out of the blue / n.h

Chapter 26

MELANIE RICHARDS

“Oh,” Nathan replies. He makes a fake chuckle during the silence awkward Niall made. 

Niall stands up and wipes his mouth with his fabric. “Niall,” He grins. “Sorry for that."

“Nathan.” He smiles forcefully. I know something has gotten into him since I told him Niall is my boyfriend. And also Niall. He seemed to be surprised but he luckily managed himself to remain calm.

“So, did mom called you?” I ask Nathan, who is staring at the ground the whole time.

"Yeah, she said that I could stay here for couple of days because my mom and dad is out of town. So, yeah.” He shrugs. “Or I could just go back home,”

“No, no, don’t, please stay.” I beg him. “So you’re skipping school?” I ask him as Niall walks back to the counter he sat down earlier.

“Yeah,” He nods. “well, I should grab a drink and talk to your mom a while. Okay?” He smiles and points out to the back door.

“Okay, well it’s really nice to see you again, Nathan.” I stroke his face and pull him into another hug. This time, he pulls away and walks out to the backyard.

“Really? Boyfriend?” Niall scoffs as I roll my eyes and shift my body to face him. I walk over to him and sit next to him.

“I had to, I’m sorry. I had no choice.”

“It’s clearly not okay though.” Niall giggles. “He’s the guy you cried out up there, yeah?” His accent talks to me like he’s mocking me.

“No,” I take the glass to pour the water into my mouth but then I realized Niall has finished it up. I was just trying to throw the attention away. I put the glass back to the counter and I shift my eyes to him as he smirks.

“Really? Cried because of the sequel of Friends? Or cried because you were stressed up trying to understand how math really works?” He keeps on smirking. It doesn't bother me that much because it's prettty hot. “Or any other reasons?” He raises his brows and I roll my eyes at him. His face is like a definition of the song This Charming Man, I can’t even stop myself from looking at him.

“Fine, since you are my fake boyfriend right now, I have to make you a deal. You have to act like you love me for as long as Nathan stays and I promise to tell you why I was crying.” I convince him.

“Deal. Tell me now or never.” He winks as he rests his head on his palm and shoots a glance with those luminous blue eyes. I quickly look away. I just wish I don’t have to lie to myself and deny my feelings towards this charming guy.

"Okay, so,” I swallow my own breath. “I was crying over my dad. I thought about it a lot, lately. And—“ I exhale a breath as if I've held it for so long.

The thought of the letter my dad gave me, the fact that he died years ago crawling back into my mind all over again and I just want to burst into crying. Fuck Nate for coming in here making things worse. I can’t finish my words or even find it.

I take a full deep breath then blow it right in front of Niall's face, making him blink rapidly. “Sorry,” I chuckle. "God." I breath. “Can we please just, discuss this later?”

“I’m sorry, Mel. But, okay.” He strokes my shoulder. “Not now, right?” His eyes are full of mercy and warmness. He strokes my shoulder then follows by his warmest smile. “I want to hug you, but it would be really awkward, so,” He pats my shoulder as he tilts his head to the side with his stiff grin revealing which matches his gesture.

I giggle. “I'm so sorry. I just got carried away to see Nathan here.” I roll my eyes as I look at Nathan through the window. I still can’t believe that he’s here to see me, but I blew him away just that. Like the old times when he did it to me. He doesn’t even care what he did. Let alone my feelings for the past one and a half years.

He nods. “Well, what if we go out there, pretending to love each other then get out of here?”

I timidly smile. “Yeah, come on.” I gesture my head to the door behind Niall. Somehow, having Niall here is a massive mood changer. I just realized how much I need someone by my side and he’s here.  

Niall gestures me to walk to the door, his hand wraps around my waist. I feel his touch slightly giving me a heartattack. My heart beats me million times but there’s no going back, until I realized I’m already facing Nate and my mom. I dart my eyes to my mom. Her face seems to be confused. She arches her brows as she stares at Niall’s hand wrapped around mine. Studying what happens.