Walls

Chapter Twenty-Two: Back To Ireland

"Melissa, get up." I shook my younger sister. "Back to Ireland." I smiled and braided my bangs and pulled my hair into a high ponytail. "Niall you up?" I called up.

"Yup! Want something to eat?" He called back.

"Yeah I would love a coffee please." I said.

"Sure!" He called. I giggled and threw a pillow at Melissa as I finished my eyeliner.

"Melissa I'm serious up and at 'em." I growled as I pulled on my comic print tights and ripped my oversized black sweater from under Melissa.

"I'm up, Lex." She lifted her head. "I swear...I'm...up." She said as her head fell back onto the pillow. I jammed my feet into my Ugg boots and glared down at her with my hands on my hips.

"Niall how about you wake up Melissa like old times?" I called.

"Really? I can get the water bucket?" He asked and I saw Melissa's eyes snap open and widen in horror, "Liam, where's the ice?" He loudly asked playfully. Melissa sat up and ripped the covers away from her.

"I'm up Lex I swear." She shuttered and got to her feet to change her clothes and gather her blonde hair into a messy bun.

"Call off the water Niall." I laughed and zipped up my bag and helped Melissa with her makeup quickly.

"Here's your coffee Alex." He said coming into the room and handing me a cup.

"Thank you!" I smiled and double checked everything. I yawned as Niall grabbed both of my hands and pulled me to my feet. I looked into his blue eyes and kind of blushed. Last night I wasn't in my right mind but I could've sworn he said he loved me. I shook my head. No, that's...not possible. I pulled my suitcase out to the front of the bus. "Melissa!" I called and she lazily pulled her suitcase out to where I was standing. I saw someone stir from the bed area and there was Zayn, yawning and smiling at us sadly.

"I'm gonna miss you Sunshine." He pouted his lip. I giggled and trotted happily over to him.

"Don't worry it won't be long before you see me again." I winked. I had a surprise for him up my sleeve. I can't say, it'll ruin the surprise. I threw my arms around his neck and smiled.

"Oh?" He bit his lip and raised an eyebrow. I couldn't help but stare at his lips. I wanted to kiss him...but then again I didn't? Does that make any sense? I looked up at him and his eyes glittered as he leaned down and connected his lips with mine. I smiled when I heard loud trudging from the other side of the bus.

"Ok Melissa, Alex lets go!" I heard Niall call and I involuntarily pushed myself away from Zayn out of some weird reflex, but not soon enough for Niall to catch us at the end. He looked at me, hurt sprinkled into his calm expression. "We gotta go if we wanna get to Dublin by morning." Niall nodded and pulled my elbow.

"Bye! I'll miss you." I called over my shoulder and let Niall pull me to the car, my sister climbing in the back leaving Niall and I in the front. He wouldn't look at me or anything. I frowned and stared at his face which was directed out the window. I scooted a little closer to him and laid my head on his shoulder. He finally looked at me and rested his hand on my knee. My hand laced his fingers through mine. I don't know why but it was just natural as breathing. His hand squeezed my knee and his fingers slowly brushed their way up my thigh. Wait a minute... "No!" I yelped and jumped to the other side. I'm with Zayn. No I can't do this. Niall looked at me, disappointed. He jammed his earbuds into his ears and looked out the window. His sad blue eyes stuck in my head. I rolled my eyes looked out the opposite way.

Soon we were at the airport and on our way through security.

"Back to Dublin!" Melissa smiled and sat on the aisle seat. We were in first class and she loved every minute of it.

"So were gonna stop by my apartment and then ride the train to Mullingar?" I asked stuffing my back into one of the overhead compartments. Niall nodded, frowning and looking away. I rolled my eyes and squeezed my way to the window seat. I plopped down on my plush seat and pulled a soft blanket from my backpack. I knew Niall probably wasn't gonna talk to me so I simply watched as the plane sped up and flew into the air.

"H-how long have you been with Zayn?" Niall piped up. I turned my head to look in his eyes that were full of hurt.

"Uh for a while now." I itched my head.

"Uh-uh...oh." He stammered, "I'm really sorry, Alex. I never knew h-how much I needed you un-until...y-you were gone." His voice cracked on the word 'gone'. His eyes glistened with tears. All this time, he did care. I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Why do I still love you after all this?" I joked weakly, tugging his hair lightly.

"I'm sorry..." A tear ran down his face, "I'm so sorry." He sobbed slightly. I smiled weakly, blinking back my own tears.

"It's ok." I whispered and he looked at me, breathing out the world's largest sigh of relief. He grabbed my face and kissed my forehead. I smiled and pulled my knees to my chest and laid my head on Niall's shoulder. My eyes fluttered shut. I needed some sleep, it wasn't gonna be easy...facing my mum.