Still Yours

6 / Mischief Managed

 .... in which Niall is being a mean, mean tease first, then acheeky bastard: There's no other word for a person that sends lettersto their wife on her birthday even though they shouldn't be able todo that at all! Laney is more than just surprised when she finds theenvelope on her pillow after the most miserable birthday of herentire life. And she realises that just because Niall can't be therelike he used to doesn't mean he's gone. Or not with her anymore.

***

 Day 34 With Niall

"So, how are things with famous boy?"

I knew she'd ask. I successfully avoided every topic only remotablyrelated to Niall and me, me and Niall, me seeing Niall and Niallseeing me. And Niall fingering me at the breakfast table three daysago. But Bonnie is a smart and nosy woman that tenaciously claims herright to know every little detail on her best friend's suddenly oh soexciting life.

It's unusual for me to be the one with the stories to tell.

"Goooood.", I say, keeping my eyes on the TV screen.Bonnie came over after work, for what was supposed to be a movienight with a few selfmade drinks. But I know it will turn into a"Tell me about Niall!" - night.

"Did you fuck him yet?", she blurts out.

I nearly choke on my own spit. "God, no.", I snort,blushing. I wish.

"What?", she gasps. "Laney, it's been over a month."

"34 days to be exact.", I mutter.

"Wait, do you count them?"

"Not intentionally.", I mumble. "Subconsciously. Imean, what can I do? It's the first time someone shows..."Actual interest in me? Affection? Something that could, maybe,maybe, become love one day? Don't be crazy, Laney. "It feelsdifferent from the other... flings I've had.", I say instead.

My cheeks must be darker than red by now, the colour of a chestnut,maybe.

"I know.", Bonnie says. "I can tell."

"Oh, can you?" I start fidgeting with the pillow in mylap, reminding myself way too much of nervous Niall.

34 days.

But we've spent so much time together during these, I feel like I'veknown him all my life.

And I start acting like him a little. I talk like him, I use hisslang. When I get dressed, I wonder if he'd like it. Every littlething reminds me of him. I picture him with me wherever I go. I thinkabout him all the time. He's in my head and in my heart and I feellike a lunatic, obsessed with dwelling on daydreams of this boy, buthe's not just a fantasy, and that's what's most insane. He's there.And he cares. And she shows me every single day. And he says that hethinks of me. And that he pictures me with him wherever he goes. Andthat every little thing reminds him of me.