BIRDIE | NH |

THREE

Wren

"Nope, not that."

Tossing another dress onto my bed, I look up to the ceiling as if I'll find some kind of guidance.

Standing in front of the large mirror that leans against the far wall of my bedroom, each outfit that I hold up is a big fat no.

My hair is still wrapped up in a towel just like my body after taking an everything shower this morning. For whatever reason just knowing that I'd spent the extra time made me feel a little more confident.

Today I needed as much confidence as possible.

Stepping into my closet and grabbing a couple more pieces, I cross my bedroom to stand in front of the mirror again. Holding the light blue sweater up and the pair of tan trousers over the bottom of my body, my head tilts from side to side as I imagine how it would look once my hair and makeup were finished.

"Mmmm, no." Tossing it into my bed and making my way back into my closet, I tell myself that I'm only going to pick one more option.

When I hold the black and white houndstooth skirt up along with the black top, it works better than any of the other options.

As I get ready for work I go over the speech in my head at least a million times. Exactly how I'm going to ask Niall if the ballroom is available next Saturday and if it is— Can my family use it?

Asking for help or personal favors has never been something I've done and it really wasn't something that I wanted to start doing either.

But, alas.

Here we are.

Pulling up the black tights under the skirt and sliding my feet into a pair of black heels, I slide a pair of golden earrings into my ears before looking at myself in the mirror for what feels like the millionth time this morning.

"You can do it." I smile, giving myself a pep talk. "It's just one thing to ask for. Just one night. It'll be easy and the day will come and go, and that's it. One and done."

Giving myself a quick thumbs up, I plaster on a smile and grab my stuff before heading out the door.

Today will go one of two way... Good or bad.

For once, I'm hoping it'll be good.

_______

I'm going to wear the floor out.

From pacing back and forth behind my desk trying to convince myself to go to Niall's office and just knock on the fucking door.

Glancing at the time on the corner of my computer, I know that he should be in his office because in my usual hiding schedule this is when I would usually grab lunch and I almost never see him.

So I take advantage of the knowledge and head out of my office and finally get over my fucking nerves.

Walking down the hallway, I smile at my coworkers as I pass them and before I know it— I find myself in front of the door that scares the shit out of me. Blowing out a breath, I raise my hand and as soon as my knuckles barely touch the wooden door it flies open, making me take a step back.

Niall stands on the other side of the threshold with a smile on his face. "Wren, hi."

"Hi." I nervously move to push hair behind my ear that's not even out of place. "Niall, how are you?"

"Come in— I was just going to grab something to eat." Turning back around and making his way behind his desk, he motions to an empty chair in front of him, watching me as I take a seat. "Talk to me."