Taciturn (Niall Horan)

CHAPTER 19 - Great Pretenders

Geez, I suck. I've been busy the whole holiday. Sorry.

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Nona's POV

I wanted to kill Luke right now for keeping me to stay here and pretending that we're dating. I mean, we're putting up a fake act here in front of Niall and his best friend -and supposed to be also my friend- Gail. Like I don't get the point at all why we have to pretend. All I know is I'm secretly sending daggers at Gail with the way I look. I thought Niall liked me; he told me twice. Well, if you'd count on when he barged in the hotel room; drank. Then what's this? I mean, I know we had this misunderstanding that he maybe thought that I rejected him. How come he could move on so fast and have his own best friend as the replacement? This is so ridiculous; what I'm feeling right now is really ridiculous. I'm reacting as if there is something between us. Yes, we got the mutual feelings but I'm not in the position to be all jealous because he can date any girl he wants and that includes his best friend. I just feel bad for Gail because she's like Niall's rebound for the feelings that supposed to be towards me.

"Nona, are you alright?"

Luke's voice drew me out of my trance. There's this lump in my throat but I made it to choke out a 'Yeah'.

"You're barely touching your food. Are you sure you're fine?" Niall asked this time and I wanted to scowl at his face.

Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just jealous because you have Gail as your girlfriend instead of me. And thanks for ruining and confusing my feelings when you told me you fancy- fancied me.

"Yes, I'm sure." I fake a smile. "I just don't feel like eating."

"You're not sick, are you?" and worry is written all over his face.

Why should he be worried? Does he feel the guilt for confusing my feelings for him?

"Negative." I keep the fake smile plastered on my face. This is not so me.

"Niall told me earlier that you're going to have lunch later to talk." Gail brought up. "Since we're having breakfast now, why not do conversation right away."

Niall and I have the same reaction, "Oh".

"Uhm."

"What."

"Should Gail and I leave for you to carry out on the conversation?"

Luke's suggestion made Gail to second the motion. But before he could even stand up, I pull his wrist.

"Stay." I told him. I cut him off when he's about to protest, "Please."

I lean forward and lay my head on his shoulder and look at him. I may look like flirting in front of Niall but I don't care. With Niall's glare at Luke, I think it worth a shot because its priceless. Two can play at this game, Horan.

"If Luke's staying then I should stay as well." Gail spoke.

Okay, I'm sitting here in front of them and I say, this is the most awkward sit I ever have in my life. The tension is at its thickest stage.

"Ahm.. What are we talking about?" I asked the question directly to Niall.

"Well..."

All of us are waiting for him to speak.

"This." he finally talked.

I frown with a confused look.

As if he has read me, he spoke once more.

"I mean, us; Gail and I. I- I want to tell you that we're together. Yeah, that's it."

I tried to hold on to my emotions. I can't just break down in front of him. He has seen me cry many times before but I'm not letting the tears to come out this time. Not this time when he caused this big hole in my chest I could feel right now. I need to be strong. I need to show him that I'm not affected at all when I know it's a big lie.