Twinning

Chapter 19

Zayn is the first to catch my eye and I try to look away as fast as possible, so maybe they'll know not to talk to me right now. Niall's back is to them, so they haven't spotted Niall yet, but sure enough Zayn makes his way over here.

"Oh my God, Niall, I'm so sorry." That's all I can say before Zayn reaches me. I take a deep breath and swear under my breath before I stand up to hug Zayn.

"Hey!" I say, weakly, knowing he'll spot Niall any moment.

"What are you doing here by yourself-..." He stops himself as he finally lays his eyes on the cowering Niall. "Oh. Blondie." His lips curl up into a sinister smirk as he nods Louis over here. "Look who it is, Lou." Louis strolls on over and smirks down at Niall.

"How ya doing, blondie? Got any bruises on your stomach?" He doesn't even glance in their direction, much less address his question. I close my eyes tight before I slide back into the booth, in front of Niall. Surprisingly, Louis slides in beside me, and Zayn beside Niall, still eyeing him like he's lunch.

"Answer the question, blondie." Zayn demands. I finally see Niall look up at me, he gives me a sad smile before he looks back down at his hands, ignoring everyone but me.

"So Niall," I begin, but my voice is shaky, "I uh..." I scrape my brain for something to say, something to let Niall show that he's more than just their punching bag, but I'm so shaken up I can't even think, "I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere we can talk in private?" I glare over at Louis, beside me.

"That's a great idea." Niall speaks up and finally looks Zayn in the eye, trying to get him to move out of the way.

"Oh. So you answer her question but not mine. Why is that, Niall?"

"Move." He demands. The strength in his voice is so overwhelming that I'm forced to lean back and just look at him. Lou hears it, too.

"Is it because you're in love with her?" I immediately see Niall's expression change and fear sets in his eyes again. "Ever since that pool party, isn't that what you told Marcel?" Niall turns his head and stares at me for a moment before he has to look away. He can't talk. Neither can I. But Zayn continues on, like nothing is wrong at all. He has a mocking tone in his voice as he continues, "Isn't that just pathetic, Lou? The nerd falling hopelessly in love with the best cheerleader on the squad." I make eye contact with Louis, trying to read him, but, to my disgust, he looks just as smug as Zayn about all this. "Not to mention the fact that she's only talking to you because she feels sorry for you."

"Alright that's enough!" I speak before I can even think. Zayn turns to me, a challenged look on his face. I don't even remember blurting out those words, but that last sentence pushed me over the edge. "Just shut up, Zayn." He then stares at me as he speaks, monotone,

"Why do you always have to stick up for Niall, hmm? Let him talk for once." And then all the attention is turned to Niall as he keeps his head down. "Go on, Niall. Speak your fucking mind." Louis chuckles beside me, but I shoot him a look. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest.

Niall finally looks up at me, tears brimming his eyes. My heart aches for him and I can't help grab Louis's hand under the table. I immediately realize what I did and just glance over at him and try to pull my hand away, but he just squeezes my hand in his and gives me a small, genuine smile. I guess he knows I really do need support right now. I address my attention back on Niall, a single tear falls down his face. I shake my head, despite for him to say anything.

"Jennifer I'm sorry." He croaks out the words before another tear falls. "I just want to be your friend again... But do you really only talk to me because you feel sorry for me?" He asks me, his voice sounds like he's physically hurt.

"Of course not, Niall! He's just trying to upset you." He stares at me for another second before turning back to Zayn,

"Then why the hell do you say these things to me?"

"Say what? The truth?" Zayn answers, smugly. I tighten my grip on Louis's hand and bite my lip. If Niall is in love with me, this sure as hell was the absolute worst way to find out.

"You shouldn't be saying anything, Zayn," Lou says, "if lover boy wants Jennifer to know, how about he says it himself. Right here. Right now." Lou challenges Niall, and Niall then looks me square in the eyes. His eyes are still red from tears, but he collects himself. My chest tightens and I can't help but stare back into his perfect blue eyes. He clears his throat before speaking,

"I..." I take a deep breath, realizing that we're going to get no where,

"Niall, is it true?" He swallows hard and just stares into my eyes before blurting out a small, almost inaudible,

"Yes."

I lean back in my seat and release my grip on Louis's hand. He immediately moves his hand to my knee and rests it there, his thumb making tiny circles on my skin. This small gesture is probably the only thing that gets me through this moment and I just nod.

"Would ya look at that." Zayn says, cockily.

"Shut up, Zayn." I say through my teeth, I can feel the anger inside of me, burning to come out. "I think it's time for you to leave." I say, pure hatred in my voice.

"Okay." He eyes me a bit before standing up out of his seat. "C'mon Lou." He demands. Louis gives me one last look before patting my knee. He then leans in close and whispers in my ear,

"Call me later." Louis then stands up but just stands there, looking at Niall. Niall avoids eye contact with anyone, but Lou tries to get his attention. "Uh... Bye, Niall." He says, awkwardly, and they're out the door.

Neither of us talk for a good ten minutes, easily, and when the food comes, neither of us even touch our plates. There's these moments where we make awkward eye contact, but he immediately breaks it and stares down at his food. I can't take it much longer, so I finally speak up.

"Niall. Please talk to me." I reach my hand out halfway across the table, I'm honestly hoping he'll take it in his hand or something, but he just sits there, looking down.

"I feel so fucking humiliated." He admits, looking into my eyes for the first time. "I can't believe that just happened." I can't tell him that none of that matters, because now I know he loves me and I know how horrible Zayn really is, but I want to assure Niall in some way.

"Please don't be so hard on yourself. None of this is your fault."

"Yes it is. Thinking I could start a friendship with you again. How stupid could I get?" He scoffs and I just shake my head.

"No I was the one that came to you."

"About that." Niall says, feeling more confident to talk again. "Why did you want to talk to me again? Was it so Zayn could humiliate me in front of you? Was it to make you feel better about yourself because of how pathetic I am?"

"Excuse me?" I say, immediately pulling my hand back. "You were my first friend here and, God forbid, I actually missed you so much I'd cry myself to sleep sometimes. You mean the world to me, Niall. And damnit I had to talk to you again. But if Zayn and Louis keep hanging around, maybe I should just stop it." Niall stares down at his food before nodding slightly,

"Yeah. Well. I think it's time for me to leave." So he stands up, throws a twenty dollar bill onto the table, and walks out the door.