I woke up in my room, thank God, but I panicked when I looked around and saw clothes thrown everywhere and a half naked Niall sleeping on my floor. Why is he here? Why are there clothes all over the place? My head was pounding as I started hyperventilating. Shit, did I…with Niall…while I was drunk?! He’s wearing my sweatpants!
“Oh no,” I gasped. My own voice made my head hurt. I sat up, a head rush making me sway a little but I planted my hands in front of me to steady myself. “Fuck…fuck shit, damn it!” Niall shot up at the sound of my loud cursing. I flinched further away from him, staring as he blinked himself awake.
“You okay?” I just stared at him. Am I okay? What did I do that would make me not okay? Why are you in my room?! “Hello? Are you in there?” He smirked at me but I stayed silent, still trying to figure out what’s going on. “We didn’t do anything if that’s what you’re thinking.” I nodded before looking away from him. “I had to change your clothes because they were covered in vomit.”Vomit?!
“Oh my God.” I wailed, making my head hurt.
“Harry was here too, but he couldn’t stay the night.” Harry saw me like that too?! “It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal?!” I gasped, “I can’t remember anything!”
He scoffed, “Oh, I’ll tell ya what ‘appened.” Oh no, the accent. He’s mad. “You got in a huge shouting match with Eileen because some random guy showed up.” Random guy? “Alex or Alec or something like that was his name.” Oh NO. “Eileen brought him over to talk to you and you flipped out. I mean you were like a nuclear bomb.
“Then he started sayin’ rude things to you and I told him to fuck off. Then Brice—this part is actually funny—she started cursin’ him off and slappin’ him and tellin’ him to stop ruinin’ ‘er birthday.” I smiled a little; you go Bricey!
“But the rest of the night you and Eileen kept going at it while I was sat between ya.” He frowned at me. “What the fuck ‘Unter…”
“What did I say?” I whispered. I couldn’t look at him, the embarrassment was too great.
“You told her you hate ‘er, but you mostly shouted stuff about that guy. Why did he leave you on the highway?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But you can talk about it when you’re trashed with someone ya hate?” He shouted. My head throbbed at his loud voice. “What the fuck! You told me we could talk to each other about anythin’, why can’t we talk about that?!”
“Stop yelling.”
“Then tell me! You ‘ave no idea what I had to go through last night for you, and I didn’t even know why I was going through it.” What did he go through? “The least you can do is tell me why he did that!”
“Well I don’t want to.” I snapped.
“Eileen is pissed at me because of you! She’s mad that I was helpin’ you when you passed out, instead of goin’ with her. She could break up with me!”
“Then go to fucking Eileen then!” I screamed pointing at the door. “You could’ve left me there, I’m used to it.” He frowned at me in confusion. “Yeah, that’s a thing with me Niall. I get left places when I’m passed out, especially when you’re girlfriend is there. But you don’t care about that, do you?
“You just care about the great sex you have with her and her hot body and perfect face. You don’t even know her, Niall! You don’t know what she’s done to me; how many times I’ve had to forgive her. But no, go to her and apologize. I wouldn’t want the relationship that you don’t even want to be ripped apart.”
I kicked the covers off me and stormed, to the best of my hung-over ability, towards the door. He got there first, slamming the door and leaning against it. We glared at each other, panting with anger. If he’s so worried about his and Eileen’s relationship, then he should be with her. I didn’t need his help; I’ve gotten out of situations like that perfectly fine without his help. He should’ve fucking stayed with her.
Unsolicited, angry hot tears pricked my eyes as a faded memory of Alec from last night crossed my mind. He was mocking me about that night he kicked me out of his car— laughed at me. He thought I was pathetic and a waste of space. I was nothing to him—lower than dirty and worthy to be spat on. I remember seeing Eileen smirking behind him, doing nothing to stop him…just like she did the night he left me on the highway. Why didn’t I stay mad at her for that? I should’ve never forgiven her. I should’ve told everyone what she did to make them see how evil she is.
I remember Niall and Brice stepping in front of me, and that was all my memory could recall. Faintly the vision of Liam, Dan and Harry standing from the seats presented itself, but I couldn’t remember anything else.
Niall raised his hand to brush my tears away with his thumb, only for them to be replaced again. My breathing stuttered as I looked up at him. He looked so concerned for me, like I was about to go into surgery. A sob ripped through me and I buried my face in his chest so he wouldn’t see. He hugged me close to him, petting my messy hair to sooth me.
