The Pretenders (Niall Horan)

Chapter 17

A week after the formal, I still hadn't fully recovered. I decided to have a lie in, since I didn't have much homework and I would just do what I had the next day. It was around ten, but it was still really cold, mum was running the bookstore downstairs so there was no reason for me to get out of my very warm bed.

I pulled my teddy bear closer to my chest and readjusted myself in my little cocoon I made from with my duvet. Yes, I still sleep with a teddy bear, but my dad gave it to me for my fourth birthday, so it's kind of special to me.

There was a knock on my bedroom door and I rolled over to expect mum to walk in, but there was another knock.

I groaned. "Mum! I'm in bed! You can come in!"

The door opened and I realised why the person on the other side didn't just walked in.

"Niall?" I asked.

Shit! What is he doing in my room? I'm only in my pajamas! And they are ugliest ones I own! It's not like they're from Victoria's Secret or anything. Oh God, what about my hair?

"Shit! Sorry, Grace! Your mum said you'd be doing homework. I can leave if you want," he rambled.

"No, no. It's alright," I said, pushing myself up on my elbows. "But, not trying to be rude or anything, what are you doing here?"

"Uh, I was wanting to take you somewhere, but if you're busy or you want to sleep, that's fine-"

"No, I'll come. You might want to get out, though."

Niall's cheeks turned red. "Right, sorry. I'll be downstairs. Don't keep me waiting," he said, adding a playful wink at the end.

I pushed my duvet off me and stood up. I noticed Niall was still lingering by the door. "It'll take longer if you stay there and stare," I said.

"Right, sorry," Niall said, seeming a little flustered.

"I was joking," I said, laughing. "But seriously: get out."

He turned and shuffled out, closing the door behind him.

I blindly grabbed a warm, multi-coloured jumper and some jeans. I was excited to be hanging out with Niall. Neither of us have had time to share with each other since the formal and I have been itching to see him again all week. To hear his contagious laugh or simply just to see him smile, can instantly calm me down. My feelings toward him lately are so jumbled it made my head hurt. I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay friends or if I wanted something... more.

I scoffed out aloud as I thought about this, grabbing my hairbrush and running it through the bird's nest that had formed in my hair whilst I slept. I didn't bother with makeup. I'd take too long and Niall was already waiting downstairs, probably thinking I was dead or something from the amount of time I was taking.

I took a hair tie off my dresser and tied my hair in a half-up-half-down style as I bent down to grab my shoes out of my wardrobe.

I hopped down the stairs with one shoe on and half of my foot in the other.

"And she asked him if he had a big wil-"

"Mum!" I exclaimed, cutting here off as she almost told Niall one of my most embarrassing childhood moments.

"Oh, good morning honey! I was just telling Niall about that time when you were eight and you approached that man at the market and asked if he had a b-" Mum chirped. She was being embarrassing and she knew it.

"Yes, Mum!" I interrupted a little too quickly. "I know exactly what you mean and if you don't mind, Niall and I will be going so I'll see you when we get back. Wherever we're going." I raised my eyebrows at Niall, indicating that I wanted a hint.