Anything to keep you [n.h + h.s]

Chapter 3

I stare at Ashton for a little while before I actually open my mouth to tell him what happened.

"I asked Niall about joining the football team." the words the escape my mouth feel surreal. It feels incredible to be able to say that I actually did what I was supposed to do. I hadn't disappointed Ashton. A grin grows upon my lips and Ashton's smirk increases.

"And, what did he say?" I bite my lip and close my eyes for a moment. Niall's reaction wasn't too good, but it wasn't bad either. Okay, so it's leaning more to bad but still, he said that I could come around practice, so I did succeed when it came to my mission. I reopen my eyes and cast them down to my fingers as I fiddle with them.

"He kind of, looked at me like I had grown a third head or something. But I do understand him, because no one knows me as well as he does. He knows I loathe football. That I can't stand it. So yeah, I can understand why he was skeptical. But in the end he told me to come around practice on Friday so my mission definitely succeeded." When I look up, Ashton is smiling at me. The smirk has turned into a smile and it's like there's pride glowing off of him.

"That's great! You'll have him back in no time, I'm sure of it." It's kind of funny, Ashton is so certain that I can pull this off. I'm not as confident about this whole thing as he is. However I nod and turn my gaze to my cereal and start eating it again. The cereal has become quite soggy but I stuff it in my mouth anyways. Cereal is cereal and I love it no matter how soggy it is. Ashton and I sit in silence, eating when my phone buzzes. It can only be one person, and it must be mum. Because Ashton is right in front of me and if Gemma wanted anything she'd come downstairs. Well in most cases she would. I couldn't be more wrong though. Cause the text isn't from mum.

From: Nialler x

Do you have any shoes for the footie practice?

I can't help but just stare at the text for several minutes. I just examine it for a while. Is this real life? It surely can't be. Niall just doesn't text me about anything other than homework. It just doesn't happen. Before I can even begin to write a reply, I receive another text from him.

From: Nialler x
Or any equipment at all?

My heart flutters at the texts. This means that he has actually thought about me. I mean, he must have thought about it to realize I might not have any equipment. And it was good that he mentioned it, because I don't have any, and I'm gonna have to get some before Friday. And today is Tuesday, which means I don't have that long left to get the stuff I need. Nor do I have the budget for it. Shit. My plan is so not thought through.

"Ashton! Niall just texted me asking about equipment. I totally forgot about that part. I didn't think this through!" I exclaim and my heart is beating 50 miles per second. As usual, Ashton is my rock and he quickly calms me down just by being calm himself.

"Just text him back, answering honestly and see where he's getting at." I nod solemnly and tap in a reply on my phone, which takes five minutes because I'm so nervous that I keep pressing the wrong letter.

To: Nialler x
No, I haven't got any equipment yet :(

"Your lip is going to start bleeding soon, if you don't stop that." Ashton points out and it wasn't until he said it to me that I realized I was biting way too hard on my bottom lip. I blush and release my lip from between my teeth. I begin to tap my fingers on the table as I anxiously await his reply. I don't have to wait that long until the phone vibrates again.

From: Nialler x

Figured that much. If you swing by my house later, you can have some of my old equipment. If you want it, that is.