21 Directions

Chapter Eleven (Part Two)

{Emma POV}

I could hear Conner's footsteps coming closer and closer to the door we pressed against.

 Hide. I mouthed at Jaz. 

We stood up as quietly as we could and Jasmine ducked down into the Jacuzzi while I slid behind the door. 

Please don't see us. Please don't see us. Ugh, why can't you be out for a few more minutes? Go away.

The door slowly eased open, and I could see the tip of Connor's hair from my position. 

 Knock! Knock! Knock!

Somebody taps the front door in quick, rapid taps. God, I hope it's Niall.

"Hello there." A low, sultry voice waltzes into the room as the door opens. 

I dare to stick my head out and peek. 

My brows furrowed, and my lips drew up quizzically. What, exactly, was I looking at?

On one side of the room, I see Conner, propped up on a window. Stalking towards him is Niall, shirtless and doing some weird sort of dance. 

Was he trying to be provocative or something?

My mind finally settled on that question out of the hundreds that I had from the scene before me. 

Definitely 'or something.'

I waved Jasmine over. She stepped over the frame of the Jacuzzi and her expression was one of bewilderment. 

"Who are you? What are you doing?!" Connor shouted frantically at Niall. 

By now, Niall had reached Connor. He stood a few inches away and he reached up and put his forefinger on Connor's mouth to shush him. 

"You don't need to know who I am." He said in a hushed tone. 

With that, Niall tackled Connor to the ground, and yelled, "CHEESEBURGERS AND JELLY BABIES!"

They were now on the other side of the bed and I could only see part of their legs. 

What the hell just happened?

Jasmine took in the situation with raised eyebrows. 

The two guys rolled over each other, trying to land a punch. I heard a few groans and muffled screams.

I came to the conclusion that this was Niall being a distraction and that his objective was to get Connor onto the other side of the bed so that he couldn't see Jasmine and I sneak out the door. I quickly started towards the door, pulling Jasmine behind me. 

As soon as the door slammed shut, I could hear Niall say, "Hey man, it's been great getting all chummy with you, but I got to run. See you around!"

Niall caught up to us just as the elevator doors were closing. I quickly pushed the button to open them again and Niall ran in, hands on his knees and panting for breath, his shirt clasped in one hand.

He quickly pulled it over his head.

Damn it, guys with abs like that shouldn't be allowed to wear shirts. I just- 

What in the world am I talking about? He has a freaking girlfriend!

I grinned at him nonchalantly and held my hand out for a high five. His hand slapped against mine and I tried to ignore the tingles at the tip of my fingers.

 "So, you know that thing you did?" Jasmine asked, trying to contain her smirk.

"The thing where-?" Niall stopped himself. "No, I don't know what you're talking about."