Niall’s smile reflected mine and I felt this strange sense of happiness spread from my heart through my fingertips. I couldn’t explain any of these sensations and I didn’t know what they were, nor was I sure if I liked them or not. I barely knew this guy, but something tethered us together, at least from my perspective. I wanted so badly to know him more; he seemed like the type of person to be the most loyal friend. And that’s what I needed, someone who wouldn’t judge me, someone who would accept me and my decisions. I pushed thoughts and memories of others from my past of out my head and scooted over in booth so that the handsome Irish boy could sit beside me.

He fell into the seat, leaving hardly any room in between us, which made me happy again. “That’s a really good sketch,” he said. I felt my cheeks heat up and I waved his compliment off, “Oh, it’s nothing; I just draw when I’m bored.” I crumbled up the napkin up and tossed it aside.

“How was your run?” Niall asked.

“Good! There wasn’t anyone in the gym, which I always like, so it went well.” I shifted my right leg and he caught a glimpse of my brace, and his brows scrunched together.

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing.

“Oh, that? That’s my knee brace. I have to wear it when I run and stuff.” He nodded to himself and another question fell from his lips. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head. “Not anymore. I tore my ACL a while ago while playing and I’m fine after the surgery, but I still rely on this thing to run. I think I can stop using it soon, though.”

“Wow, that sounds painful. Did you cry?” he asked interestedly. “No, I don’t cry,” I told him.

He just stared at me. “Everyone cries. You’re kidding right?”

“Nope. Well, I try not to cry. I have a high pain tolerance, being a girl and all.” I teased him. He narrowed his eyes mockingly and poked my side, causing me to flinch away. He froze. A tiny hint of a smile played on his lips and a knowing glint entered his eyes, and I swear I knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Don’t even think about it, Horan,” I warned, backing up until I was pressed flat against the wall, putting my legs out in front of me so that he couldn’t advance any further, as he was trying to do. “Is little Maddie ticklish?” he asked cheekily, his smirk growing larger.

“No, no I am most certainly not,” I managed to gasp before he was on me, his long and slender hands moving on my sides and arms, making me squirm. I bit back a girlish squeal and did my best to defend myself, to no avail. “Please, stop,” I begged, “I’m seriously going to pee!”

That did the trick; he leapt back to the other half of the padded bench and erupted in laughter, convulsions racking his body. I blushed and crossed my arms to my chest, embarrassed. “What?” I demanded, “Have you never heard someone say that?”

“Not a girl!” Niall chuckled. “Well, I suppose I’m not like other girls then.” I stated simply and he stopped laughing abruptly, leaning close to me.

“No, you aren’t,” he agreed softly, his charming accent forming the words, sending another shiver down my spine just like last night. He blinked as he realized how close we were, and then he sat back, looking surprised, a faint flush on his neck. I looked down at my lap while he gazed out the window.

A guy’s voice interrupted, “Would you like a refill?” and I gratefully accepted, passing him my empty mug. The kid left and I adjusted my position, facing Niall slightly. He turned his head back to me and smiled. For a while we sat in companionable silence.

I didn’t know Niall as a real person yet, I only knew who he was from the media. And I knew I couldn’t just accept that portrayal of him, I had to let him show me who he was. I’ve learned to allow people to know go at the pace comfortable to them when befriending them, because that’s what I wanted from people. I’m really big on treating others with respect and it’s easy for me to sympathize with others.

I am also extremely perceptive, so I noticed when Niall sighed quietly under his breath and dug his fingernails into other hand. He looked like something was bothering him.

“Hey…so how are you really doing?” I asked, avoiding asking if he was okay, or what was wrong, because from experience I have realized that usually puts people off and I wanted to talk to him.

He looked at me gratefully and replied, “Not all that well, actually. I mean, I guess I’m doing fine, but I just feel like something is missing from my life right now.” I looked into his eyes while he talked to me and I nodded encouragingly for him to continue. I sat there, listening patiently to him, while he told me about how he was on a break from recording and touring and the lapse from all the business had left an empty feeling within him.

It felt a little odd to be talking about such deep things with him after I only met him last night, but at the same time there was an ease of conversation between us that kept us going.

“Well,” I said carefully, slowly, after he finished, “Perhaps you need to start trying new things to get your mind off of this or to maybe find it is that you’re missing. I mean, you have nothing to lose, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. I just can’t help wanting to know what will help this…”

“That’s completely understandable. For now, let’s just have fun, all right?” I said with a small smile. He gave me a lopsided grin in return and we looked around, both shocked to see the day was nearly over. Our coffee had gone cold hours ago and only a few others sat in the little café. We looked back at each other and burst into laughter.

“Did we really just spend the whole day here?” he giggled.