Seconds, Minutes, Hours

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Mia didn't tell Niall about her conversation with Zayn. He would just freak out. He had known Zayn in primary school, and took the boys change in charecter as a personal affront.

"Are you coming over today?" Mia asked Her best friend as they crossed the street, walking away from the school building. Classes had ended almost ten minutes ago, but neither of them had been very quick about packing their things up. They now we're walking towards their houses, which just so happened to be right next door to each other.

"Did you invite Harry and Lou?" Niall asked. Their was about a fifty fifty chance that she had. They were good friends with the couple, but Niall and Mia had always had a closer relationship than there was between any of the rest of them. At least until Harry and Louis started dating. Sometimes it was nice to have some time where it was just the two of them, sharing a laugh.

Mia shook her head. "No. It would just be the two of us. My brother is staying with a friend for the week."

Mia had practically been raised by her brother, and Niall knew that full well. He had been there When her dad had walked out, leaving Mia broken on the doorstep. He had been there When her mother had started drinking. He had been there The entire year that Mia slept less than three hours a night because she worked three after school jobs to help her brother pay the mortgage. He had been the person who picked up her shifts when she was just too tired to g on, who had stood up for her when the principle threatened to expelled her for sleeping through class. He had been the one to tutor her when her average dropped and to help her study when it was way past midnight. Niall had always been there for Kia, and she didn't have yo explain anything to him. He just got it.

"So we've got the house to ourselves?" Niall asked, and Mia nodded in confirmation.

"For a while the house is mine. I think I'll invite Harry and Louis to spend the night tomorrow, but I really wanted to talk with you." Mia wasn't lying. She felt like Niall and her were growing apart, and she didn't like the feeling.

"Of course. You want me to stay over, or just for the afternoon?" Niall was probably the only student at his school who could ask a girl that question without getting a sarcastic response, except maybe Harry and Louis. But they were gay, they didn't count, since they could not possibly have bad intentions. For any other high schooler, it would be flirting, but Niall and Mia had spent so many nights at each other's houses that the question wasn't even awkward.

"Why don't you just stay over. You can grab some clothes on the way." Mia suggested. Niether pointed out that Niall could borrow her brothers clothes, or that there were countless outfits of his at her house. Thaat would just be an awkward conversation.

Niall nodded and they walked in a comfortable silence for a while. When they arrived at Nialls house, he rushed inside, grabbing a few things and a change of clothes. Mia waited outside, though she could have gone inside if she had felt like it. She was more than welcome in Nialls house after crashing there after long shifts several 5imes. Back then she had needed Niall there to wake her up for school, or else she wouldn't make it and would be written up as truant.

"Ready?" She asked when Niall came out of the house with a plastic sack, presumably full of clothes. He nodded and they began the very short walk to Mia s house. It was literally next door and they were there within minutes, Niall tossing his backpack and bag into the living room before heading immediately to the kitchen. Mia shook her head. Her friends hunger was insatiable.

By the time Mia got to the kitchen, Niall had already gotten out a bag of crisps and was munching contentedly. Mia grabbed a couple, ignoring Nialls glare. It was her food after all.

"I was eating those!" Niall protested. Mia shrugged.

"They're my crisps silly." Mia pointed out to Niall, who shrugged.

"Fine, But I'm gonna keep eating them. What do you wanna so tonight?" He asked. Mia shrugged.

"I kinda wanted to talk. We never seem to talk anymore." Mia admitted. It was really troubling her that Niall and her weren't communicating as much as well as they had in the past.

Niall frowned. "I know. I feel like we're growing apart."

Mia nodded sadly. "I don't want to lose you as a friend."

Niall gave her a small smile, and hugged her tightly. "Mia, we are best friends. Nothing will change that."

They spent several hours watching movies, playing games and just doing anything they wanted. It was very nearly one o'clock when the feared subject came up.

"So what's with you and Zayn lately?" Niall finally asked. They were lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. They had done this countless Times, having grown uncomfortable sleeping in the same bed in about third grade. They had slept on the floor like this ever since.

"He just scares me sometimes." Mia admitted. It was halfway true. Zayn terrified her at times.

"And..." Niall knew there was more to the story.

"And lately he's been...different. I just want to know why." Mia admitted. Niall would never drop the matter, and she knew better Than to lie to him. There was no one Niall hated more than a liar.

Niall nodded. "He has been a bit different lately."

Mias eyes widened. Had Niall just agreed with her?

Niall laughed a bit at her surprise. "Don't look so shocked. I used to be friends with him."

Mia considered. It was true that the two had been friends When they were young, But Kia had always thought that Niall ignored Zayn nowadays. He certainly seemed to hate the lad.

"There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while now Mia." Niall admitted after a bit of silence. His voice was soft and solemn. Mia knew thay he was being serious for one Or the few times in his life.

"It's okay Niall. You can tell me anything." She assured him. It was an honest sentiment. She could never hate Niall, even if he murdered someone. Well she actually mught hate him then. But she would at least get his side of the story before turning him away.

"Mia, I think I'm bi. I kept thinking it couldn't be true, but there's this boy, and the way I look at him is more than friendly. I think I still have a crush on Brooke, But I feel like this boy...I might feel that way towards him too." Niall rambled.

Mia Sat up, a bit in shock. But not really. Niall spent all day every day hanging out with her, Harry, and Louis. When they would obsess over some bot being cute, Niall would sit there calmly. He wouldn't join the conversation, but he wouldn't insist they stopped. That kind of thing probably would probably make a straight man unconfortable. In fact, come to think of it, Niall seemed to fit into their group a bit too well to be straight.

"Wow." Was all Mia could think to say at first. Then, suddenly, she grinned. "So who do you like?"

"I like Brooke." He stated simply. Mia shrugged and laid back down. Niall would tell her eventually. No need to push him to do so now.

The two fell asleep comfortably, despite their position on the floor. They were two friends, both weighed down by the others secrets, but also liberated of their own by telling each other the truth. And that night, They both got the best sleep of their lives.

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(Authors note)

So I didn't update in a very long time. I'm gonna lie and say I was studying for the big important test I have tomorrow. I was reallt jus t doing other things.