In Other Words (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine 

Niall’s POV

I sat up on the couch, watching my reflection in the black TV screen. Her head was heavy in my lap, and her face remained pressed against my stomach, the saline from her eyes soaking my t shirt which now clung to the skin there.  I pulled a lock of wet hair from her flushed cheek and tucked it back behind her ear. In the time before she came home from work, I had run the scenarios through in my head. I knew Penny had a point, that keeping some things to myself might spare Roxy’s heart a bit.  But I couldn’t bear the thought of having a secret, and I didn’t want to risk her going to Penny to fill in the blanks. So, in the end, I spilled it all, very calmly, very simply. That was twenty minutes ago. She hadn’t yet spoken.

The heaving of her shoulders was less frequent now, and her breaths deeper. I could tell she was beginning to calm down. This was the first time I had seen her really cry. A few tears fell from her face the morning after we met, but this was different. A rite of passage, I guess, but it was unpleasant. I was completely powerless, and saddled with my own anger. And maybe a little guilt, too. Her face finally turned upward. Despite her red eyes and puffy cheeks, she was still gorgeous. “Why would she do that?” she said.

I knew that she didn’t expect me to have an answer. “I don’t know, babe. “ I said softly, running my fingers over her eyebrows, flattening the tiny hairs back against her skin. “I asked her the same thing. She didn’t give an answer.” 

“And now she’s just moving out?” she asked, trying to sort this all out in her head.

I needed to make a quick decision. “I suggested that maybe it would be a good idea.” I said, only a partial lie.

She sniffled , and reached her arm up to her face, the back of her hand clearing the moisture from her cheeks. “Well, is it a cute picture of me, at least?” 

“There’s my girl.” I said, pulling her by her waist and sitting her up across my lap. She took in a deep breath and pushed it out.

Roxy’s POV

I needed to pull myself together. There was still a chance that Penny might not sell our photo, but honestly, at this point, I didn’t really care. I was ready. “What now?” I said, Niall’s lips dusting my cheek sweetly.

“It’s up to you.” He said. “I could give an interview, tell them I’m single, try to buy us a little more time…” he started.

“No.”  I stopped him. “I don’t want to play games, it would be disrespectful to your fans.”

“You’re right.” He said. “Are you…ready for all of this?”

“I am.” I said. The look on his face told me that he needed more of an explanation. “I’ve made my old facebook completely private, and made a new one with minimal information and pictures. My number’s unlisted and so is my parents’”. This was silly. “Look, Ni. Eleanor has been an excellent mentor. You’ll just have to trust me that I’m ready.”

He scooted out from underneath of me and stood up, took my hand and started pulling me toward the bedroom. “Niall!” I said, nearly tripping over a stack of magazines on the floor. He pushed down on my shoulders gently, and I sat down on the edge of the bed. “What’s gotten into you?” I said.

“If tonight’s the calm before the storm, we’re going out!” he said, throwing open the door to my closet.He sang to himself “I just wanna tell the world that you’re mine, girl…” He was constantly singing to himself. I doubted I would ever grow tired of it.  I watched him as he matched up various combinations of skirts and tops. Every so often he would hold a one of the options up against his body and look in the mirror, which sent me into a fit of giggles. “Perfect!” he said, laying the black dress that Vanessa had convinced me to buy on the bed.  “Niall, I’ve never even worn that. I don’t think I can pull it off. I’m going to return it.”

“If we are going to be in the papers tomorrow, love, it’s not going to be some photo your roommate has.” He said, ripping the sales tag from the dress and pulling me to my feet. “It’s going to be you in my arms, in this dress, looking fucking hot.”

I felt the excitement in my hands and in my cheeks, but then suddenly remembered a T I had left uncrossed. “Babe, my parents.” I said, looking down at the floor.  His teeth nibbled at his lower lip.

“Where’s your phone?” he said, heading back out into the living room and returning with it in his hands. He unlocked the screen and smiled for a moment at the pic of us with Louis bombing in the background. His fingers began tapping away at the screen.

“What are you doing, nosy?” I said, trying to take the phone from his hands.

“Just text your mom for a Skype date in ten.” He said.

 I looked at my haggard reflection in the mirror. “Okay, I guess it’s show time.” He suddenly bent down and wrapped his arms around my legs and tossed me over his shoulder.  “Hey!”

“Nuh huh, Miss.” He said, walking toward the bathroom. “You need to get ready for tonight. You have snot in your hair, and that’s unacceptable for a public figure.”

“But my parents…” I said as he plunked me down next to the sink.

“Leave it to me.” he said with a wink as he closed the door.