Chapter 23
Bailey's POV
Two days have gone by and each one ticks closer to Christmas. For those forty-eight hours, I haven't found myself to go present shopping. I still need to get something for my parents and Danny. I figured I could send the package abroad.
In three more days, I should be celebrating the holiday season with gingerbread men and hot chocolate. Everyone is happy and cheery.
Everyone that is, except me. I cannot get in the Christmas spirit, no matter how many times my mother says that to me. She practically dragged me into the living room last night to watch the Christmas specials on TV. On top of that, my father did all of the cookie baking, which was something I would always enjoy taking part in when I got home from school.
I feel like I'm depressed, and honestly, it's really scaring me. Two boys just can't get out of my thoughts. Images of my brother, Danny and Niall float through my brain. I imagine what Danny looks like when he texts me, "I love you." Then, I think of Niall, and the way he held my hand. The warmth made my body tingle.
I lay in bed while reminiscing over all of Niall and I's dates, or when we just hung out and watched movies together. I stare up at the ceiling fan. A small smile breaks out on my face when Niall's musical laughter plays over in my mind. He makes everyone smile.
The bedroom door creaks open and my mother walks in. She takes in my appearance, sighing.
"Bailey, you haven't gotten out of bed in two days."
"That's not true. You dragged me out yesterday," I remind her.
She rests her hand on her hip, frowning at me.
"Don't you still have present shopping to do?" Mum asks.
I simply nod.
"Come on then, get out of bed and go."
I roll my eyes, flipping over the bed sheets. I crawl out and tiredly walk in my closet. My mother leaves just as I take out a pair of jeans and a sweater. In a matter of minutes, I'm dressed and freshened up. I grab my purse that sits on my desk chair.
Once I'm on the road, the radio is turned on. My fingers tap on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song. I slow down at a red light and check my makeup. The side mirror barely helps, so I'm praying that I don't look too horrendous.
Small, white speckles abruptly fall on the wind shield. Gradually, there becomes more and each one thickens. The snow looks so pretty as it falls on the surrounding trees.
My eyes casually glance at the car next to me. I almost have a heart attack when I see the driver.
He looks just like Niall.
When I turn back to check again, the car is gone.
I'm going mad.
Niall couldn't possibly be here. I bet he went home to Ireland with his family. Of course, I don't know that for a fact, but who would stay on campus for a holiday?
Finally calming down, I pull into a shopping center. The light snow falls on top of my head when I step outside. The ice quickly melts into water. Some continue to stick on my sweater.
Automatic doors open in front of me and I walk inside. I sigh when the heat warms up my body.
First is my mother. I make my way to the ladies department. I guess clothes will do. I haven't seen her in months. I'm not completely sure what she wants for Christmas. I should have checked with my father to see what he already purchased for her. I skim through the racks of shirts. A nice looking cardigan catches my eye. The light, grayish color is perfect for this season. I take the piece of clothing with me, choosing the right size.
I stop in the jewelry section. A lovely necklace lays within a glass case. I watch the beads and jewels glisten in the lighting. When the price tag comes into view, I turn away. Too expensive for this college student.
******
I wait patiently in line, holding all of the items. I picked out a bracelet for my mother, along with the cardigan. My father is a huge football fan, so I got him a few different jerseys.
And then Danny. I decide on doing a care package, since the present will be sent abroad. I gathered a bunch of his favorite candy, some shirts, a small blanket, and a photo frame. I intend to pick out a nice picture of Danny and I for the frame. I hope he likes it. I know it's not too special, but there are limited things that you can send in a package.
The woman hands me a receipt and thanks me. I take the bag and prepare myself for the harsh weather. The door opens and I walk out into a snow storm. It isn't too heavy, but just enough to layer the ground.
I rush to my car and pile the bags in the backseat. I jump into the drivers side, immediately turning the car on. The heat is blasted. I flip the windshield wipers on and they clear my vision of snow.
I take my time on the road, knowing that it's slippery. The radio drowns out my thoughts and I hum along.
The car pulls into the driveway and I unlock the doors. I look over to some of our neighbor's houses. Streamers of fluorescent lights line the outside. Blow-up decorations are on their lawn, along with fake reindeer. One family is already playing in the falling snow.
