Never Let Go (Ziall) *Undergoing EXTREME Editing

Chapter Eighteen: Home Sweet Home

NIALL POV

We landed back in Chicago, at O'Hare. Ashley and I continued walking pulling our suitcases along,  and I saw the McDonald's again. Not much has changed, but memories flooded back into my mind. I remember when I was here the last time, I was with Zayn, and we were about to go on a trip.

"Niall? Is that you?" A voice asked me. I turned around and saw someone. He sounded like a guy I knew somewhere, but nothing clicked.

"Yeah, it's me, who are you?" I asked surprised, and turned to Ashley, who was looking back at me. This guy, had I seen him before?

"I'm Jared, remember? The last time you were here, was like last year, going to Florida, I think?"

Suddenly, I remembered, it was that guy I met at McDonald's. I didn't give him my number last time because Zayn dragged me away. "Oh! Hey, Jared. I remember now. Nice meeting you again." I smiled back.

"Yeah, we need to hang out sometimes. You never gave me your number." He said.

"Oh, here let me see your phone." I said and he handed it to me. I saved my number into his phone, and he smiled, we just stood there staring at each other.

"So, Niall, who's your friend." Ashley spoke up. I forgot she was even there. Awkward.

"Oh, this is Jared, we met exactly at this spot a year ago. Hehe." I said to her.

"Oooh" Ashley said giggling a little, "He's cute." She whispered in my ear. I laughed out loud when she said that, but Jared was a little confused. He did look pretty goodlooking, I'd say. He had brown hair, and green eyes, and was gay also.

"Well, anyways. I gotta go, call me later, yeah?" He said. I nodded and he went off into another direction. It was so late already, why was he still here? Oh well.

"Niall! He was so hot." Ashley said. "Ashley, but you're with Josh, you can't say stuff like that?" I chucked.

"What he can't hear, he won't know." She said and we continued walking until we reached the exit of the airport.

"So... uh.. how are we going to get back to campus?" Ashley said.

"I don't know..." I responded, looking at the dark empty street. No taxi, nothing, it was two in the morning.

"Uhh, do you think anyone's awake right now and willing up pick us up?" Ashley said turning to me.

"I don't know, lemme call." I took out my phone and called Jen and Jordon, but no one picked up.

"I guess, they're all asleep." I said to her. It was getting a little chilly now, and I was so tired. What are we supposed to do now?

"Niall! It's your friend, maybe he can help?" Ashley said, pointing. He must've heard that because right now, it was pretty quiet, and not much people was here this late.

"Niall, what are you guys still doing here?" Jared said.

"Oh uhm, we sorta can't get home." I replied. He nodded and gave a little smile.

"I could take you guys back if you want." Jared said.

"Okay, that'll be good." Ashley blurted. We got in his car, and I took the passenger seat. "So, Jared, why were you still at the airport so late?" Ashley asked.

"Well, I sorta work there. I'm in this program as a management trainee, so I stayed there to finish up some stuff." Jared said, continuing to drive. I started getting so tired, I fell asleep without knowing, until someone woke me up.

"Niall, we're here" Ashley said shaking me.

"Huh? Wha? " I said, and looked at the digital clock in the car. 3:22 AM. I opened the car door, and stepped out, but I was so tired still and didn't want to move. What happened in that past hour.

Jared got our cases out of the trunk and handed them to us. "See ya later Niall." Jared said, and drove off.

"NIALL!" Ashley screamed. My head started to throb with pain. "Please don't scream." I said.

"Okay, but Niall, did you know what Jared said at first?" Ashley said almost jumping up and down.

"How do you expect me to know, I was sleeping." I said. "He asked you out or something?" I replied. "No! He's gay. Anyways, he told me how he liked you, and wanted to go out with you." Ashley said. "Do you like him?" She asked me. Wow, she can be so nosy sometimes. "Yeah, sure why not." I responded, I justed wanted to get some sleep. "Can we just go get some sleep now?" I asked.

"Fine, let's go then." She said, and we dragged our luggages through the main entrance of the gate.

"I'm going back to the girl's dorm." She said, yawning. Ashley headed towards her building, and I went to mine. When I got to my room, I opened the door, 320A. I was a bit nervous to see Zayn again. When I opened the door, it was dark, but I didn't turn on any lights. I didn't see Zayn in his bed, but there was still his stuff everywhere. I plopped down on the bed and fell asleep.

ZAYN POV

I was planning something big for Niall's return. All of us were planning a welcome back party for Niall. I wanted it to be perfect. We asked for permission to decorate a part of the cafeteria, and we could. So, everyone pulled an all nighter to get it finished. I can't wait to see the look on Niall's face when he see's this.

"Zayn, we're tired, can we get some sleep yet?" Shannon said.

"No, we need to make this perfect." I responded.

"But Zayn, everyone's tired." Jordon added.

I sighed and allowed everyone to take a break, the place was almost done. It was a good thing that Niall was coming back today, and summer break was still in session, so not much people were on campus at the moment.

"We're going to go back to bed now, good night guys." Jordon said, pulling Kyle along, and then Shannon pulled Jen with.

I decided it would be a good idea to get some sleep, it was 4 AM anyways. So I headed back to my own room, and fell on my own bed to sleep.

[Four hours later]

I woke up, I really have to pee. I made my way over to the bathroom, and started doing my business. After I got out, the room was pretty bright now with the sun up. I saw someone in Niall's bed. Who is that? I poked at the body. It turned its head and I saw Niall's face.

"Niall?" I whispered. Niall came back already? How come I didn't notice. Without warning, his eyes opened and saw me.

"Hey, Zayn." He smiled and then closed his eyes again.

"Hi.. Niall.." I was utterly shocked. He was like an angel sleeping, he looked so natural, without emotionless peacefulness. He opened his eyes again, and looked at me in confusement. "What are you doing Zayn?" He asked.

"N-nothing." I said. "Well? Why are you staring at me then?" he asked. I looked away and headed to the closet. I opened it and started to change. He didn't hug me or anything, he looked completely indifferent. Maybe he moved on, and didn't feel anything for me anymore.

NIALL POV

The first thing I saw was Zayn. For some reason, I didn't feel scared at all, like all my problems were solved. The longer I looked into his eyes however, my heart began beating fast. I could feel Zayn still staring at me, but when I asked him what he was doing, he turned away casually and started to dress.

I was a bit surprised. No hug or anything. It felt almost cold. Not the temperature, but his attitude towards me. Maybe he did move on.