Magic (Niall)

12: Deepest Insecurities

*~Zayn~*

Maddie came home from the hospital that day, and was acting very quiet, not very confident. She didn't go in her room at all, but she did refuse to talk to anyone, and we wouldn't let Niall talk to her no matter what, though I was debating whether or not to let him, for he might've been the only solution to our recurring problem with Maddie, as usual.

They were sitting side-by-side on the couch, but didn't touch, didn't talk, didn't even look at each other. Both looked in pain, particularly Maddie but that was probably just from the wounds inflicted upon her. They watched the movie Liam put in silently, and every once in a while Maddie would cry or smile, though I don't know how she could get so emotional over Finding Nemo when she 'Aww'ed at the ending of The Notebook, which the rest of us were pretty sad at. She found it cute.

None of us would take our eyes off the two, how they seemed to be having a conversation without interacting with each other at all. Every once in a while they would glance at each other, and when they both did it at the same time they would blush, look away, and laugh. At one point during the movie, Maddie laughed so hard she fell to the floor, and got up claiming that her stomach hurt.

"Niall," she whispered, hoping that no one would hear her.

"What?" he whispered in reply, looking down at her.

"Remember when I first came and I totally passed out on the couch?" Maddie reminisced, causing the rest of us to fall silent and look at her. Niall's lips broke out into a wide grin.

"You remember that?" I asked, curious.

"Yeah. You know, I've only been back for less than a day. But, like I said at that stupid hospital, Niall, I guess that color is helping me get my memory back. See, and I could've rememeb-"

"I don't think it's the color, Mad-Man," Megan laughed, "I think it's everyone not shutting up when they're talking to you. Louis especially. And, you remember this place. You've been here before, surrounded by family that you happen to remember, so I think-"

"Oh, shut up Megan, and let me think what I want to think and be happy. Niall's lucky I don't remember how the heck he hurt me. Explain that to me, will you, NiNi-"

"Again with the hilarious nickname!" Louis bellowed, causing the rest of us to burst into laughter.

"Not hilarious, adorable. Well, maybe a little hilarious. Is that from the time when I was in my room, and Niall was in there for some reason and I was talking to him, and two of you guys, I remember Harry, coming in, and then I told 'NiNi' to get out, or whatever I told him?" Maddie asked, trying to rememeber.

"Yup!" Harry replied, popping the 'p'.

*~Maddie~*

Perfect. Everything here was perfect and I was far from it. Harry was perfect, Louis was perfect, Liam was perfect, Zayn was perfect, Megan was perfect, Riley was perfect, the house was perfect, everything was perfect. Niall was the most perfect. I couldn't remember how he'd hurt me, but it couldn't have been that bad, probably just a bit of a surprise.

After the movie ended, I didn't retire to my room, neither did Niall and Zayn. Both of them suggested that I go up to my room, but I refused. The room was too big, I don't like big. It was too empty, too bare. I wouldn't admit it, but that scared me.

"Well, I'm going to bed. Niall, be nice," Zayn grumbled. He stood, and walked, slouching, through the hall and to his room, leaving Niall and I alone. He played a game with me for a few minutes that was supposed to help me remember, and I do remember going to the lake with him that one day and then my brothers and father coming to visit not that long ago, but that was about it.

"Come on Maddie, it's nearly one in the morning, can't we just go to bed?" he practically pleaded.

"I don't want to. I don't like my room, it's too big, too empty."

"We can put the whole living room up there if that'll help. Why is your room so suddenly too big and empty?" he whined, causing me to smile almost unnoticably.

I sighed. "I'm scared," I said under my breath, quietly.

"What did you say?" Niall asked, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

"It's too perfect, Niall," I said, honestly, "Too clean, too big, too neat. I'm none of those things. Why should I sleep in a room that is? It scares me to think that I was even allowed in that large, empty room in the first place, when I do not deserve it. It scares me that it's so quiet, so peaceful. It felt as if I was being watched when I went up there today."

"You can sleep in my room, Maddie," he offered, "As long as the others don't kill us in the morning. We're not supposed to be talking you know, let alone sleeping in the same bed."

"But you're so warm," I groaned, "Please, Niall?"

"Fine, come on," Niall said. He stood in front on me and offered his hand. I shook my head, and pushed his hand down.

"Carry me," I say, smiling, my arms open.

"Fine," he sighed, pulling me into his arms bridal style. I remember falling into the bed, and him covering me up before falling asleep, loving the messy room, and how alike to me it was, unlike my own room. I hated that room with a passion, and swore never to enter that room again. It could just be Riley's from then on.

A/N: A shorter chapter that I wrote in hopes of getting nearer to my goal. If I surpass this goal, awesome! If I don't get to this goal . . . The book doesn't end until I do. Honestly, it's not a very large goal. I wanted a cute chapter between Maddie and Niall: How'd I do? Don't be afraid to share your opinions!