The Setup

I go out to see Niall in the middle of the bed with my pictures around him. Its okay Cleo you wanted this to happen. Remember no more secrets. He's looking through all of them. Even chuckling at some. I have no idea how many pictures I have but definitely more than 10. He looks up and sees me watching me. "Cleo you're okay right? Do you want to talk about it?"
"No I'm fine." I go and sit down next to him and pick up a picture. Niall was giving me a piggyback ride. We were only like 6. As much as I loved my memories with Niall…I would never go back. I sneak a look at him. He was smiling and looking through my pictures. "Oh my…I remember this! Do you remember this Cleo?" I look at what picture he is laughing at. One of us laughing at the park. "I always remember…even when I don't want to."
"Cleo…I didn't know that you had these…you don't have to hide anymore." I start to gather up the pictures and put them in the box. I set it on the dresser then climb into bed. "I don't know how to not hide." I look into the blue eyes of the boy that gave me so much joy growing up. He still did. When he looked at me my stomach did flips. "I'll show you." I barely her him whisper that to me. I lie down and wonder how I am going to sleep now. I just hope that I don't regret letting Niall in. I don't think I could handle anymore hurt in my life. I feel arms wrap around my waist. "I'll keep your nightmares away babe." I smile and curl into him. "Fine. But don't call me that."
"Alright baby…I won't." I punch him lightly but stay in his arms. Tonight has been eventful. I slowly drift off.
"Cleo baby wake up we have to go!" I open my eyes to see Niall smiling at me. He's already dressed and looks really good. "Why? Can't I just stay here. I'm tiiired." He laughs and picks me up. But then my old wounds start to bleed all over him. "Niall! I'm bleeding all over! Niall put me down!"
"Sorry Cleo I can't." The blood kept on coming. I was crying, begging him to put me down. "I can't what if you get hurt again? I won't be able to live with myself." I went limp in his arms.
I wake up and see that Niall was still sleeping. I check the clock…it was noon?! Holy shit! I need to go run. I leap out of bed and throw on running clothes. I go to the bathroom and quickly put my hair into a ponytail. "Where are you going? I can't cuddle with a pillow!" I whirl around to see Niall looking at me. I think it is fairly obvious where I am going. "I'm going running Niall. I'll be back in like 2 hours." I was grabbing my phone and earbuds from the table beside my side of the bed. I hear him groan but I left before he could beg me to stay. I head off running towards the park. It was a little too hot for me but I had to run. I get back to the hotel probably looking like someone drenched me with water. I get to my room and open it. I remembered a key for once. I get in to see no one there. Where did Niall go? Today was their only day off though so maybe he went with the boys somewhere. I showered and put on some clothes. Maybe I'll go back to the park and read one of the books I brought! Oh that sounds like a good idea. I quickly pack up some stuff into my purse. I grab one of the many books and headed back out. I get back there and sit down. I hear my phone buzzing. Wow I've already been here for an hour? "Hey Niall"
"Cleo you said that you were going to be back by now!"
"I'm at the park reading since its nice out. I can head back."
"You should've left a note or something…"
"You're not my mother. I'll be back soon." Then I hung up. It was really annoying that Niall always had to know what I where I was going. I get back to the hotel and Ellie comes running over. "Hey we wanted to talk to you…"
"If it is about going to the park and not telling Niall I will punch you in the throat." She just smiles then grabs my hand. She leads me to a table where everyone was sitting. I look at Niall who just pats the spot next to me. I sit down but I am not too happy. "Well spit it out."
"Cleo." Niall gives me a warning. What's his deal? Everyone is looking at their hands. Liam speaks up first. "I'm sorry about earlier I didn't know that your dad…I shouldn't have…I'm sorry." What the hell is this? I don't need their apologies. I look at Niall then at everyone else. "Its alright Liam. I know you didn't mean it. That happened weeks ago anyways so why are you saying this now?"
"Niall told us about the dream and why you have them." I gape at Harry. Niall shifted uncomfortably next to me. I just stand up and run out to the streets. "Hey! I was beginning to think I was replaced!"
"Mickey they know! They all know! I just I want to go home." I go back inside and dart to the stairwell. I sink to the floor. "Shit. Cleo you're in Paris right? Say you have a shoot here and can't continue. Make something up. Pretend Rachel called you back to work."
"Niall will know I'm lying…I just…I don't know."
"Cleo you only have what 2 more months then you never have to see him again."
"But what if I want to see him again? We are friends…somewhat." I hear Mickey sigh into the phone. I know that wasn't what he was hoping to hear from me. "Then you need to figure out what you want. I got to go…work and such. I miss you a lot Cleo."
"I miss you too Mickey. I'll be home soon." Then the call ended. I stayed in the stairwell though. I don't even know what I want. Do I want to leave now or do I want to stay with him as much as I can? The door opens and Niall comes to sit down by me. I pretend to not really notice him. That is until he pulls me into his lap. "Niall! What do you want?"
"Why did you run off babe?"
"I had to call Mickey." I could feel his muscles tense. I know that he doesn't like Mickey but he can just shove it. I get out of his lap and start to head up stairs. He follows me. "Why did you--"
"Why do I need a reason? He's my best friend. I shouldn't have to tell you why. So just drop it okay?" I get to our room and barge in. I throw my stuff down on a chair. Niall comes in and slams the door. I honestly shouldn’t even be angry but I am. It's really getting worse. He hasn't said anything to me yet. He sits down on the bed just looking at me. "Cleo…you are so hard to figure out. One minute you want us to be best friends again then the next minute you go back to how you were before I knew about you know."
"I know…I'm trying its just why did you tell them? They didn't really need to know."
"Well your screaming made them realize…I just filled in the blanks." Oh. Right I probably was screaming and thrashing about. I sighed in defeat and flopped down on the bed. He lies down beside me and intertwines our hands. Is it bad that I like how our hand fit together? We just laid there until my phone started to ring. I see that it is Lola. "Hey Lola! What's up?"
"Guess what?! I’m in Paris right now! I was going to tell you yesterday but I was busy all day with a shoot. We need to hang out like tonight." I couldn't help but smile at her. Honestly I missed her. "Oh Lola…yes! I would love to meet up with you! Oh what about that café that we always went to!"
"Sounds lovely my dear! Oh and no boyfriends."
"That won't be a problem Lola." We picked a time and said our goodbyes. Niall was leaning on the dresser. I was actually pretty excited. I got up to pick out a nicer outfit maybe a dress. "I thought I had you all night tonight."
"Plans have changed. I shouldn't be out too long. But it is Lola." I was still going through my suitcase when I feel Niall pull me to my feet. "Hey! What was--"
"If you as dead set on going then there will be rules."
"How about no. No rules. I will be leaving at 7 and I will hopefully be back by midnight. If you decide to go out with the boys maybe we will meet up with you. No guards. And don't send them to follow me." I ripped my arm out of his hands then continued to search for something to wear.

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