Totally Not Me ( 1D/ N.H. / Niall Horan)

Chapter 19

"Hey guys! What's going on?" Although I have a pretty good idea what's going on, those are the only words that I can find at the moment.

"How many times have I told you to leave her the fuck alone, you prick? I don't know how things are done where you're from but here, when someone tells you to back the fuck off, you do it." Brent scolds me inches away from my face.

"Brent, now's not the time." Ryan moves him back a bit.

I can't run. I'll look like a pussy. I'd prefer not to get my ass kicked in a suit. It is two against one. The odds of me coming out victorious is slim to none.

"Yeah. I'd hate for you to get blood on your cheap ass, second hand suit." Brent snarls.

Just then, the door swings open and Dan and Louis meander in. Dan abruptly stops and Louis runs right into the back of him. Way to look intimidating boys! Now, my odds are looking a little better.

"I said not here, man." Ryan addresses Brent again.

Brent starts moving away but not taking his eyes off of me, "This isn't over."

With that, they leave the bathroom. I suddenly exhale the breath I wasn't aware I was holding.

"What was that all about?" Louis points in the direction of the door.

"An example of why girls go to the bathroom in groups." I try to make light of the situation.

"Barbie's step brother is quite the asshole." Louis comments.

"Looks to me like we saved your ass." Dan comments.

"My heroes!" I interlock my hands, place them on the side of my face, and bat my eyes.

We have a good laugh and head back to the table.

"You were taking forever. We wanted to make sure you were feeling ok." Dan explains. Love these lads!

I glance up to find Cailin leaving with the group she came with. She catches me looking at her as she exits. It paralyses me. Here is this beautiful creature with these eyes that are trying to say something to me but I can't translate what it is. I wish I could just sit with her and figure it out. Just when I think I'm about there, we run out of time or I get threatened to get my ass kicked. Why am I even obsessing over this? What is it about this girl that keeps drawing me into such dangerous territory? I should just walk away...cut my losses and go...but those eyes keep pulling me back in. It's absolutely maddening!

Caitlin's POV

It's been a couple weeks since homecoming. Ryan has been lingering around the house every day since. I mean, he's over a lot. I guess I just notice it more.

"So, you're headed to your dad's this weekend?" Ryan asks as I feel a bit cornered in the kitchen.

"Yea. I go every other weekend." I respond as I'm grabbing a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.

"That's too bad. I was going to see if you wanted to see a movie."

Uh...too bad for who?

"Oh. Sorry." I try to be nice as I attempt to leave. If this boy gave me a little room to breathe, I might be into him.

"Look, Cailin," Ryan blocks my exit. "I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here. I'd like to go out on a date with you without sounding completely creepy about it."

A waving of remorse comes over me. I start to feel like I've been quite the bitch to him.

"I'm sorry. I guess I just wasn't catching your hints." I try to play nice knowing full well that I'll never hear the end of it if I continue to be a bitch.

"I was trying not to be obnoxious." He chuckles.

Well, you failed miserably at that, buddy! Ugh!...I have been a bitch. He is kind of cute standing here a little vulnerable.

"How about next weekend?" I suggest.

"Sounds good." He smiles. I look over his shoulder to see Brent strolling into the kitchen. That is my cue to leave. I slide past both of them and make my way back to my room.

I need to give the boy a break. He may have shitty taste in friends but I shouldn't hold that completely against him, right? I have to keep reminding myself that he isn't Brent.

*****

I walk slowly into the music store for my lesson with Niall. We haven't spoken much since homecoming, just small chit chat here and there. Things just seem awkward. I'm not sure what I did.

I know on the door and Niall calls me in.

"Good morning!" He flashes his smile with his slightly crooked teeth. It's contagious and I smile back. "How is my star pupil?"

"I bet you say that to all your students." I tease him and raise an eyebrow.

"Never!" He sarcastically responds attempting to look as if I offended him with that accusation.

I giggle as we begin our lesson. I feel like I'm really getting the hang of playing guitar. Niall has such a passion for music and is so willing to share that. I wish I had something I was that passionate about. I used to.

"Hey! You seem like you're somewhere else today. Are you okay?" Niall snaps me back to the present.

"Yes. I just have a lot on my mind lately."

"Anything you want to talk about...later...at lunch maybe?"

Is he ready for another layer that is me? I fiddle with the ends of my sleeves on my extra baggy hoodie I chose to wear today. It makes me feel like I can hide from the world in it...and today is one of those hiding days. Plus, it was one of the last things Debbie left at my house before she died. I've really needed her lately.

"Food sounds good. The talking thing...not so much."

"Food is a must! The talking is optional." He winks at me trying to lighten the mood.

"Okay." I half smile back at him. Ugh! I am such a train wreck!

"Oh! I do have a quick meeting with my boss before lunch and I don't know when I'll exactly be done. Can I just get your number so I can text you?"

We exchange numbers and begin the lesson where we left off. As I strum I'm realizing that the bagginess of this hoodie is getting in the way. Too late to change now. I just won't wear it next time.

"Wait." Niall stops me. "Do you know what might be easier?" He gets up and places his guitar on the chair.

I watch him as he walks over, bends forward, and reaches toward my arm. My heart begins to pound out of my chest and panic grows within me.

Please do not do what I think you're about to do...not that! Anything but that right now! I am frozen.

"These are getting in the way." He says so kindly not having a clue what he's about to uncover.

Panic has taken over and I can't move a muscle. I am screaming for him to stop but the words aren't coming out of my mouth.

He gently pulls up my sleeve and pauses. The look of pure shock washes across his face.

I quickly regain control over my body and snap my sleeve back down my arm. Niall jumps back at my action.

"I have to go." I say at a loss on what else to do. I quickly grab my stuff and run out. I am beyond embarrassed. Tears begin to stream down my face.

Oh god! Why did he have to uncover that layer?! Any layer but that one!

A/N- Life has been truly crazy lately. Had to take a bit of a brake from writing. I'm back...and plan on updating more often. Thank you so much for your patience! And most of all, thank you for reading my story!!! :)