The Setup

I just stood there gaping at him. Why the hell would he think I would spend the night?! He spoke again clearly trying to make this less awkward. "I mean my driver probably went home and I mean I don't want you going out this late…" Damn. He raised very good points. I sighed and sent Mickey a text telling him not to worry I wasn't dead and that I would be sleeping here. "Yea okay…those are good points." He shot me a huge grin. I remember that he would always be smiling when we were together. His smile melts my heart. Wait what? No no no. It doesn't. I can't let him in. What if things end badly…then I will have bad memories of him. I only wanted happy memories. "Okay! Here you can sleep in my bed. Don't look at me like that I am sleeping out here."
"I don't want to take your bed Niall. I'll sleep on the couch."
"No. And that's final. Come on you can borrow one of my shirts to sleep in." I followed him to his room. He had a nice bed. He grabbed me a solid black shirt. "Just come wake me if you need anything okay? That’s the bathroom right there." He then suddenly take off his shirt and his pants. I am standing there with my jaw hanging open because damn. He had a fucking nice body. He was always scrawny growing up but now he has abs and some nice biceps. His voice sounded. "Like the view Cleo?" My eyes go to his. Okay just look at his face. "I've seen better." My turn. I take off my shirt and throw on his. Then I take off my pants too. His shirt was big on me so it covered my butt and a little bit more. His eyes never leave mine though. Which is actually very hot. Holy shit. I can't be starting to like him. I just can't do that. Plus Mickey would probably have a heart attack if I told him this. So I won't. Which will be hard because I told that boy everything. Niall looks me up and down very slowly like he's soaking up every detail. "Good night Cleo." He grabs a pillow and blanket then leaves me. I flop down on his bed. I get comfortable and slowly drift off. I really hope I don’t have a nightmare tonight.

"YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU ARE SUCH A LITTLE BRAT! YOU NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON." I see my father before me. I am huddled in a corner trying to get him to stop. CRACK! I get another slap to the face. I hear the front door open and I hear my mother's voice. "Daniel STOP! Stop hurting my child!" She is desperately trying to pull him away from me. I am only nine. I see my father push her to the ground and kick her. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! SHE IS MY KID TOO!" I can feel the tears streaming down my face. "Daddy please stop! I didn't mean to! I promise to not do it again! I promise Daddy!" CRACK! Another blow to my head.

I felt someone shaking me. I hear an thick Irish accent and I try to fight him back this time. "Cleo! Cleo! Baby, its me Niall! Cleo stop it!" Niall? I stop and open my eyes. I see him looking at me with concern. "I…sorry." I quickly wipe my eyes. I knew I had tears, I was also sweating. God it felt so real. I didn't even care that Niall called me baby. I was just glad that he woke me up. My nightmares were usually just flashbacks to my worst beatings. I would get them often. They always scared Mickey…I could tell Niall was worried. "Are you okay Cleo?"
"Yea I'm fine, just a nightmare. That's all…what time is it?"
"Almost 10am. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No I don't. I have to go. Thanks for letting me--"
"At least let me make you breakfast? You can shower while I make food." My stomach growled. I noticed that he was already showered and dressed. Damn what time did he get up? "Okay…thanks. Its sweet of you." He just smiles and shows me where the extra towels are and how to use the shower. Then he grabs me another one of his tshirts to wear. This one is just a cobalt blue pocket tee. He's so thoughtful. I shower and get out. I go to the hallway and hear Niall talking to Harry. "I don't know…you should've seen her Harry…"
"She'll tell you when she's ready. Don't pressure her okay?" I stand there for a minute…was he really that worried? No probably just freaked. I decide to let them know I am coming. "Do I smell pancakes?!" I come into view and they both smile at me. "Yep, It’s the only thing Niall knows how to cook." I started to laugh and then Niall punched Harry. "I can cook other things!" I finished eating and then my phone started to play Mickey's ringtone. I answered and saw that Harry and Niall were staring at me. "Hey Mick--"
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?"
"I texted you! Don’t yell at me because YOU didn't check your texts."
"YOU SPENT THE NIGHT? ARE YOU STUPID?! Please tell me you didn't have another nightmare."
"It was late so I just stayed here…and I may--"
"Well shit. When are you coming home? Niall hasn't asked you about it yet right? He better not have tried to sleep with you. Oh my gosh you didn't sleep in the same bed right?!"
"No he slept on the couch…and I'll be home soon okay? You need to calm down." Niall and Harry were in the living room now. I hung up on him. I checked the time and it was noon. "Niall I really need to be heading back…"
"Yea okay…come on. I'll be back Harry." We left his flat and headed to where his driver was parked. Shockingly there wasn’t any press around. The car ride was dead silent. I texted Mickey to tell him I am on my way. When we reached my building there were press everywhere. "Just stay close and keep your head down." I leaned over to peek out his window. "How did they find where I lived?!"
"They are very nosy." I looked at him and smiled. Our faces were pretty close. I moved back to my seat and waited for Niall to get out. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I heard a stream of questions. "Are you two dating?" "How'd did you meet?" "Is it official?" I think Niall knew I was about to explode because I heard his voice in my ear. "Just leave it alone Cleo. Don't do anything you'll regret." We made it inside and the front desk closed the door and locked it. He was still holding my waist. I have to admit we fit pretty well. I liked it when he held my waist. It felt nice. We got to the elevator. He spoke again. "I never thanked you."
"For what?"
"For doing this. I knew that its not the most ideal thing. I just wanted to see you again. And management needed a distraction from Harry." I looked at him. Why is he always so nice? I used to be like that what happened? Oh right my mom gave me up and my father beat every ounce of nice out of me. "Its fine Niall…when do you leave for tour?"
"WE leave in two days." I sighed. The elevator dinged and we exited. "Do I have to go?" He just looked at me clearly trying to find how to word an answer. "I want you there." I didn't know how to respond but that's when the door flew open. There stood a very angry looking Mickey. "You can leave now Niall." I looked from Mickey to Niall. They both looked pissed off now. I decided to step in. "Mickey, play nice. I'll be inside shortly."
"You're not going on tour with him."
"Excuse me? Mickey, I am not about to argue with you about this." He slammed the door. I sighed and sat down on the floor. Niall sat down by me. "Sorry about him."
"He sounds like he likes you a lot."
"Ha. He's just protective over me, that’s all. So we leave in two days?"
"You're not mad about having to go?"
"No I am mad, its just not worth it to fight because Mom will force me anyways."
"Right Rachel…Oh the lads and I are going to be doing an interview tonight on TV. You should watch…" I could tell he was confused over the whole Rachel/Mom thing. I got up and turned to see him getting up. "Yea okay. Are we going public tonight then?"
"How about you just watch?" He smirked at me then grabbed my hand and kissed it. Then he said goodbye and left me in the hallway. He would always kiss my hand when ever he said goodbye growing up. I was smiling when I got inside. But it vanished when I saw Mickey glaring at me.

Notes