It's Gotta Be You (One Direction Mini Fic)

And I saw HIM Standing There

        An enchanting laugh passed through Liam’s lips. He bent down at the same time Brooke did to reach for the Nutella. As their hands brushed one another, I could see Brooke’s cheeks glow red. Liam straightened up, Nutella at hand, and smiled. “I’m Liam,” he introduced himself as he handed the jar back to Brooke. “And what might you beautiful ladies be called?”

            Brooke opened and closed her mouth several times awkwardly, failing to find words. I decided to take this moment to introduce myself. “I’m Bridget,” I glanced towards the still silent Brooke. “That’s Brooke. Give her a minute and she’ll talk your ear off.”

            Liam laughed. Niall spoke then. “I’m Niall, but I’m assuming at least she already knew that,” he joked, nodding towards Brooke.

            “So we were wondering, are you free later? It’s just Niall and me tonight. We managed to sneak out, but the rest of the boys are stuck setting up for the show tomorrow,” Liam explained. “We have gourmet frozen dinners and a movie in the offer,” he winked flirtatiously at Brooke.

            “I’m fine with that,” Brooke squeaked finally. Niall grinned widely in response.

            A feeling of nervousness formed in the pit of my stomach. My mom would murder me if I went out with a boy band. “My mom probably wouldn’t let me,” I managed. Niall’s smiled vanished and Brooke’s disappointment was plain on her face. “You go, I’ll cover for you. I’ll just hang out with Chase, I don’t mind.” I tried my best to sound convincing.

            Before Brooke could reply, Niall cut in. “Are you sure? It’d be sick if you came.” His tone was almost pleading.

            I shook my head apologetically. “It’s fine. Next time,” I turned to Brooke. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I winked.

            I stalked off in the opposite direction before anyone could protest. Moments after I had reached the automatic sliding doors that led out to the cold, Canadian winter, I felt a vibration on my leg. I dug my cell phone out of my pocket and scanned the message on the screen. It was from Brooke.

            WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!

            I hesitated before typing my reply. Too nervous. I made plans with Josh anyway, it’s fine. I lied.

            I sighed. The real reason was fear. I don’t know why, but I was afraid to get close to a boy, let alone a famous one. At least Brooke will have a good time. I inhaled a deep breath of crisp air and let it out, resulting in a cloud of mist. An image of the familiar boy showed in my mind’s eye as I pulled my sleeves tighter to my body and shuffled home, deep in thought.

***

            The moment I set foot in my house, I rushed to my bedroom, my sanctuary. In what seemed like seconds, I had already sprawled across my mattress, writing vigorously in my notebook. Each time the image of the familiar boy re-entered my head, a new idea was born.

            A faint buzzing sounded from my pocket as I drew out my phone. A new message flashed across the screen, but it wasn’t from Brooke as I had expected.

            Hey darling its Niall. You can still change your mind you know, it read.

            I thought about what to write for a moment. After my contemplation, I began to type. It’s okay, I’m fine here. Next time though, I promise xx. I hit send, trying to push the anxiety away, but to no avail. Moments later a new message showed on the screen.