Save My Life ~ N.H

34. Sparks Fly

I finally arrive back at Emily and Charlie's house. Despite rushing out of the office and driving as fast as I can, to my disappointment, I see Niall's car in the driveway when I get there.

I walk inside and everyone is already engaged in conversation. I shut the door behind me and Andrea runs up to me right away.

"Girl, where were you?" She asks.

"Don's office, I told you."

"It took a while. What was it about?"

I can tell Andrea anything, but not with all these people around. "Um, can we talk in another room?" I ask.

We walk into a room with nobody in it and sit down.

"Okay, what's going on? Should I be nervous?" Andrea says.

"It was a meeting with Jack and his manager too. They want to extend the contract for one more month."

She hugs me. "Aw, Diana, I'm sorry. It'll end soon."

"No, they didn't force me. Donna gave me a huge lecture about pros and cons and that's why I'm late." I say.

"Niall looked a little disappointed you weren't here, but at least the contract is over, right? Run as fast as you can."

I don't say anything.

"Diana, right?" Andrea asks.

I put my head in my hands. "I-I don't know. I was rushing. It's just a month."

"Diana! You said yes? Why? Were you hypnotized?"

"Donna said she would help my public image, and Don never does that so I thought it could help, and I was rushing, and-I don't know, I just thought maybe it won't be that bad."

"Girl, maybe you like Donna all of the sudden, but that doesn't mean Jack got any better. Remember those bruises? Some of them haven't even fully healed yet." Andrea says.

"I know- I regret it. But I can't do anything now. It's too late."

"Okay, take your mind off it. Go say hi to everyone at the party."

We walk back to the main room. Andrea was right about my outfit, it really stands out. Niall must think so too, because he walks up to me right away.

"Diana!" He says, giving me a quick hug. "I was worried you weren't coming."

"No, I'd never miss it. I just got caught up with...work."

"Work? Like filming?" He asks.

"It's nothing, let's not talk about work at a party. Let's talk about you! So you're 26 now, any grey hairs or wrinkles yet?" I joke.

"Wow, if 26 counts as old now, I'm concerned."

"Hey, mate, happy birthday!" One of Niall's friends comes up to us and hugs him. I walk somewhere else so he can talk to everyone.

"Hey girl, you were late." Peyton says when she sees me.

"Don't remind me. I hope Niall didn't care." I say.

"I don't know, he might've. But you're here now so whatever."

"Is everyone enjoying the party?" I ask, looking around. Looking at Niall, mostly. He's wearing a black shirt with blue pants, and he looks so good. The blue pants bring out his eyes, I can see it even from the other side of the room. His eyes are so pretty. He's laughing with his friends and he looks so cute when he laughs. Suddenly he looks at me and catches me staring at him, so I quickly blush and turn away. I glance back at him for one second and he's smiling at me.