Only to Dance (n.s.) [ON HOLD]

VI

Niall's POV

"Niall."

I groaned, rubbing my eyes with my fists.

"C'mon babes wake up."

I felt hands grab at my waist and start to pull me from under my covers. Not wanting to leave the warmth I started wriggling in the grasp, but unfortunately Liam is a lot stronger than I am.

"Liaaaam," I groaned quietly. "Stop it."

He chuckled while successfully pulling me from the covers, then stood up and dragged me to my feet.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Liam said, kissing my forehead.

I stomped my feet like a little kid and pushed at his chest to move him out of the way.

"I don't like you." I mumbled, heading down the short hallway to the kitchen.

I started preparing myself a bowl of cereal and sat down at the counter, hearing the shower turn on.

As I sat eating, I couldn't help but let my mind run through the events of last night.

The way that man held my waist and led the dance, the way he stared into my eyes, his mysterious mask and silence as we—

"Niall?"

I snapped my head back up to look at a wet Liam standing there with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What're you thinking about?" He asked, sliding onto the seat next to me.

I immediately blushed, not having told Liam of my little dance last night with the mysterious man.

Liam started poking at my sides. "Come on Ni somethings up," he laughed as I squirmed. "Tell me or I'll tickle you!"

I stumbled out of my chair. "N-no it's nothing I'm just tired."

He looked at me as if he didn't believe me.

"I'm serious!" I whined

"Okay fine, fine." He put his hands up in surrender.

"What time is it?" I asked, running my hand through my slightly greasy bed head.

"Almost two. You slept pretty late, by the way, where'd you go so late at night last night? You as back in at like, 3 am."

"N-nowhere, I just went for a long late night walk in the park." I said quickly, to cover up what actually happened.

Today I didn't have anything important to do, no classes Thursdays, so I figured I'd just take a lazy day.

"Hm, okay. I have business today, with that Harry guy from yesterday, remember? He's sorta cool, really smart actually-"

Suddenly I gasped, remembering how Harry and I had made plans for a photo, and put my dirty bowl in the sink, starting to rush around packing my ballet bag.

"Why the rush?" he chuckled.

"I um- I want to go practice my new routine in the practice room before the class at 6." I yelled, running to my room down the hall. That actually wasn't a lie, I was nervous for my "photo-shoot" with Harry, and dancing was one of the only ways to relieve myself of stress.

Harry was so nice when we met him yesterday. I remember feeling his eyes on me from far away at the beginning, but up close he was amazing. His long, brown, curly hair and forest green eyes had me practically swooning as he spoke.

And then he called me beautiful—I could've died right then and there. He was the beautiful one. I couldn't help but wish he was in one of my ballet classes, I wouldn't mind dancing with him, his tall physique and his strong muscles.

I started blushing in the privacy of my own room once I realized Harry was probably straight and would never want to be with me—a weak boy dancer who liked to wear mostly girl's clothes.

~~

Walking through the dark hallway after he last class made me nervous and my heart race.

I griped my ballet bag tighter on my shoulder and took quiet footsteps towards the light at the end of the hallway.

I could hear shuffling come from inside of the room and saw Harry with his back to the doorway, pulling a large camera out of a bag.

Gathering up all of my courage, I stepped inside the room and coughed quietly.

Harry quickly spun around, almost dropping his camera. His eyes got wide once he saw me and he smiled a little bit.

"Oh, hey Niall," he said. "You scared me."

"I-I'm sorry." I said quietly.

"No, uh, it's fine. Come on in." He said awkwardly and gestured for me to walk into the large room.

Walking over to one of the desks, I set my bag down and took out my ballet shoes.

"Is th-this okay?" I asked him, gesturing to my dress (picture above). "I um- didn't know w-what I should wear so I uh—"

"No-it's uh- it's perfect, looks great." He said, and I blushed when he complimented me and his eyes got wide.

I nodded and sat down, lacing up my shoes. I could feel his eyes on me and wondered if he was uncomfortable. I knew I was, but that was only because of the awakened aura in the room.

Once I had finished, he pointed to a white screen set up in the back with a bunch of photography equipment.

"So uh, here's where I'll be shooting, so if you'd like to go and try out some poses?" He said, running the back of his neck and smiling awkwardly. Wow, he was so attractive.

I nodded and smiled softly at him, walking over to the screen.

I tried a few of my poses, such as the classic arms over the head, or the swan bend on the floor, as he adjusted the camera. I took one pose where my neck and right arm where back, my ankles pressed together and my eyes shut as my left arm was raised towards the sky.

I started to move from the position but he quickly stopped me. "No, no, stay like that." He said urgently.

I opened my eyes and stayed still as he walked towards me.

"Can I uh-" he questioned awkwardly, gesturing towards me.

I nodded my head and he breathed out. He gently moved my left arm and straightened it a bit more.

Then, Harry took my waist in his hands and turned me to face him more.

We made eye contact and as I looked into his eyes I could help but think of how familiar this felt.