Secrets (On hold)

Chapter Sixteen

*Serena's POV*

I walk down the street next to Bobby Horan, and Niall walks in front of us. We've been walking around town all day, shopping and eating lunch. I had been a nervous wreck last night, full of anxiety when Niall asked me to come out with him and his father. I’ve spent time with Bobby before but always with more people there. I made sure that I wasn't intruding on their father/son time, since they don't get it very often. Niall scoffed and told me I wasn't and that if he didn't want me to come he wouldn't have invited me. So here I am, stuffing my hands into my sweatshirt pocket and listening to Bobby's story about his recent fishing trip with Greg.

"I always get too impatient; Greg always gets mad at me. I can never just wait for the fish to come." Bobby says, finishing up his story.

"Sounds like Niall. Harry, Niall, Liam, and I went fishing not that long ago and bringing Niall was about the worst decision ever." I laugh and Greg joins me, shaking his head at Niall who had turned to give me a look.

"Hey, I caught a fish that day!" Niall defends himself, falling into stride next to us and grabbing my hand. I smile at him.

"My father took Greg and Niall fishing once, it ended with their Grandfather fuming, soaking wet, and never taking Niall fishing again." Bobby laughed at the memory and I rolled my eyes.

"Sounds about right. Harry and Liam were so patient while Niall kept recasting ever ten seconds. Polar opposites."

"I wanted to catch a bigger fish than you!" Niall shakes his head in defeat and I scoff.

"Yeah right." I roll my eyes and look ahead at the nearly empty sidewalk. Occasionally a few people would come up to Niall and ask for a picture, or a car would drive by and honk. But other than that, we've had a relatively peaceful day.

"Seriously?" Niall looks at me. I can't read his expression.

"We know that won't happen." I joke, but he looks genuinely mad.

"Why not?" Niall demands, irritation written all over his features.

"Relax Niall, I was joking." I say softly, trying to calm him down. His mood completely changed in two seconds. I hope Bobby doesn't think I'm being rude when I was just messing with Niall.

 He drops my hand and starts walking ahead again. "It's annoying how competitive you are all the damn time." He huffs and shoves his hands into the pockets of his navy jacket.

My mouth falls open and I look at Bobby, who shares the same confused expression as me. He opens his mouth to say something, and then shuts it.

"Niall that happened weeks ago and I was just teasing you... What are you even talking about?" We stop outside a store when Niall turns to face me.

"Sometimes you piss me off with how damn annoyingly competitive you are." Niall fires at me, his blue eyes looking straight into mine. "Not everything is a fucking competition."

"Niall! For god’s sake she didn't do anything to ya!" Bobby finally steps in and gives Niall a stern look.

I make eye contact with Niall for another couple seconds, and then I look away when I feel tears threatening the corners of my eyes. Why would he even say that? I was joking.

"I'm going to look for a bathroom..." I mumble putting my head down and walking away, leaving Niall and his father standing on the sidewalk.

 I walk into the nearest shop which happens to be a bookstore lined with shelves and shelves of books. I walk straight to the back of the store, listening to the click of my boots against the stone floor. What caused Niall to just snap at me? It was embarrassing, and hurtful. We were supposed to have a nice day with Bobby then meet up with Niall's brother and his wife tonight, but now I feel awkward and irritated. I push the door open to the bathroom. And go to the stall. I put the lid down on the toilet and sit, pulling my phone out of my pocket and pulling my knees to my chest. My thumb hovers over the twitter icon, as I debate if going on right now is the best idea. I decide against it and instead text Lauren.