We all stood up and stretched a bit after sitting on the uncomfortable stadium seats for two hours. I looked at the boys and wondered if I’d ever see them again, and then thought to myself that was insane, they don’t have time for someone like me. I’m so utterly normal, why would they want to see me again? They were just being kind today, letting me sit with them.

The six of us and their bodyguards, who had done an excellent job of remaining inconspicuous throughout the game, waited for the stands to clear out a little before climbing down the stairs and making our way to the exit.

“Well, we had a lot of fun with you tonight, Maddie,” Liam said sweetly, giving me a quick hug. I fangirled a bit in my head, but kept my cool, smiling back. “I had fun, too, thank you for letting me sit with y’all!”

Niall grinned and assured me that it was their pleasure and Louis shook his head, muttering, “Y’all…” but gave me a hug as well, followed by Harry and Zayn, who each murmured how they, too, had a good time tonight.

“Well, I’ve got to get to my hotel…bye guys!” I smiled and waved, but before I turned around, Niall stepped forward and wrapped his long arms around me, squeezing gently. I was shocked, but quickly reached up and put my arms around his waist in return. “Did you really think you would just leave without saying goodbye to me?” Niall whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my back. I thought I felt his hand brush my bag that was secured on my shoulders, but I must have imagined it. He stepped back and flashed a smile at me before waving and saying, “Goodbye Maddie, I hope I’ll see you again.”

I waved back awkwardly and I’m sure I had a stupid grin on my face, but I literally could not control my body at this point. I’d just been hugged by Niall Horan and the rest of One Direction. How many girls can say that?

As I turned away I heard several whoops and the sound of someone being slapped on the back a few times, and I could’ve sworn I heard Zayn say, “Get’em mate!”

I laughed quietly to myself and stepped outside to hail a cab. The drive to the hotel I was staying at took a while, since so many people were leaving the stadium at once, but I didn’t mind. I had such I good time with the boys and I wanted nothing more than to do it again, but I hastily pushed that thought aside; that was a one-time thing. I sighed and when I reached the hotel, got out and went up to my room. After arriving in London, I’d hurriedly checked in and stopped my luggage off before leaving for the game.

I reached my room on the sixth floor and groaned as I saw my unpacked suitcase sitting by the door. I absolutely hated unpacking. But I knew I needed to take care of it, or I’d never get it done. So set to work taking things out of the large bag and arranging the drawers beside the single bed. It was a small room, since it was just me staying there.

When I’d finished I grabbed my bathroom bag and walked over to the sink, quickly scrubbing my face and taking my contacts out. I looked at myself in the mirror, frowning. I’d never liked the way I looked, but I didn’t obsess over it. I had plain brown hair that fell a few inches past my shoulder and was a bit thick and stick straight. I stared into my eyes, blue that faded into gold before reaching the pupils. Sometimes they changed color to greenish-blue, which I thought was pretty cool, but other than that, they didn’t particularly stand out.

I sighed. There was nothing about me that was exceptional; I was just a normal eighteen year-old girl. I was pretty short, at five-one and a half feet tall, and I was pretty slim and muscular, thanks to soccer, but I wasn’t pretty. I was just a girl.

I went to the tiny kitchen to get some water and pulled my phone out of my bag to check for any messages. I had none, so I decided to call my mom.

“Hey Mom, I just got home from the game. How are you?”

“I’m doing good, sweetie, did you have fun?”

“Yeah! I had a blast! You’ll never guess who I sat by…”

My mom laughed. “Who?” I grinned into the phone and told her, “One Direction!”

“What? But I thought you had regular tickets? Wouldn’t they have some fancy private seating?”

“Yes, of course they did!” I laughed again and explained the situation to her. I heard my younger brother yelling on the other line, and she sighed and said, “Well, that sounds really neat, Maddie, but I have to take your brother to drum lessons, so I will talk to you soon!”

“Okay Mom, I love you, bye!” I told her before hanging up. I dumped the rest of my bag out onto the table and something caught my eye. A small piece of what looked like a cheap napkin fluttered out and landed beside my camera. I opened it up, confused.

Written in a boy’s hand, several digits were scrawled sloppily on the napkin with a name underneath. Niall. I smiled liked an idiot to myself and wondered what to do. Should I call him? Text him? He didn’t have my number, so I was unfortunately forced to make the first move.

I could honestly not believe that Niall Horan had given me his phone number. Why? What was so special about me? I shook my head and, on a whim, decided to text him.

Hey Niall, it’s Maddie! Nice move, you sneaky Irishman ;)

I was kind of amazed with myself; typically I was not the girl to do any flirting…at all. But there was something about Niall and he seemed interested in me, although I had no idea why, so it really couldn’t hurt to contact him, could it?

Notes

There you go! I can't believe I just wrote four chapters in one night!