You Make Me Strong

Chapter 3

         For the first several weeks things stayed pretty normal. Niall would go to class go to choir come home eat with Louis and do homework. That's what a normal day looked like. All the while his fondness for Harry grew. He'd even let it slip to Louis once but Louis was a good sport about it. Today he was particularly excited for choir. They were trying out for small groups that preform throughout the year. With Niall being able to play guitar and sing he knew he'd be a shoe in. This did mean he had to sing in front of the group but he wasn't too nervous. He was always good in front of a crowd. He got the usual butterflies in his stomach but it was more from excitement.

He walked to choir today with his guitar on his back as he was going to use it for his audition. He walked to his seat and started to tune his guitar. One of his buddies, Parker, plops down next to him.

"Guess you're trying out," Parker teased.

"I take it you're not?" Parker shook his head.

"Naw. Not my speed. I know Styles is trying out though." This didn't surprise Niall. He'd never really heard Harry sing on his own but he could pick him out every once in a while when the baritones would sing.

"That doesn't shock me," Niall said trying to keep his voice even.

"Figure you and him both are a shoe in. Since you don't have the same voice part it's not like you'll compete against each other ever." Niall just shrugged. "Guess he's been a wreck with nerves though." This got Niall's attention.

"How do you know that?" Niall asked.

"One of the altos, Kathy, is friends with him. She told me he's been a mess all day. No clue why. He's amazing." Niall just nodded. Niall's plucked a few notes on his guitar making sure it was tuned. He was strumming away on his guitar talking the guys around him when Harry walked him. Niall was shocked at how he looked. He was pale and visibly shaken. Niall watched as Harry slowly walked to his seat. He sat hunched over with his arm wrapped around his stomach. Niall couldn't help but be concerned

"Damn you weren't kidding," Niall sighed. He didn't have much time to dwell on how bad Harry look before the director came in.

"Alright guys settle down," he said taking his place at the piano. "A handful of you have agreed to try out to be in a small group. So we're going to get that out of the way now. I'll call you up one at a time you'll sing a short piece and that'll be it. Any questions?" The room was silent. Niall turned to look at Harry who looked like he had gotten even paler since he walked in. "Alright good. Let's get started. Horan, you're up first." He smiled taking his guitar and stood up making his way to the front of the room. "You ready Niall?"

"I'm ready," Niall smiled. He started to play and without much thought started to sing. When he was finished everyone clapped for him. He smiled and took his seat again. Five other students tired out before they were down to their last one.

"Alright Harry. Your turn." Harry carefully got up and made his way to the front of the room. He looked like he was about the throw up. Niall watched him carefully. "Whenever you're ready." Harry took a deep breath and began to sing. A breath got caught in Niall throat. Harry's voice was beautiful. He watched in awe as the longer Harry sang the more confident he seemed to get. When he finished everyone clapped just like they did for everyone else. But Niall was frozen in shock. His heart thumped rapidly in his chest. His stomach filled with butterflies like he'd never had before. What was this feeling?

After choir was over the director told everyone he'd have the new small groups list posted by the end of the week. Niall had not been able to focus since he heard Harry sing. He was all Niall was thinking about. Niall wasn't sure how he felt about this new sensation that had taken over his body. He was completely lost in thought when he got back to his room. As usual he opened the door and walked in. Louis didn't great him this time since he was at practice. He put his guitar back on the stand and with some quiet time to think he plopped down on his bed lying on his back to stare at the ceiling. Before Niall knew what was happening he fell asleep.

"Nialler. Hey wake up." Niall opened his eyes not even remembering falling asleep. He sat up rubbing his eyes.

"What time is it?"

"Almost 6:30," told him. "You Alright? You never nap during the day. That's normally my department." Louis looked him over.

"Literally don't remember falling asleep," Niall explained rubbing his eyes again.

"You hungry?"

"Starving." Niall got up and out his shoes back on before walking out with Louis.

"Hey how's the audition go?" Louis asked. Niall suddenly remember why he was laying in bed. He was mesmerized by Harry's voice.

"Oh. It was good," Niall managed to say. Louis gave him an unsure look.

"Really? You don't sound like it."

"No it was. I'm sure I got in."

"Did Harry audition?" Louis question was innocent but Niall felt his face get red. "I'll take take that as a yes," Louis giggled. Niall hid his face in his hands feeling completely embarrassed. "Hey don't worry about it."

"I don't know what it is about him. He started singing today. Its was...it was amazing. I've never heard anything like it," Niall admitted.

"Well, talk to him then."

"I can't do that," Niall sighed.

"Stranger things have happened," Louis shrugged.

"Besides I seriously doubt anything would happen. Better off not getting my hopes up," Niall shrugged.

"Yeah I guess. But you're like mad about this guy. I think you should say something." Niall's face got red again.

"No I really don't think so." Louis just shrugged and seemed to give up.

"So there's this party on Friday," Louis smiled.

"Absolutely not," Niall said not even letting Louis finish.

"Awe come on! You don't have to drink, just be my wingman," Louis begged.

"Why do you need me to be your wingman?" Niall groaned.

"Because people love you! If I'm hanging out with you people flock over, that how I meet the ladies," Louis grinned. Niall scoffed and shook his head.

"I've got a lot of homework Lou. You'll just have to go by yourself." Louis groaned out loud.

"You're no fun Niall."

"That's fine by me," Niall chuckled. They made there way to the cafeteria and got dinner before settling in for the night.