One Thing - One Direction fanfic

Chapter 2

He turned around and looked at us. He looked at Caroline then at me. I could only see that because he moved his head doing so. He had sunglasses back on and hood over his head. Sunglasses and a hood on a clouded day? He clearly didn't want to get recognized. I sensed Caroline thought the same because her smile was a little less big then before, but she was still quite thrilled.

"Hi, uhm, we, uh, saw you in there and, uhm, wondered if you wanted to give us your autograph?" She slowed down and her voice went quite high at the end, so I was guessing her insecurity was kicking in. I felt the same. Standing in front of such an amazing person, a once in a lifetime experience, I couldn't bring out a word. I feared I might stutter or say something stupid. I just hoped that Caroline could control herself a little, so I wouldn't have to step in.

"Sure, got something to write?"

Caroline, who had been preparing this moment for ages, handed out the permanent marker and the two cd's she had in her bag. I felt my heartbeat increasing and felt stupid for not saying anything. I really wanted to. What if I never got a chance like this again? What if this was my only time I would ever see him? I gathered what was left of my courage and looked as he took of his glasses and wrote his signature. He was just about to autograph my cd, as his sunglasses fell. More out of habit then thinking, I picked them up, realizing when I held them that those weren't mine. Now I had to talk to him. I hoped it would be more than a 'no problem' but in that moment, my mind went blank. The moment when I needed my senses the most, I lost them. I handed him his glasses, he looked at me.

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"Brontë. No problem."

I was happy that my English was still intact, because that smile he just gave me, gave me brain damage. I could see from the corner of my eyes that Caroline was trying to hide a smile, so I was guessing I looked like a tomato. Realizing that, I broke eye contact. When I faced him again, he was smiling even more.

"So, where are you girls from?"

"Belgium."

"Both of you?"

He didn't look at Caroline when asking the question.

"Yeah..."

"But your accents sound so... different?"

"Well, that's because she somehow learned to speak English all by herself," I admired that about her, "and I learned it because I went to an American school for a couple of years."

"Why did you go to an American school?"

Here we go again. "My family and I moved from Belgium to India when I was about three. I went to an English school until we moved back to Belgium when I was six. When I was nine, we moved to United Arab Emirates where I attended an American school for four years. After that, we moved back to Belgium."

"Wow, that's quite a lot of traveling!"

I smiled and nodded. I had told that story so many times that I started to get tired of telling it. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate it or that I wasn't proud to say it. It had just been the hundredths time I told the exact same story. In that particular moment in front of Niall, I felt like I could tell him a hundred times more. His eyes were captivating. I was so occupied with staring, that I didn't notice he had asked me a question.

"Well, did you?"

I frowned a little.

"Did I what?"

"Like traveling?"

He smiled. I guess it amused him that I was completely stunned by him. I was about to lose it again, but I got myself together and hoped that I wouldn't blow it this time.

"Well, it's hard leaving friends behind," he nodded, "but I did get to see a lot of beautiful places."

"I agree. That's how I feel about it too."

He smiled again. When he looked away, he looked at his watch.

"Crap," he muttered.

"Listen, I have to go. My friends are waiting for me, we're going to rehearse."

I had to say, I wasn't happy with it. I was finely having the most impossible conversation of my live, and he had to go to practice for their new album. I should be happy though. I talked to a guy. No, not even a guy, the guy. Niall Horan. With that, I smiled and my heart skipped a beat. I felt pumped. He looked at the cd's and saw he still had to sign mine.

"You know what? Why don't you guys come over? I'm sure my friends wouldn't mind, and you would be able to get their autographs too. What do you say?"

I could barely control my emotions. Breathe, I commanded myself, don't be such an idiot.

"Sure! When?"

"Well, not today because we're having rehearsals, but how about tomorrow? Are you free then?"

We had nothing planned the whole vacation apart from relaxing, shopping, and visiting at some nice places.

"Sure, what time?"

"And where?", Caroline chipped in.

I hadn't noticed it until then, but Caroline had kept quiet during Niall and mine's conversation.

"Wait."

I swapped some confused glances with Caroline as he took out his cellphone and looked at me again.

"What's your number?"

I had a total blackout. I stared there, being numb and looking like a crazy person.

"Hold on. Ah, here it is."

I looked at my right and saw Caroline holding her phone and reading my number. Niall looked confused.

"I have her number. Do you want it?"

She smiled. I was glad she was there to save me from the awkwardness that no doubt would have followed my blank mind.

"Yes, please. So, what was it?"

Caroline read the number and Niall smiled while he pressed 'save'. He gave Caroline back the cd's and the marker.

"I think you can come by around 2 pm. I'll text you the address so you won't lose it, but you must promise me not to share it with anyone."

"I promise."

It was all I could say, though I added a smile. He smiled back.

"See you girls tomorrow then?"

"Okay."

"Bye!"

He turned around and jogged away.

"Bye!"

Caroline looked at me. When our eyes met, I couldn't hold myself any longer. I let out a little squeak as Caroline hugged me tight. She let go only to hug me again.

"Oh my god!"

She was with her eyes wide open, not being able to speak, as was I. We made some weird noises and were extremely happy. Since it was only 1 pm, we decided that we suddenly needed some new outfits, so we went out shopping. We shopped until Caroline felt hungry again, so we ate dinner a pub. Around 9 pm, we were back in our hostel. We decided what exactly we were going to wear tomorrow, sang along to One Direction, laughed and went on Tumblr. It was loads of fun. We watched a movie before going to bed. I couldn't fall asleep. My heart was beating way too fast to close my eyes. I heard Caroline breathing deeply. She didn't seem to have any trouble at all to sleep, but I was just too nervous. I thought I would probably need a clear head, so I tried very hard to fall asleep. The last thing I remembered was smiling at the thought of seeing Niall tomorrow.