Just The Girl I'm Looking For (Niall Horan)

Chapter 9: New York City

The skyscrapers looked as beautiful as ever. Obviously I had never seen them before, but I've seen lots of pictures. But they're absolutely breathtaking in person.

"You've really never been here before?" Harry asks. "I'm from Cheshire, England, and I've been to New York City before."

"I come from Westchester, Pennsylvania, and my mother never wanted to leave."

"Your mum's delusional, love. Its too beautiful to miss out on. You have to come at least once in your life."

Harry was right. Mother was delusional. The last few weeks with these boys have been the best of my lights. I'm so glad I got out of there.

"Where's the rest of the boys?" I ask Harry. We were inside our penthouse, looking over the beautiful skyline of what I would consider the most beautiful city in the world.

"They're out I suppose. Louis and Zayn are with their girls I believe. Probably at the park. Liam and Niall are probably just hanging around Central Park if I hd to take a guess. It's their favorite spot every time we come here. Where's your sister?"

"Lou and Lux are probably with Chris. Every time we come to the States they especially like hanging out."

"So it's just me and you?"

"I guess so, love," Harry laughs.

I don't know how to explain it, but something was weird between Harry and I. Well, actually I can explain it: there were feelings between us. But, Harry wasn't acting normal. He'd usually hit on me or something of ha matter, but he was restraining. And I don't know why.

Don't get me wrong, Harry was great. But I didn't want him hitting on me. It felt wrong. I felt conflicted whenever Harry would flirt with me. I'd prefer he didn't. It sounds crazy, though. Any girl would love for Harry to flirt with them. I guess it's different, though, when you actually know, Harry. Because to me, Harry wasn't a celebrity. He was a friend. And I liked that.

"Can I ask you something?"

Harry's question took me from my thoughts. "Of course."

"What do you think of me?"

And here it was. We were thinking the same thing.

"You're really sweet and fun to be with. Why?"

His cheeks reddened. He tried to hide his face behind his curls. "There's this girl back home..."

I knew it was something, I thought to myself. "You've been talking?"

"Yeah. We started talking when we were back in London. I miss her. She's a sweetheart. I like her."

"Then to for it!" I tell him happily. I give him a genuine. Enthusiastic smile.

"You really think so?"

"Of course."

On queue he took out his phone. "And what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and Niall."

How did I feel about Niall? He infuriated me. He brought home that whore to make me jealous after he kissed me. He pretended that it didn't man anything. That he kissed me for the hell of it. The boy that I thought was sweet and innocent wasn't actually that sweet and innocent. He was a player. He wanted to make me jealous.

But why make me jealous? That'd imply he liked me, right? He had feelings for me? Does that mean I embrace it? Or do I cut my losses and move on?

This is the time I wish I had Lou, or even my mother. I needed a woman's advice. A woman who'd been through this before.

"I don't think he's interested."

"Are you sure, sweetheart?"

"Yeah."

And that was the end of that topic.

Harry and I had decided to go out to the City. I wanted to explore it while I could. Why waste my time in this magnificent city, dwelling on some Irish jerk?

Harry I didn't get far before getting stopped. The fans were a group of young girls, maybe ten, who were big Harry fans. I smiled looking at the way he treated them. He treated them each like the next Mrs. Styles. They were all elated to see him.

We went to Central Park next. The serene setting of the park calmed us both. We just walked. That's what I liked about Harry: he'd know when I just didn't want to talk. But we still enjoyed ourselves. There was something nice about just being in his company.

The call came in to Harry, from Liam, to meet back in our room. The boys wanted to have a movie day, and they were waiting for us. Harry and I hurriedly went back to our hotel.

"We've decided on a slasher movie marathon," Louis smiled.

"Slasher movies? Really?" I sighed.

"Of course! We just bought the entire Nightmare on Elm Street series!" Niall happily says.

Not being one for scary movies, I just sat down on the edge of the large leather couch. Niall sat down next to me

By the second movie, Freddy Krueger had successfully scared me out of my wits. I was curled up in a blanket with a pillow in front of me.

"You okay, Amber?" Niall whispers to me.

"Do I look okay?" I answer sarcastically.

"Uh-"

"I'm terrified. Alright? I don't like scary movies."

Niall looked at me for a few seconds before cautiously moving closer to me. His arm wrapped around my shoulders and he pulled me into him. Forgetting my distaste for the blonde Irish boy, I buried my face into his chest, inhaling his cinnamon cologne.

"Calm down, it just a movie," he whispers to me.

"So was Titanic. Based on real events," I answer back.

"Trust me. Freddy Krueger is not real."

Even though I knew Freddy Krueger wasn't real, I still couldn't sleep. It was five in the morning, and my eyes were still wide open. The boys were fast asleep now. It was only me up.

"Love, you should be sleeping," Niall yawns.

"I'm not tired," I answer, eyes glued to the television, watching the Notebook.

"Yes you are. You look like hell," he simply says.

To my surprise, he just sits next to me. His beautiful blue eyes are lined with dark circles underneath. His blonde hair is in every direction. He looks exhausted.

"Go to sleep," I tell him.

"No." He looks at me. "You first."

"No."

He gets up and heads back into his room. I thought he went back to sleep, but he emerged with his bedspread dragging behind him, and his guitar in the other.

He wraps his blanket around me and begins playing his guitar. I recognize it as Remembering Sunday by All Time Low.

The gentle strum of his guitar makes me tired. I yawn and lay down, my laying down, curled up on the opposite side of the couch. He begins to hum the lyrics to the song, calming my tired body. He finishes the song, and I'm most asleep.

He begins to just strum randomly, until he decides on another song, Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.

By the time he started to play, I'm nearly asleep. My body is tired. I just want to sleep. I finally feel safe, but still a little apprehensive. But my apprehension is slowly fading away.

"Don't worry. Just go to sleep. I'm right here if you need me. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."