Act Like You're in Love {Niall Horan}

Chapter 24: Because of Him

~Mariah's P.O.V.~

Last night was so tiring. After the whole Niall-being-drunk incident, I took care of him. He slept on my couch last night.

Taking care of him was hardly the reason why I barely slept, though. After I went to my own bed, I had a lot to think about.

For one, I had to think about John. There's no way I'm letting him stay here anymore. Niall told me about John being so mean to him. He also said he wanted to leave when he saw John making out with a girl in the plaza.

Which reminds me, he didn't even come back to the flat last night. From the impression I now have of him, I'm pretty sure he spent the night at that girl's flat. He'll probably tell me some other story though, but he doesn't know that I'm already mad. Ugh.

Then, I had to think about Niall. Crap, I get the tingles just thinking about him. After Niall said he liked me and then fell asleep, I was like absolutely frozen.

"Because when you left, it hurt me. It hurt me because I like you. As more than a friend, Mariah."

Why. Can't. I. Get. Him. Out. Of. My. Head.

So, I texted Liam to ask if what people say when they're drunk is true. He replied:

Well, for the most part,yeah. Some things are a bit crazy but otherwise drunk people are gonna spill what they wouldn't usually admit. Why, what'd Niall say...?

I never responded to him. I was way too disoriented by then and I just wanted sleep. Unfortunately, my mind was still whirring and so that didn't happen for another hour or so.

Niall. Niall, Niall, Niall. He's literally the only thing that was on my mind for that hour last night.

It hurt me because I like you. As more than a friend, Mariah.

I don't know if he meant what he said last night, but I have a nagging feeling he did. I just don't know how much he likes me. And I'm scared to like him, too. What if our friendship gets screwed up? I need him. I need him there for me, and badly.

It hurt me because I like you.

I'm starting to think that I liked Niall all along, I just tried to deny it to myself. That's probably why I said I like John, to convince myself I didn't like Niall.

I'm just really confused right now.

I like you.

I sigh, and lock eyes with my reflection, studying myself. I run a hand through my hair and exit the bathroom. I walk over to the couch to wake Niall up. He's gotten quite a bit of sleep already because I'm trying to give him as much as possible.

"Nialllllll, you've got to wake up," I sing-song to him, shaking his shoulder.

He groans and opens his eyes and rubs them groggily. Niall being tired is so cute, gosh darn it. I really want to kiss him now.

Wait, did I really just think that?

No, I couldn't have, because I don't like him like that! And here I am, denying my feelings for him again.

I'm. So. Stupid.

"But I don't want to get up," Niall complains. "My head hurt."

"Uh, yeah, hangover, remember?" I point out.

"Ahh, crap, I forgot about last night," he groans, slapping his forehead and collapsing back onto the couch.

"About that...uh, do you happen to remember anything from last night?" I ask nervously, playing with my sweater and pulling on my ear lobe.