The Way Things Change

Chapter 39

"I'm going to the mall. Who wants to come?" Niall asked. He was already wearing a hoodie and was holding his Ray Bans, so he could hide his identity.

"I'll come with you. I need to get some things anyway" I said, while trying to get out of Harry's grip. Not only did I need some things, I needed to have some time alone with Niall. It had been forever since we last talked properly.

"No! Don't leave me here alone!" Harry whined, stretching his arms towards me like a little child. I giggled quietly.

"But I really need to get these things!"

"What things? What's more important than me?"

"Everything is more important than you" I teased. I saw a hurt expression overtake his face. "No Harry, just things. It's no big deal."

"So why can't you stay then, if it's no big deal" Harry argued. It was really hard to get away from him already. It was nice just laying there in his arms, but I really needed it, you know, like every other girl. He didn't have to know about it.

"Because I NEED it Harry! And I see that you don't want to come, no matter what. But that's fine, I need to talk to Niall anyway."

Louis and Eleanor were staying at Eleanor's parents for the week. Zayn and Perrie were going to visit Zayn's family in the little time they had together and Liam had found a new girl. He still didn't want to say anything, but everyone knew there was a new girl. He was constantly on his phone with a big goofy grin on his face. Right now he was on a date with her somewhere, so Niall, Harry and I were left at home. We hadn't really done anything, just hanging around.

"Okay, but don't be too long!" He pulled me down on his lap, just to give me a quick kiss.

"Niall, just wait a second, okay? I'll just get changed into something more... soothing."

5 minutes later we were on our way.

"So Niall..." I started awkwardly, shifting a bit in my seat. "How are you, really?"

I had noticed he wasn't as happy as he used to be, since they came back. I was concerned about him, but I had never had the time alone with him, so I hadn't been able to ask him what was going on.

"I'm fine, really" he said, trying to laugh it away. I wasn't convinced. I knew him better than that.

"Niall, cut the crap! I know you, you're not as happy as you were. I'm just concerned, that's all."

He was concentrating on the road in front of him, but u could see that I'd got something right. He didn't say anything and we had almost reached the mall. After parking the car, I pulled the door handle, ready to get out and really disappointed that he didn't want to talk to me. He grabbed me by the wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Wait... It's not that I don't want to talk to you, it's just... I don't know..." His hand was rubbing the back of his neck. He looked tired. I closed the car door again, turning to him.

"Niall, we can talk about anything. At least, we used to. You know you can trust me with anything!" I reassured him, placing my hand on his knee.

"Yeah, I know..." He sighed, but kept quiet for a while. He looked deep in thought, so I didn't push him.

"I just feel... Lonely. Sometimes. Look, I'm happy for all of you and all, but when you all are cuddling up to someone on the couch, or anywhere actually, I just feel left behind. I feel alone." His eyes started to water. This really bothered him. "How come I can't find anyone to care about? And someone who cares about me? I really would like to find someone, just like you found Harry. And I'm just so afraid that I'm going to be left behind, forgotten, without any love." A single tear escaped from his eye and made its way down his cheek.