We Took A Chance

I felt relieved that it was back to just Niall and I driving away from my dad's house. I had to meet with them once more but dinner seemed so far away and instead of worrying, I decided to enjoy being with Niall. He offered to drive to allow me time to unwind from the morning's events.

"Do you want to go elsewhere or back to the hotel?" he asks wriggling his eyebrows making me laugh.
"How about we go to the park downtown?" I offer my idea and Niall's eyes brighten up.
"That sounds perfect just tell me where to go."
"Once we get to the freeway, turn left and get on. I'll tell you which exit."

We pulled into the underground parking lot of the park and Niall's smile said it all. He looked excited to explore this park in the middle of sky scrapers and stadiums. I had been here many times when they first built it but haven't been back in a few years and it seems that it has only grown and gotten better.

The first thing that caught Niall's eye was the art scattered around the grounds. He took a hold of my hand and led me to the large red-white-blue monument that was closest. It didn't surprise me when he took out his phone and brought me in to take a selfie.

"Is it ok if I post it on Instagram?" he asks and I felt a slight bit of hesitation but I agreed.

Niall was like a little kid on a playground. He took every opportunity he could to take pictures and climb the interactive sculptures. Even though he was was wearing his sunglasses, a couple of people recognized him and asked for a picture. Niall, as always, complied happily and wished his fans well.

We were walking side by side down a path shadowed by trees when Niall asks if I want to sit and rest. It was very hot today and rest sounded good right about now.

"Do you want a snowcone?" Niall asks motioning with his head towards a snowcone stand a bit away from where we were seating.
"Yessss!"
"Alright, I'll be right back."
"Get me tiger's blood flavor." I tell him as he gets up leaving me sitting alone.

I watch as he skips towards the small line at the snowcone stand making me let out a chuckle. I didn't even realize someone was standing in front of me.

"Zoe?" a voice I once knew so well calls. I couldn't believe when I turned to face my past.
"Andrew..." I whispered in disbelief. Out of all places and times, how did I run into him here and at this time?
"I thought you were in London." he states placing his hands behind his back. He wasn't going anywhere.
"I'm visiting my dad. What are you doing here?" I ask glancing back at Niall who's next in line.
"Visiting my mom. How are you? Can I take a seat?"
"I'm good and I'm not sure it's a good idea, Andrew." he seems taken aback by my words, but I did not need to bring my past into this crazy mix I'm already in.
"Zoe." Niall's thick accent interrupts Andrew's next thought. He's holding two snowcone cups in his hand, his eyes scanning Andrew with a serious expression.
"Niall, this is Andrew, a... friend. Andrew this is Niall." I introduce them never having felt so awkward and trust me, I have a lot of awkward moments.
"Nice to meet you." Niall says handing me my cup and offering Andrew his hand in a handshake. He seems skeptical at taking it but does so anyway. Andrew has never been a rude person so I never once doubted he would deny Niall's greeting.

There's a brief awkward silence between the three of us but the tension was obviously with only Niall and Andrew. I was about to excuse me us from Andrew when he beats me to it.

"Zoe, you think we could talk privately?" Andrew asks shooting a quick glance towards Niall.
"I'll leave you two alone.." Niall says but I grab on to his hand.
"No," I say then turn to Andrew, "Now is not a good time." he bites his lip and nods his head in agreement.
"Fine, Zoe. I'll leave you two." he begins to walk away but when he's a couple of feet past us, he turns back and says to Niall, "My little sister is a big fan, you're all over her walls." to which Niall nods and smiles and says "Tell her I said hi."

The look Andrew gives Niall makes me a bit uneasy so I propose we leave. Before today, I wouldn't think anything bad could come from Andrew but right now I rather play it safe.

Notes

Yikes. This trip is beginning to become a bad idea. :( Zoe should just stay in London.

Do you think Andrew is bad news?
What do you think he wants to tell Zoe?
Why are Zoe and Niall still friends? JESUS THESE TWO!

Also, check out my new story (it's a Niall AU) Double