“Don’t be mad at me.” I sobbed. “Please, I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
“It’s hard for me to be mad at you, Hunter.” He muttered into my hair. “Even when you say stupid things when you’re drunk.” What did I say to him?!
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t say anything, he just held me to his chest. It didn’t take long for Eileen to creep back into my mind though. Did she really bring Alec there, on purpose? Why would she do that to make a scene at Brice’s birthday? Oh, shit Brice. “I have to call Brice.” I gently pushed out of his arms and grabbed my phone off the desk, dialing her number.
“Hunter!” She sighed. “I am happy that you are okay.”
I let out a breathy laugh, “Yeah, I’m okay. I’m so sorry I ruined your birthday Brice. I’ll make it up to you.” I rushed. Niall came and sat next to me on my bed—too close. I moved away, avoiding eye contact because I knew he was staring.
“Hunter, you did not ruin my birthday party. It was that snake Eileen; she invited him! I had a verylong talk with her afterwards. I shouted and cursed!” I saw red, my fingers squeezing around the phone. Only Eileen could make Brice that upset. “I am completely finished with her, Hunter. If I do not see it for another thirty years, it will be too soon.” I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead.
“You and me both, Bricey.”
“I actually have to go; work and things….stuff…work and stuff. Maybe you and I can hang out again. You, me, Liam and Niall…or Harry; whoever you prefer.”
“Yeah, we’ll see, have fun at work.”
“I guarantee I will not. Bye!” I hung up and fell back against my mattress. There are so many blanks that need filling, it’s making me tired. I felt Niall lie down next to me, but I didn’t have the energy to move away from him again.
After a couple minutes he broke the silence.
“So, I’m a good kisser, huh?” He always says the most random things…
I frowned at him, “What?” A smug smirk slid across his face as he turned on his side looking down at me.
“You said so in the car last night. I was flattered.” I rolled my eyes. There’s nothing I can do about it now; you can’t take words back. It doesn’t matter anyway because it’s true. “You miss snogging me?”
“I said that?” He nodded, still smug as fuck. “Can I just remind you, I was drunk and I had no idea what I was saying…”
“Drunken words are sober thoughts.”
“Not necessarily true.”
“So it was a lie?” I looked away from him. Time to change the subject.
“Where’s C.L.? And my parents?”
He eyed me before answering, “Your parents went into the city this morning. C.L. went to the beach, and I guess they just haven’t come back yet.”
“Do they know you’re here?”
“Nope, I hid in your closet.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “You’ve got tons of dresses. Why don’t you wear them?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
He rolled his eyes, “Suit yourself.” We laid in silence for forever after that. He just stared at me with an anxious expression. What’s he so concerned about? What is he thinking? I frowned at him; silently asking if he was okay. I was only further confused when he let out a sigh, closing his eyes like he was frustrated. What did I do? Was it something I said last night?
“Want to play a game Hunter?” He mumbled, eyes still closed.
Oh Niall, what’s wrong? “What sort of game?” His eyes opened and I was happy to see his cocky smirk came back.
“You don’t have to move if that’s what you’re asking.” I flushed. “It’s called is this true or not.”
“Oh.” Crap.
“I’m just trying to figure to some stuff out.” My eyes widened. “From last night…” My expression didn’t change. I feel like this game is going to get me in deep trouble. But I nodded anyway before I could think too much—because that always ruins things, especially with Niall. “First question, Alex or whatever is your ex.”
“Not true…technically.”
He seemed to relax a little then smirked at me again. “I’m a good kisser.”
My own words to him about being truthful invaded my thoughts. Jeez, I meant that for him! Not as a trap for myself… “True.” I mumbled.
“You’re better friends with Brice than Eileen.”
“True.”
“You hate Eileen.”
“True.
“Eileen was in the car.” I frowned in confusion. “When you were left on the highway.” He added.
“True.”
He paused, searching my eyes before slowly continuing. “She did nothing to stop it.” His voice became quieter as he moved his hand in between us.
“True.” I breathed.
He swallowed, “Whatever happened messed you up.”
“What does ‘mess you up’ mean?”
“Whatever applies, I guess.”
I thought for a second, “True.”
“He hurt you.”
“Can we…skip that one?” I whispered. He shook his head slowly, his eyes begging for an answer. I screwed my eyelids shut. “True…” I breathed.
