We Figured It Out

Like plenty of weeknights, I had to stay a couple of hours later at work. Which was fine by me. The more occupied I was, the less time I had to think about the one thing, or more like person, that had been on my mind lately. Ever since our encounter at the park, Niall had been invading my mind much more than I'd like to admit. On my way home my phone began to ring in my purse. My eyes widened in surprise at the name showing up. Jackson. Although we had texted a few times since the awards, I doubted we'd meet up again.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously wondering what he could possibly want, especially this late in the afternoon.
"Zoe! Are you home?" He asked in a very upbeat manner.
"I'm actually on my way still. Worked later than usual today. What's up?" I asked hoping to not beat around the bush.
"A night out, THAT'S what's up!" He said, the excitement obvious in his voice.
"What does that have to do with me?" I wondered hoping it was not what I was thinking.
"You're my plus one! It's at an elite club so you can't miss it. I'll pick you up in an hour." He said before abruptly hanging up.

I removed the phone from my ear and stared at it in disbelief for a few moments. Jackson seriously just decided for me if I was to go to this club or not. He didn't even ask! I thought hard about it for the remainder of my ride home weighed the pros and cons of going out. He couldn't and wouldn't forcibly remove me from my house. If I didn't want to go, I really didn't have to.

Once at home I went up the elevator to my floor and unlocked the door to my home. As I pushed open the door and turned on the living room light, I realized just how lonely I was with my big apartment empty. I was, perhaps, even lonelier than when I first moved to London. At least back then I had a grumpy roommate... and an incredible boyfriend.

I placed my laptop bag on my sofa and continued further into my apartment peeling off layer upon layer that is required in this London weather. Maybe Jackson could be someone to give me company. I'll never make friends if I don't put in the effort. Without second thought I walked to my closet and rummaged through it to find the right clothes. I was willing to make an effort so I made the decision that I was going to this club.

-.-.-

I felt ridiculous. It had been so long since I had been to a club. I wasn't used to wearing body hugging dresses nor high heels. For tonight, though, I was going to put up with this white short dress and uncomfortable heels. I did feel quite proud to see my makeup and lightly curled hair turned out amazing. I quickly learned Jackson was a very punctual man as he knocked on my door at exctly at 8:55.

"Well look at you!" He said looking me over as soon as I opened the door.
"Not looking too shabby yourself." I said back as I took in his burgundy button down and black jeans. That color looked lovely on him.
"Shall we?" He asked extending his arm towards me.
"We shall." I responded and quickly grabbed my clutch.

The club was right in downtown London and full of people hoping to get in. Thankfully we were on the list and were let in immediately. I wondered what contacts Jackson had in order to get in at this exclusive club. The large club was dark and full of smoke. Colored lights flashed to what seemed in coordination with the loud music blaring from the speakers. People were dancing in the middle floor while the tables were full of people drinking and taking a smoke. Luckily we snagged an empty table close to the bar.

"What do you want to drink?" Jackson shouted over the music.
"Bring me a Guinness on tap, yeah?" I answered and saw as Jackson gave me a thumbs up and left for the bar.

My eyes scanned the hazy dance floor trying to keep myself a bit occupied while Jackson returned. All the people around me seemed happy and carefree. I wished for a night to be just like them. To not have my mind be invaded by thoughts of the past that I just couldn't help.

"Here you go." Jackson said as he placed the dark brown liquid in front of me and taking a seat across from mine.
"Thank you." I directed at him before carefully taking a sip so I wouldn't get foam on my upper lip.

Throughout the next couple of hours, many people came up to Jackson. Probably the contacts that got him and I into this club in the first place. He would introduce me as his friend and everyone was very nice. I tried to convince myself that another pro to coming here is the possibility of networking. Never know who could be roaming in this club.

I had downed a few beers and was feeling much more relaxed. The more time passed the more I convinced myself this was a good decision. I noticed my drink was empty and Jackson was engaged in conversation with a handsome, well dressed blonde man so I decided to visit the bar by myself. I excused myself but neither Jackson or the blonde man even acknowledged me so I shrugged it off.

"A Guinness, please." I said to the bartender after squeezing between other people at the bar. I cocked my head as I noticed he completely ignored me. "HEY!" I yelled a bit louder and was still ignored. I was about to stand up when a voice from next to me spoke up and caught the bartender's attention.
"Hey, mate, the lady here wants a beer!" when I turned to see who it was my eyes widened. I had to blink a few times to make sure the alcohol wasn't playing a trick on me.
"Niall?" I asked and he shot me a smile. "What, are you stalking me now?" I said playfully and smirked.
"How do I know you're not the one stalking?" He asked still smiling and pulling out his wallet once the annoyed bartender placed the beer in front of me.
"Oh no. I pay for my own things." I protested as I saw he took out a $20 and reached inside my clutch to beat him to it. He completely ignored my request and handed the bill to the man on the other side of the bar anyway.
"Niall!" I whined knowing he just paid for my drink despite me asking him not to.
"It's ok, Zoe. It's just a drink." He said not looking away from my eyes. Such an innocent act but it was making me legs become pudding and the alcohol in my system wasn't making things easier.

