Lonely Road

I lazily open my eyes and glance at the nightstand.

12:47

I roll back over and snuggle the sheets.

WAIT WHAT? Crap!

I shoot out of bed and run for the shower, jumping right into the cold stream. I wash my hair and face while quickly brushing my teeth. I reach for the towel and dash out of the bathroom, scavenging for a pair of clean pants. The clock reads 12:54 now. Shit, I'm gonna be late picking up Liam for his surprise party!

I grab a white polo from my drawer and yank on my khaki pants, and rush out of my hotel room. I look and the stairs and then at my watch, which reads 1:02. I gulp and man up, taking the elevator. Inside, I pull on my white converse and run my fingers through my hair. I glances at the mirror walls as the elevator doors ding open. I rush out the doors and hop into the black suv parked outside the hotel.

"What took you so long?!" My driver yells at me as we speed off towards the airport. I shake my head and slide on my belt. I pull out my phone and check my texts.

'NIALL GET YOUR ARSE OUT OF BED!!' -Louis

'NOW! we have everything ready! go get li!'- Louis

'Hey Nialler :) My plane lands at 1:15! see ya soon xx' -Liam

I smile at my phone and tuck it into my pocket, closing my eyes. I open my eyes and see we are parked in front of the airport. I step out of the car and head inside, handing the driver his tip.

I hear the familiar tone coming from my phone speakers and I answer immediately.

"Liam! Where are ya mate?" I head for the arrival area up stairs

"I just picked up my luggage. Are you here yet?" I nod my head but realize he can't see me.

"Uh yeah. I don't see you. I'm under a sign that says pick up."

"Huh. Me too but I don't s-" I bump into someone from behind me and my phone is knocked out of my hand.

"Oops, so sorry." A familiar voice says and I turn around.

"LI! You idiot, I was right behind you!" I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him in a tight hug. He smells wonderful- What. Why did I think that? I meant he smells nice.

"NIALL!! I missed you so much! While I was at Danielle's I kept thinking about my little leprechaun blasting the boys with atomic bombs for farts." He smiles softly at me and knees feel oddly weak. I grab one of his suitcases and we head for the escalator since I've had one closed in elevator ride already.

"So how was your trip?" I ask him once we step inside the SUV.

He shrugs and glances out the window.

"Dani's family was really nice and skiing was great, but we got in a bit of an argument. I guess she just needs some space right now." He sighed and turned back to me. "How was California?"

"Ok man, it was GREAT! We went on a yacht, and Louis went cage diving with sharks! But it wasn't the same with out you, bro." I smiled and pulled out my phone.

'On our way. get in place, 5 mins' I sent to Zayn and looked up at Liam.

"Hey do you mind if we stop at this restaurant really quick? I've been dying to try it but Louis hasn't let me leave the hotel. Plleeeaassee??? It's Italian...." I clasped my hands together and stick out my bottom lip.

"Fine. But only if you wash my laundry once we get home." He smiled and messed with my hair. My heart speeds up a bit. Weird...

We pull up to the restaurant and I open Liam's door. He smiles at me again and we walk together towards the front door where a young waitress stands a little bit to eagerly.

"Hello! Table for two? Please come this way." She smiles and leads us to a dark room at the back.

Liam walks in first and squints his eyes.

"Miss? Would you mind turn on the lights in here? It's a bit dim." He states kindly.

"You're a bit dim." I hear Louis whisper and I cough to cover my giggling.

The waitress walks over to the lights with a knowing smirk and flips the switch.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" At least 50 people jump out and Liam stands in complete shock.

"For me?" He mouths at me and I nod, pulling him into a bear hug.

"Thanks Nialler." He says and ruffles my hair again.

"LIAMM!!!!! Happy Birthday Li!" Louis runs up and tackles Liam, almost knocking him over. Harry struts over and pulls us all into a group hug, purposely messing up Zayn's oh so perfect hair.

Liam was the first to pull away, grinning like a maniac. He swung an arm over my shoulder and pulled me with him to the buffet table lined with all of Liam favorites.

"What first?! Oh wow. Look Niall!" He immediately stuck a finger into the extravagant chocolate fountain that Harry ordered online. It was shaped with a batman symbol on top.

The whole restaurant was actually decorated with black and yellow balloons and streamers so I'm surprised Liam didn't notice or say something.

I walk over to him a grab a plate, pilling it high with all the food laid out.

"Niall! It's Liam's birthday, not yours!" Zayn says, nudging me in the side. I shrug and continue to add food.

"Oh Zayn, leave my little leprechaun alone!" Liam pinched my cheeks and kissed it. I felt my whole face turn crimson and furrowed my eyebrows in attempt to hide it.

"Shut your bloody mouth, Payne." I snapped and rushed off towards the table. I could hear Zayn and Harry snickering behind me, but I didn't really care. Why am I feeling so weird around Liam today? Maybe I'm just hungry. And with that I dug in.

I heard a loud clearing of someone's throat and I immediately turned around. That amazing and beautif- NIALL STOP! What is happening to me? Oh my god I'm losing it.

"Uhm Niall are you alright mate? You seem a bit- I don't know, out of it." Liam asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied. I felt small yet intense tingles all around my body ever since Liam pecked my cheek and patted my shoulder.

"Ok well you can tell me anything mate." He said as he looked into my eyes. "Now let's hit the bar, shall we?"

I lightly giggled, following him to the bar. Liam ordered two beers and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You sure you wanna drink tonight, Li?" I asked him, genuinely concerned.

"It's my birthday Niall! I just want to have a night free of worry, alright?" I nodded and popped open my beer.

"Well I guess we better get this party started" I raised my hands and attempted to 'twerk' and Liam burst out laughing.

"Save the sexiness for a girl Nialler." He said and took a swig of beer.

"Enough of this children's juice, BARTENDER! Bring us some shots!" I yelled and scanned the crowd for the boys. Zayn was standing by the dj's booth chatting up a girl while Louis shoveled food down his throat. I look back to Liam and he holds up our shots.

"Let's go! You only live once." Liam winked at me and my heart fluttered a little bit. I shook the thought from my head and raised my shot to him.

"To my best-" "and sexiest" Liam added quickly. I chuckled and continued. "best and so called sexy friend, Liam" I swallowed the shot and smiled at the disgusted face Liam made as the alcohol burned his throat. It's was quite adorable.

Oh my god, here I go again

I need to get away from Liam for a while to think some things through.