We Took A Chance

My eyes fluttered open to find a dark room. I felt completely refreshed. It has by far been the best sleep I've had in a while. It isn't until I feel the weight of an arm tightly secured to my waist that I realize this isn't my room. l listen to Niall's even breathing and I wonder how long we've slept for. I manage to get my phone from my pocket and see it is 7 in the afternoon. Great.

I carefully begin to slide Niall's arm off of me, biting my lower lip in hopes of not waking him. When his arm touches the mattress I feel relieved that I can get up. I stand next to the bed momentarily as I try to figure out which door is the bathroom. I guide my way with the light of my phone and am so glad to find the bathroom on the first try. Entering the bathroom was like entering a nice spa. The oval bathtub stood out the most in spotless white porcelain.

When I step out of the bathroom I notice Niall is awake and sitting against the headboard of his bed. The room seems darker than when I got up due to me eyes not adjusting to the darkness yet and I cannot see Niall's expression.

"Hey, Ni, are you feeling better?" I question approaching his side.
"I'm feeling a lot better. Thank you, Zoe." he responds, his voice still rough.
"No problem. I actually took a much needed nap with you. Comfortable bed." I say placing my hands in my pockets. I wonder if I should excuse myself and leave or what.
"Well, as weird as this sounds, you're welcome back in it any time." he chuckles a little upon saying this. If the light was on, he'd be able to tell my cheeks are as red as beets.
"Um, thanks? I think... Well, I have to head home. I'll wash your dishes while I wait for the cab." I approach the dirty dishes from earlier and take them towards the door.
"Can I take you home? Please."
"You're sick, it's best you rest." I respond but deep down I know he won't take a no.
"I'm feeling 100 times better." he then begins to get out of bed and walk towards me. Holding me by my upper arms he continues, "Please." I can now see his face clearly in the darkness of the room and his eyes hold a softer expression. This is not the goofy, lively Niall I know. These eyes hold something different right now and I can't help but agree to his proposal.

The ride to my place was going really smooth, it still amazes me how time flies when I'm with Niall. It makes me a bit uneasy to know that the only other person I had ever said this about was Andrew. I can't say that I don't miss him, because I do. We could stay up until late hours of the night just talking about anything and everything and now I have this with Niall and I feel anxious about this feeling. We're not too far from the UCL halls when my phone begins to ring. I take it out of my pocket, not wanting to answer but I know I have to when I see 'DAD' flash on the screen.

"Sorry, I have to take this." I turn to Niall before answering, "Hey, dad."

'Zoe, how are you? How's London?'

"I'm great, dad. London is... something else." I can't help but look towards Niall who's gripping the steering wheel and looking out the windshield.

'That's very good, honey. Made a lot of new friends?'

"I made some. You know me.."

'I miss you, Zoe. I have something to tell you.'

"Go on." I say knowing exactly what he wants to tell me.

'Well, sweetie, you know your mom and I had been in divorce proceedings for a while and, well, during that time I met someone new.' Little did he know I already knew about it from mom.

"I know, I heard something like that from mom." I admit.

'Oh really? Well, she surely ruined the surprise.'

"Yeah..."

'I have something else to talk to you about. I'm very serious with Martha and I was hoping you'd fly out here to meet her.' his words came over me like a bucket of cold water. He wants me to meet her?!

"Dad, I don't know about this."

'Please think it over.'

"Ok, bye."

I was still in shock from my dad's call that I didn't realize we were now parked outside my building along the curve.
"Are you ok, Zoe?" Niall questions, turning his body towards me.
"I'm... I don't know." I hesitate as I don't like to confide in anyone. Leah has been the only person that knows all my problems and I was really missing her now.
"Come on, you can tell me. I know what it's like to be alone in a foreign place and having someone you can trust is vital. I can be that friend." I look into his blue eyes which are darker in the night and can see that soft expression from earlier.
"My dad is dating someone new. He wants me to meet her, Niall. I don't think I can! I don't want this!" I bring my hands to cover my face as I could feel tears fighting to spill.
"I'm sorry, Zoe. Come here." he leans over the center console and soon his arms are embracing me, soothing me just like I soothed him earlier.

I'm not sure how long we stayed like that but I started to feel better and the tears were slowly ceasing to a stop. I felt rather silly for crying so much about it but as I pulled away from his hug, Niall seemed sympathetic to my situation. That's when I remembered his parents are divorced, too.

"I have to head inside. Thank you for everything, Niall." I place the strap of my purse across my chest and grab the door handle hesitating when Niall catches his bottom lip with his teeth.
"Bye, Zoe, have a good night." Niall says and shoots me a warm smile.
"Goodnight." I reply and shut the door behind me. A feeling of disappointment washes over me. I'm not sure what I was expecting from him, but I can't help but wonder what he was thinking at that moment.

Notes

Anyone else ever suffered a 24hr cold like Niall? I sure have. :\