Be My Mascot

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Bailey's POV

Saturday was my free day. No classes meant not seeing Niall and that was a great feeling. I still couldn't believe him. He lied to me. I guess it doesn't matter that much, I mean we aren't even friends. It just kinda made me feel disappointed in him. Niall seemed to be acting different in that one Law class. I shouldn't have believed him when he said that he stopped bullying.

My hands shoved themselves in my pockets while I walked to the café. The store was a couple blocks away from my dorm. The weather in Manchester had been miserable. My jacket was zipped up all the way in an attempt to stay warm. I kept my eyes locked on the ground while my feet moved to my destination. Coffee was just what I needed. My head peered up to watch some storm clouds roll in. The thick and dull sky was not helping my mood.

As my feet trudged over the pathway, a drop of water fell on my scalp. My hand rose to touch the area that was hit. Then another droplet of water fell on me.

Finally, I spotted the café. A spark of hope ignited inside me. I'd be able to get out of this rain shower.

My slight happiness felt like it was murdered when the door to the shop opened. I stood my ground, watching who walked out. Niall. I immediately grabbed the hood of my jacket, tugging it further over my head to try and conceal my face. I spun around, planning to quickly walk away. But I was too late.

"Bailey!" Niall gushed from behind.

I swore under my breath. My feet stayed put, not wanting to turn around. I couldn't just walk away; he'd seen me.

"Hello?" Niall teased, hiding a bit of laughter.

Footsteps were heard as he made his way to me. My back was still the only thing visible to him. Niall walked around my body, standing directly in my gaze.

"Were you trying to ignore me?" He continued with a smile.

No words escaped my mouth. Under my hood, my eyes widened as he reached up. The barrier between our faces was no longer there. Niall smiled as he lifted the cloak off my head.

"There we go."

My head ducked down, still feeling the water hit my body.

"Oh, it's raining." Niall realized.

It took him a moment to catch on that I wasn't speaking a word.

"Why aren't you talking?" He questioned, eyebrows creasing.

I lifted my head to stand face to face with him.

"You lied to me," I managed to say.

"What?" Niall frowned.

Seriously?

Before he questioned me further about how he lied, Niall's head looked up at the sky. A crack of thunder sounded through our ears. My body jumped. His eyes then focused on me.

"Come on, it's storming," Niall persuaded, taking my forearm in his grasp.

He looked from the café to me. I wasn't budging. More strikes of lightning illuminated the sky. The amount of rain was increasing.

"Bailey, get inside!" His voice raised.

Pellets of water were soaking my jacket and hair. I was simply watching his facial expressions. His jaw tightened.

"Do I have to carry you?" Niall bellowed, voice hinting with annoyance.

I had no intention of being stuck in a shop with Niall while a storm rolled in outside.

"I'm not going. I'll head back to my dorm," I argued.

This time, Niall took my hand. "You'll be soaked by the time you reach Western Hall. Just get inside!" He yelled over the noise from the heavy rain.

I harshly swatted his hand away from me. I was giving up. Niall's hair was getting drenched and so was mine.

I huffed in complaint. "Fine."

He quickly ushered me inside the small café, shutting the door behind us. Niall's palm touched my back as he led me to a table. A window pane was next to the dining seat. I sat down on one side, Niall on the other. I pushed my wet jacket down my shoulder. It proved to be more of a challenge when the damp cloth stuck to my cold skin. Eventually, it was taken off and placed over the back of the chair. My body turned back to face Niall. He was already intently staring at me. His hands were taken in his hair, ruffling the wet hair and attempting to dry it.

"Would you like to tell me how I lied to you?" Niall asked, placing his elbows on the silver table. His eyes watched mine, waiting for an answer.

"You told me that you stopped bullying," I stated.

He nodded. When I looked up to see his reaction, I could tell he was trying to hide the gulp he took. That proved to me that he knew what I was talking about.

"I did," Niall shot back.

"Then tell me why you were throwing that freshman around yesterday outside the football field!" I huffed.

Niall's heart sunk. He'd been caught. His mouth parted, then clamped closed, head bowed in defeat.

"Why did you tell me that you stopped? Niall, I believed you. I was even starting to like the new you," I whispered, surprisingly calm.

His eyes widened, shocked at my words. "You were liking me?" He choked.

"Not anymore," I mumbled under my breath.

"Please, Bailey I'm that guy that you were liking. Think of me that way!" Niall pleaded.

I shook my head. I wanted to like Niall. There was something about him. The way his eyes sparkle when he smiles. The Irish accent he adorns. His fluffy blond hair. But I couldn't fall for a bully. That was a past I never wanted to revisit.

I pushed my chair out, grabbing my coat and rushed out of the café. Before Niall could follow me, my pace turned into a sprint back to Western Hall.