The Cutout // Niall Horan f.f.

3: Company Aquired

School days seemed to last forever Bella's senior year. She sat in class watching the clock waiting for the short hand to reach three o'clock. After keeping a smile on her face all day, constantly hearing "Happy Birthday!" From people who barely speak to her, she was ready to get out of school. She wasn't necessarily ready to go home, but she was done with the unwanted attention that comes with your birthday.

The bell finally rang and she waited a few moments for the rush of people to leave the room before getting up to follow behind. Today is Friday, people are rushing to get their weekend plans started. Not Bella, she walked slowly, letting people ahead of her.

All of these people were looking forward to something, Going home to do something, anything. Bella knew that when she got home she would be alone for a few hours. She was used to that by now. Her mother worked crazy hours, not coming home until late into the night and leaving just a few hours later to open the restaurant in the morning.

Cat was going to be at practice until 6:30, then she usually goes home and rests after a long practice. She is the volleyball team captain at school and a really good one at that.

By the time Bella reaches her Jeep, most of the cars in the lot are filing out.

The jeep pulled into the empty driveway and Bella climbed out moments later. Once in her room, she sat down on her bed. It was very quiet here in the empty houses, contrary to the busy halls of the school she just left.

Although the unwanted attention from her classmates made her a little uncomfortable, it was nice to have interactions with someone other than Cat or her mother for once. Bella didn't actually have anyone else, so when both of them were busy, she was alone.

She got up to start doing some homework, but was startled by the man in the corner.

Niall Horan, well the cardboard version of him, was standing in the far corner next to her closet. She laughed at herself breathily. "I wish you were real," she softly said under her voice, "It would be nice to have someone else to talk to about life."

She then remembered a chat room site that Catherine used last year. "Maybe I could make a friend or at least pass a little time while I wait for Cat to get out of practice." Bella thought.

She pulled out her laptop and opened the site. A few chat rooms where opened that had a few people in chatting. All of the ones on the front page were either full or had a lot of people already deep into conversations. Bella then clicked the create button. 'I Need Company' read the top line of the two person chatroom.

After a few seconds of no one joining, she decided to try and get some homework done. Half way through her math assignment, a sound came from her laptop. Someone had joined the conversation.

James: I need company too

Izzy: It sucks being lonely doesn't it.

James: It feels like everyone around me doesn't understand that. Like they mean well, but I guess they just haven't had the same problems.

Izzy: I know the feeling. There are just certain things you need to talk to someone else about. I'm just feeling a bit lonely on what is supposed to be a fun, good day.

James: oh what is today?

Izzy: it's my 18th birthday. My mom has to work late today and my best friend has practice until later. What about you? What enticed you to the chat rooms?

James: Happy Birthday. I had a bit of a conflicted day today. Been a little down lately, today I realized it was because I was feeling lonely. I have a few close friends, but I really only see them at work. So at home it's just me and it's a little empty.  My family is in another country and it's hard for me to go out and make friends.