Facetime

Chapter 41

When Niall finally pulled away, my eyes fluttered back open to be met with his beautiful blue ones. He had a tiny smile on his face and leaned in to kiss me again. My eyes widened in realization and I moved my head at the last minute so his lips touched my cheek instead.

He pulled back quickly, embarrassed and shocked by my action. I quickly shot up, walking back into the bedroom. I pulled my shoes on and grabbed my clothes off the dresser, walking towards the door. Niall's voice halted my actions.

"Tessa?"

I didn't look back; I just continued my previous actions and reached the door, pulling it open. Before I could shut it, Niall was at the door, prying it back open. He stepped out into the hallway with me, obviously confused.

"Where are you going?"

I shrugged.

"Home."

"Are you sure? I don't feel comfortable with you walking around outside after what happened last night."

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Yes, I have to see Charlie and I have to work today."

He nodded and hurried back into his room. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and made my way to the elevator. I pushed the down button and tapped my foot impatiently while I waited for it to get to the floor I was currently on.

What was I thinking coming here? I broke down in front of Niall multiple times and I talked. I actually talked for the first time in a year. I don't know what this boy was doing to me but I knew it needed to stop. Why should I let him back in? Just so he can break my heart again and ruin my life even more than it already is?

The elevator finally reached Niall's floor and it dinged, opening its doors. I hurried in, eager to get out of this treacherous place. Okay, bit of an exaggeration, this place was actually beautiful.

I pressed the lobby floor and the elevator doors closed. I waited for them to fully shut and for my claustrophobia to set in. However, it never did. I peeked my eyes open to find the doors still open due to someone jumping in at the last moment. And you would never guess who it was, Niall James Horan. I opened my eyes fully and rolled them.

"Can I help you?"

"You didn't think I would let you walk home, right?"

"I knew you wouldn't but I was hoping I could get out before you came back."

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes.

"I mean, you're not even a bit scared of being out on the streets alone after last night?"

Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. Smoke filled my lungs and I felt dirty, feeling hands touching me all over. I didn't realize my eyes were screwed shut and I was having a flashback until Niall's gentle voice brought me back into the current time zone.

"Tess, you okay?"

I bit down on my lip, nodding my head quickly. He sighed and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers and walking out of the elevator into the lobby.

"I wish you would stop lying to me already..."

I sighed and removed my hand from him. I didn't even have to see his face to know he was offended by this. He opened the door to leave the hotel for me and I muttered a quick and quiet thank you before scurrying over to the car, not wanting to be seen with Niall.

I opened the door and hopped inside, closing it behind me. It was quickly reopened by Niall who gave me a look. I sighed and scooted over, giving him more than enough room to sit down. I guess he didn't get the hint by the incredibly large gap I had made and sat down right next to me, wrapping his arm around me.

"Where do you live?"

Instead of answering him, I leaned over and told the driver, earning an eye roll from Niall.

"Was that necessary?"

I didn't say anything; I just looked out the window. Niall finally got the hint and removed his arm from around me, moving away a bit, but he was still too close for my liking. Him sitting anywhere in this car would be too close for my liking though so I guess he didn't have a choice.

We pulled up to my apartment and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Niall looked up at it, and then returned his gaze to me. My cheeks flamed up and I moved quickly, opening the car door and walking up to the building.

Compared to Niall's flat, this looked like trash. I was ashamed, but I guess if I were Niall I would be more ashamed because he's the reason I'm even living here in the first place.

Right as I was going to slip through the door, an arm grabbed my wrist, gently pulling me back. I tensed at first, thinking it was the guy from last night but when I turned around all I saw was Niall.

"Will you call me later, so I know you're okay?"

I shook my head and he removed his arm, taking a step back.

"Oh..."

He went to walk away when I called back for him. He didn't turn his body to face me, he just turned his head. The look on his face killed me.

"I don't have a phone."

His face lit up a bit and he smirked.

"I guess I'll be seeing you quite often then, huh?"

I looked at him, utterly confused.

"Well, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night not knowing if you got to and from work safely and since you won't be able to calm my nerves if you don't have a phone, I guess I'll just have to be your chauffeur. See you later Tess."

He shot me one last smile before climbing back in the car and driving off.