“Look at me,” my eyes opened and I tensed, preparing for whatever he was going to day next. “I’ll leave it alone. Don’t be upset.” His voice was soft, and comforting. I nodded, so he knew I appreciated it. He stared into my eyes and he scooted a little closer to me. “Now to questions about you and me.” I pursed my lips, but nodded. I don’t know why I’m agreeing to any of this—I’m not ready to tell him anything. Why does he want to know all of this anyway? “You don’t actually like that I’m dating Eileen.”
“True.” My voice was a lot tinier than I meant for it to be.
“You like me and Harry.”
I swallowed. “Not true.”
“Hmm.” He mumbled. “Um,” He glanced down at his hand then back to me. He was blushing. I stared at him wide eyed waiting for his next move, or question, either one. I looked down at his hand, and boldly put my next to his. We weren’t touching, but my heart still pounded in my chest, probably loud enough for him to hear.
“You don’t get why I’m dating Eileen.”
“True and not true.”
“Both?” I nodded. “I don’t understand.”
I shrugged, “Next.” He stared at me before blushing slightly as he looked down at our hands.
“You want to…go on a date.” He mumbled, face growing darker red. I wish I knew what had him so flustered.
Just a date? “Um…random but true.”
He stared at his hand. “With me.” My eyes nearly fell out of my head. Is he asking me out? Or is this just hypothetical? His eyes flickered up to mine as he waited for me to respond.
“True.” I said finally, tensing.
“Okay,” he breathed.
“Was that hypothetical?”
“Not true.” He smirked.
I gasped, suddenly feeling the urge to throw my arms around him. The feeling faded quickly though. “You have a girlfriend.”
“We’re on a break as of last night.” A break! And he’s already asking me out? My mind raced trying to pick which emotion my face should show. It settled on confused. How can he be so easy to move on?
“Already?”
“I’ve…” he look at his hand “I’ve been waiting…” My mouth fell open. Waiting? I’ve been waiting! “I—um…you didn’t show…” He sighed. “I didn’t think you were interested.” Is this a joke? Is he messing with me? “You always yelled at me when I kissed you…and you would avoid me and you—” He glanced up at me. “You seem like you like hooking up with Harry…so I just thought he was who you liked…” He paused. “The look on your face when you first met him—it was like he was the best thing you ever saw.” Did I really look at Harry like that? No! I look at him like that!
“Are you serious?”
He frowned, “Yes.”
“Niall…” I laughed at the irony. “This is so ridiculous. I’ve always…you liked Eileen from the beginning. What do you even mean ‘you’ve been waiting’?” I just couldn’t believe this. This whole time he was waiting for me?! “This is so ridiculous.” I repeated.
“Why is it ridiculous? You’ve…” He traced his fingers along the ligaments in my hand, giving himself something else to look at. “You’ve always been more to me…even though we’re friends.” He chuckled and looked up at me, “I mean you saw how I freaked out at the volleyball tournament right? And last night…Eileen wanted me to leave you when you passed out on the sidewalk.”
He shook his head, “I can’t believe she wanted me to do that. I told her ‘fuck no, I’m not leaving her on the fuckin’ sidewalk’ and she was like ‘she’ll find her way home when she wakes up’ and we got in a big fight about how I always choose you over her.” I can’t believe it—I just can’t. “Then she said we were on a break and I carried you to my car. And on the way home you woke up and started yelling at me too…then at the end you randomly said I was a good kisser.”
“Oh my god.” I can’t believe anything.
“Back to the date though…” He moved his eyes back down to his fingers tracing over mine. “Will you…go with me…?” He was blushing again. I think I’m having a heart attack. This is so much to take in, and I’m hung over. I can’t do this.
But just think about it… A date with Niall…that’s what I’ve been wishing for. That’s what I’ve wanted all along. What would we even do? I kind of just want to hang out in his basement and play video games again…or go to the beach…I don’t even care.
What if Eileen sees us?
“Eileen will be mad.” I mumbled.
“True.”
“And you’d cheat on her to go on a date with someone who threw up on themself?”
“Not true.” I frowned. “It’s not cheating.”
“But…it’ll be cheating in her mind.” He only shrugged. I sighed, looking down at our hands again, slowly pulling mine away. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” He gripped my wrist, moving his hand over mine and curling his fingers down between mine. Heart failure.
He stared into my eyes, desperately; his face pink. “I’ll handle Eileen if she says something—which she shouldn’t because she’s the one the put us on break.”
“Niall…”
“Just one date, Hunter. I know you have stuff to wear.”
