The Runner ➳ Narry (Book One)

Chapter Nine

I stared at Niall, studying his features again. Had he really meant that? I just met him yesterday, why is he suddenly so eager to know me? The minty smell of my tea and the questions flooding my mind kept me in a trance. 

I didn't reply, only looked down at my cup like I didn't want to talk to him. I do. I just don't want him to see me as some criminal after this.

"Why won't you let me get to know you?" Niall's voice snapped my head up. His eyes were soft now, sad even. I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came out.

 What was I supposed to tell him? Where do I even begin? I clenched my jaw closed again and rubbed a hand over my face in frustration. Why is it so hard to let him in?

I turned my head away from him to look out the window. The sky was partially cloudy, the sun only just peaking through. Dark clouds were rolling in, and I knew it was going to rain later. It always rains. It wasn't too cold outside, we never really got to freezing points here, but it wasn't exactly shorts weather. A jumper would keep you warm during the day, but a jacket for the nights was probably a good idea.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" I heard Niall say. I just simply nodded my head, getting up and slipping my coat on, not bothering to zip it up. It smelt like Niall, like mint. Or maybe it was just the tea.

Niall stood up too, not having a coat to put on but wearing a long sleeved shirt. I figured he'd be warm enough and started towards the door, him following. Once back outside, the sound of cars and horns filled my ears.

 I was used to it of course, but something about the piercing noises today made me wince. I turned my head to see Niall standing a few meters beside me on the sidewalk, gesturing with his head to walk with him. I took a deep breath before jogging slightly to catch up with him, and we walked.

We walked all the way down Berwick, the crowded little street with a few shops. We turned onto the next street, this one being even more crowded. I felt my heart speed up as Niall was forced to move a little closer to me to avoid getting shoved by all the people. His hand brushed mine, and my face flushed. 

Dammit. Stop fucking blushing.

The walk was silent so far, and I knew it was because I was acting awkward. After another few moments, Niall spoke up.  "Have you always lived in London?" I had to lean a bit closer to him as we walked, the nose of the street almost drowning his words.

I shook my head. "Grew up in Cheshire."

Niall only nodded, adding a little 'ah.' I asked him the same question, trying to weave through people so I could stay directly beside him.

"Born and raised in Mullingar. Me family still lives out there," his accent was hard to understand over the loud street, but I managed.

"Where's that?" I asked, trying to picture Ireland in my head but failing. I was never really good at geography.

"Little ways west of Dublin," his hand brushed mine again as he squeezed through people now, his turn to try and stay beside me.

"Why did you move out to London then?" I asked, my voice raising a little so he could hear me. He looked straight ahead as he walked, but his body was tilted more towards mine.

"Well, I had been everywhere in Ireland already, everything is the same. You wake up to the same surroundings, same people, same sounds," he turned his head and locked eyes with me for a moment before turning back to watch where he was going. "Just wanted a new adventure."

I smiled slightly, I loved when he talked. My eyes scanned the crowd on the sidewalk, somehow finding an interest in looking at different people. I watched dozens of colours float by on bodies, clothing bright and cheery even though it was cold outside.