Little Things

Chapter 48

"I did see a group of geese biting each other's necks one time though, while I was in New York on tour," Niall says and I can't help but laugh.

"Oh really?" 

"Yep, really," he says, also bellowing his cheerful laugh that makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter all around.

"And one time we went to this crazy zoo in Australia and they had the strangest birds. Actually, they had some crazy animals in general," he says as we continue to watch the swans dance. Both of us are now standing only a few feet from the edge of the water.

"You've been to Australia?" I gasp, that is a major point on my bucket list to visit. I am envious of him for getting to experience a trip there.

"Yeah, a few times. It's really great. I've been a lot of places actually," 

"Where else?" I am genuinely curious. I bet with all the money he has, he can travel all the time if he wants too.

"All over the globe. Japan, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, just to name a few," he says and my jaw is dropped.

"That's so cool," I say so softly, to hide my jealousy.

"D'you like to travel?" he asks, turning to face me with his hands in the bottom of his pockets.

"Well, I haven't been far, never left the country, but I want too more than anything," 

"One day I want to take you around the world so you can see all the places I've been too," he says and my face blushes. Does he really mean it? Or is he just saying it now, in the moment?

"That-that would be really nice," I shyly admit.

We continue to walk down the path, by the trees and lit up lampposts. 

"But out of all the places I've been too, Boston is a favorite," he says.

"Yeah, okay," I laugh. Boston is my home, and always will be, but I can guarantee if I went to all of the places Niall has been too, it would be towards the bottom of my list.

"I'm serious. It gives off this nice vibe, and it's a large city with massive buildings, but it also has these small less packed places, like this common, and it's just truly magnificent. The foods great too, and don't get me started on the people," he says and I smile.

"I hear the people in Boston are pretty cool," I smirk.

"I haven't met everyone from Boston, but I know this one girl and she's really amazing," he says.

"Oh really?" I smirk.

"Yeah, her name's Shirley. I think you'd like her,"

"Not funny," I playfully swat at his arm and he laughs.

"Kidding, I'm kidding Jesus. You know it's actually you, I didn't even have to say it," he says and I don't reply, because I did figure so.

We continue to walk, as Niall does funny shuffle steps and skips for a little while.

"Allyson, do you want to sit?" he asks.

"No, I took pain killers this morning and I have my boot on so my ankles fine, I swear," I tell him, and I want to walk. I don't want to sit.

"Well that too, but it's not what I was talking about. I wanna...say something," he says, darting his eyes away from mine, and poking the toes of his shoes against the path.

"Oh, okay?" I answer, uneasily as we make our way to a nearby bench. Very similar to the one we sat at. It seems like ages ago we were in this common, when I realized how much I really liked Niall.

We don't say anything as we sit and watch the city that is still alive even at around ten o'clock in the evening. The buildings are all lit up for the most part that we can see from here, and the cars, trucks, and taxis zoom by.

"How are you? Answer honestly," Niall finally speaks up.

"Niall, I told you I'm fine," I roll my eyes. Is this really what this is about? My health?

"I just want to know you'd be okay to take care of yourself," he says, as we both stare off still watching the city.

"I have been taking care of myself, haven't I?" I am confused, I have been doing exactly what Dr. Jammeson has told me to do, and he knows that. He has been with me every day since, how could he not know? Maybe he's the one who should get his brain checked out.

"I meant without me," my heart sinks. 

"Oh," is all I answer at first. "I mean, yeah, I can take care of myself just fine on my own."

No one says anything and I wonder why he brought up the idea. I mean, I hope he doesn't feel obligated to stay at my apartment every night, he is more than welcome to stay in the hotel with the rest of his band.

"Niall, if you want to stay with your friends that's fine I can take care of myself, you can just tell me you want to be at the hotel I'm fine," I tell him. Not wanting to be an obligation to him.

"I want to stay with you," he says.

"Then why are you asking me this?"

He doesn't reply.

Neither of us have had any eye contact, and it's as if we are both talking into the swirls of the breezy wind in front of us.

"I just want to make sure you're okay before-before I leave," he mutters. And my head starts to slowly pain again. Is it the concussion?

"Oh."

A building across the street slowly starts to turn of the lights in the windows, and I assume the office workers are turning their lights off and going home.

"When do you uh, leave?" I manage to squeak out the words, anticipating what's to follow.

"Tomorrow."