I shook my head, “It’s not about my outfit. We can’t…”
“Yes we can. Who’s stopping us?”
“Eileen!”
He smirked, “Forget about Eileen for a second.” Moving our hands up to his mouth, he placed a gentle kiss on my palm. “Please go on a date with me. We don’t have to go anywhere posh, if that’s what you’re afraid of. We can go to Our Place, or the fucking arcade…or the beach.” He paused. “I’m really begging here, Hunter. I don’t usually want it this bad—the date I mean.” He wants me.Me!
I ‘forgot about Eileen for a second’ and let happiness burst inside of me. This is real and happening and he just asked me on a date and I’m fucking saying yes, goddamn it.
I bit my lip, failing miserably to hold back my smile. “A smile, what does that mean?”
“It means we should wear running shoes in case we run into Eileen…on our date.” His face broke into a wide All-American-but-he’s-actually-Irish smile. He moved closer to me, still holding my hand. I pecked him softly, my giddiness just taking over. “Did I help you figure stuff out? With the true-not-true thing?”
“A bit. I can tell you don’t like talking about it.” I nodded. “Maybe another time.”
“Maybe.”
“So…now I have to plan this date.” He frowned down at my sheets. “Do you want a surprise or…?”Oh my god.
I giggled at how nervous he sounded. “Sure.”
“Great.” He grumbled.
“Were you excited for your dates with Eileen?”
He didn’t even hesitate. “No, and we’ve been on so many. It’s more like she takes me somewhere to meet to all her snotty friends to show me off or something.”
“I won’t do that.” I whispered. His eyes snapped to mine.
“I didn’t think so.” There was a long silence as we stared at each other. I looked away, down to our hands. It’s almost like that shock hasn’t fully hit me yet, but I know at one point it will—and it’ll hit me hard. I’ll probably scream.
“Niall?”
“Hmm?”
I giggled, “Why are you wearing my sweatpants?” He smirked.
“You puked on my trousers when I dragged you into the house so I thought I’d wear yours. These are the only ones that were big enough.” My face drained. “It’s alright.”
“I don’t understand how you can even look at me after that, Niall.”
He chuckled. “You were so talkative, and you didn’t cry.” I rolled my eyes and hid my face in my pillow. He let go of my hand and moved my hair to one shoulder. What is he doing? I peeked at him, surprised to see how much closer he was. Our noses were nearly touching. “You smell like mangos, I think.” I laughed at his uncertainty making him blush.
“You think?”
“I’ve never had one.”
“What?” I gasped. “We have some downstairs.” I jumped out of bed, ignoring my pounding head, and pulled on a pair of pajama shorts—oh god, I haven’t been wearing pants. He was still lying on my bed smirking at me. “C’mon.” I encouraged. For someone reason I was excited for this…or maybe it’s the fact that we have a date coming up was finally catching up with me.
He got up and I dragged him down that stairs into the kitchen. He sat patiently at the kitchen bar as I got a mango from the fridge. I pulled out a steak knife and started cutting the skin off in a swirl. “I can’t believe you’ve never had one.” He only shrugged, smirking at me with intense blue eyes. “So Harry was here?” He nodded. “Did I throw up on him too?”
“No, you saved all that for me.”
“Sorry.” I mumbled.
“I told you, it’s fine.” He waved a hand. “He’s cool, good lad.”
“I thought you didn’t like him.” I sliced the mango up into clumps and we just started eating it off the cutting board. He didn’t seem to mind.
“What made you think I didn’t like him?”
I shrugged, “Last night…under that table…” Oh wow, I remember that very clearly. “I wasn’t too drunk to remember.” I smirked. “Jealous, huh?”
He blushed looking at the counter as he chewed. “True.” He looked up at me. “Doesn’t mean I don’t like him though.” There was a silence. Here goes nothing.
“It could’ve easily been you.” My voice was barely above a whisper.
“Really?” Why is he so surprised? I nodded. “Our date is Friday.” He added. “Come to my house.”
Bossy. “Got it, sir.”
“Said you want a surprise, right?” I nodded. “Alright. Are we doing the holding hands thing or is it just a hang out type of thing.”
More heart failure. “I don’t know…it doesn’t matter to me.”
“What do you want?” I shrugged. “Fine, we’ll do what I want then.”
“Which is?”
“I’ll surprise you.” Before I could roll my eyes Louis and Chip came in through the sliding door sweaty and shirtless looking like they just strolled through hell. There was an oddly large distance between them, so I assumed the argument they had was still going on—especially since Chip was scowling.
