Chapter 22

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"She actually said all that to you?" Niall asks in disbelief as we walk hand in hand down a sidewalk into the city. Today was just a day for Niall and I to have some quality time. Jenna and Liam also went out alone, along with Harry and Courtney, and Rachel, Zayn, Lizzy and Louis went to see a movie.

"Every word," I reply.

Niall shakes his head in disgust. "What a bitch... and I don't get why Harry came up with those stupid lies either. Maybe he needs some sense knocked into him," Niall says jokingly but I can tell he's being partially serious too.

I laugh and nod in agreement, "We could tag team." Now it was Niall's turn to laugh.

"I wanna show you something though," he says to me after a moment of silence. I nod slowly.

"Okay... what is it?" I ask him curiously.

"It's a surprise," Niall replies mischievously. He suddenly grabs my hand and takes off at a slow run, then starts sprinting to which I give a small yelp.

"Niall!" I scream. "Niall slow down!" I couldn't help but giggle a bit at how funny we probably looked.

"You just have to run faster!" Niall tells me as he continues to sprint towards our destination. After a few more minutes of this, I let go of his hand and bend over, putting a hand on each of my knees.

"Time out," I pant. "I am not a runner." 

Niall bent forward and bent his knees. "Then hop on," he says. I stood up straight and laugh.

"What if you drop me?" I ask him.

"Oh please," Niall scoffs, "I'm the strongest guy around." I laugh and jump onto his back, digging my face into his back as he stands up straight and starts walking. "Jeez, you're heavy!" he complains jokingly. I open my mouth so it formed the shape of an 'o' and lightly hit his arm.

"Rude!" I scold him. 

For the first time, I study our surroundings and find that we were on Serpentine Bridge. Niall sets me down and takes my hand, leading me to it. "It's so pretty," I say, talking about the amazing view. I sit down and Niall does the same, the soft, green grass making a perfect cushion for us to sit on.

"I know," Niall agrees. "Come here." I do as he says and he pulls me into his chest. I rested my head on his bicep. "I want to tell you something." I look up at him questioningly.

"Yeah?"

"I'm really glad that you're my girlfriend. Of all people I feel so lucky that I ended up with you. I think that anybody would be the luckiest guy in the world to have you and I want you to know that the game Harry's playing, I would never do to you. I've had feelings for you ever since seventh grade, as cheesy as that sounds. I remember the first day I told myself you were the girl for me," he stifled a nervous laugh, obviously embarrassed by his cliché words. "When you walked in from lunch break full of dirt and your hair was a mess from falling into the mud during football. You had the biggest smile on your face and couldn't care less that you were caked in mud. I guess it was then that I realized you were not only beautiful, but confident, proud. And I was also lucky enough to see your caring, nice and funny side too. When I saw how broken you were after that night at the club, I found it the perfect moment to show you that we could be together. I wanted to show you my caring side and I wanted you to see me as more than the best friend I'd been to you for such a long time. And ever since that moment in the seventh grade I'd never had feelings for anyone but you." I find myself smiling slightly but I'm also on the verge of tears. Of course he has to say this. I'm a horrible person.

"It never occurred to me that you-"

Niall cuts me off. "It's okay, I know. And I don't blame you. I never made any move of showing you my feelings so how could you have known?" He gives a small smile and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I'm sorry," I tell him sincerely. I couldn't believe I'd been so oblivious of his feelings for such a long time. "I'm sorry I held you back like that, Niall." He shakes his head.

"Don't say sorry. It was my decision to hold back. I'm just glad that we're where we are now," Niall says. He hugs me tight and a sigh escaped his lips, beckoning that he was about to say something else.

"What is it?" I ask him. He looks at me then starts looking everywhere except at me. "Tell me."

"I- uh, I don't know. I think it may just be too quick," Niall laughs lightly me. For what? I give him a light peck right behind his ear: his tender spot. He smiles slightly and looks me in the eyes. "I've know it for a long time but for you, I mean. But I love you, Tabitha."

I'm shocked. It'd never even occurred to me of what I'd say if Niall ever told me this. I mean, it's not like I'm sad I just have no idea what to say. Do I love him back? I don't know. But what kind of person would I be to tell him my feelings aren't mutual? Thinking it's the right thing to do and praying to God it won't bite me in the ass later I say, "I love you too Niall." The biggest look of relief plays across his face.

"Really?" He asks in a pleasant surprise. I nod and smile. "You have no idea how great it is to hear you say that," he says sincerely. I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze affectionately.

"I'm glad," I say into his chest. I'm happy knowing he's not going back to the hotel room heartbroken, but at the same time my subconscious won't stop bugging me. You don't mean it and you know it. It's a lie and he'll find out sooner or later.

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