If I wanted to stop myself from doing something I may regret later, I pulled away from his gaze and looked towards my table. It was very much visible from the bar which made Niall turn the same direction. Jackson was still there talking up the blonde man.

"Oh, you're here with Mr. BBC Radio." Niall joked and his realization changed the mood between us.
"Yes." I responded looking at my feet. "And I should get back." I finished off picking up my Guinness.
"See you later, Zoe." Niall said before I turned away from him and proceeded to walk to my table. The urge to turn back and meet his eyes again was very strong but I couldn't do that. I couldn't let my feelings win.

"There you are!" Jackson declared once I reached our table. The blonde guy whose name I forgot was still there.
"I was getting a beer." I said and resisted the urge to look towards the bar.
"I'm starting to feel the alcohol." Jackson said while puckering his lips and moving his shoulders rhythmically to the music, "Let's go dance!" He suggested happily and I agreed.

With my drink in my hand, all three of us made our way to the crowded dance floor where we proceeded to throw our arms in the air and move our bodies to the music. That was the most fun I had had in a long time. Something I doubt would have been possible without the beer's relaxing effect. I wasn't necessarily drunk but I had enough to not care too much.

Once I finished my drink, I went for another, then finished that one and got another. After a while I lost track of how many beers I had and I was too engrossed in dancing to realize that neither Jackson or the blonde man were with me anymore. A quick scan of the tables closest to me revealed that I had danced my way to the opposite side of where our table was located. In order to get back to our side and find Jackson, I pushed through the dancing crowd. It turned to be a real task when I realized my world was becoming a bit wobbly. The sudden hard bump into a man's back almost sent me stumbling backwards.

"Woah!" I exclaimed, grabbing on to a random persons shoulder to steady myself. When the man I bumped into turned around I realized luck wasn't on my side tonight.
"Zoe I'm sorry are you ok?" Niall asked placing a hand on my bare shoulder.
I looked past him and saw he was dancing with a woman in a skimpy dress who did not look pleased at the sudden loss of his attention. Without a word I shrugged off his hand and continued to work through the crowd until I could see Jackson and the blonde guy sitting at our table. Feeling relieved I plopped down next to Jackson and ran a hand through my loose strands. As I looked to the dance floor my eyes met Niall's again and he was still dancing with the same woman.

Blaming the alcohol for my actions, I took the opportunity to lean against Jackson's shoulder. I turned to see if Niall was looking and he was. The next action was one I wasn't planning but occurred anyway. Jackson was talking to his friend when I interrupted and grabbed his face with my hand to turn him towards me. Without second thought, I planted a kiss on his lips.
I tried to drag out the kiss for effect but was confused when Jackson didn't reciprocate. When I pulled away, the look on his face was that of surprise. This confused me much as I was under the impression he could be interested in me. His actions showed otherwise and it made me feel a bit stupid.

"Um, Zoe, what are you doing?" He quietly asked.
"I..." I began as I looked into his eyes and furrowed my brows confused, ".. I thought we.. I don't know..." I didn't even know what to say at this point. His blatant rejection took me by surprise.
"Zoe.... I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I led you to believe otherwise, but... I'm gay." Jackson confessed making my head jerk back.
"You're gay?!" I asked as if I hadn't understood the first time.
"Yes and now look you've scared away Leo.." he said in a disappointed tone. So the blonde guy's name was Leo.
"Shit. I'm sorry. So sorry! Go after him, Jackson. Seriously. He's cute." I urged him and with a kind smile he went after Leo leaving me alone at our table.

So far I had been having a good time but being left alone at a table really bummed me out. I debated if I should call an Uber or stay a bit longer. I saw the half empty pint of beer in front of me and decided to at least stay and finish it. What's one more beer?

Notes

I know, I disappeared for a long time and I promised this update way earlier than today. Life is just busy and even though I want to, I can't always update when I say so. :(

Anyway, so Jackson is gay did y'all see that coming?

Also, I want to announce that I am working on another story with one of my readers and friends @xXFluffy_GruXx so I want y'all to be on the lookout for this story! It will be called Southern Belle and it is also a Niall story. It wasn't really planned at all... it actually stemmed from us talking about Niall's song with Maren Morris and then one thing led to another and Southern Belle was born at 2:30 am. :D