We Took A Chance

The past couple of weeks have been mostly a blur. So much was on my plate, I was sure that gray hairs would pop up any minute now. I accompanied Niall back to LA to receive the keys to his new house, went to the doctor with him which turned into a hospital visit for further testing, and to top it off, my new job was starting next week. Yet through all of this, Niall not once mentioned anything about our future.

I couldn't seem to understand how Niall could be going on as if nothing was wrong. Our relationship was clearly destined for significant change with him in L.A and me in London. Yet he still managed to avoid this detail of our lives and go on as normal. It made me wonder if he didn't truly care, if this was just something to throw away easily. Would he just say 'see ya later' one day and that was that?

For the mean time we were back in LA so he could get the renovations started in his house. He wanted to make sure they noted every detail he mentioned.

"Do you think these cabinets look outdated?" Niall asked while standing with crossed arms facing the large kitchen of his new house.
"Um, no... they look fine." I answered unable to truly engage in the conversation. The cabinets were the least of my worries.
"I don't know I feel like I'm standing in an ordinary kitchen... I want that chef vibe, ya know?" He continued as he scratched his chin puzzled.
"I guess." I replied trying to communicate that I wasn't into the cabinet talk.
"What's wrong, princess?" Niall asked coming over to me with a worried expression on his face. His arms held out ready to embrace me but instead I walked over to the other side of the island. I didn't look at him as I did that, I knew he would look hurt and it would soften me right up. "Zoe... tell me what's wrong?" Niall pleaded but maintained his distance.
"Niall, what are we doing? Why haven't we talked about what is really going on?" I said unable to really say what I meant. I wanted to know why he never asked me to not take the BBC News job and be with him instead.
"What do you mean?" He asked and his response ignited anger in me. Why did he have to answer like he doesn't know?
"Really, Niall? REALLY?" I asked shaking my head in disbelief and narrowing my eyes at him.
"Do you not see that next week I will have to be in London full time and you have to be in LA full time? We're going to be separated, Niall. For an indefinite amount of time! You act as if nothing is going on but can't you see this is doomed? We are doomed."
"Zoe... don't... don't say that. We'll be ok." He responded but it wasn't enough for me. I needed a game plan asap.
"We're not going to be ok. This is doomed. The moment you signed your record contract and the moment I accepted that job. DOOMED." I ranted feeling a weight being lifted. Although I felt my word choice could have been better, it all just started to spill out.
"You're blaming ME for signing a record contract? You're saying this is my fault? You damn well knew that I was an artist. If it wasn't for this solo contract then it would have been the pending one for One Direction. I can't escape it! It's who I am, Zoe!" The anger was visible in his voice now but the can of worms was open, time to deal with it.
"Then maybe we were doomed from the start! We shouldn't have even bothered. There. Easy." I shrugged as to dismiss the situation but my words only seemed to further upset Niall.
"Well, fuck! How can you even say that, Zoe? You regret ever being with me?" Niall asked running his hand roughly through his growing blonde locks. His words cut through me like a dagger. That was not what I meant and I don't regret being with him but the heat of the moment was taking over my mouth.
"Maybe I do! You made me fall in love with you just so you can drop me and forget about me in London while you live your popstar life here in LA. How fucking convenient, Niall!"

The sudden sound of Niall slamming his closed fist against the shiny countertop of his new kitchen island made me jump. It was a sight I hadn't witnesses before. He was very visibly mad with his reddened face and tensed muscles. It almost made me feel afraid but I knew Niall would never get out of control. A brief silence filled the room. It was mere seconds but it felt like an eternity. It wasn't a silence that signaled the end to this shit storm. It felt like the silence before a turning point.

"I fucking knew it." Niall finally muttered to himself but loud enough for me to hear.
"Knew what, Niall? That I would look through your little games and realize you were just stringing me along?" I replied further igniting his anger.
"Fuck, Zoe! Fuck this. Fuck everything!" his words cold left me stunned.
"Ok well fuck this and let me do you a nice little favor and take my ass back to London right now!" I yelled in rage and stormed out of the kitchen aiming for the front door.

"Zoe. Get back here!" I could hear Niall behind me but I refused to look back.
"Enjoy your life in LA!" I screamed back before thinking fast and grabbing the keys to the car he had rented.

I was driving myself to the airport not caring if my stuff was left behind in the hotel room or that this car was under Niall's name. I just needed to get back home. Back home to London where I belong.

Notes

Ok, so I'm not super happy with this chapter but it's the "last" chapter of this story. We end it with those two separated. I will post the epilogue within the next week and that will lead us a bit into the sequel. I hope you guys are excited for what's to come!