Across the Hall

Chapter 4

     Friday was always Niall's favorite day. Growing up, Friday was his day for guitar lessons. Fridays were for Greg's school footie games. Fridays meant no homework and spending the night at Sean's house to play FIFA all night until his mum yelled for them to close their eyes. This Friday could have been a bad one. He'd woken up next to Harry on the pull out couch, curls almost smothering him as their owner slightly snored. His legs were stiff, obviously more ready for therapy than he was. Niall had to say goodbye to his mother today, probably not seeing her again until he flew out to Mullingar to see his neice brought into the world. He should have been grumpy, but one thing made him happy. One person, to be exact. She was coming over specifically for him, and they'd be together almost the whole day.

     Knocking lightly, Whitney opened the door when he piped back that it was already open. He had to fight his urges when he saw her. Barely awake, jacket slipping past her fingers, he wanted to pull her onto the still unmade couch bed, cuddling her back to sleep. But that was a boyfriend thing to do, and they were barely more than friends.

     "Someone's sleepy." he teased, watching her as she narrowed her eyes over the coffee cup she brought with her.

     "Work ran late. Didn't go to sleep until like five." Niall's blue eyes widened at her confession.

     "You sure you wanna do this then? I could call a taxi."

     "No, no. It's fine. I'll just take a nap after lunch or something." Whitney swatted his concern off with a flap of her sleeve. He raised an eyebrow, out of friendly concern most of all, but she smiled it off.

      "We should go, you're gonna be late." Slipping back into her Vans that she'd taken off at the door, Niall did his best to be a gentleman, even if he couldn't exactly hold every door open for her.

      If Niall thought he was sore before therapy, by first break he was most certainly in pain. His medicine had long worn off, his feet were swollen, and he wished he was only glistening with sweat. Glen had mercifully called for a break, and Niall grunted as he tried to sit up.

      "Hang on there, cowboy. Alright, c'mon." Letting him grab onto her hand, he sat up easier, to see her smiling over at him.

       "You look like a chipmunk with your red cheeks."

     "Way to motivate there, coach." he teased, chuckling as she blushed in return.

     "Sorry. I brought you something though." Turning her back to him for a second, she turned back with his prescription, a bottle of water, and a candy bar.

      "A saint you are!" he groaned in relief, spilling the correct amount of pills into his hand before handing the bottle back to her. Opening the candy, he chomped down like his life depended on it.

     "Slow down. I'm gonna feed you here in just a bit." she giggled, not even noticing when her hand snuck its way up his back, into his hair. Every hair on Niall's arms stood up, entranced by the way her skin felt against his scalp. Looking up through sweaty fringe, his eyes locked on hers, shocking her.

      "I uhm. I..." she stuttered, her hand falling down to her side. Glen was making his way back to Niall's area, and Niall could feel the awkardness radiating off the whole room.

     "I should go." Whitney whispered, "Wait outside or something." Biting at her bottom lip, she wouldn't dare look him in the eyes.

      "Stay with me? I could really use a distraction." Linking his index finger with hers, Niall pulled her closer to the table. 

      "Tell me about this party you're supposed to have this weekend." Bit by bit, Niall worked to not only strengthen his legs, but break that wall that she'd put up, getting caught showing affection.

     After therapy, Niall rolled just behind Whitney while they made their way to the car.

     "Can we just order something and eat at my place? I probably smell funky, and my medicine hasn't completely kicked in yet." Niall whined, not wanting to end their time together, but he was feeling pretty puny. He looked up to Whitney, still a little shy since their moment inside.

      "Hey. Look at me." he mumbled, knowing she heard him.

       "What's the matter? Why're you playing Shy Susie on me all of a sudden?" Brown eyes scanned the landscape behind his head, the concrete under his wheels, anywhere but those cerulean orbs.

      "Don't worry about it, okay? Everything's fine. Now. About that lunch..."

      Niall barely saw Whitney all day Saturday. He'd woken up Sunday feeling a little empty, his body not letting him forget the way she felt. The way she smelled of coffee and spearmint gum. He couldn't wait until that evening to see her at the party. It was a sports themed party, one of their favorites. It was the football season opener, the Cowboys against the Giants. Annie was a Giants fan, Whitney a die hard Cowboys fan. Somehow their rivalry had blossomed into a blowout, and this year, the boys from across the pond were about to crash it.

       "Come on Niall, things will be fine. She's just scared she let her feelings show." Harry eased, behind Niall, carrying the sodas they promised to bring. Niall had a few six packs of beer in his lap, using the foot of his chair to knock on the door. Niall whispered under his breath how he hoped it was her that opened it, only looking up once it did.

       "Hey guys." her voice was quieter, but that grin was there. Standing there in a Cowboys jersey that was two sizes too big, a navy blue turtleneck underneath, her eyes locked on Niall's in an effort to figure out how to handle the evening. Harry shuffled off with the drinks, taking the opportunity to chat up Annie, leaving the blondes next to the door like a pair of junior high kids at their first dance. Niall decided his chance was now or never, taking her by the hand and leading her towards their couch. There was enough room for him to get out of his chair and sit on the couch. 

       "You're gonna sit next to me, right? I don't know too much about American football." he tried his best to bat his eyelashes, causing her to burst out in giggles.

      "There she is. I was wondering where you got off to."

      "All you have to know is that the Cowboys are better than the Giants."

     "I HEARD THAT! DON'T LISTEN TO HER, NIALL!" Annie yelled from the kitchen, throwing chips towards the twosome on the couch. Whitney giggled, hiding her face in Niall's chest. Niall tensed for just a moment, but took the leap, placing his arm around her.

     "I'll protect you." he chuckled, waiting with baited breath for her to look up and pull away. She looked up, looked at him, but didn't pull away. Instead she shifted, carefully to not push against his legs, to cuddle closer. His arm slipped around her waist, thumb rubbing circles on her hip. Neither one dared asked where that left them, neither really cared at the moment; the game was on.