If They Only Knew

Chapter 5- What If?

Climbing back into Niall's black truck, I remember it very differently from last night.

I regrettably remember the events of last night. The ones that keep replying in my mind, the ones I'm trying to block but they keep creeping back in my mind like cold dead fingers prying at my soul.

The roar of the engine shakes me out of the tortured memories.

The engines vibrations running through my feet to my knees. I peer out the window with tired eyes.

The sky a gloomy shade of grey like the lungs of a smoker.

The car runs down another bumpy path of another unknown street.

A green pasture covered with a thick, dense fog with numerous grey rocks pilled together used like fences.

Sheep and horses hidden under shelters desperate to isolate themselves from the storm.

The only sound emitted is the pitter patter of rain erupting against the roof as it bursts and dribbles down the windows.

I watch as the drops race one another down my window.

Gunning for the underdog as I watch the smaller drop of rain slide past its competitors connecting to others, and eventually winning as it disappears in the lining of the glass.

Within ten minutes Niall pulls up to the Cafe, the only place I actually feel comfortable in lately.

Parking his truck on the side road he shuts off the roar if the engine.

I zip my coat up to my neck and tug my hair around to cover my chilled exposed skin. I can feel Niall's eyes focused on me, I've learned through the years the best thing to do is swallow my pity and fake another picture perfect smile for the better of others.

Niall chuckles before pulling his hood over his gold dripped hair. A cheeky, adventurous smile creeps over his lips as his eyes light up.

Just his presence next to mine is soothing on some unknown level deep within me.

Widening my eyes as I glance out the front window. The rains pouring down now. I snicker and peer back to him with my best version of excitement.

"Ready?"

I squeak as we swing our doors open, and our once dry shoes splash onto the rainy street.

I prance forward as Niall hustles around his truck as we sprint across the street together as I giggle and squeak and hop around.

Taking shelter under the thin roof as we reach the building of the Cafe.

My feet chilled and wet, the puddle have soaked threw my shoes, into my socks.

Side stepping to avoid any raindrops from skydiving to unexpectedly bombard us.

We reach the glass door and Niall grasps the handle before I have the chance to grab it, holds it open for me, as if we were a happy couple.

"Thank you" I chuckle, stepping threw the threshold.

The familiar ring above the door sounds as I step through. The same aroma of bitter coffee and sweets. The same soft music playing in the back ground with irrelevant chatter.

But it's all so different now that Niall is next to me, not alone with hidden longing. The room seems brighter and joyful.

We stride towards the front counter. Today there's no line up, there's only the six or seven regulars sitting around on stools around circular tables.

The usual raven black hair women behind the counter has her back to us busy in her task.

"Hello" I announce.