That Smile (A Niall Horan Fan Fiction)

Chapter 8: Circles in the Sand

Niall and Lauren sat in the damp sand as the shallow water came up around them. They were quiet, both deep in thought. Niall was staring out at the expanse of the pacific ocean as the sunset painted the sky. Lauren was looking down at her hand which was resting on the sand. Watching the water cover it and then uncover it. She was toying with the idea of telling Niall how she felt. So far she had figured out that two things could come from it.

One: Niall would be overjoyed and confess his own love for her and they would live happily ever after.

Two: He would think she was weird and say that's so sweet, but no. And all shot of friendship would be lost.

Outcome one seemed so great, but Lauren figured that the chances of that happening were slim to none. Niall was just being nice. He probably took pity on her. After all he basically knew everything about her since she managed to spill it out in five short days. She had already done enough, she didn't need to add insult to injury by dumping her own feelings for him onto this guy who probably couldn't wait to get away from her.

As Lauren was lost in her own thought, Niall was wading through his. He unconsciously fisted the sand as he watched the waves. Lauren made him so nervous. More so than any other girl that he had ever met before. Sure it wasn't easy telling a girl how he felt, but this time the fear of rejection was actually paralyzing.

He didn't know if he could handle it. But he knew that it was inevitable. How could Lauren like someone like him? He could sing and play guitar and he liked to eat. That was it. He wasn't like Harry who was lovable and could have a solo career if he wanted too. He wasn't Louis who was silly but still smart and good looking. He most certainly wasn't Liam. And he was no where near the level of intelligence of Zayn. How could he compare?

She was a young college student. Niall kept telling himself that there was no way she was looking for someone like him. She was looking for a future. And in reality, what was Niall's future? A few more albums and tours? What happened when he got older and even more unattractive and suddenly their band wasn't cool anymore? Lauren most certainly didn't want that.

Niall was putting himself down not even letting himself have a chance even though he did. He had already won Lauren's heart, but his thoughts wouldn't let him believe it.

"Niall," Lauren said abruptly. Niall was awakened from his thoughts.

"Yeah?" He looked over at her as she just stared at the sand.

"Thank you for everything." She said quietly.

"It's been my pleasure, Lauren. I'm glad to know that I have a friend like you now."

His words cut like knives. Friends. That was all he wanted. Friends. She didn't know why it hurt so bad, she already knew it anyway.

"Yeah, same here. I hope that we can continue to be friends even while you're away." Niall laughed causing Lauren to turn her head and look at him.

"Of course we will. When you finally make a friend like you, Lauren, you don't just lose it. That's not good friendship, now is it?"

"No, I guess it's not." She looked back down. She really wish he would stop just adding salt to the wound and quit saying the word friend over and over again. Was it that obvious that she liked him that he basically had to shoot any possibility down?

"And there are phone calls and Skype and text messages and emails and Twitter..." Niall kept talking, but Lauren sort of tuned it out. "I will miss you though."

"Yeah, I'll miss you too. It's been a great way to end the summer. But it will be good once classes start, I guess. You know, meet some new people. Move on with my life. Who knows, I might even meet the person I'm going to marry." That's where Niall stopped listening. It was like a slap in the face, if he didn't stand a chance why didn't she just tell him.