As we pulled up to The Outback butterflies erupted in my stomach. It was silly really, it was only people. But I had no good experience with people. It was always lies and hurt, nothing good or happy. Except Zayn of course.
Feeling my nervousness, Zayn laced his fingers in mine. I didn't mind at all, his warm hand felt nice against my small and cool one. It was just a friendly gesture, nothing more. He was always the one to comfort me and I did the same with him. We both knew that hugs, kisses on the cheek and holding hands was nothing more than a friendship thing.
Zayn and I made our way into The Outback and it smelled of steak and smoke. A lady led us to a table in the back. I slid into a booth and Zayn slid in after me. He pulled his hand away from mine to drape his arm around my shoulders.
Zayn looks sideways at me and says, " You okay?"
I smile assuring him I was fine. I was already overreacting as it was.
"They should be here soon" he says glancing towards the entrance of the restaurant.
Catching my grimace he gives me a playful shove.
~~~~
No longer than 10 minutes after we sat down two boys approached our table. Zayn stood up and shook both of their hands and gave a hug to each. I said Hello to each boy awkwardly but refused to get up.
Keeping a distance is a good thing.
Zayn slid into the booth next to me and introduced me to the strangers.
"Macey this is Jay, and Jay this is Macey."
Jay waves at me and I did the same. He had a friendly smile and a cute boyish face. Jay seemed to have a happy personality to him.
Zayn clears his throat and continues, "Macey this is Niall, Niall this is Macey."
I thought Jay had a happy personality, but oh my, Niall had him beat.
He gave me a huge warm smile showing his straight teeth. He waved at me from across the table and I did the same.
Niall had blondish hair that fell a little below his forehead. What I really noticed about him though was his eyes. They were absolutely gorgeous. They were perfect blue and I felt myself observing Niall.
Catching myself stariny, I quickly muttered a Hello.
"It's nice to me you!" He said.
I noticed that he had a different accent than Zayn and I. It was husky and thick.
"You're Irish?" I asked him softly.
He gives me a crooked smile and says, "Yeah, I'm from Mulligar, Ireland. It's a small town..."
I nod and couldn't help myself from looking at him. He was, well, perfect.
Niall, Jay and Zayn all realize I was staring at Niall and I turned red in a instant. I fixed my eyes on the salt and pepper finding them much more interesting than I usually would.
Throughout dinner it was mostly catching up between the three boys.
I laughed when it was the right time, but I pretty much sat quietly.
I couldn't help myself but every now and then I glanced at Niall. He had the spirit of a child and he seemed to be sweet. Each time I glanced at him butterflies exploded inside because I'd find him already looking right back at me.
After dinner we sat for about 15 just making small talk.
Niall turned toward me and spoke to me for the first time since Zayn had introduced us.
"So, you're Macey. I've heard a lot about you..."
I glanced at Zayn giving him a dirty look. Zayn gave me a smirk in return.
Of course Zayn would tell these strangers about me.
Seeing Zayn and my exchange, Niall said quickly but nervously, "I've heard good things! Nothing bad.. "
I nodded refusing to speak to this boy. I didn't want any type of friend ship or relationship with him.
Who knows how long he'd be around.
Niall on the other hand had a different plan. He tried every possible way to try and get me to talk to him. The only hole in his plan was, he kept asking me yes or no questions. A simple nod or shake of the head were my answers.
Giving me a playful eye roll Niall said, "You really don't want to talk to me do you?"
Jay and Zayn laughed at his remark so I said bitterly, "You catch on fast don't you, Niall ?"
Niall and i then made eye contact for the first time all night. His blue orbs locked with mine. Nothing was said and nothing needed to be said. His looked at me like I was special. He looked at me like no one ever has. Feeling myself getting pulled in a broke contact. I cleared my throat and asked Zayn, "Can we go home now?"
It was a habit of calling Zayn's house home. I spent most of my time there and I practically lived there. I even had most of my clothes at his place.
Zayn gave me a confused look but nodded.
Zayn and I said our good byes to Niall and Jay. Zayn said before leaving, "See you both soon!"
I closed the door to Zayn's car and realized that while we were leaving and since I had made eye contact with him, Niall's eyes were never taken off me.
~~~
Silence filled the car and you could have cut the tension with a butter knife.
I wanted to kick myself because all i could think about was Niall and my exchange. Well, I could only think about Niall, period.
Minutes passed as Zayn drove and with out thinking I blurted out, "Thank you, Zayn."
He turned to me and gave me a confused look.
"For what?"
"For making me come tonight. I had a lot of fun... Thanks."
Zayn looked at me like I had three heads and said in a surprised tone, "You're welcome. I'm glad you had a good time."
Zayn smirked and decided to push his limit.
"What did you think of Niall ?"
My eyes darted towards his and I gave him a dirty look.
"He's nice."
Still being cheeky Zayn said, "Oh come on, you find him interesting. And attractive, don't you?"
I pursed my lips refusing to answer.
Honestly Niall was all I could think about at the moment. That worried me. I barley knew him...
I wanted to wack myself for wanting to spend more time with him.
"He's nice" I repeated to Zayn.
He squinted his eyes and pointed a finger at me.
"Fine. Be stubborn. But we both know you want to see him again. It's obvious. The way you looked at him.. I haven't ever seen that come from you. I hope you get to know him more, Mace. He's good for you."
I didn't respond because Zayn and I both know what he said was true.