I take my bags, rushing up the driveway and to the door. The handle is freezing when my bare hands grasp it. I let myself inside. I hear faint murmurs, then silence.
"Hello?" I call out. "Mum?"
I get no response. Maybe they're in the kitchen. I carry the bags through the room. No one is there. I peer around, and find nothing. The last room to check on the main floor is the living room.
I walk through the doorframe and almost pass out. My eyes instantly land on the one person I wanted to see so badly for the past year.
"Danny!"
I let go of the bags and they go crashing to the ground. My body takes into full sprint. My brother opens his arms with a wide smile. I jump into them and he whisks me away. My face nuzzles into the crook of his neck. Tears fall from my eyes.
"I missed you...so much," I cry.
Danny holds me tight, never letting go.
"I love you, Bailey Boo," he says, rubbing my back in comfort.
Of all the possible questions I have for him, I can't turn them into words. I am unable to speak. The only noise in the whole house is mine and Danny's sobs. We were incredibly close. Best friends, you could say.
My feet touch the ground and I wipe away stray tears. My cheeks ought to be rosy pink by now. He looks great. I almost forgot how his voice sounded. My parents appear in the corner of the room, huddled together as they lovingly watch our interaction.
"W-What are you doing here? I t-thought you couldn't come home," I stutter through my words.
The smile grows on Danny's face.
"I got a call a few nights ago...from a man who cares for you. He told me that he lost you and desperately needs you back. This guy is crazy for you, absolutely crazy."
Danny pauses to chuckle.
"And he begged me to come home, for you. I talked to the chief commander, and he let me come home. This guy knew he did something wrong and he owed you something. I guess that something was me."
My eyebrows furrow as he explains the reason for his homecoming. Who is this person? No one pops into my head.
"W-Who called you?" I question, swiping another tear.
Danny grins and turns around towards the den room. I follow his eyesight and watch as the door opens. I nearly choke as the figure steps out.
"Niall?" I squeak.
A tight breath is sucked in while he steps forward. I look back and forth from my brother, to my ex.
"This guy is the reason why I am standing here," Danny tells me.
"You brought my brother home? F-For me?" My voice cracks.
Niall nods and slightly smiles. I can't think right now. I'm still shaking from seeing Danny and now Niall's here? I feel faint.
"Can we talk please?" Niall asks in a small voice.
I bite the inside of my cheek. I look up to Danny and he nods in encouragement.
"Okay.." I whisper.
Relief strikes Niall's features. He outstretches his hand, indicating for me to leave the room.
"Your bedroom?" He suggests once we exit.
I freeze for a moment. I don't do anything but turn up the large wood banister staircase. Our home is quite large and old. The staircase is just one thing that makes it look extraordinary.
Niall follows closely behind as I lead the way up. The door to my bedroom creaks open. He shuts it behind us. I sit down on my bed and turn the attention on him. Niall stays completely silent for a moment, resting his body on my desk chair.
"I need to be able to explain myself. You've gotten away from me too many times," he begins, and for the first time, I listen and shut up.
"Bailey, when I first laid eyes on you in the gym, I instantly knew I had to talk to you. Chase was the one that originally told me to stay away from you. He explained that I should keep the image of the classic football player who only goes for the cheerleaders. That's what everyone believed. You...you were different. You weren't like all of the cheerleaders I was set up with. You're firm, gorgeous, innocent, and simply amazing. I didn't get that from anyone else. Bailey, every time I touched you, held your hand, rubbed your back, it was like the first time. I never wanted to stop holding you. I felt like if I let go, you would disappear into thin air. I wanted to be the perfect boyfriend that you deserved. That night, the night of the volleyball game was the worst day of my life. I lost a piece of me that day. I know what you saw, and I won't be saying that I wasn't kissing her...because I was. All I want to tell you, is that her name is Charlotte. Her and I have a past. We dated last year. I thought she was the one...but I was wrong. She broke my heart, literally ripped it apart and threw it out the window. Charlotte ignored me, until that one night."
Niall pauses for a moment to breath.
