Let's Pretend [Niall Horan]

Chapter 35

"Exciting!"

"I'll be in my room," Niall is speaking quieter as if his voice is trailing off.

"Okay," Shannon replied, even though it was obvious he wasn't telling her.

"Faith you're the only person invited inside," Niall's voice is sharp and firm but he sends a soft smile towards Faith.

"I'll just go to the restroom real quick!" Faith said as she jolted out of the room and towards the upstairs bathroom leaving Niall and Shannon standing in front of me.

I readjusted myself on the counter as I took another sip of my water.  Shit was getting real now. 

"What are you two going to do?"

"Not your business," Niall replied coldly as he does the same as Faith and I and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. 

"You used to be so kind–,"

"I was, wasn't I?"

"What happened to you?"

"I decided that I needed to stop being miserable.  Because, quite frankly; you made me unhappy Shannon.  And you had no right to.  We were never even dating."

"You're fucking retarded Niall." Shannon shouted back.  I had never seen her so angry. "First of all," she continued, "I would never want to date you.  You're disgusting, ugly, filthy, and most of all your personality is horrid.  Secondly: I am gorgeous.  Why the hell would I want to waste my time on you?  The only way I would ever do anything with you would be if I was getting paid." 

Now I felt bad.  Where was the off button. I think I'd had enough of this show.

"Paid, huh?" Niall's voice is soft.  I couldn't see his face to see if he's sad or angry. 

"Duh,"

"Who paid you then?"

Silence.

"Who paid you to pretend to like me?" Niall repeated, his voice is stronger now.

Silence.

This was too intense for me.

I needed to help my Nialler. He's not one to handle confrontations very well.

I slowly stood from where I sat, walking over to the sink and shutting the water off. 

"Louis," Niall said.  Only now can I see that his eyes are filled with tears. 

"Yeah mate?"

"If anyone asks, I'll be in my room,"

I nodded.  I didn't particularly want to be apart of any of this; I just wanted to watch.  But as soon as Niall left the kitchen I knew I put myself in a bad spot.  

"Help me get back at him," Shannon's voice said.  At first I thought she was joking but by the look on her face, that would be impossible. 

I laughed loudly at her words before looking her in the eyes for the first time, "You do realize I probably hate you more than Niall could ever hate you.  I have never heard Niall say words like he did just now.  It was so courageous for little Nialler and I'm actually pretty proud of him.   So if you want to 'get back at him' then you'd have to go through me.  And I don't think you want that."

"You can't always protect Niall."  Her eyes are still looking at mine as her lips tug into a smirk.  "I will hurt him. And you won't be able to do anything about it."

"Doubt it,"

She sent me a wink as she walked towards the door. 

"We shall see about that," she said and she's gone. 

I couldn't help but let out a long sigh as I lean my body on the counters edge.  I was knackered already before all of this.  Now I think I really needed a nap. 

-Harry-

••Feb 6, 2013••

I played with Aria's hair, watching how peaceful she looked made me smile.  I had so much to tell her.  So many words I hadn't said to her for years.  It was too many words.   I just could not believe I am here with her again.  I used to think of her more than I ever should have since I never did contact her. 

I opened my mouth to speak to her.  I didn't know if I even wanted to disturb her as she rested her head on my lap, but before I do I heard her phone ding loudly from the counter. 

Her eyes darted open, quickly sitting up. 

"I'll go grab your phone," I mumbled, placing my hands on her shoulders to keep her from moving.  I slowly inched off of the couch, walking to the table and grabbing her phone. 

"Maria?" I said, reading the name that's shown on the phone. 

"Shit," she cursed and I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath.  She had always said that word in an awkward half-British English and half-American English way.  I guess some things just didn't seem to ever change.  "Is it five?" she jumped up off the couch and towards me, snatching the phone out of my hands.  "I was supposed to pick Max up from Luke's house."

"Is Maria his mother?" I questioned as the phone call ended.

"Yeah," she replied, unlocking the phone to read the text messages as she takes a seat back down on the couch. 

It was less than a few moments later when Aria let out a long sigh of relief. 

"She's offering to keep Max at their family kids camp this weekend," she explained, "I mentioned to her that I was super stressed so I think that's why she's asking me."

A grin grew on my face as I walked back over to the couch, sitting as close as I can to her and resting my chin on her shoulder as I looked at the phone in her hands. 

"Does that mean?" I started, still grinning. "I have Aria all to myself for a bit?"

"You make it sound so creepy Haz," she said as she types out a: thank you so much Maria, I'll pay for the camping stay. And I can have Luke at mine next weekend then clicking send.

"It'll be fun, I promise."

She giggled and shakes her head but I could hear her mumble, "alright, fine."

_________

Two updates in less than a week, whaaaat hahaha (I'm on a roll!)

Please comment/vote and the next part may be up sooner than you think (;

- Tina, xo