Rumor Has It (HIATUS)

Chapter 11

-Lauren's POV-

But it was too late, I had already run out of the door.

He followed me out. "Lauren, please!"

I got in the car. "Mom, Drive!"

He leaned against the car door, peering through the windows.

"Mom!!"

"I don't want to hurt him, Lo!"

She gave me the "look." I rolled down the windows.

"Lauren, I-"

"Wait, before you say anything Niall, I'm fine. I just came to apologize for everything. For harming my self, for worrying you, for us almost kissing..I'm sorry for all of it. But I feel like I interrupted something, so I'm also sorry about that. I know you told me You had a girlfriend, but I guess I just didn't believe it at the time. I don't know why. Anyway, I bet she's a great girl. She's really lucky. So, yeah. Go enjoy yourself kid."

"Lauren, Phoebe's not my girlfriend.."

"Oh really? Good to know." That didn't come from me, I peered behind Niall, to see Phoebe standing there, arms crossed across her chest, looking hurt. 

Niall turned around, shocked. "No, Phoebe, that's not what I meant.."

"Oh really? I didn't think there was another meaning to what you just said."

"There isn't!" he replied back, his voice pleading.

"Wow." , she was on the verge of tears.

"No, that isn't what I meant." Niall threw his hands up in frustration. "Please.."

"Yeah? You don't mean a lot of things you say nowadays." She turned and ran to her car. 

"Phoebe! Come back!" but she just drove away.

He sat down on the concrete, head in his head.

"Can I leave now, Niall?"

He immediately stood up, "NO. Not until we talk about this."

"There is nothing to talk about."

"Yes there is, you're upset with me and I know it."

"Why would I be?"

"Because of Phoebe, because I just lied to you."

"How did you-"

"I told you that she wasn't my girlfriend..she is.. at least I hope she is."

"Oh." I looked down.

"See?! You are mad at me."

"I am not."

"You are, because you're in love with me."

My face flushed. "No I'm not. I only like you as a friend."

He looked hurt. "Not even like a brother?"

I shrugged.

'Lauren..I'm sorry."

"It's whatever.. I don't care anymore. I think I'm just gonna leave you alone for a little while. Go um, figure things out with Phoebe. Bye Niall."

My mom finally drove away. "I know this hurts sweetie, I know."

The rest of the ride was silent, except for the music."Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran was playing. I listened to the lyrics. It was all I could do not to cry. We finally arrived home, I ran upstairs, and the first thing I did was look up Phoebe on facebook. I found her number and dialed it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Phoebe it's Lauren."

"What do you want?"

"Look, I know I'm the last person you'd ever want to talk to right now, but I'm just apologizing for what happened tonight."

She stayed silent for a little. "For what? You didn't do anything."

"Well I did kinda interrupt you guys." I gave a nervous laugh.

"It's whatever. You guys are like bestfriends, and I get that you had stuff to take care of."

"Yeah.. I'm sorry."

"It's fine..You like Niall don't you."

"Me? Pft, no."

"Yes you do, I know you do."

"Well it's just a crush, nothing more. I'm over it. You're completely and totally in love with him."

"I am. I just don't get why he said I wasn't his girlfriend.", she sounded really down.

"He didn't mean it, trust me, I know Niall. He was just under a lot of pressure, I guess. You should go talk to him. I know he's completely in love with you too." I forced a smile, even though she couldn't see my behind the phone screen.

She paused for a minute, contemplating it. "Maybe I will." She paused again, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, anything."

"Why are you being so nice to me? I thought you'd be the one to hate my guts."

"What?! If anything, you should be the one to hate MY guts."

"Well I don't. Now, answer my question."

"Well, I don't have any reason to hate you, and I caused all of this in the first place, so why not? Also, Niall always tells me how great of a person you are, so this didn't hurt."

"Oh."

"Yup."

"Well...Thanks, Lauren. Not many people are as courageous as you are." I could hear her smiling.

"No problem. Now go on and get your man back!"

She giggled. "I am! I just want you to know, that I'm considering you my first friend in Cheshire."

"Awesome!" I smiled a little.

"Goodnight Lauren!"

"Night!"

As soon as I hung up the phone, I lied down on the bed and thought about what I just did. It felt pretty good, so why did I feel so empty?

Probably because I fell in love with my bestfriend, without even realizing it.

The thought pondered, as I slowly  fell asleep.

-Niall's POV-

I walked into the house and slammed the door shut. I just screwed things up with my best friend, and hurt my girlfriend. This night could not get any worse. If Lauren didn't have feelings for me, why was she so hurt? Why didn't I think about what I said to my girlfriend before I said it. I probably sounded so stupid to her. I sat on the couch staring at the blank TV screen. Suddenly the phone rang.