Stockholm Syndrome

Chapter 21

(Nialls POV)

I don't know why I'm so angry when I see the scene in front of me. Anger isn't a big thing for me no matter what mood I'm in. So I'm really not sure how to deal with it when I do get furious like I am now.

"What the hell Zayn?" My voice is quiet, but both of them look up. Emma looks guilty, and I'm not sure I wanna know why. "I told you I liked her."

Zayn looks baffled for a moment. "What is that supposed to mean?" He asks and the fire in my stomach only burns brighter. How could he act like this was nothing?

"You were flirting with her Zayn! And you of all people should know better. You're married!" I spit at him.

"I wasn't flirting mate." He argues. "We were only talking."

"Like hell you were!" I scream in his face. Tears come to my eyes and I wonder why Zayn of all people has to do this to me.

"I was trying to keep her out of your conversation with Louis!" He yells back.

I collapse in on myself at that. Because something is seriously wrong with me. I can't be normal for even a minute and my friends have to keep the girls I like from walking in on me crying about not being able to keep my head on straight. I don't know why I even bother anymore. No one outside of the band will ever like me, and the rest of them only tolerate me because they have. I'm sobbing now, and I feel arms wrap around me. I assume it's Zayn, about to apoligize, but I would recognize his grip. I've cried in his arms enough times for that. Instead the voice that speaks in my ear belongs to Emma.

"It okay Niall. Zayn didn't mean any harm. Please don't blame him for this." I nod and relax into her hug. She holds me tight for several seconds before speaking again.

"So what's all this about you liking me?" She asks, pulling away just enough that I can see her face. I'm sure my cheeks are red as can be and I hear Zayn laugh in the background. I don't say anything.

"Its okay Niall." She assures me, reminding me of what Zayn had told me before. "I told you earlier that I'm starting to like you."

I blush, but still don't say a word. She had said that, I just didn't think she meant it.

"And with the promise of some more candy hearts, I might be persuaded to like you just a little bit more." She lifted my chin up, forcing me to look in her eyes and I see that she's smiling.

"So don't berate yourself for liking me Niall, or um gonna feel really bad about doing this. And I got to watch as Emma leaned in slowly and kissed my lips.

It was gentle, soft and sweet. It was short, but it seemed to last a lifetime. And I knew in that moment that there was really no questioning it. I really liked Emma. And as I keep getting told, maybe there is nothing wrong with that.

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I paused a very good movie to finish this, so I hope you appreciate it.