Changing

Chapter 2.

Once again I jolted awake to pounding at my bedroom door. I groggily get up and shuffle over to it.

"Yes-- Oh my gosh!" I gasp.

Jason is standing in front of me with another--yet bigger--bouquet of flowers accompanied by a small blue box--Tiffany's. I take the card from the flowers and read it aloud.

~I'm not like the other guys, I really do want to know you better. Please meet me for dinner at the Crabhouse at 7:30. -N~

I just stare at it. Jason finally breaking the silence, "Well...get ready, we have some errands to run before your date tonight."

I couldn't speak, I just nodded and he walked out closing the door behind him.

I had no idea what to do. I don't even know who this guy is. Just an initial. How does that help?! But I am kind of excited that I now have two beautiful bouquets of flowers. Whoever this guy is, he's a real charmer.

I looked down and saw I was still holding that tiny blue Tiffany's box with a bow. I slowly pull the ribbon letting the bow cascade around the bottom of the box, and I lift the lid. A tear--a single tear--left my eye when I saw that beautiful diamond heart shaped necklace. Why would anyone buy my a diamond necklace? It's so beautiful. I caress the small pendent then hurriedly unclasp it and put it around my neck. I want to know who this person is and I want to know now. I glance over to the clock on my night stand, and it is only 1:00. I think to myself-wow I've slept forever! I get up and get ready to go with my brother to do whatever it is that he needs to do.

Jason and If finsish our errands, and when we came home I went straight to my room to start getting ready for my date with "N". I couldn't decide what to wear so I tried on a bunch of different things. I decided to go with my black and white chevron shift dress and peach pumps. I accented it all with my matching peach earrings, but I left on the necklace "N" bought for me. I look good! I had to finish my makeup. I usually never wear eyeliner but tonight is special so I decided on a little. I backed up and looked at myself, I look beautiful. And for the first time in years, I feel wanted. I am so ready to meet this guy. I look over at the clock.

"Shit!"

It's 6:34. I ran--yes in heels--to my car and drove off. I got to the restaurant at 7:06.

I start walking to the front door and I see a guy with his back facing me. He is wearing dark khaki pants and a baby blue button up. He looks good. He turns and looks and me, green eyes meeting blue--Tiffany Blue. It's him. It's "N". He smirks and starts walking my way. He looks so familiar but I can't figure out where I have seen him before.

He finally reaches me and extends his hand for me to take to which I accept all too willingly.

"Ava, I presume?" He asks in a deep heavy Irish accent.

"Yes, and you must be 'N'." I use my free hand to make air quotes around the letter.

He chuckles, "I'm Niall, I'm so glad you came. You look absolutely stunning." He says while he is scanning me up and down. I blush scarlet.

He is still holding my hand, and I didn't realize until now that he has intertwined our fingers, he is rubbing small circles over my thumb. He must sense my nervousness because he grips my hand a little tighter. We are now inside and the hostess asks for the name without removing her eyes from the paper in front of her.

"Horan, two." He says breaking me from my spaced-outness.

The girl brought us to a table on the patio with a gorgeous view of the beach. Living in Florida certainly has its perks.

"You're very quiet." And I am pulled from my gaze.

"Oh. I-I'm sor-" I start, but I'm cut off.

"It's okay beautiful, you're on a date with a stranger. I can't be surprise that you are nervous." His blue eyes burned right into my soul.

"Thank you so much for the flowers and this beautiful necklace." I returned the stare. Blushing the brightest shade of red possible. He smiled. Oh my gosh that smile. He is absolutely gorgeous. Why would anyone as good looking as him want to be with a girl like me?

"Do you know what you want?" Again I am broken from my trance.

"Yeah, I-I think so, is the seafood Alfredo good?" "I believe so, is that what you want?" "Yes." I look shyly down to my tangled fingers.

"Ava, can I ask you something?" My eyes shoot up and meet his. I nod. "Why did you come? I know I asked you to come but you don't know me. I could be a killer for all you know, and I-" I cut him off.

"Niall, no guy would buy a girl like me a diamond necklace if he was just going to kill her. Besides, it's nice to have a guy be genuinely sweet to a girl like me." "You say that a lot" I cock my head to the side in confusion, he continues. "'A girl like me' you say it an awful lot, why?" My mind goes blank. Why do I say that so much?

"I-I-I don't know, I-I just figured that there are so many girls out there that are much prettier and definitely skinnier than I am and I-" he cuts me off this time.

"Ava, you are beautiful. One of the most beautiful girls I have ever laid eyes on. I don't want you to think that way about yourself. Please." He is almost pleading. My response is barely audible, but I know he heard me because he smiles.

"Ready to order?" The waitress pops out of nowhere. Niall proceeds to order for us. We continue talking and I learn that he is living here for work but he is originally from Ireland. Oh and he can sing, maybe he can sing a song for me one day.

Our food comes. We eat. He pays. We leave. He walks me to my car.

"I had a really great time, thank you Niall." He is just staring at me smiling. "It was an honor." He stops talking and grasps the back of his neck like he is nervous to ask me something.

"What?" I ask curiously. "Well, it's just that I really want to hang out more but I don't want to keep sending you flowers so you know that I want to see you." He chuckles. "Basically, I'm asking if I can have your number." I burst out laughing. "Of course, thanks for not using some corny pick-up line." He smiles. We exchange numbers and I get on my way home.

When I get home I see I have a text from Niall.

{Niall Horan: you're beautiful don't forget it. I hope to see you soon.}

I reply with a thank you and a yes of course and slip into bed with a huge smile on my face.

~~~~~~~~~~AUTHOR'S NOTE~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the comments. This chapter is pretty long I think. I haven't started chapter three yet. So it will be a fe days before I post!