Prince Charming

Little Things

♡Niall's POV♡

Anri's cheeks were bright pink, tear streams were stained down them, and she was completely pale, like she had seen a ghost. But she was absolutely beautiful. Her honey blonde hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and had become loose during the events of the evening. Her name was Anriette Cecilia Macy, the most perfect name I've ever heard. Her necklace rose and fell over my T-Shirt as she slept, and her head slightly jolted when there was a speed bump. Her left hand was placed in her lap, and her other was wrapped around my bicep, her head on my shoulder. There were mascara run marks all around her eyes, and her eyeshadow was uneven from rubbing her beautiful light brown eyes. And she had stained my shirt with her tears. But she was absolutely flawless, and absolutely safe... or so I thought...

"She's more than your friend, isn't she mate?" Liam asked, his arms wrapped around the headrest as he turned around to talk to me.

"What?" I shook my head to try and focus. She had me in a complete trance; I didn't hear anything Liam had said to me.

"Today you said 'I'm going to help my friend.' But she's more than a friend to you, isn't she?"

I stroked her hair, examining every strand and wave. I had never seen anything so perfect.

A smile crossed my face before I sang from our song, "she laid down in my arms and rescued me."

Liam smiled, and turned around again. Louis gave me a pat on the back, while Harry looked away out the window. All of the day's events circled through my mind: She had run out after fighting with someone, and everyone chased after her... except Harry. Harry! He was the reason she had almost been kidnapped, or hurt, or... killed. My fists clenched at the thought, and she whimpered at my movement, causing me to calm down from any anger I was in.

We parked the van, and I scooped Anriette over into my lap before carrying her inside bridal style. I took her up to my room, and gently laid her down on my bed, holding her hand in mine. 

"Wow. I've known you half a day and you've already changed me completely," I whispered, circling my thumb over her hand. "And I've already almost killed you twice," I laughed a little, then stopped myself. She really could have been hurt today. "I'll have to repay you. I'll get you some new clothes, unless you like my underwear and Louis Tomlinson's pants," I laughed quietly. Even if she was asleep, it was the first time in my life I haven't felt alone since I met my best mates. I like talking to her, even if she doesn't say much back. I feel like when she's awake, I could tell her everything. If only she liked me back... I wiped a small tear away as I bent down and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Princess," I slowly got up and released my hand from hers, laying it gently across her chest. I closed the door slightly and headed down the hall to sleep on the couch.

---

It was around 4:00 am when I woke up to the heart-breaking sound of Anriette screaming. The boys' rooms were further down the hall and their doors were shut, so they didn't hear her. 

"NIALL!!" she screamed, as I heard fear and a gasp in her voice. I quickly ran down the hall in my pajama bottoms, and went into my room. She was in a ball against the headboard, rocking back and forth and shaking, terrified. "Ni--Niall!" she gasped, reaching for me. I hugged her tightly.

"Sshhh... it's okay, Anri," I said in a raspy voice. Her forehead was covered in sweat, and her eyes were filled to the brim with tears, but she refused to cry. "What's wrong?"

"I had a nightmare... at least... at least I think that's what it was? Niall, it felt so real!" She cried, hugging me tighter. I moved the hair out of her face and rocked her back and forth, trying to calm her. "There was this guy, and he was hurting me and touching me," Anri shudders. "I wonder why I'm having nightmares, I haven't had one since I was a little kid," she whispered, embarrassed. She must not remember anything from yesterday? Is that even possible? I think I've read somewhere that when really scary things like that happen, people forget as a way to protect themselves.

 "I don't know. But I do know that nobody is going to hurt you. Nobody's going to touch you... um... except for me, if that's okay," I laughed, referring to the way I was just hugging her and how my hands were placed now. "Nobody is going to do anything to you. You're safe here. I'll always be here, whenever you need me, even if it's at four in the morning." 

I earned a laugh from her, and I smiled. She took my hands off of her shoulders and she hugged me again, wrapping my arms around her.

"Thank you, Niall," she sniffled.

"Of course, Princess," I got up from the bed and she got back under the covers, snuggling herself all the way up to her head. I reached for the door handle, but she stopped me.

"Ni-- Niall?" she asked, and I turned around.

"Yes?"

"Will... will you, um... stay with me? Until I fall asleep of course," she bit her lip and looked down, blushing hard. Goddammit, she's too cute. Even at four in the morning.

"Of course! And if you want to call me Ni, that's okay, too," I smiled.

Anri lifted the covers just enough for me to scoot in next to her, and wrap my arm around her. She yawned and scooted in closer to me.

"Will you sing to me?" she whispered shyly. I nodded my head and began to softly sing 'Little Things' to her. I probably sounded like I was completely and totally drunk or tone deaf singing at four in the morning, but she didn't seem to think so as she rested her head on my chest. I felt her tear roll down my muscles, as she smiled and fell asleep. I struggled, but finished the song for her, even though she couldn't hear me.

"Sleep tight, darling," I kissed her nose before almost instantly falling asleep with her in my arms. I was the luckiest guy in the world right now... and nobody, not even Harry Styles, is going to change that.