Like Before (Niall Horan)

Chapter Seventeen: I'm Scared To Be With You

The day before the boys had to leave, we decided to let Tia choose where we went until it was her bed time. She had spent a lot of time with the boys and I knew it still wouldn't be enough. She would still want to see them all the time.

"So, Tia, where are we off to first?" Harry asked the little girl on his back. We had decided to walk again since there were so many of us.

"Lets go get food." Tia told him. Since it was early morning, none of us had eaten yet because Tia wanted to leave before. 

"Do you want to go to IHOP?" I asked Tia. It was her favorite so I assumed she'd want to. When she started nodding her head excitedly, I knew I had assumed correctly. Harry laughed and took Steph's hand in his as they walked with my sister down the street. Louis was trying to jump onto Zayn's back, complaining he was tired and Liam and Jaesin were talking about something. 

Niall's shoulder bumped into mine and I looked over at him. He smiled at me and tilted his head to one side. I shook my head at him as we got to the entrance of IHOP letting him know I was okay. He still didn't look convinced, so once we walked inside I took his hand in mine and smiled up at him. 

I was fine, I really was. I just didn't want them to leave again. I liked having them close to me and I liked being with Niall. Even if we were fighting, I'd take that over him being across the world. But thats what had to happen. He had to go back and I had to stay here. I had to be here for Tia.

We got seated at a booth and the guys took their sunglasses off. Steph was in the inside of one side with Harry next to her, then Tia, and then Louis. Niall was across from Steph, with me next to him, then Zayn, then Liam. Jaesin was in a chair at the end of our booth.

"What are your other plans for the day, Tia?" Harry asked and looked at my little sister after we all ordered. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. What should we do?" She asked.

"It's your day. You get to choose anything you want." Louis told her.

"We should go to the park again then." Tia's eyes lit up and I smiled at her. Niall had my hand in his resting on his lap. "Stephi, are you and Harry going to keep dating while he's in England?" Tia asked looking over at Steph.

"Well yeah." She told her and smiled. Tia giggled and turned her body toward Steph.

"But you guys won't be able to hold hands."

"That doesn't mean we can't date." Harry told her.

"Are you guys in love?" Tia stretched the word love out and Harry looked at Steph and she was blushing. Why don't I have a camera? 

"I guess thats what we're trying to figure out." Harry took Steph's hand and kissed the top of it.

"I think you are. Why else would you tell all your fans and let them make things up about her if you didn't love her? I think you love her Harry." Tia told him matter-of-factly. Harry looked at her wide-eyed like she'd just figured out every single one of his secrets. 

Right at that second the waitress came back, saving Harry from having to respond to that. Steph wanted to know what he would have said, I could see it in her eyes. The waitress handed everyone the plates and then she walked away.

"So, Harry, you never answered my question." Tia looked over at him before stuffing her mouth with pancakes in a very childlike way. I saw Harry's adams apple bob as he gulped.

"What question is that?" He asked again and Tia rolled her eyes.

"Do you love Steph?" She asked, taking a pause between each word. Harry gulped again and everyone was looking at him expectantly. I felt bad for him with everyone watching for his answer.