It Was Her Smile (#3)

Chapter Seven

As they sat in the closet, Niall gently stroked Talia's hair as her sobs slowly started to become quieter and less ragged, "You okay?"

She nodded slightly, pulling her knees closer to her chest as she leaned into Niall, "Y-Yeah..."
Niall sighed, "It's gonna be ok, she's gonna make it through this. You know that, right?"

"I know... She's a tough little ray of sunshine..." Talia said between hiccups.

Niall smiled softly as he intertwined their fingers, "Yes she is, but she'll need our support."

She closed her eyes, taking in a breath as she relaxed more, "She's got mine."

"Mine as well," Niall looked down nervously, "H-Hey Talia?"

She glanced up at him, cocking her head slightly, "Hm?"

"What would you say if I told you I had someone I liked?" Niall asked as his palms started to sweat, "I mean...as more then just a friend."

"I'd say congrats," She sat up a little, "After the whole Liam and Jamie thing, I think it's great that you found someone else..." Talia smiled slightly.

"Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure she has no feelings for me whatsoever..." Niall looked down, "I'm not even sure she considers me a friend."

"You never know till you ask."

"But if I asked...then it could ruin everything..." Niall said, his voice cracking with every word.

Talia reached up and ruffled his hair, "The call is up to you, dude."

Niall looked over at her and bit his bottom lip. Taking a deep breath a look of determination came onto his face before he pulled on Talia's hand quickly, therefor pulling her closer as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

Shock overcame her and Talia was practically frozen in place. What had just happened?

The door swung open, revealing a very confused and shocked Lily, "I-Uh-s-sorry!!"

Niall quickly pulled away, his cheeks a crimson red as he looked up at Lily, "I...uh....you...umm...."

Talia stood quickly, pushing past lily and rushing down the hall.

"... Did... Did I miss something?" Lily asked quietly.

Niall frowned, "Just me ruining whatever relationship I had with Talia..." Niall looked down as tears welled up in his eyes. Even though he was a 'bad boy' he could still be rather emotional at times.

Lily knelt down in front of him, rubbing his shoulder lightly, "I'm sure things will be... Slightly back to normal soon." She said, trying to make him feel a little better.

Niall chuckled sarcastically as he wiped his eyes and stood, "I doubt it."

~ Talia leaned back against her locker, her hand covering her mouth. She could be dense from time to time, but she was pretty sure this meant that she was the person Niall had been talking about. She closed her eyes and let out a heavy breath. He kissed her... He was probably just upset about everything with Maisey... Yeah. That's it. ~

Niall looked down as he walked past Lily, "Please...don't mention this to the others. It's pretty clear I've been rejected and I don't want things to be awkward for everyone."

Lily nodded slightly as she stood, "okay.."

"Thanks," Niall mumbled before walking down the hallway, leaving Lily standing there alone.

Lily bit her bottom lip and turned to go to the cafeteria.

"Hey Lil," Edward smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind before she could enter the cafeteria, "How'd that go?"

"It... Went... Okay..." Telling a Lily not to tell anyone else was an interesting thing to do, considering she was the worst liar there was.

Edward raised an eyebrow and gave Lily a look that said, 'I know there's something you're not telling me, but I also know there's a reason so I won't question it.'

She leaned back into him and smiled slightly.

Talia came back into the room and walked up to the others, sliding into the seat beside Maisey.

"Hey Talia," Louis said cautiously, "You ok now?"

She glanced over at Niall, then back at Louis, "Yep."

"What about you Niall?" Louis asked, "You've been awfully quiet since you got back."

"Just dandy," Niall said sourly, avoiding eye contact with Talia.

"Someone's grumpy," Louis chided.

"Drop it Louis," Niall spat.

Louis smirked, "Why should I?"

"Because I said to," Niall replied angrily, glaring at Louis.

"You aren't the boss of me Niall," Louis spat back at him, "Nor are you my mother."

Niall stood from his chair, his fists clenched at his sides as he walked around the table to where Louis sat, before punching Louis square in the nose. Knocking him back out of his chair.

"Niall!" Edward practically shouted in shock as Louis held his bleeding nose with his hand and looked up at Niall with a surprised expression.

"I said, drop it." Niall spat before storming out of the room.

"What the..." Louis question from his spot on the ground.

Edward looked over at Lily in shock, "Lily or Talia...what happened?"

Maisey scrambled to help Louis up, immediate tending to his face.

Lily pressed her lips together before saying, "I... I promised I wouldn't say anything...." Quietly into Edward's ear.

Talia pushed herself out of her chair, "NIALL, GET BACK HERE." She yelled before chasing after him.

"Why should I?" Niall spat as he stormed down the hallway without looking back at her.

She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him to a stop, "What is wrong with you???"

"Sorry if I'm a little emotional after I just rejected by the girl I like," Niall said sarcastically as he continued to walk despite her attempts to make him stop.

Talia sped up and stood in front of him, holding her hands out, "A little emotional?? You punched a friend, Niall!"

"Yeah, well, I've already ruined one relationship today," Niall shot back, "what's one more?"

"IM SORRY, OKAY??" She looked up at him, trying to catch her breath, "I'm sorry that I'm not ready for a relationship, I'm sorry that you're so upset over this, I'm sorry that punched our friend, and I'm sorry that you won't keep your big mouth shut and your temper controlled."

Niall growled as he backed her up against the lockers and trapped her between his outstretched arms, "When are you going to get it? I'm not upset you aren't ready, I'm upset because instead of telling me that, you stormed out without a word," Niall's voice broke as he fought back tears, "That hurt more then being rejected with words."

"What was I supposed to do?" Talia didn't break eye contact once, despite the fact that she was scared to death right now, "You should know I work by now. If I can't understand a situation, I do one out of two things. I blow up at whatever it is, or I run away and try to figure it out."

"You can't go through life running away from things," Niall said softly, his eyes full of hurt as he put his arms at his side, "Apparently I expected to be more then just another problem....I gotta go," Niall averted his gaze as he quickly turned and headed out the doors.

Talia watched him go, desperately wanting to scream or punch something. Screaming was not an option, so she rammed her fist into the nearest locker, holding back tears from the pain.

  

All I have to say is never send Talia in to diffuse an argument, it can only go downhill.
~Lyn