Luck and Laughter (Niall Horan fanfiction)

Chapter 14 - A Few Tricks

            Only a few cameras were around as the five of us made our way into the restaurant. It wasn’t crazy fancy but it was definitely nice. We were led to the back of the dining area to a round table. I sat myself down between Niall and Louis. It was amazing how close all of the guys were. There was a sort of chemistry between them that filled the table with laughter immediately. It was fascinating to watch them and their somewhat childish behavior but I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider. Niall noticed my faraway look.

            “You okay, Amy?” He questioned as he took my hand in his under the table. Butterflies awakened in my stomach.

            “Yeah.” I smiled shyly because everyone’s attention was drawn to me. They must have sensed a disruption in the flow of their energy. I laughed at my stupid thoughts as it reminded me of some Jedi power or something.

            “So, what does everyone want to eat?” Niall tries to get the attention off of me. I squeeze his hand lightly under the table in thanks.

            They all get back into the flow of things and I even get into a pretty involved conversation with Liam and Harry about tattoos. I hadn’t even realized Niall and I were still holding hands until he let go and stood up. I looked up at him questioningly.

            “Bathroom.” He mutters and he heads towards the men’s room. Just as he disappears behind the door the waitress comes with the plates of food and Louis taps my shoulder.

            “What would you say to playing a little joke?” I look at him indicating that he should continue. “I say we hide Niall’s plate and see how well he holds up watching us all eat while he doesn’t have any food.”

            “You are evil, Louis Tomlinson.” I say shaking my head with a smirk. “Let’s do it.”

            Niall returned smiling to a table full of plates and people eating. That is until he saw his spot without a plate in front of it.

            “Where’s my food.” He looked genuinely saddened that there wasn’t anything to eat.

            “I dunno. Maybe there was a problem in the kitchen.” Louis said hiding his smirk behind a mouthful of chicken.

            “Oh, okay.” Niall sank into his chair sulking. He really was like a five year old when it came to his food.  He tried to sneakily take a few pieces of ziti from my plate when I was distracted by something Zayn was talking about. He didn’t realize I had noticed him and I was looking at him with my eyebrows raised.

            “Uhm, Niall?” He looked up at me with puppy dog eyes. I couldn’t say no to him. “Louis, I can’t do it anymore. How do you say ‘no’ to that?” I gestured to Niall. “You’re food is right over there.”

            “Amy!” Louis complained. “You barely lasted five minutes. Now I’m gonna have to find someone else to pull pranks with.”

            “Don’t worry, Lou, you can still do them with me. Just not with Niall and food. He gets too sad.” I said playfully hitting him on the shoulder.

            The rest of the dinner went well. I felt myself meshing even better with the guys as dessert rolled around. Niall and I shared a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream on the side. I was stuffed and when the bill was paid we started getting up to leave. I groaned when I saw all of the paparazzi outside the door.

            “I know, I know, I’m sorry.” Niall said apologetically and he lightly squeezed my hand. “We’ll try to move quickly.”