Possibility

Chapter 7 - Coffee?

I did as I had planned when my last class ended and went straight to the library to study. After finding myself a table in a corner and settling down there, I went straight to work.

There were few people in the library, especially in this part of it, and I was glad; I went to the library to work in silence. I knew it was a public area, but despite that I preferred it when it wasn't too crowded. Too much silence in crowded areas made me uncomfortable, for some reason, so I was glad the hushed chatter of some girls drowned the silence.

I had barely got in about thirty minutes of studying when my phone vibrated against the table. The unexpected sound of the phone against the table caused me to jump slightly, but once I recovered I picked up my phone and opened the message.

From: Niall

Can I treat you that coffee today?

I knitted my eyebrows unconsciously as I read the message; unsure of what to answer.

Was I really willing to befriend someone who doesn't bother to reply to my messages except for the times when it benefitted him, or perhaps the times when he felt like it? In addition to that, the chance of me getting to befriend him was low. He would probably just want to get it over with and then never talk to me again, and in that case, what was the point?

I decided not to answer; to just pretend I didn't see it and then reply later. It wasn't like it would matter anyway; he was too far away. In London most likely, so there was really no point for him to come here. Then again, it was a bit late considering how far London was from Manchester, so perhaps he was close; perhaps I should answer him after all.

I didn't get the chance to reconsidering it before I felt something hot against my ear, and then a few words were whispered in my ear.

"Why aren't you answering?"

I whirled around in my chair as fast as I could and came face to face with none other than Niall Horan. My mind went blank and I just stared at him with wide eyes; startled by the sudden approach.

Niall chuckled softly at my response and his lips tilted upwards in a smile, but not for long. His expression quickly took another turn and grew serious again.

"I know you've seen it." He told me, sounding a bit disappointed. "The message, that is."

"I, uh..." I stuttered out dumbfounded. I realised then that I should have answered the text. I didn't know how long he had been sitting on the chair next to me, and I had absolutely no idea how I hadn't noticed him sitting down.

"You forgot?" Niall asked, practically giving me a chance to get out of the situation. There was no way he could actually believe that was what happened though, and I didn't feel too comfortable about lying. Lying was what had got us in this situation in the first place. He had lied, but I was in no position to lie and call it even for that reason.

"Yes" I blurted out, without really meaning to. Once I realised that I had done exactly what I didn't want to, I changed my statement. "I mean, no."

Niall leaned back in his chair watching me closely. It seemed like he was waiting for an explanation, but frankly I didn't have any. Or I guess I had one, but at this point that one only sounded stupid. I really didn't think it through.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't think you wanted to." I answered him honestly. A stupid one was better than nothing, or at least I hoped so.

"Why would I ask if I didn't want to?" Niall asked as he pulled his eyebrows together. If I interpreted his body language right, it meant he was confused. That he didn't understand what I meant, but the answer was quite obvious. Wasn't it?