Be My Mascot

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Bailey's POV

"Thank you," the cashier says, handing me my extra change.

I nod and carry the tray to the usual table where a group of girls eat. I sit down in between Aubrey and Amy. Some of the volleyball team sit here and they're all rambling on about the last practice.

Everyone comes to the same spot to eat lunch. It's a food court with hundreds of circular tables in the middle of small food shops.

"Are you okay?" Aubrey turns to me. "You've been acting kinda quiet."

I swallow a piece of lettuce before answering her.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. I'm just exhausted from this week."

She stares at me for a moment, deciding if I'm telling the truth or not. I go back to my food. Honestly, I've been quiet because I'm confused. Niall has been on my mind for so many days. I can't fall asleep at night because I'm thinking about the last kiss we shared. It was amazing, I thought. But then I have to think about Niall's past. He's a football player for Christ sake. The whole team goes out every weekend to some party off campus. Then, they'll go to a nightclub. It's obvious that Niall gets drunk. The whole team does. That's even how they celebrate a win. What scares me the most is what Niall does in his drunken state. I have no way of knowing what he has done before. He could have possibly hooked up with every single girl on the cheerleading squad. The thought makes me nauseous, but I still consider it.

The football team only pays attention to the cheerleaders. Those girls don't even care that they're making smart remarks about their uniforms. Even though Niall's been completely nice to me, that doesn't mean that he wants to be any more than just friends. I'm fine with that, I guess. I won't ever be one of those girls.

Although the football players adore the cheerleaders, all of the other girls fantasize over being with one of the players. It's like high school, which is overly annoying. And much to my luck, the girls on the volleyball team have dreams of kissing one of the football players. It's like they're celebrities or something. I try to stay away from all of that gossip.

"Earth to Bailey!" Aubrey basically shouts in my ear, while violently shaking me.

"W-What?" I snap out of my thoughts.

"Niall's coming this way."

The girls sitting around the table instantly quiet, one dropping her plastic fork. I look to the direction I assume he's coming from. Of course, Aubrey's correct and Niall's walking away from the football table. My heart beats faster. Aubrey's hands reach out to my hair, fluffing it and making sure it looks good.

"Stop," I whine, not liking the fuss being made.

"Hey, Bailey." My body shifts around in my seat to stare up at a smiling Niall.

"Hi," I gleam.

The girls behind me are drooling at the sight of him in front of them.

"So, I was wondering if you'd want to walk to Sociology with me again?" He asks, nervously ruffling with his blond hair.

"Yeah, sure."

"Brilliant, I'll come by in a couple of minutes and we can leave."

I agree and Niall says a goodbye, walking back to his table. I turn back around and the girls are practically gaping at me.

"What?"

"Since when were you dating Niall Horan?" Hannah gasps.

"I'm not dating him," I quickly explain.