I Cannot Hide This Even Though I Try ~ A COMPLETED One Direction Fanfic

11 - Luncheon

I cough into the crook of my arm, unsure of what to tell him. “Think about it, Zayn. Niall has had to sit around and watch while I pretend to date Danielle. He’s had to put up with me pushing him away. He’s had to deal with the fact that I haven’t even told my parents about our relationship,” I ramble.

“You what?!”

“I haven’t told my parents about our relationship?” I repeat, this time turning it into more of a question.

“But I thought you two told your parents when we all went home for Christmas the year before last…?”

I reach a hand up and scratch the back of my head. “You know what? I had every intention of telling my parents about Niall, but as soon as I got home they started cooing over the fact that I finally had a girlfriend. They were elated about my relationship with Danielle, which tore me apart inside. I didn’t want to ruin their happiness by telling them that I was only pretending to date Danielle.”

“So you copped out of telling them the truth because you were worried about how they would feel about you being gay?” Zayn asks, practically reading my mind.

I slowly nod, unable to bring myself to fully admit that I’m a coward. “And now I’m worried that I’ve ruined everything with Niall. What if he decides that I’ve put him through more bullshit than he can handle? What if he decides that he not only deserves better, which I know is true, but also decides that he wants better,” I rant. “I can’t blame him if he decides any of these things because I know that he has every right to do just that.”

“I’m sorry, Li, but I don’t know how to help you with this one. You need to go talk to him, but for now we need to get back inside.” 

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*Niall’s POV*

“Honestly, I’m starting to get sick of all the bullshit I’ve had to go through because of this relationship,” I admit to my older brother.

“Is it really worth all of this?” Greg asks.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong; I’m sick of this bullshit, but I wouldn’t give up Liam for anything unless it was what he wanted,” I say, realizing how negative my previous statement sounded.

“I’m glad you still see that, Nialler. You know that I want to support you and Liam as much as possible.”

I smile to myself, thankful that I was blessed with such an amazing sibling. “Thank you, Greg. Now I just wish I knew what’s been causing Liam’s strange attitude toward me lately.”

“Well, like I said, I would try talking things through with him if I was you. Otherwise, the only thing I can advise is that you be patient and hope that things blow over soon,” Greg suggests.

“I’ll try to talk to him again,” I tell him. Of course, I doubt Liam will give me a chance to talk to him. He did come to talk to me yesterday after I slammed the door to my room, but that was probably because the noise it made scared him…

“Well, you said you’re having lunch with the lads today, so I’ll let you go. Besides, my laptop battery is dying and I don’t feel like getting my charger,” Greg teases.

“Oi, you mean you’d rather be lazy that help out your brother? I’m heart-broken!” I joke, purposely being over-dramatic and putting one hand over my heart and the other over my eyes.

“I thought you were becoming a pop star, but it seems you’ve turned into a diva instead,” my brother mocks.

“Whatever you say, Greggy-poo. Anywho, I really should get going now.”

My brother smirks as we exchange farewells before I end our Skype call. I close my laptop and exit the restroom, hoping that Liam has shown up by now.

“Oi, where’d Zayn go?” I inquire as I walk into the livingroom.

“He said he was going for a smoke,” Lou explains, his eyes never leaving the football game on the TV.

“Oh. Is Liam here yet?” I ask, trying not to sound too hopeful.

“Uh… Well, he was here a minute ago, but he said he was heading to the loo.”

I cringe. Suddenly I’m worrying that he might have heard part of my conversation with Greg. “Well, I was in the loo, so he can’t be in the loo." 

 “Oh, well he could be in the kitchen with Hazza,” Louis offers.

“I just walked past the kitchen so, unless Liam has taken to hiding in your pantry, he wasn’t in there,” I point out.

“Huh. Well, I don’t know where he is, Niall. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, I think I might step out on the balcony for some fresh air then,” I state before head to get my shoes from the foyer.

As I kneel down to slip my shoes on properly, I hear a voice through the door.

“…the fact that I haven’t even told my parents about our relationship,” I hear Liam tell someone.

“What do you mean?” Zayn voice responds.

I sigh and stand up, not wanting to get caught listening in on the conversation outside the door. I kick my shoes back off and walk into the kitchen instead, hoping beyond all hope that Chef Harry will spare some food for me. Which, y’know, will only happen over his dead body.

“Hey there, Niall! How was Skype with Greg?” Harry greets me from by the stove.

“It was great. I really needed some time to talk to my brother, so it was exactly what I needed just then. How is lunch coming along?” I reply.

“I’m pretty sure it’ll be good,” he says. Harry is ever the self-doubter. “Would you mind setting the table, Ni?” he requests after a few moments.

“I’d be happy to do something to keep myself busy,” I remark as I head to the cupboard where Harry keeps his and Lou’s plates. “Wait, what are we having? I don’t want to set out plates and find out you made soup today.”

“Tacos. We’re having tacos.”

“Of course we are, Harry. I should have known."