MEANT TO BE?

Chapter thirty-six

NIALL'S POV

Her expression, wasn't what I expected at all. She wasn't mad, or sad, or upset. Instead she looked, glad?

"Niall, that's awesome." She looked up at me smiling. Little snowflakes specked her face.

"You're not upset?" I was astonished. I was sure she would have been at least a little upset.

"No. I mean, of course I'm going to miss you, but I'm going to have to get used to it right. It is your job."

When she said that I was relieved. I knew she was different. I knew she was special. I pulled her into a tight hug.

"You're the best you know that?" I mumbled into her bitter cold ear. She just laughed.

"I am sorry about your aunt, princess." I leaned my head down, pressing my forehead against hers.

"It's ok." She looked right into my eyes when she said that. I could tell by the way her eyes were slightly glossed over that it wasn't ok, she wasn't ok.

I grabbed her hand as we continued to walk down the street, our hands swinging back and forth.

"So, when are you guys leaving?" She asked, her eyes trained in the sidewalk infront of her.

"About two weeks." I answered her. I stole a sideways glance at her. She was looking down at our hands.

We walked a little ways more talking about me going to America. As we walked and talked I noticed that she was getting even colder. Without thinking, I took off my coat.

"Here, put this on." It reminded me of one of the first times we had gone out, except this time she didn't argue.

"Thanks Ni." She mumbled stepping closer to me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as she moved closer into my embrace.

"How about we stop for some hot chocolate or something, yeah?" I asked looking down at her flushed face. She smiled up at me.

"Sure, as long as it's hot because it is freezing out here." She shivered when she answered me. It was cute.

"Anything you want Baby." I chuckled.

We didn't have to walk much further. Since it was closest, we went to Starbucks.

"Two hot chocolates please." I asked the lady behind the counter.

"Sure thing. Names please." She responded.

"Niall and Marisa."

"Alrighty then, coming right up." She answered before heading off to get our order. We both sat down at one of the booths while we waited.

"So what's the time difference between here and America?" She asked.

"Um, not sure actually. Like, several hours I guess." I was unsure of the exact amount of time. All I knew was that it was a good amount of time.

"Wow. I thought it was like, only three to four." She sounded surprised when she found out it was longer.

"That's what I thought too. Turns out it's longer." I informed her.

"NIALL AND MARISA!"

Our conversation was cut off when the lady called out our names. Our order must be ready.

"I'll go grab 'em." I told her getting up from the table.

MARISA'S POV

When Niall got up to grab our drinks, I could start to here people whispering.

"Omg, that's Niall Horan." Some people said. Others were more focused on me though.

"He brought that along with him?"

"Why is he wasting his time with her?"

I was so focused on what the other people were saying that I didn't realize that Niall was already back.

"You ok there Riss?" Niall asked interupting all the whispers.

"Um, how about we drink this walking back to the car, yeah?" I suggested. I just wanted to get out of here.

"Yeah sure thing." We both stood up and headed out the door. As we walked out, I heard even more rude comments being thrown at me.

"Slut." Somebody coughed aloud as we walked out the door. Niall was oblivious of the other comments, but not that.

"Hey how about you just shut-up!" He shouted at the girl. I was surprised when he yelled at her. The girl sitting at the table, she looked to be sixteen, looked extremely surprised as well. He took a hold of my hand again and led me outside.

"Just ignore them princess, alright?" Niall comforted me. "You are not a slut. You're amazing." He leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to my forehead. I didn't answer him, I only smiled. That was enough of an answer for him though.

"You're the best Ni. Thank you." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. He instantly wrapped his arms around my waist. I wasn't cold anymore. My insides bursted with warmth as soon as he wraped his muscular arms around my body. I buried my face into the crook of his neck. I felt safe when he held me like this. He pulled away a little after, both of us just wanting to get away from this building. We began to walk back towards the shop I worked at as we sipped on our hot co-co. It was quiet as we walked. The street was dead, aside from the ocasional car driving by. It wasn't uncomfortable though, it was, peaceful in a sense. I forgot about everything that had happened, ony thinking about Niall and I.

"Do you need a ride home?" Niall had asked once we reached the parking lot. I looked back in the window of the building, remembering what Lisa had said.

"Um, if you don't mind. My boss found out that I had gotten a concussion. She was pretty mad that I drove here." I explained to him. He smiled and laughed.

"Of course I don't mind. We can grab your car tomorrow." He answered. We both walked over to his car and got in. He turned the heat on high as soon as he started the car.

"You getting warmed up yet?" He asked after a minute or two of driving.

"Yeah, thanks. It's chilly outside." There was another moment or two of silence.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this." He blurted out of nowhere.

"What are you talking about Niall?" I was really confused as to what he ment.

"You, having to deal with all these people saying all these things to you." He explained. I was surprised he apologized for something he had no control over.

"You can't control what they say Niall, niether of us can. Besides, I knew this would happen when you first asked me out. I like you Niall, alot, and nothing that anybody says will ever change that." I reached my hand over and placed it on his knee.

"I wish I could though. I hate seeing them treat you like that Marisa." We pulled up to stop sign ad he stopped the car. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. "You don't deserve it."

I didn't know how to respond to that. I don't really blame the fans that much. If I were in that position I would be upset. But, it shouldn't be going on this long.

"Let's just get you home." He sighed. He started the car and began to drive again. I hated seeing him this upset. I was touched that he was this upset, and this worried about me.

"Thanks for taking me home Niall."

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked. I smiled and kissed his cheek gently.

"Of course." I stepped out of the car and trudged up the snow covered path. I should shovel it tomorrow. I looked back at Niall and waved before ducking into the warmth of my flat. I pulled the coat Niall had given me and wrapped it tighter around my body. A small smile spread across my face as I stood in the darkened room. All I could think about was Niall, and nothing else. I buried my face into the collar of the coat. I could still pick up traces of his cologne. I could already tell, that when he leaves in two weeks, it's going to be a hard, hard goodbye.