Honest Illusions [niall horan]

Chapter 17

"Actually I wasn't sleeping, just too lazy to leave bed," I replied. Niall flashed me a small smile before turning around and grabbing two ceramic cups out of the cabinets. My eyes trailed up and down his back side. His navy button up slightly rose, revealing the plain white t-shirt underneath. Tightly hugging his legs, the blue denim squeezed his upper leg muscles together. I will admit I caught myself staring at his butt for a few seconds, but it was kind of hard not to.

"Tea?" He asked me while he poured the hot liquid into one of the cups. I politely nodded my head at him. Once he filled both cups up, he reached over for the sugar and carefully spooned it in. Watching Niall work around in the kitchen was something I found extremely fascinating. I saw how focussed he was, wanting everything to turn out right. It was also intriguing because not many men were this domestic. Pete helped me clean every once in a while, but the kitchen wasn't a place he belonged.

"Thank you," I whispered as I took the black ceramic cup. Niall walked back around me, ending up sitting across from me. Silence consumed us as both of us blankly stared at the granite counter top. My eyes trailed up from my cup to his, gradually up to his face only to catch his own stare fixated on me.

"Niall," I breathed out. "I don't want things to be awkward between us, please." I needed to be straightforward with him. My flight was leaving at seven in the evening today, so it was imperative I leave her with Niall and I on good terms. I don't want our friendship to crumble. Before anything, Niall and I were friends, and that's what I wanted to keep.

"They're not," Niall shook his head at me. "I jus' need some time is all." He shrugged his shoulders as if it were no big deal. I knew Niall too well to not look past that statement, but if that's what made him content then I was content.

"I'm sorry," I said for probably the fiftieth time this weekend. Eyes darkening, Niall stared back at me with a sullen expression. I only said it out of care for him, not pity or sympathy. There was no underlying motive for me to offend him.

"Don't apologize. They're my feelings, aren't they?" He countered. I held back a cough as I averted my gaze to the tea in my head. He was right, one-hundred percent correct. A few peaceful minutes ticked past the two of us. Niall leaned up against the kitchen counter top sipping away at his tea, while I slowly drank my tea, seated. All conversation seemed to die down between the two of us. I absolutely hated it, and this is exactly what I meant about things being awkward. We weren't talking like we had been the past few weeks, even though there were countless things we could be discussing. However, all our words seemed to halt in our throats, ceasing any escape from our mouthes.

"It wouldn't take ya too much t' get ready, would it?" Niall's voice finally broke the silence. My eyes widened with confusion and curiosity at his question. For a girl, I'd say it didn't take me much time to get ready as long as it wasn't anything too formal or sophisticated.

"No, not really, why?" I asked.

"Wanna show ya somethin'," he nonchalantly replied before taking another sip of his tea. A whirlwind of ideas stormed around in my head in an attempt to think of what Niall had in mind. From my understanding, today was supposed to be a laid back sort of day. It wasn't that I minded going anywhere with Niall, I just wanted to avoid any more possible confrontations with him. Neither of our hearts could withstand anymore hurt.

"Um sure," I replied. "Should I go get ready now or?" I asked, not sure of what exactly he had in mind. A small chuckle of Niall's later, he was nodding his head in response to my question. After flashing him a warm smile, I turned back around towards the guest room I was staying in. My entire walk out of the kitchen had my heart beating at a million beat per second. Niall's gaze could be felt boring into my back. Strange yet familiar sensations ran up my spine with those thoughts. Shaking them off, I unzipped my suit case to find something to change into.