Act Like You're in Love {Niall Horan}

Chapter 4: The Love Plan

~Mariah's P.O.V.~

As Niall and I approached the door to the conference room, we heard voices. And they were saying my name.

Niall and I both stopped without a word, wanting to hear this.

"So, we agree that she should just go back with the boys today?" James Cameron double-checked.

"Yes," Simon began. I could almost hear his smirk. "If those two are going to be acting as lovers in the movie, we might as well try to create some spark to make it more real."

My eyes widened. I turned to look at Niall. Pink was already settled on his cheeks, making his they-must-be-crazy face look so innocent.

"Well, this is a little awkward," I whispered to Niall in an attempt to joke around. He smiled slightly, amused.

"Don't tell the boys we overheard. Let's just make this mission hard for them," Niall whispered back suddenly. His eyes were twinkling.

"Deal," I laughed softly, sticking my hand out. He shook it, and we turned back to their conversation.

"Is that another thing we have to do, then?" Harry's voice was saying, annoyed.

"Well, I guess so. Don't push them towards each other too much; we just want it to be a little crush. All of the romantic scenes, acting or not, should make their relationship something more," Simon dictated.

I got hot. This was really awkward, listening to their plan about making me and Niall like each other, with Niall.

I snuck a glance at Niall, whose eyebrows were furrowed. I looked at him questioningly.

"Harry asked if that was ANOTHER thing they had to do," Niall reminded me, looking for my opinion.

I shrugged. "Let's listen and see if they give anymore hints."

Just then, Liam spoke up. Worry was clear in his tone. "I...I don't think this is a good idea."

There was a silence before he began again.

"Well, yeah, we're supposed to stop it from going too far because we don't want either of them to end up hurt. But, if we're pushing the relationship and holding it back, everything is just gonna end up badly. Obviously, they already have some sort of feelings for each other –"

I tensed up, but I didn't want to turn around. I can always face my problems later, right?

"– so shouldn't we just let them work their feelings out? If they like each other –"

My cheeks felt like they were on fire. At least I wasn't alone when I felt this way; Niall was breathing at a very abnormally consistent interval, trying to calm himself. I felt a flutter in my heart when I realized that maybe he did have some feelings for me if he was getting all nervous. But then again, I was getting nervous, and that was just because it was really weird hearing this. I shook out of my thoughts to keep listening.

"– and we try to push it, and they have those romantic bits to act out in the movie, it might grow too strong. Especially because they seem like a really good match for each other, as well."

I felt like I was burning up. I can't believe they're saying these things, and Niall and I just so happen to be eavesdropping. Together.

But...Liam said we would be good together. Could we be? And do we both actually like each other? My heart kept thudding at all of these thoughts.

I snuck a glance at Niall, apparently at the same time he was sneaking a glance at me. We both blushed and looked away, continuing to eavesdrop on the conversation as if we never stopped.

"But I don't understand what's so bad about them being in a relationship," Harry's voice said.

"Don't you see? What if they get in a fight? Oh, Gosh. That would be a disaster. They wouldn't wanna kiss each other, acting or not," Zayn pointed out.

"Speaking of them kissing, they're probably snogging in some janitor's closet!" Louis shrieked mischievously. "Louis shall find them!"

Louis's feet made thumping sounds as he ran to the door. I was just realizing that he was going to see us when a hand went over my mouth, and I was pulled away into a dark janitor's closet.

I freaked out for a moment and was about to bite the hand when I realized it was just Niall. I started laughing, and Niall's grip around my waist tightened.

Which made me wonder: was his hand around my waist indicating romance, protection, or was it just the easiest place for him to carry me into the closet?

Shut up, Mariah. You're over-thinking this, I told myself.

I quickly snapped my mouth shut while Louis thundered past ranting about me and Niall making out. I stifled a giggle.

"Mariah...."

I turned around slightly (since it was a bit of a tight fit in here) to face Niall. Our noses were about three inches apart, which, let me tell you, did NOT help our awkward situation.

"Yeah?"

"Well," he began. Even in the dark, I could see his eyes shining with nervousness. "I just think we should talk about this. Their conversation, I mean."

"Oh," I reply, unsure of what to say. Because, let's face it, how many people are in a small, dark closet with their mini-crush that may have mutual feelings and just overheard their friends talking about the plan to create a relationship for them and their mini-crush? Yeah, not too many.

Niall just stared at me, waiting for me to begin.

Thanks, Niall. You sure aren't putting any pressure on me here.

I take a breath and begin talking, knowing I'll have to do so eventually, anyway.

"Well, should we pretend that there are no feelings? I mean, because, well, there...aren't? I think?" I regretted what I said as soon as it went out of my mouth.

Niall looks at me, but I can't tell what's he's thinking. "Right," he finally agrees, his face emotionless. "No feelings."

It kind of upset me that he didn't deny that. That he didn't say that maybe, just maybe, he did like me.

Maybe it was supposed to hurt, maybe it wasn't. All I know is, it definitely did.

~~~

Aww. Would Niall have said there were feelings if she hadn't said there were none?? Dawwhh they're so clueless.

Okay. Next update? Tuesday?:)

Speaking of updates. I'm like seriously sorry. This has been like the crappiest week of my life, and I'm out of school. Ugh.

I broke my toe, got the worst cold I've ever gotten, and had a visit to the chiropractor because my back was hurting (and still is).

I prefer updating in mornings. But I was at the pool from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. yesterday and I was seriously about to update it when I fell asleep at 7:30p.m. and woke up at 2 a.m. and...okay you probably really don't care soo

On a HAPPY note...I was so excited to see my story get over 100 reads! It was on like 99 for like five hours and I was like asdfghjkl

O.K. So thank you for reading(: sorry for the long author's note that you probably didn't read :P see you on Tuesdayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!