piper [n.h.] -Discontinued.

Chapter Three

She's stunning. Her hair is bleach blonde, almost white. She's dressed so casual, yet so perfect. Her tank top flows over her body so smoothly, caressing her breasts and curves. Her jeans are simple, yet complete her figure.

Her eyes are closed, but not tightly. I can see her eyelids flutter every once in a while. She's swaying to the music that's overpowering the atmosphere. Her arms lift up and she moves them to the beat of the song. Her hands make symbolic motions as she feels the music run throughout her body. She's the only one dancing. Others are staring at her, probably thinking she's odd. But she doesn't notice. She's too busy dancing. She's different, and I am strangely attracted to her.

The song ends, and her eyes open slowly. She takes a deep breath in, and I watch her chest move up and down. She smiles at nothing in particular, she just smiles because she can. I break my stare when I notice she's looking at me gawking at her. I try to play it off like I just so happened to look at her at that moment, and take another drink. It's too late for acting, she's walking toward me.

Come on Niall. You're acting like you've never seen a girl before, I think to myself. I gain courage to talk to her as she pulls up a chair and sits at my table. We don't talk for what seems like hours. She just looks at me with an innocent face. I probably look creepy staring at her.

"I saw you looking at me dancing. You know it, too. My favorite part was when you tried to act like you weren't." She smiles, and a perfect set of teeth shine through. I try not to blush from embarrassment. She notices that too, because she lets out a little giggle.

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.." is all I can get out. She shakes her head.

"No. I actually liked the attention from you. Only you though. Not the other jerks around here. Glaring at me because I can do what I want. But whatever. They don't matter to me." She folds her hands.

"So.."

"What's your name?" She asks.

"Niall."

"You don't have to act so nervous around me, Niall." The way she says my name makes me want to hear it over and over again. I let out a short breath.

"Sorry it's just..."

"It's just what?"

"You're just so...beautiful. Shocked right now that you're talking to me." I manage to laugh.

"I like your accent." She never stops smiling.

"Thanks. Born and raised in--"

"Ireland." We both say at the same time. I'm surprised she knows that. Most people think I'm British or Scottish.

"I didn't catch your name." I say.

"That's because I haven't told you."

"Are you going to? Or is that all a part of the suspense?"

"Piper. My name is Piper."

"Nice to meet you, Piper."

"It is nice, isn't it?" She giggles. It's adorable.

"I'm kidding." She adds in. I nod.

"So.. did you come here alone?" I awkwardly ask. She shakes her head. Im a bit disappointed. She leans in closer to me.

"My boyfriend is here. But he doesn't want to be seen with me." She whispers.

Im confused. "Why wouldn't he want to be seen with a beautiful woman like yourself?"

"Because.. well I don't know. That's just how it is." The smile fades from her face and I regret asking her that. I could look at her smile everyday, and now that it's gone I feel guilty.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Can we talk again sometime? I really enjoyed it." I ask, hoping not to sound that desperate. Fuck, Niall. You're acting like a 12 year old.

She grabs the napkin I placed under my beer bottle to soak up the liquid.

"Do you have a pen?" She asks. I shake my head and wish I carried pens around with me wherever I go.

"Hold on." She walks up to the bar and asks the bartender for one. He searches around and finally hands her one.

When she sits back down, she gets busy scribbling down her number. After that, she writes her name at the top with a few hearts around her name. She slides the napkin across the table just as a man walks up behind her.

"What the fuck are you doing with this clown, Piper?" His voice is harsh, and I don't appreciate being called a 'clown'.

"Calm down, Will. I've just made a new friend. Just please go away for a minute. We were enjoying our conversation."

"What did you just say? Don't fucking boss me around, got it?

What's gotten into you anyway? Telling me what to do."

Her eyes close for a brief minute and he grabs her by her arm, lifting her off the chair. When her eyes open, she sadly looks at me. Her eyes are screaming for me to help her. But I don't know what to do.

"Don't hurt her, man." I blurt out. He moves his attention to me.

"How about you fuck off and stay away from her?"

"You have no right to hurt her."

He laughs at me, and I am a little taken aback. "You think this is hurting her? Believe me, I do worse."

He drags her away from me and pushes her out the door, following her close behind. I am not sure how to react to what just happened. Im scared for her, and worried. I don't even know her, but I want to protect her as much as I can. I sit there for awhile until Derrick tells me it's time

to go.

I am still out of it after what just happened. I stare out the car window for the whole trip home. I can't stop thinking about Piper. I wish I did something to help her. I smile at the image of her dancing in my mind.

Gray. Her eyes are gray.