We Took A Chance

I waited with anticipation for Leah to open the door. I could already see it being Niall and me running into his arms making everything ok. As soon as Leah opened the door, I realized it was not Niall behind it. It was Tom and it was hard to read his facial expression.

"Where's Niall?" I asked alarmed rushing to the door.
"I talked to him, Zoe. He was very angry, almost refused to even open the door. I'm not sure if he even believed what I said." Tom answers scratching the back of his head.
"So, nothing is fixed?" Leah asks looking between the two of us.
"I don't know, Lee. I guess give him time." Tom answers placing his hands in his pockets.

I went to sit on Leah's couch to sulk as my only plan didn't seem to work. If Niall didn't believe Tom, how else will I be able to prove myself to him? That was basically the only chance I had at making things right and it didn't even go the way I planned. We were supposed to be happy again right now knowing it was all a misunderstanding.

Once I said my final goodbye to Leah and thanked Tom, I headed back to the halls. I felt sad that it would probably be months before I ever see Leah again. She came at such a right moment but is leaving at such the wrong one. London was finally feeling like my true home but now, I felt alone.

The sun was blazing overhead but even that couldn't fully warm up the cold London weather. The streets were busy with the typical traffic while pedestrians littered the sidewalks mostly everyone wearing a black coat and boots. I could spot the halls coming up after the next street and even though I knew that was my home, where I really wanted to be was cuddled up to Niall's side in his apartment.

Tucking my hands under my arms, I continue forward watching the ground and counting every sidewalk break line I pass. Given my distraction, I am startled as I bump into someone and almost fall back but a pair of familiar arms held me up. Everything and everyone around seized to exist when I saw my reflection in the sea of blue in Niall's eyes. I blinked a few times wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me but the touch of his warm hand caressing my cheek was very much real. I didn't care to wait before wrapping my arms around him and holding him tight against my chest.

We had only been apart for so little time but to me it felt like ages. The smell of his freshly washed hair invaded my nostrils bringing back memories of the many times I've buried my face in it and tugged at it. The stubble on his face lightly tickling my cheek, something I never quite enjoyed, is now something I missed. It felt like we stood there embraced for hours and it wasn't enough. When we pulled away, the wondering eyes of passerby's were on us. We probably looked like weirdos hugging for so long in the middle of the sidewalk. Without much control of my emotions, I began to sob and cry as I held on to Niall's hands and looked down unsure of what was going to happen. His last words to me resonating in my head.

I'm too good for you. I'm too good for you. I'm too good for you.

"Let's go home." Niall whispered into my ear after taking me in his arms once more.

The silence on the ride to Niall's apartment wasn't uncomfortable but it did leave me with many questions. Were we ok? Does this mean he believed Tom? I knew I would get answers to these questions once we were at home but in the meantime I didn't know how to feel.

The light rustling of Niall's keys as he opened the door to his place made my heart race. This really was happening, I wasn't dreaming. I walked inside and for some reason I felt like things would look differently, as if a great amount of time passed since I last was here when in reality it was just yesterday. I did notice that Niall's guitar was strewn across his couch and a few scribbled on pages were laying on the glass coffee table. I wondered what he was up to and if he would share with me.

"Beer?" he asks breaking me away from my thoughts.
"Ok." I answer back walking towards the couch.

I sat down in my usual spot and contemplated taking the freedom to pick up the pages before me and reading them. Before I could complete my thought, Niall walked back in with beers in hand. He set them down on the coffee table before gathering the pages and throwing them in the drawer of one of the side tables. I'm guessing that's a no on sharing with me and while it stings, I respect the decision. I grabbed my beer and took a large sip trying to ease my nerves. I wasn't sure what to say or if he even wanted to talk about what happened.

"Zoe, I'm an idiot." Niall starts before setting down his beer and scooting closer to me, "I'm sorry, I was a complete ass I should have listened, I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm so used to being alone, I have practically never had a real girlfriend, always fearing that I'm being used or pushing them away because I don't ever have time to focus on myself much less someone else. For the past 5 years all I've known has been touring and recording non stop that I don't even know how to maintain a relationship." he takes my hand in his before continuing, "Zoe, I know that's not an excuse and I don't know what I'm doing here with this, with you. But please know that I'm willing to try. That is if you can forgive me for everything I said..." his facial expression is the softest I've ever seen on him showing that he's sincere with me.

I can understand him, it's not easy for me either to be able to let someone into my heart. What he said hurt me, but he was hurt, too, under the impression that I was cheating. I've already opened up my heart and my life for him and I'm not about to just throw it away without working on it.


"Niall, what you said really hurt me. The worst part was that I didn't even know why you were treating me that way. I thought you used me and were done with me." I say looking down at my hand inside his.
"I know. I'm an idiot. I would never use you, princess. I give you full permission to slap me if it means you'll forgive me. " Niall says and I raise my brows wondering if he means it.
"Really? You'd let me slap you?" I ask bringing my closed fist to cover the smirk forming on my face.
"Yes and I'd deserve it, honestly." he answers with a straight face which makes me think he's not joking.
"Well, I think that would be good closure... " I say and his eyes widen before closing them and facing his cheek slightly to me.

I raise my hand as he winces preparing for impact. My hand lounges forward but instead of slapping him, my hand cups his cheek. Niall opens his eyes confused by my actions before I move closer and start to caress his cheek.

"I could never slap you, Niall. You were a jerk to me but you're lucky you're cute." I confess making his lips part into a smile.
"Zoe... I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. Please, can we put this behind us?" Niall asks and I quickly respond by tangling my fingers in his hair and bringing him close enough to feel his breath on my lips. I was planning to kiss him but he beat me to it and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me like we hadn't seen each other in months.

Notes

This took me forever to write because last week the FLU hit my household. It was not pretty, but we're all (mostly) back to being healthy and happy.

After this chapter, we'll have fluff and stuff before real shit hits the fan and then we'll be done with the story! I can't believe I've almost finished another story. (though my first story was crap lol)

Does everyone celebrate Halloween? What are ya'll going to be?