Running from Direction~ Niall

Chapter 6

"Are you going to answer that?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the road. When I didn't answer the phone, he became frustrated. "Answer it." He said, this time in a more demanding tone. Hoping and praying it would be anyone but him, I reached in my jacket pocket and pulled it out and answered the phone. Ben. Great. It was him.

"Hello?"

"Hey babe, where you been? I dropped by your house and you weren't there. I wanted to spend some time with my girlfriend."

Knowing Niall was listening, I answered very carefully.

"Um, yeah. I went jogging. Now I'm.......headed off to eat brunch.

"You with anyone?"

"........"

"Leah, are you with anyone?"

"N..n-no."

"Ok. Do you have plans for the rest of the day?"

I didn't know. Niall knew where I lived. Would he take me home? To my home?

"Um, I was thinking I'd just go home and rest. Ok?"

"Oh, ok. I just want you to be happy. You mean the world to me. I can't imagine my life without you. I promise to never leave you, or let anything happen to you. I love you, Leah."

"I love you too."

I love Ben so much. He means the world to me and I hate to lie to him. I wish I could be wrapped up in his arms right now. But I can't. I put my phone back in my pocket as we pulled up to the bakery.

"Who was that?" I jumped as Niall spoke.

"My dad." I answered in a quiet, shakey voice. I didn't look up at him in fear that he might tell I was lying.

************

I sat as Niall ordered. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. The bakery was my favorite place to be. So many yummy foods to try, and it was a nice place to make small talk and catch up with people from town. Niall walked back to the table with our food. Strawberry Shortcake. My favorite. How did he know? It's what I always ordered.

"Thank you,  Niall." Then a guy walked up to us. He was taller than Niall, but they both looked similar. His hair was a dark brown and he had a British accent. His face was without blimmishes. But it looked as if it too, had been beaten and scarred. He had beautiful blue eyes, just like Niall. Together they looked.......familiar. Like I had seen them before.

"Long time no see, eh Ni?"

"Yeah."

The man looked sad and depressed.

"I see your'e still here............ We're not like we used to be, Ni.. We're not gonna ever be like we used to be." He said.

"I know." Niall said, voice scratchy, yet soft somehow. "The others?"

"I don't know."

"If you find them........"

"I know. I will."  I saw his eyes start to tear up. Without another word, he walked towards the door.

"Goodbye, Lou."

He turned and looked at Niall and then at Niall before opening the door. Then he walked out and drove away.

What was that about? Who was he? Lou? What were they talking about? Who were "the others"? And why did they look so familiar?