I could see us hanging out like this a lot more in the near future. Niall may be a quiet guy, but he definitely knew when it was the right time to speak. And don't even get me started on his eyes and that smile! I couldn't believe we've only met today, well technically yesterday.

"Aw! Look at him," Mel's voice broke me from my puppy love thoughts. "I think we tired Niall out."

I smiled down at the guy resting his head against my shoulder. I loved how comfortable he had gotten with me in such a short amount of time. I couldn't say much seeing as I was just as comfortable being around him.

"Let's fuck with him," Kevin spoke in a loud whisper and I instantly shot a glare his way.

"No, that would be mean," I shook my head disapprovingly.

"Yeah, no, let's not. That would be rude," I was surprised to hear Jake agreeing with me, but he had warmed up to Niall quite easily as well.

Niall was just the kind of guy that everyone seemed to get along with. I cringed as Jake's loud voice ripped through the quiet car.

"Ah! There a car coming at us!!" Jake always did have a sick sense of humor.

Niall's head snapped upright before Jake could even finish his sentence. Laughter erupted throughout the car as Niall groaned loudly, rubbing his hands over his face repeatedly.

"You guys are horrible," His voice was low and gravely and I felt my cheeks heat up at the thought of possibly waking up to that voice in the morning.

I could see how easy it would be to fall for this kid. He must have a trail of brokenhearted girls behind him. I just hoped I wouldn't end up being one of them.

Niall stared down at me for a brief second with an unreadable expression before he turned to look out the window, the sound of quiet snickering could still be heard. I scooted in just a bit closer to Niall's side as I too stared out at the city lights. Tonight was definitely something to remember.