Just as Much

Niall's Pov

We arrive at the market with hardly any stops and I fall right in line with Erica. “I'll pick up a trolly” I tell her, I need to occupy my hands. I keep having this urge to touch her, not in a creepy way, but to just place my hand on the small of her back when needed. I feel my phone vibrate and I quickly check to see who it is, I smile to myself with I realize its Ben, he's usually always in a good mood.

From Ben:
What are you doing?

I look up in time so I don't hit Erica with the trolly as she's stopped abruptly to pick up bananas.

“Ug, Erica, I don't like bananas, I always just give them to Harry.” I whine, probably sound like a four year old but I don't care.

“I know you don't like bananas. But you know those smoothies I make that you like so much?” I nod. “I put bananas in them.” She give me a devilish grin as she puts them in the cart and heads towards the strawberries. That witch. I shake my head and continue to follow her, texting back to Ben.

To Ben:
Shopping for groceries with Erica. Why?

I never know what Ben has up his sleeves. He's always busy so anytime he's up for a round of golf and I'm free I take him up on the offer. I watch Erica carefully pick out strawberries, apples, carrots, kale. She seems to be in the zone.

From Ben:
Housekeeper Erica?? :)

Everyone give me so much crap about Erica. Mainly because if you think about it, she is perfect. She treats us all like her annoying littler brothers, she's smart, beautiful, funny, and everyone thinks we're going to end up together. Well, everyone but Erica and I, we tend to avoid the subject.

To Ben:
Yes my housekeeper. What do you want?

“Niall?” I turn my attention to see her struggling to reach something, her shirt riding up just a bit making my eyes grow. It's no secret I've had a bit of a crush on her. “Can you get that for me?” She points to the bread on the top shelf which I can reach easily. She's not that much shorter then me, my arms are just longer then hers. I put it in the cart as we continue walking, her picking up things left and right. “Thank you.” She smiles at me.

From Ben:
I've got part of a documentary to film tonight, have some free time, need to hit a few rounds. Have Erica drop you off at the range.

He's demanding. Always gets this way around filming.

“Erica.” She turns to me with wide eyes, must have caught her off guard. “Ben wants me to hit a few rounds with him at the range, think you could drop me off?” I silently plead with her.

“Like right now? I only have a few things left on the list.” She looks down and shows me.

“No, he can wait till we're done, like a half an hour?” I ask and she nods, not looking at me, picking up some almond milk as I return to my phone.

“I don't like almond milk.” I tell her and she doesn't look at me, just keeps walking away.

“Smoothies Niall!” She tells me, laughing.

“See you on Wednesday Niall!” She waves at me as I leave the car and bend down to look at her.

“I won't be gone all day.” She just erupts in laughter.

“Yeah right Niall, you're hitting balls with Ben, with any luck you and Winston will be piss drunk by the time three rolls around.” She's still laughing.

“Oy! Don't make fun of me when I'm not here to defend myself!” Ben appears from my right. “Hi Erica. Lovely to see you.” He bends down to look in the car and waves at her, I nudge him with my elbow.

“Hi Ben. Have fun. Tell Meredith I said hello!” She tilts her head and flashes us a grin. “See you on Wednesday!” She motions for me to shut the car door and before I can even say anything, she's off.

“So how's the lovely Erica?” Ben slaps me on the back gripping on my neck.

“She's fine. Why are you so interested in her? How's Meredith?” I ask, changing the subject. “I'm using your clubs by the way, you didn't give me enough time to go home and get mine.” I swipe a 5-iron from his bag.

“Meredith is perfect, like usual, she's out visiting her mum right now” He sets up his bag, pulls out a 3-wood and dumps the bucket of balls on the fake green, moving one over to him with his club. “And the reason I asked about Erica is because you're crazy not to be mad about her.” He lines up his swing, leaving me waiting.

“Whatever Benny.” I shake my head at his thought and set up my ball.

“One day you'll see Niall, just don't let it be too late.” He hangs on to his last word as he swings. Don't let it be too late? I shrug my shoulders and line up for another shot.

After an afternoon full of teasing, like usual from Ben, I'm finally back at home, it's only three, Ben had to get stuff ready for his night shoot so we ended early. I notice that Erica is still at my house, it seems like Monday's are usually her long days here.

I slip my shoes off once I get inside and toss my keys and wallet in the bowl Erica insisted I buy, I was so against it, but of course now I use it everyday. I don't see her in the living room, or hear her in the kitchen so I make my way to my room to change clothes when I see her. Sitting on the floor, putting my clothes in their drawers. On Monday's she does the laundry.

“Hey.” I tell her as I strip my shirt off and toss it in the basket in the closet.

“Hey-o, how was the range?” She asks, not looking at me as she fits all my socks in the drawer.

“It was fine. Nothing exciting, Ben was just in a weird mood, needed to blow off steam.” I tell her. “Can I get a pair of those socks please?” I ask as she tosses them up to me, not even looking at me. I watch her as she scoots over and pulls the basket along with her to the next drawer. “Why do you always fold my pants?” I ask her, a little embarrassed.

“Because Niall, the fit in the drawer better. We've been over this.” She lines them up perfectly, stacking them one on top of the other, closing it and standing, brushing the invisible dirt off her bum. “Right, well, I'm all finished here. I'm going to stop by the cleaners on the way home to drop your stuff off, I'll bring your things back on Wednesday. Anything else you'll be needing here?” She takes the basket and stacks it under the one in my closet, waiting for my response.

“I don't think so. Thanks Erica. You all ready for that exam tomorrow?” Erica is a pretty reserved person, she doesn't share a ton of stuff with me unless I ask, I think she's all about creating that professional relationship that her mum insists on. I've met her mum quite a few times, and she's extremely professional.

“Ug, no.” She leans her head back, exposing her neck.

“What's the class? Maybe I can help you study.” I laugh at myself internally, I was never good at school, I honestly don't know why I'm volunteering my services.

“It's for my European Enlightenment class.” She purses her lips.

“Your what?” I'm sure I look confused. I'm a proper idiot when it comes to that stuff.

“You know, from late 17th century to late 18th century. The European Enlightenment?” She begins and I know my face doesn't change. “You know, the use of useful knowledge?” Nothing, nothing rings a bell. “We study literature with an emphasis in how religion plays a part of the enlightenment period, works by Bayle, Locke, Spinoza, Kant.” She explains.

“Maybe I can't help you with that then.” I laugh and Erica cracks a smile.

“Well thanks for the offer Niall, I'll be leaving now.” She grabs the pile of clothes that she laid on my bed and turns to leave.

“I'll see you Wednesday?” I call out to her.

“Always!” She doesn't turn, shouting over her shoulder, leaving me shirtless in my room. I need a night out.

Notes

Okay, the response to this story has been overwhelming! I'm so thankful for each and every one of you! To come back and see so many comments, subscribers, views, and voters in such a short amount of time has been crazy! So THANK YOU!

It's a little different to write a story when they already know each other, but that doesn't mean they'll move any faster. :) And just to let you all know, I got this story idea a while ago so right now in the story, it's before their Where We Are Tour.

And, yes, the other guys from One Direction will be in the story, but I didn't feel the need to add them in the characters, plus it's super hard to find a picture of them without Niall. lol. Also their will be people added in the character list as the story goes on, and people that are only mentioned a few times so they won't be added. If that makes sense. :)

Have a fantastic day! Keep being awesome!

xoxox