Not Your Typical Running Back || nh au

Twelve: "I have to go."

Niall laughs at something that Amanda says. They said she wouldn't be here today. Harry said they only invited the team and my friends. Troy and Nia are sucking their faces off, Missy and Daniel too and Bella sits on some random guy and laughs at everything he says. I stand in a corner with a cup of soda, waiting for someone to come talk to me. The party got a little bigger than the invited people. There are people from every year and even some people from other schools. The music is really loud and absolutely not my style. People I don't even know bought me presents that now lay in Niall's room. They're all giving me too much stuff.

"Can I please get your attention?", Niall suddenly speaks, shutting the music off.

Everyone in the living room now looks at Niall. He stands on the couch and looks at me.

"So we're here today to celebrate Max's birthday. She came into this team about one month ago and changed a few things by bringing some girly-things into the team. Max had to hear some shit about how girls can't play football of how no one likes her and shit. She even lost her boyfriend but always stood up. We all know her for two weeks and it surprises me, that she's already into the team so good. We usually never like someone in that short time but Max is different. She's a girl, duh, she's funny, she's talented and she's pretty cool as a friend. Let's lift our cups to Max and sing her birthday song!", he speaks.

Everyone lifts their cups.

"Happy birthday to you! You live in a zoo, you look like a monkey and you smell like one, too", they all chime.

I start to laugh and drink from my cup like everyone else. The music gets turned on again. I watch Niall step from the couch and past Amanda. She gives him a glare and then me. As soon as Niall stands in front of me, my cheeks get warmer and my stomach tingles like there are butterflies in it.

"Thanks", I smile.

"Nothing to thank me, Max."

We stand there in an awkward silence for a few minutes and stare at other people. Then Niall takes my arm and drags me to the dancing people.

"Let's find Harry, Bella, Louis, Troy, Missy and Nia, so we can play truth or dare in the living room", he says.

As soon as we have everyone together and Amanda, who follows Niall like a puppy, we go to the living room and sit in a circle on the floor. Of course Amanda sits next to Niall.

"So I'll just start", Troy says.

Everyone stares at Troy, as he searches for his victim. He needs a lot of time but finally decides.

"Harry, truth or dare?", he asks.

"Dare."

"I dare you to do a handstand and tell a joke."

"Lame", Louis throws in.

Harry does his dare, telling the worst joke I've ever heard, and now looks for his victim.

"Niall, truth or dare?", he asks.

"Dare."

"I dare you to kiss the most beautiful girl in the room and you are not allowed to kiss your sister or Nia because she has a boyfriend."

I look at Niall, who looks at Amanda. Why not? She's pretty with her blond hair and dark green eyes full of hate for me. My head sinks to my knees, as I sit differently, so I can lay my chin on my knees.

"And, Niall?", Missy asks kinda obvious.

Niall stands up and looks at all the girls in the room except me.

"I can't decide, you're all way too pretty", Niall finally speaks.

*****

We play another half hour but break up the game because it got boring. As we all stand up, to leave in different directions. I lean against a wall and check my texts, so I can see, if Michael or someone else texted me but no, they didn't. Now that I'm gone, Rena has better things to do than call or text her best friend. Michael has an excuse, he's on tour with Paramore. He has more important stuff to do than Rena. She only goes to school and works in her families bakery on Saturdays. I go through my twitter and see that Niall send me a DM. He could've just send me a text.

Please socialize with some people :)

I answer him right away, typing pretty fast.

I'd rather not do that. Maybe I'll just leave and get my presents tomorrow afternoon, so they aren't in your way.

Niall reads it and replies a few seconds later.

Just shut up and kiss me.

I look up pretty confused but as I see Niall standing in front of me, I realize what he meant. His lips lay on mine, as I don't think for a good two seconds. I begin to kiss back because why not? Nothing can go wrong now. My stomach burns and when Niall touches my arm, it feels like it's on fire. I really like this boy too much. We part from each other.

"What was that for?", I ask curious by his actions.

"I was supposed to kiss the most beautiful girl in the room", he explains.

My eyes land on Harry and the others, who all look like they're about to die from giggling. Missy gives me a huge thumbs up, as my mouth falls open. That's the moment I realize I actually kissed Niall Horan, my team mate and friend, back because I felt like it was okay. That wasn't okay. What if Coach Patrick finds out?

"I have to go", I say and run past Niall, the boys and girls off to my car, standing in Niall's drive way.

"Wait, Max!", Niall shouts.

I step into the car and turn it on. My foot slams on the gas, as soon as I'm on the road and I leave without saying goodbye to anyone. What were we thinking? Maybe we're just full of shitty hormones. Afterall we're just controlled by hormones.

*****

I step up to his front door. There are people sleeping on the lawn in front of the house. If Mrs Horan would see that, she'd be so fucking mad at Niall and Missy. The front door is open, so I step in, trying to be quiet because there are people sleeping on the floor, in the kitchen and the living room. I just hope Niall isn't home now, so I can just get my presents and go home, so I can skype Mikey. As soon as I reach his room, someone comes out of the bathroom. My eyes meet the blue orbs. He smiles a little, as I step back a little. He has nothing but a pair of boxers and some socks on, so my cheeks heat up.

"Good morning, Max. What are you doing here? I thought you left yesterday."

God, his morning voice is so attractive.

"I'm just here to pick up my presents", I mumble and try not to stare at his bare torso.

He nods and leads me into his room. While he gets a shirt and some pants on, I look at all the presents. I don't even know more then half of the people who gave me these presents. It's so many. I don't want all of them, I feel bad. As Niall touches my arm, actions from yesterday replay. Niall kissing me comes to my mind. I jump a little, so he lets me go.

"Did I do something wrong?", he asks.

"No, everything okay", I fake a smile.

We bring my presents to my car in complete silence. I really feel bad about these.

"I feel so bad because I don't even know half of the people, who gave me these presents", I say, as we finish putting the stuff in my car.

"I know how you feel, just give some of the stuff to the Refugee-Care-Center, where I work on Saturdays."

"You help there?", I ask surprised.

"Yeah."

I nod and smile at him. He smiles back. why is there always so much silence between us? It's really awkward.

"So uhm, I gotta go. See you soon", I say, so I can finally get home and then have a relaxed day.

I open my car door, so I can leave but Niall closes the door right after it's open. I turn around. His body is close to mine.

"Wait, I just want to ask you something", Niall smiles.

"Yeah and?", My voice is way much higher than usual.

"Me and the boys will go bowling tonight? Do you want to come, Missy and her friends are coming, too. I'd be really happy to see you there", he says.

"Sure I'd like to but I still have to do some homework and stuff."

"I'll pick you up at 7", Niall smiles.