"I had intended on leaving the game for a quick minute. Chase was driving me insane, telling me for the thousandth time that I shouldn't be with you. He never thought you were the right one for me. I needed some air and left the gymnasium. When I got outside, Charlotte was just entering. She bumped into me and we both froze. I said a friendly hello to her and we began talking. Charlotte brought you up. I told her how happy I am with you. Apparently, she got a little jealous, which is weird since she ended things with me. Charlotte went on a rampage, telling me that she didn't mean to break up with me. By that, I mean that she is still single and quite desperate. Charlotte started touching me and I tried to run back inside. Instead, she grabbed my collar and kissed me. I tried to get away, I really did Bailey. The kiss just brought back so many memories of us together. I felt like I was glued down to the floor. I realized after that, none of those memories compare to ours. Ours are more special."
Niall reaches over the bed to my hands. I don't move as he stares deeply into my eyes. The whole story of his ex girlfriend is hard to understand and process. He just poured out all of the details of that night.
"Please, Bailey you have to believe me. That is exactly what happened. You just came out at the wrong time."
I stare down at our hands and again feel tears coming. Charlotte was important to him, that's why he couldn't step away. She brought back loving times. And Chase, that's why he brought me out of the building to find the two. Chase doesn't like me. He wanted me to be mad and end things with Niall. I guess his plan worked out..
"Would you have told me that you kissed her?"
My voice can barely be heard. I want to know if he would've kept it a secret from me.
"Of course I would have told you, Bailey. I'm not that kind of guy. I tried to tell you numerous times, but you never let me speak," Niall explains.
I pray that he is telling me the truth.
"Charlotte doesn't mean anything to me, now. Sure, she'll always have a place in my heart. Charlotte was my first love. But I have someone else now. She's beautiful, thoughtful, kind, and feisty," Niall adds, pinching my sides.
I squeal in shock, playfully slapping his hands away from me.
"Her name is Bailey," Niall concludes.
I look up into his eyes. He is dangerously close to me. Niall just poured his heart out and I accepted every word he spoke. His sea blue eyes sparkle with the sun light that is peering in through the windows.
"I fell in love with you, but I was just too afraid to tell you."
My mouth parts in shock at his final words. I let out a breath. My lip starts to tremble.
Niall sees my expressions and immediately reaches out to me. I'm pulled in a tight hug. His arms wrap around my back. I rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling his scent. His words tug at my heart. I feel safe in his grasp. Nothing can harm me when I'm with Niall and I know that now. I missed his touch so much. He really does care for me. I pull away from the hug, almost too quick.
"I can't lose my girl," Niall says, shaking his head.
My heart flutters when he calls me his girl.
"Say something, anything," he begs.
Niall watches me as I look down to my lap and back up to him. A new emotion rushes through my body.
"You haven't lost me," I breath out.
I latch out to his neck and he grips a hold of my waist. Niall appears surprised by my forward actions, but willingly goes along.
My lips forcefully connect with his. I tug at his hair, earning a moan. His tongue swipes across my bottom lip. I grant him entrance and he invades me.
Niall lightly pushes me down on the bed, hovering over me. We pull away for a split second, breaking for air. He leaves desperate kisses down my neck and collarbone. Niall leaves my neck and returns to my lips. They fit perfectly together. Our lips move in sync just like before. His hands roam my body. I tug at his bottom lip, pulling away. Niall presses a soft kiss to my nose. I'm cradled into his strong arms.
"Never again, I promise," Niall breathlessly swears.
I can't believe we just kissed. After all of this time. Do I really want to give in to him? I won't be able to survive another heartbreak. He better not do it again.
"I want to show you that I can be a better boyfriend than before," he vows. "I know I'm asking a lot after I hurt you, but think about it, Bailey? I'm not letting you go again."
I nod at his question. He's right: I do need some time to think about all of this. He did bring my brother home for me. I know he does truely care for me.
Niall leans down to plant one more quick kiss to my lips.
Hi guys! I hope you liked this chapter. I loved writing it :)
I do want to explain one thing that some people were assuming on Instagram. Bailey and Niall are not back together just yet. She needs some time to think about it. I didn't want you guys to think that they're dating again.
Hope you all are doing well! Thanks for reading.. <3