Turning Pages (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Danielle’s POV:

“This isn’t working.” I huffed while standing in front of the bathroom mirror. I pulled the loose cloth tighter around my small chest. This dress didn’t look like it was just showing a bit of cleavage; it appeared that the garment was taking a deep plunge. The end of the cut stopped down the middle of my stomach. “Damn my chest. Give me yours!” I shouted to Cat who was trying to find something better for me to wear.

“Nah,” She brought a short red dress and held it up to me. “I like my chest.” She shrugged her shoulders like it was a no-brainer. “Here.” She began to unzip the green dress I already had on. “I found this in the back of my closet. I think I bought this when I was fifteen. It should fit you.” I slipped off the green dress and she helped me into the red one. I heard the zipper make its way up my back. “Like a glove.” She smiled at herself in the mirror. I was glad she had something small enough for me to wear.

She brushed through her hair and then applied some dark eye shadow and mascara to her almond shaped eyes. I quickly pulled some flat sandals onto my feet and brushed my teeth while Catherine brushed my hair speedily. I heard a car pull up outside and I knew Niall would want to be out of here in minutes. I loud knock tapped against the door upstairs. Cat hollered at Niall telling him that it was open.

“Ya girls almost ready?” I knew it was him by the sound of his footsteps. He had a certain way of walking.

“You can never rush a lady.” Cat teased Niall as she slipped her black heels on and readjusted her hair in front of the mirror.

“No heels?” Niall planted a sweet kiss on my cheek.

“Her feet are larger than mine. These were the shoes that I came back in from Ireland.” I didn’t want to disappoint him. I guess it’s not exactly my fault that I was so short.

“No big deal.” He shrugged his shoulders and placed his hands in his pockets. I saw he was only wearing dark jeans and a dark blue v-neck. Nothing fancy there.

“I see that you dressed up for the occasion.” I teased him while I poked a pair of Cats earrings into my earlobes.

“You two smell nice.” Was all he said in return. I scooted past his tall frame blocking the doorway and walked next to Cat’s bed to grab my purse.

“Oh, I almost forgot.”  He raced up the stairs two at a time and came back with a large duffel bag. “For you.” He placed the heavy offering into my tiny hands. I rummaged through the sack and found pairs of sweatpants and white t-shirts. “My gift as promised.” He winked at me. I didn’t want to accept it but I did anyway.

I set it on top of the tiny bed that Cat had made for me only a week before. His large hand made it to the back of my dress and rested on the small of my back. He pulled me close to him and rubbed his thumb along my jawbone.

“Get a room!” I jumped at Dalton’s voice. He looked nice. Niall placed his hands back at his sides and turned towards Dalton.

“Nice to meet ya. I’m Niall.” He held his hand out for Dalton to shake. Instead, Dalton just nodded and gave out his name. Niall shuffled his hands back into his pockets.

“Let’s go.” Cat hurried out of the bathroom.

“Took you long enough.” Dalton wasn’t teasing her. His voice was rough. I wished he hadn’t been invited. I guessed it was partly my fault for asking Cat to get a date.

-

“And then after all of the fittings, Harry still didn’t buy the suit!” Louis finished off his story and my stomach ached from laughter. He downed the last bit of his drink and flagged the waitress for more rounds.

Our ride to the restaurant had been alright. Everyone was cheery except for Dalton. But after he had ordered a few beers, he appeared to have lightened up. We all sat in a large reserved room around a huge table. The food was elegant and amazing. The wine was perfect. I wondered how much all of it would cost. Liam and Zayn came by themselves; or at least no beautiful girls were attached to their sides. Both of them were very nice. Every single one of Niall’s friends knew how to keep up good conversation. Louis was sitting next to a girl by the name of… Eleanor? Elizabeth? I was very good with names but hers was the only one that didn’t seem to stick. His arm was draped around the back of her chair. Harry sat at the opposite end of the reserved room at giggled with a girl. He stole frequent kisses from her lips and whispered into her ear. I wondered what he said that made her giggle. Cat sat to my right and was trying her very best to enjoy herself. I could tell by the look on her face that she felt very out of place. I thought that she easily fit in with the crowd. All of the loud conversation and laughter made me a little on edge, But Niall’s hand on my knee made me feel at ease.

Throughout the meal he stole off of my plate and sipped on the wine that I had ordered. He told me that he would stick to his beer. We all ordered dessert and stuck around for lingering conversation. I could feel the alcohol beginning to kick in. I could see it in everyone else. Niall’s hand felt hot and sticky on my knee. His accent seemed to thicken with each passing word that he spoke.

Zayn’s POV:

She sipped on her drink and checked the clock on the wall. I could tell that she felt uncomfortable. That raggedy bloke next to her whispered something in her ear and she rolled her eyes. She looked nothing like Perrie which made me want her even more. I wanted something new; something fresh… Not that she would want me back. For all I knew, she could belong nowhere in my future.  Her long hair rolled down her shoulders and chest in dark waves. Her black dress fit her perfectly. I glanced at her from across the table. She whispered something into her friend’s ear and stood to her feet. I didn’t want her to leave. It wasn’t the conversation or the food that made this night better than the rest. It had been her.