Forever and Always

Chapter 11: Misunderstandings

*Kat’s POV*

The flight wasn’t bad just uncomfortable since I was actually dressed and not in sweats.  I figured since Niall was picking me up there would be paparazzi, or at least fans, but more than likely both, and I didn’t want to look like a dying walrus in any pictures that would be taken.  When the plane finally landed the excitement boiled up in the pit of my stomach again.  I felt like a teenager going on a first date, I didn’t know why I was so nervous, it was just Niall.  But then again I did know why I was nervous, in London it wouldn’t be Niall little boy from next door, it would be Niall from one direction.  People left us alone for the most part in Mullingar, just a few little girls coming up and asking for a picture shyly, I knew we probably wouldn’t have the same experience here.  I got off the plane and walked into the terminal anxious to see him again.  I stood on my tip toes and stretched my body as tall as I could to search through the mob of heads looking for the famous blonde quiff with dark roots; instead I got a dark haired man holding a sign with my name on it. 

“You’re not Niall.” I said resentfully as I walked up to him.

“No, I’m Paul.” The man responded.

“Oh.”

“Niall couldn’t make it so I’m here.”

“Clearly.”

I felt a little bad that I was being so rude to this poor man but Niall had said he would pick me up and I never thought for a second that wouldn’t be the case.  To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.  I followed Paul out of the terminal and went to make my way to baggage claim. 

“No no this way.” He said as he steered me towards the exit.

“But my bags…” I trailed off.

“Are taken care of.” He replied

“Oh…” I said meekly.  I didn’t appreciate that. I didn’t like being taken care of, I liked doing things myself, and I definitely didn’t like other people handling my things. 

The drive to Niall’s apartment passed in near silence.  Paul had tried to make conversation but I only gave him one word responses.  Again, I should probably feel bad about being so rude but I couldn’t, I was too hurt.

“Here we are.” Paul chimed as we pulled up to the apartment building.  He put the car in park and helped me bring my bags up to Niall’s flat.  He plopped by bags down on the floor and put my key on the counter. 

“Bedrooms are upstairs and there’s a bathroom and a laundry room just down the hall.” He pointed out helpfully. 

“Thanks.” I muttered.

I half expected to see Niall when we got to his flat; I figured he was doing something here that prevented him from being at the airport.  But once again my mind was wrong, the flat was empty.  I couldn’t help but feel sadness in the pit of my stomach, empty in my own right, congruent with the flat.   I wanted to hear him trampling down the stairs and his throaty laugh echo off the walls, but all I got was silence. 

I decided to look around to occupy my time.  From where I stood in the living room I could see the kitchen, separated by a breakfast bar so I decided to venture down the hallway.  The first door was on the right; I opened it to reveal some coats and shoes of Niall’s.  I took a few more steps and came to two doors on my left, the first was the laundry room Paul had mentioned and the second was a linen closet.  There was one more door at the end of the hall that opened to reveal bathroom, no shower though, just a sink and a toilet. 

I roamed up stairs and found a bathroom, with a shower, another linen closet and Niall’s room, or I guess our room now?  But the last door I opened was the guest bedroom, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to see the boxes I had sent.  The boxes and suitcase with my things that I sent over were sitting on the bed in the guest bedroom.  The guest bedroom?  More disappointment surged through me and tears began to stream down my face.  I backed up against the door and sunk to the floor, pulling my knees to my chest and cried.  This day was awful and it was only noon.