In Other Words (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Two

Chapter Two 

Roxy’s POV

I made my way back to the bar, having time for one last drink. “Pint of Stella and an ice water, please”, I said to the wafer-thin bartender “Where the fuck is Penny?” I thought. As my drinks came up, I palmed around in my bag for my phone. It’s one o’clock, and I have two texts from Penny. After a few good gulps of my beer, I swipe the screen to see what the old girl’s got to say.

Watch out on the dance floor Rox, dodgy fella approaching.

What a great help she is, I thought. The next text read Looks like ya lost him. Ky and I are tired. See you at the flat.  Had it been a few months prior, this would have sent me into a panic. Now, I was only slightly miffed that Penny abandoned me. I didn’t expect to have any trouble getting home safely. I would finish my beer, and this whole glass of water. Then, after a few more sweaty dance numbers, I should be set for the streets. The apartment was a short fifteen minute walk away. Plus, my parents had me in karate when I was in elementary school. I’ve got this.

I turned around and leaned against the cold marble bar as I finished my drinks, surveying the situation on the dance floor. My eyes met Niall’s, and I felt flush. Is he looking at me? Or something else? I wondered. He was dancing with one of the girls that had been circling, but was waving and pointing to my left. In a glance I realized the Creeper was a few chairs over. I looked back at Niall and exaggerated an eye roll. He seemed to laugh, but was now being moved to the far edges of the dance floor, out of my line of sight.

I wondered if cutting in for another dance would damage my cool credibility. I took a few moments to weigh my options before heading back to the floor, deciding to leave it up to chance. I resolved to leave the club by two, no matter how I fared with Niall. As I casually danced my way to the middle of the crowd, a wave of dizziness passed over me. It must be these damned lights flashing. I closed my eyes for a moment, but couldn’t shake the feeling. Another glass of water will help, I thought.

It is so hot in here.

Niall’s POV

“Niall, how’s Harry?” shouted this bird I was dancing with. I pretended not to hear. I was searching for that strange, cute girl that had been over here a while back. If I could just get back to dancing with her, she could return the favor and help me shake this latest pack of girls. I spotted her near the bar, where she was checking her phone. Look over here. I silently wished, as the current clinger grew more forceful with her dancing. The strange girl, Roxy, turned around just then, and leaned back against the bar, sipping her drink. A small piece of her brown hair fell into her face, which she promptly tucked behind one ear. She seemed to be looking for someone, and I sure hoped it was me.

The crowd picked up pace as the beat grew faster. I took a petite elbow to the ribs.Fuck it., I thought. I was desperate enough to get out of this mess to attempt flagging Roxy down. I began to wave my hands, hoping to catch her eye. It was then that I noticed the bloke she had successfully lost earlier was now seated a few seats over at the bar, hovering. Finally, she met my gaze, and I directed her attention to her left, and I promptly lost sight of her again. Usually, I don’t have to work this hard. Time take a slash.

As I waited my turn for one of the four urinals, I felt a small pinch on my arse. I spun around to find Louis rocking on his heels and whistling, feigning innocence. “Ready to head out soon, Tommo?” I said. “Right then. I just need a wee and we can find Paul.” he said as he cut in front of me in line. We finished up and headed out of the toilets, both of us standing on our toes scanning the crowd. “There’s someone I need to say goodbye to first, Lou. You spot him?”

Roxy was back at the bar, leaning on her elbows, which caused her hemline of her dress to creep up in the back. I motioned for Louis to follow, as I tried to come up with something clever to say. The crowd was thick, and it took some maneuvering to get over to the bar without losing Lou.  “Roxy. We’d best be heading out. Just wanted to say…” I stopped. This girl didn’t look well. I didn’t remember thinking that she’d had too much to drink while we danced, but it must be hitting her hard now. I glanced at Lou, who shrugged.

Just as I asked the barmaid for a glass of water, the seedy bloke approached and placed his hand on Roxy’s lower back. “You feeling alright, babe? Best we get you home.” he said. I looked at him in confusion and he answered with “She’s with me.” My conscience felt uneasy. “Like hell she is.”, I replied. Lou caught on that something was amiss, and turned his attention to Roxy as I dealt with the bloke. “Hey Ni, she’s fading out. What’s her name?” said Louis. I replied without breaking my stare. Louis shook her shoulders and said her name, and her eyelids began to flutter. “What have you done to her?” I asked, and the man only stood up taller in efforts to intimidate. “She’s with me.”, he repeated.

A fight would have been no use, as we’d all just get thrown out. “Roxy”, I said. “We’re going to get you home. Where is your phone? We need to find your roommate.” She slowly passed me her phone, but the screen was locked. “What’s your passcode?” She just stared. “I’ll text Paul we’re ready to leave.” Louis said. “And let him know we’ll be sharing a car.”

The cool air felt good, but did little to rouse Roxy out of her daze. “What’s the plan here boys?” Paul asked. “Do we know where she lives?”  “No. And I don’t know who she’s here with.” I replied. “It might be wise to take her to the police depot.” Paul said. “Or she could come back to my flat and sleep this off on the couch.” I offered. “And she could talk to the authorities in the mornin’.” We both looked to Louis to break the tie.