One Thing ➳ n.h

Chapter 26

Emma's POV

Niall is sitting down in the bleachers wearing a hoodie with the hood over his head and dark sunglasses on this chilly January evening. I try to stay as focused as I can... The count on the batter 2 balls, 2 strikes with 2 outs.... Runners on second and third base. Amber, the catcher, sticks down 3 fingers... Rise ball... I feel energy buzzing through me. I rock back and get my grip. I swing my arm around, leap off the mound and the ball leaves my hand. It rises out of the zone as the girl swings and misses. The stands rattle with cheers and all the team members rush to the mound to congratulate me. We've just won our first softball game....

The first girl on the team that I acknowledge is Emily, by far my best friend besides the boys and Kiki.

"Emma you did amazayn!" Oh yeah did I forget to mention she's a fan of One Direction to?

"Thanks Em..." I laugh at her reference to Zayn as she throws an arm around my shoulder.

We walk to third base and line up. We clap hands congratulating the other team on a well played game. I slowly walk back to the dug out intentionally being the last one. I purposely take forever to pack my equipment. I finally get out to my duffel bag and pull out my Nike slides. I pull my feet out of my cleats and slip them into my slides. I strategically pack all of my equipment into my bag so that everything fits, except my bat which I carry. I stand up straight to see a waiting Niall leaning up against the back fence of the dug out. I'm greeted by his comforting blue eyes.

"You did great Em.... Even though I don't know much about this sport..." Niall laughs.

"Thanks Ni... I would hug you but I'm all sweaty..." I say and pull up my neckline to wipe sweat from my face.

"I don't care Em..."

He smiles and wraps me in one of his famous 'Horan Hugs'. He pulls away and his beautiful blue eyes hypnotize me. He pulls me in for a kiss. I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck and his tangle around my waist. By now everyone else has left the field and it's just me and Niall. I shift onto my tip toes so that he doesn't have to lean down so much and then little butterflies take flight in my stomach. He runs his tongue along my bottom lip and I immediately pull away denying his request.

"Love you babe!" I say with a flirty smile and wink.

"Love you to..." He laughs and picks my bag up off the floor and flinging the strap over his shoulder.

I hold my bat in my left hand and my right intertwines with his as we walk through my school parking lot to his Land Rover. Niall pops the trunk and sets my bag down the turns and reaches for my bat. I hand it to him and he places it next to my bag. I walk around the left side of the car and sit in the passenger seat. Niall joins me momentarily and climbs into the driver's side. The dorms are all the way across the school from the fields so Niall offered to drive me.

After a short ride he parks in a spot and we simultaneously climb out of the car. I walk around to the back and Niall opens the trunk for me. I grab my things and carry them to my dorm. I frown knowing that this is the last time I'll see him in a while. He's going to London for promo for the band. We walk slowly savoring the last few moments we have together. We reach the dorm and I invite him in. I drop my equipment to the floor.

"Hey Niall! Hey Em, how was the game?" Kiki says walking up to us.

"It was awesome! We won and I made the last out by striking the girl out with my amazing rise ball!" I say pushing my hand in the air making a rise ball motion.

"Cool! I'm so proud of you!" Kiki says wrapping me in a hug.

She pulls away from me and I want her to leave the room so that I can have some time with Niall... I frantically move my eyes from hers to the bathroom. She doesn't what I'm trying to say at first, but she finally catches on and realization hits her face.