I stared outside of the tinted window, glistened with little crystal droplets from the pouring rain outside. I sighed, releasing a puff of air as I cupped the warm chocolate in my small hands. The heat radiating from the mug soothes my never ending thoughts that had been occupying my mind as I reminisce the past.
*FLASHBACK*
Niall and I were special. We had instantly attracted each other when we first met like magnets attracting the opposite poles. We were nothing more than best friends, but we both knew there was something special between us. But sadly he had to leave and follow his parents all the way to LA because of work.
It was hard saying goodbye to him 4 years ago at the airport. I restrained myself to not break down and cry in front of him but to my avail, the tears flowed down freely no matter how hard I kept it in. ‘I promise you, we will meet again. Stop crying, love. I’ll come back for you’, he cooed as he hugged me tightly. The realization hit me in the face, causing my body to tremble vigorously. My best friend is leaving me.
I’ve never heard of him since then. We did call and text often after he left. But it gradually stopped after about 3 months or so. I was an emotional wreck. I couldn’t face the fact that he might find better friends or worse, finally settle down with a girl. That is, until I found out he joined a band with 4 other boys.
His fame grew larger and larger. His face was plastered everywhere. Magazines, ad boards, bus ads, you name it. Everyone craved for him and his band mates. Everyone but me. I couldn’t bring myself to listen to their songs, particularly Niall’s voice. I was afraid that it’ll haunt me. So I decided to block everything One Direction related out of my life.
It hurts to know that while he’s living the life in fame and fortune, I’m here just praying one day I’ll be able to relive the friendship we once had. I can’t deny, I really really do miss him. But there’s no more way for me to contact him anymore. Apparently, he changed his phone number due to the privacy he needed. So I realized, that’s the end of it all.
I stopped waiting for him until I enrolled myself in Uni. I met new friends, great people and finally able to fit in. I dyed my natural blond hair to light shades of brown and curled it for a change. The thoughts of Niall was pushed aside as I focused on scoring my exams. But every now and then, my mind naturally wanders off to what Niall is probably doing right now.
*PRESENT DAY*
Class ended early today so I decided to go to The Nook, the café I’m in right now. I took one large gulp of the hot chocolate before grabbing my Uni books and headed towards the exit. Without looking where I was going, I bumped straight into someone, resulting to me dropping all my books to the floor, papers flying everywhere.
A string of colourful words flew out of my mouth unconsciously as I bent down to pick up the pile of books on the floor. Surprisingly, the person I bumped into mirrored my actions, bending down to help me gather all of my books.
‘Are you alright there, love?’, he said in a thick Irish accent. I looked up, starstrucked. He looked gorgeous yet vaguely familiar. His thick accent, blond hair with dark roots, crooked teeth and crystal blue eyes reminded me of something, or someone. But I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
I ignored my thoughts as I mumbled a shaky sorry to the stranger and continued gathering my books and papers. To my surprise, he laughed at my hasty actions. I looked up, our eyes instantly connecting. His eyes now filled with humor and amusement, crinkles lining his eyes. Probably because of me, I guess. I straightened myself as he did the same. I smiled apologetically at him, readying myself to escape from this embarrassment but my actions stopped abruptly as I felt a hand on my forearm.
‘You’re not leaving now, are you?’, he asked. He wasn’t smiling, but the humor glint in his eyes was still there. ‘I was thinking of, you know. Buying you a drink or get to know you or something?’, he asked hopefully.
He seemed sincere, innocent even. It was hard for me to say no to this. And plus he is one fit lad. ‘Okay’, I smiled at him. After realizing that I agreed, he grinned as he guided me towards one of the vacant tables. After ordering our desired drinks, I instantly tried to start off a conversation.
‘So, are you from around here? London, I mean’, I asked him, playing with the end of the straw of my drink.
‘No, not really’, he answered. ‘Well, I’m here for a vacation, to be exact. I’m from LA. By the way, you look like someone that I know. Very familiar’, he quirked his eyebrows at me. So I wasn’t the only one that thought that way then.
I smiled at him, not knowing how to answer his statement. ‘Anyway, do you know anyone by the name of Kayley Wills around here?’, he asked to divert the subject. I almost choked on my drink as my body froze and the hair at the back of my neck stood on ends as the realization hit me. This stranger was Niall.
‘Ni?’, I called his nickname that only I know of. ‘Is this really you, Ni?’. His body froze and his blue eyes wide. He finally realized that he found the person he’s been searching for. Me. Tears started pricking at the corner of my eyes as I waited for his reaction.
‘Oh my God. You’re Kayley. You’re my Kay’, he exclaimed. My heart swelled when he called me by my nickname and claiming me as his. He swiftly stood up, pulling me into his warm embrace as I let a few stray tears fall down my cheeks.
‘I waited for you to come back, Ni. But you didn’t’, I sobbed. I hugged him tighter, scared that he’ll go away.
‘I know, I know. I’m sorry. I was planning to come here for you sooner, but management wont let me. God, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment, Kay. I miss you. And look at you! Brown curly hair? I couldn’t recognize you earlier, love!’, he said as his voice cracks. His hand reached its way up to my hair as he gently caress me, soothing me.
After hugging for what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled apart. Niall’s eyes were red and sore. I probably looked the same too as he slowly wiped my tears with his thumb. He took hold of my small petite hands in his large warms ones before asking me a question that I’ve waited long enough for.
‘Will you be my girlfriend?’
