No Interruptions

Chapter Twenty-Two

Niall slowed down to my pace, pushing his glasses up on his head and leaning out, arm on the side of the car. He was alone, and he gave me a breathtaking smile, causing me to return it. It would have been cute had I not ruined it by abruptly having a coughing fit. When I finished he was staring at me with a pitying smile on his face, his eyes worried. “Awww, baby. Get in, bitch, let me drive you.” He said, and I nodded, walking slowly to the other side, rolling my eyes.

"You okay? You look like shit?" He said, his eyes flicking back and forth between me and the road as he navigates us to the buildings. I just turned my gaze on him, giving him a look that said ‘watch it’, but he was still staring at me expectantly. I just sighed and shrugged my shoulders.

"I’m just glad that it’s the last exam. I can’t tell if I have a cold or the flu though, I hope it’s not the latter." I said softly, my voice thick from my stopped up nose. Niall frowned, switching his hands on the wheel as he pulled up behind the line of people at Starbucks. I twisted to get my money, but a hand on my hip stopped me. "I’ll get it. You know that. You need medicine? I can run to the store after I drop you off." He said, and I settled back, looking at him confused. Concern was all over his pretty face, and I felt kind of bad, but there was a rush of pride because Niall cared.

I gave him a small smile. “You have exams, don’t like, not go because I’m sick.” I told him, and he made a face, moving forward as the line got shorter. “I finished my exams for this week yesterday, I don’t take that many classes because I don’t need them. I took all the hard ones freshman and sophomore year.” He bragged, and I rolled my eyes. 

"Then what are you doing up?" I asked him, wiping my nose on my sleeve and giggling when he made a face of disgust. "We’re throwing an alumni Christmas banquet before everyone leaves for the holiday’s, so I was sent out to the store to get like, a ham, a fucking ham, at eight in the morning." He said, and I laughed as he rifled through the console for his card.

He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. “Your usual?” He asked, and I nodded, settling back against the seat and letting the AC wash over me. He spoke to the box outside of the store, and the line moved grudgingly slow. I felt something on my hand, and then his fingers were laced with mine, his thumb brushing my knuckles. I flushed, but peaked open my eyes to look at him. He was already staring at me, one hand on the wheel and his eyes bright, his smile small. 

"So, medicine or no medicine?" He asked, and I smiled. "Um, I guess I need some medicine. Thanks." "Mmmhmm. Least I can do since you took care of me when I was all pukey and nasty." He said, then shuddered. I laughed but shrugged, squeezing his hand. "I didn’t mind, you didn’t puke on me at least." I giggled, and he grinned.

After coffee and dropping me off in the general area of my building, Niall said he’d be back later to pick me up, I just needed to text him when I was finished. I told him I would, and he even surprised me by kissing me goodbye, refusing to unlock my door until I did so. I went into the class with flushed cheeks and a shy smile. 

                                                       ************

I was ready to collapse when I finally finished my exam, handing it into the professor and nodding at him as I turned to go and gather my stuff, pulling out my phone. I told Niall that I was ready, and he told me that he was heading there right now because he was just getting back from the liquor store because he had to go pick up some kegs. It had been two and a half hours, and I was ready to collapse and sleep until the cows came home.

I was only waiting for about five minutes when Niall pulled up and I climbed in. I felt like my head was going to explode from all the pressure in my nose, my brain throbbing and my eyes watering with the effort of staying open. Niall snorted, but turned and rifled through the back seat, finally coming back with a a bottle of Niquil. “I love you so much you have no idea.” I told him, peeling off the plastic and pouring it in the cup as he laughed.