That Summer

Chapter 31

The boys left the booth and greeted me. “Good job guys.” I smiled, avoiding Niall’s direction.

“We’re glad you could make it.” Louis smiled, wrapping a friendly arm around my shoulder.

“We should get going. You guys have a show to get ready for.” I said gently removing Louis’ arm and walking toward the door.

I reached my dad and linked our arms together as we walked out of the station. I knew he could tell something was wrong but, he also knew that I didn’t want to talk about it and I was grateful for that.

When we got back to the hotel, I decided to take the stairs while everyone else cramped into an elevator. “How come you’re taking the stairs?” I heard a voice say behind me.

“It’s always good to get some exercise every now and then.” I responded, refusing to turn around.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Harry asked.

“There is nothing to talk about, Harry.” I sighed.

“So you’re saying that you’re not upset at all about Niall saying he was single?” He asked, grabbing my wrist and turning me around to face him.

“No, because he wasn’t lying. We’ve never made anything official.”

“So, you would let me kiss you right now and not feel like you were cheating on Niall?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“It wouldn’t be cheating and I’m not going to let you kiss me either way.” I said now crossing my arms over my chest.

“Then prove it. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

I rolled my eyes and continued to walk up the stairs, with Harry following close behind.

“If you won’t kiss me then find someone else.” Harry suggested when we got to our floor.

I turned back around and faced him. “Fine!” I said. “I’ll kiss you and prove that what Niall said didn’t bother me.”

“Go ahead.” He smirked.

I pulled Harry by his shoulders and crashed our lips together. Harry responded by grabbing onto my hips and pulling me closer to him. I pushed him up against the wall, tangling my fingers into his curls. I had forgotten how easy it was to get lost in a kiss with Harry.

After another minute I pulled away and stared up at him, panting slightly. “Happy?” I asked softly.

“It depends,” He started. “Do you feel like you’ve just cheated on Niall?” He asked almost cautiously.

I opened my mouth to respond, but was cut off by another voice. “What’s going on?”

Both Harry and I snapped our heads in the direction of the voice. “Hi, Niall.” I said sheepishly, quickly pushing away from Harry.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you two but, this is a public hallway.” He muttered, about to keep walking, but instead he stopped and turned back to us. “No,” He said stepping in front of me. “I’m not going to pretend this is okay. What’s going on, Elizabeth?” He asked, sounding crushed. “I thought—I thought there was something between us.”

That was the moment the guilt set in and I just wanted to disappear from where I stood. “I thought so too,” I said quietly, taking a small step back. “If you want to be single that’s fine, I get it. I just wish we could have talked about it before I did this.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

Niall nodded and took a hold of my hand. “Can we still have that talk?” He asked.

I nodded and he started to take me to his room. I turned my head, looking back at Harry, and mouthed him an apology before getting to far.

“I’m sorry for what I said today,” Niall started after we got to his room and shut the door behind him. “I just didn’t know what to say. I was going to talk to you about it but, you ran off before I got the chance.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Niall. I’m the one who keeps messing up. I keep acting on impulse and not thinking. I don’t blame you for wanting to be single now. If I was around me I wouldn’t want to--”

“Elizabeth!” Niall interrupted, chuckling. “I’m not mad at you, or Harry, okay?” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Sure, I was surprised, even a little hurt, but I saw where you were coming from. It only made me realize that I don’t want to keep living in technicalities with you anymore. I love you and I want to be with you.”

I felt my cheeks blush and wrapped my arms around his neck. “That’s the first time you’ve said you loved me since confessing in Boston.” I giggled.

He pressed our foreheads together, grinning down at me. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

“I love you too, Niall.”

“So, is that a yes?”

“Yes.” I smiled, pecking his lips.

The next night I was getting ready to leave for the airport and all the guys were gathered in me and my dad’s room. Niall and Louis weren’t helping; they would try and unpack my suitcase as I packed.  “Louis, Niall, stop it!” I said pushing them away from my suitcase. “I’m going to miss my flight because of you two.”

“We don’t want you to leave.” Louis pouted.

“It’s just three days, Lou.  I’ll be back before you know it and we’ll be off on your European tour, okay?”

Louis wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. “Hurry back, yeah?”

“Of course.” I smiled.

I finished my packing soon after and was off to the airport, with Niall accompanying me of course, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m going to miss you.” Niall said, intertwining our fingers.

“I’m going to miss you too, babe.” I smiled.

“This is the last call for the flight for Santa Cruz.” A voice over the intercom said.

“That’s me,” I said pulling away from him. “Bye, Nialler. I love you.” I whispered.

He pecked my lips and squeezed me tightly. Camera’s started to flash around us and I knew that was my que to head to the gate. I felt bad for leaving Niall alone to deal with the paparazzi but, I knew he could handle it.