The Niall Novel

Chapter 3

*MPOV*

" What do you think of this," Niall says, handing me his open notebook. As I read the words he hums the melody. He begins to sing, a shyness in his voice. I smile widely, urging him to continue. He wrinkles his forehead, closing the notebook. He tosses it on the table, and begins to strum an unfamiliar tune on his guitar.

"Darlin don't be nervous

I'll understand if you let me go ,

I did this on purpose now -

When I'm missing you ,

I'll stop eating food

and I'll squeeze into a dress

So I can be like you

And then I'll see your bitterness

And why you left me to

Maybe I'll put you to a test

And say that I love you.

I think that I love you "

He puts his guitar down, an almost sad look in his eyes. He stokes the side of my face softly, his fingertips lingering on my cheek. I wince, and try to pull away.

"You've got a bruise here," he whispers, cautiously grazing his fingertips over it.

"Is fairly large love. Did you bump yourself here?" I shake my head, it would be useless to lie to him.

"Then what happened?"

"I,uh,I got in to a fight with someone." Technically that isn't a lie, we were fighting.

"With whom?" he asks, a burning curiosity in his eyes. I turn away, refusing to look him in the eye. He inches closer, tilting my chin towards his face.

"Love,who hit you?" He stares deep into my soul, waiting for an answer.

"Don't worry about it." I take his hands in mine, hoping to give him a sense of relief. He squeezes my hands gently, urging me to tell him. He mouths the word 'please', a look of worry on his face. I sigh heavily.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I say it "Jerry."

Niall's eyes widen. His cheeks flicker red. "He....hit you?" I nod slightly, toying with my thumbs. Abruptly, he stands up, grabbing his car keys.

"Stay here," he shouts,slipping on his Nikes.

"Please dont," I whisper, my voice hoarse. He looks back at me, feeling my sadness.

"He hit you Meghan." He narrows his eyes and grips his keys tighter. My teeth grind together as I snatch his keys from him.

"You're staying here," I yell. "No ifs,ands,or buts." I straighten my back, trying to appear taller, more authoritative.

He bites his lower lip, contemplating my words. Huffing loudly, he calms himself down.

For a while, we just stand in the silence of the room. Neither of us move or look away. It isn't until the first loud crash of thunder that he speaks.

"If he hits you again-"

"It won't happen again," I interrupt. He rolls his eyes and reluctantly slips his sneakers off. With a wide smile on my face, I draw him in for a hug. He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead and begins to hum the same song from earlier.

He reaches in his pocket and pulls out the clover shaped pendant I'd admired. Without breaking out gaze, he pries my hand open, leaving it in my palm.

"It's for good luck," he whispers.