(A/N- Chapter 3, lovelies! It's a shorter one. I do really try to have my chapters at least five pages, but sometimes there are certain points of a story that it just makes sense to stop and create a new chapter. Also, this story will be in both Niall and Harry's points of view. Mostly Niall's but when I switch between them I will make you all aware!! I tried to make this all in third person, but I just am not happy with the way I write in third. Anyway, Enjoy!! The next chapter will be up either tomorrow or Sunday! xx )
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I arrived at the record store for my shift on Saturday morning. I really wasn’t happy about having to work on the weekends, but when you work retail, it is a requisite. Luckily since I agreed to work every Saturday, I would always have Sundays off.
I envied Liam and Louis. Both only having to work Monday through Friday so they were able to sleep in, while I was up at half six to ensure I opened the store by eight.
The morning was relatively slow and I kept myself busy by reorganizing the albums. I thought about last night and the pretty good reception that I received while performing. It was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. Of course there had to be a bit of a rain cloud; that rain cloud was in the form of Harry and Zayn.
As soon as the boys and I got home, they looked at me again for an explanation and I caved and told my best friends all about my high school. I told them that I never spoke, I kept to myself, I didn’t have any friends and that I was constantly called names like freak or weird guy and of course the one name that Harry and Zayn came up with, No Style Niall.
They asked what prompted me to come out of my shell at university. I told them about the way I felt at my graduation and that I wouldn’t allow myself to stay in my own bubble and I would show people my personality; the personality that only my family saw.
After my narration of my high school life, they finally understood my slight change in attitude when Harry and Zayn joined us at our table. I told them of the encounter at the record store and that they hadn’t recognized me and I also told them the account of what Zayn said to me back stage.
Liam, always the voice of reason, suggested that maybe they had changed and had grown out of their childish ways and were trying to make amends. He also said that maybe Zayn called me No Style Niall again because he was shocked to say the least at the ‘new Niall’. I agreed with Liam and thought maybe but also doesn’t it just prove how shallow they are, or were, maybe still are.
Louis and Liam both confessed to having opinions of certain people in their high schools and may have stupidly voiced those opinions too. I guess if Liam and Louis grew up then maybe they did too. But I certainly would still have my guard up if in fact I ever saw them again and just as I thought that, who should walk in.
“Hey Niall” He said and I looked up to see him shyly smile and ruffle his hair, almost nervously.
“Harry” I replied with a nod and walked back over to the till knowing that he wasn’t allowed behind the counter thereby ensuring there would be at least three feet and a counter between us at all times.
“I know I wasn’t the nicest person to you in school and I did call you some pretty stupid and immature names and I just wanted to apologize.” He said while his fingers picked at a part of an old sticker that was on the counter.
“Thank you for your apology.”
“You’ve certainly changed. You look good Niall.” He said with a smile showing his dimples.
I rolled my eyes which he took notice of.
“What’s with the eye roll? I’m trying to be nice.” He states firmly
“I haven’t changed. No one gave me the time in school to get to know who I am. You are only commenting on my appearance Harry. That is the only thing about me that has changed.”
“Well, I have changed, Niall. I am not the same guy I was back then. I am no longer only worried about my image and popularity. Zayn too. We were just really shocked at the bar and didn’t really know how to react.” He says and inches his fidgeting fingers closer to where my hand rested on the other side of the counter.
“That’s good Harry. I am glad that you two have grown up but you surely have to understand why I am not all excited about becoming friendly with you.” I retorted and pulled my hands off the counter and away from his approaching fingers.
“Well for what it is worth, I hope that we can begin having a friendship.”
“We’ll see, I guess.” I say and shrug my shoulders.
There were a few minutes of awkward silence before it was broken by Harry.
“So…..will you…um….be performing at The Oakwood again?” He said referring to the bar I performed at last night.
“You were really great, Niall. I was blown away. Your voice is amazing and has a smooth tone to it and you certainly are quite the lyricist. That song you wrote was beautiful and arranged really well. I was quite impressed.” He said. I just looked at him strangely. He was talking like he was writing a review.
“Oh” he said with a chuckle when he took notice to my expression. “Zayn and I are assistants to James Maddox. He runs Maddox Entertainment.” My mouth dropped.
“Uh…yeah. I know who James Maddox is. Wow. I’m actually really impressed. How did the two of you snag such a great job?” I asked.
“Zayn and I both have a degree in Music Business and interned at Maddox Entertainment and were lucky enough to be hired as his assistants when we graduated. What did you get your degree in? And why did you choose to work in a record store if you don’t mind me asking.”
“I got my degree in Music. And I certainly had offers for careers with record labels or management companies, but I really wanted to focus my energy on becoming a musician so I decided that a non stressful job would be the way to go and I would try to make a name for myself doing small shows and such.” I replied.
“Well you certainly are talented, Niall. I don’t do anything with the A and R side of the business, but I can certainly have someone from the company check you out at your next performance. I mean, if you would like that.”
“Are you kidding me!” I exclaimed. “That would be amazing! Thank you so much, Harry” I say with a smile and come out from behind the counter to hug him. This was the Niall that everyone knew from university and I was allowing Harry, a bully from my high school, to see. He accepted the hug with a slight laugh. I pulled away quickly
“Sorry” I began with a shrug. “I’m a hugger”
“I don’t mind at all.” He replied with a smile. “So when is your next performance?”
“Next Friday at The Oakwood. I go on around half nine.”
“Great. Well I’ll see if one of the A and R reps can be there. I’ll be there for sure.” Just as he finished the front door chimed signaling someone’s entrance into the store.
“Hello.” I greeted the new customer. “Let me know if I can be of any assistance” I called to them to which they just nodded. I then returned my attention back to Harry.
“Thank you so much, Harry. That would be really great if a rep could be there, but I won’t be disappointed if they can’t make it. I know they have busy schedules.” I said while rocking back and forth on my feet.
“No problem Niall. Just think of it as me making up for high school. I am really sorry, again. I wish I took the time to get to know you.”
“It’s fine Harry. I know I really didn’t allow anyone the chance to get to know me.” I reply. “But I should probably get back to work.”
“Oh, yeah…right. I won’t keep you any longer.” He replies. “See you Friday night, I guess.” He says and leans in to give me a hug. I gladly return it.
“Yeah” I reply while still embraced in the hug. “I’ll see you Friday.” We pull away but his hands are still on my hips. I look at him with a cocked brow.
“You do look really good, Niall.” He says and slightly squeezes his fingers into my hips and then releases me and walks toward the front door. He turns before he exits, waves back to me and winks.
I return to my place behind the counter. I certainly can recognize when someone has an interest in me and Harry is unquestionably showing signs that he is interested. But I don’t think I want to go there. I still have the memories from high school and I don’t think I can trust, yet, that he has changed.
He is a great deal nicer than I remember him being back then but he may just be putting on an act to get what he might want from me. He was known as the love em’ and leave em’ guy. He was also very, very straight. Or so everyone thought. I can’t deny that he is really good looking, but I don’t think I will allow anything remotely romantic to happen between us.
I stop my over thinking regarding Harry and move on to thoughts of possibly having an A&R rep be at my performance on Friday. I have to figure out what covers to do and what song of mine I will perform. I guess I can use all day tomorrow to work it out.
I am pulled from my thoughts as a customer places a couple of cd’s on the counter. I begin the process of cashing the customer out.