“Hey, look who’s up!” Louis said. “You were knocked out cold this morning. Mom thought you were dead.” I frowned, glancing at Niall.
“Um, I was just tired.” They both came up to sit next to Niall, stealing a chunk of mango in the process. Jeez, they can be such twins sometimes. “Where’ve you been?” I muttered, even though I already knew.
“Went to practice on the beach.” I rolled my eyes—C.L. and their soccer.
Chip looked at Niall, “I went to your house to see if you wanted to come, but Greg said you weren’t home.”
Niall shrugged, “Yeah, I was at Liam’s.”
“Louis you practiced?” I asked, suddenly worried he was pushing himself too early.
“I did leg work outs, went for a little run, and then did one on one…it didn’t hurt that bad.” I gave him a disapproving look. I could see in his face he was in a little pain and knowing Chip, he wouldn’t care while they play one or one, and would be impossibly rough with him.
“Hunter, I have to stay in shape. I can’t go back home all flabby.” He quickly moved on before I could scold him. “How was Brice’s birthday?” Louis asked, stealing more mango chunks. I went to the fridge to get more mangos to slice. When I turned around, cutting the skin off, Louis and Chip were still waiting for an answer from Niall or me. I stared at Niall impassively, hoping he was hearing my mental screams for him to say something. He frowned in confusion. Idiot.
“It was good.” I said.
“Just good?” I nodded. He gave me a serious look. “What happened?”
“Nothing happened. It was just good.”
They both eyed me then turned to Niall. Shit. “What happened, Niall?” He shrugged, completely unfazed by their interrogation. “So nothing happened at all? You just sat there, ate dinner, then left?”
“Basically.” I muttered.
“You fucking liar.” Chip laughed. “Did you throw up on Eileen or something?” Both Niall and I burst into laughter.
“No, I didn’t.” I cackled. No, but I threw up on the one I like instead.
“Just tell us.” He snapped, growing impatient. I stopped laughing and rolled my head back, sighing at the ceiling. Might as well spit it out.
“Eileen brought Alec.” As I feared, their faces hardened, their blue eyes turning ice cold. Shit. “The situation was handled. Don’t get your panties in a knot.”
“Why the fuck did she do that?!” Louis exploded. Niall eyed me confused as to what was going on. “We fucking saw her on the beach! If we knew we would’ve…”
“What? Beat up a girl?”
Chip snickered, “I doubt anyone would object.” He eyed Niall, I guess waiting for him to say something but he remained impassive and he ate the mango.
“The police would! And Mom and Dad.” I paused, popping more mango in my mouth. “Listen, it was taken care of. Everything is fine. Now, go take a shower you both smell like shit.” A few moments of silent staring and they finally walked away. I let out a breath.
“You don’t like to talk about it with them either?” Niall mumbled. I shook my head. “Fair enough.”
“How’s the mango?”
He smirked, “Very good. You definitely do smell like it.”
“Is that good?” He nodded. “Well…thank you…”
“Anytime, babe.” Oh my god. “I think I’m gonna go home soon. I need to shower too.”
You can use my shower. “Okay.” He slowly leaned on the counter, smirking at me like he was waiting for something. “What?” He just stared at me, titling his head to the side like a dog when they hear a weird noise. “What do you want?” His smile widened. “What?!” I said frustrated. I hate not knowing what he’s thinking.
“Nothing, I’ll see you Friday.”
I frowned, “That’s four days away. I won’t see you before then?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” I rolled my eyes. “I have date planning to do anyway.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
He chuckled, “Come here.” He said. I lifted an eyebrow but leaned closer anyway, expecting him to whisper something to me. To my surprise he kissed me firmly on the cheek. I smiled turning my face to his. We’re centimeters apart. Just kiss me! I could smell the mango on his breath and it was just making me want to taste him more. What are you waiting for? Do it! “I have to go.” He breathed, lips brushing mine ever so slightly. This must be some kind of torture.
I heard him groan before pressing his lips to mine, only to pull away a second later and disappear out the backdoor. I pouted but smirked as I saw him run across my backyard and jump over the fence. He’s so fucking goofy.
He still has my pants…
“Date, huh?” I screamed when I heard Louis’ voice suddenly right next to me. I smacked him in the arm.
“Were you eavesdropping?!”
“Yup.” I stalked away from him.
“You’re so annoying.” I grumbled, but I was smiling as I faced away from him. I have a fucking date with Niall.