Tracks (A One Direction Fan Fiction)

Chapter Eight

I exited the McDonalds a few minutes after the guys, having run into a girl from my Chemistry class who asked me about our homework. I couldn’t tell if it was actually the weather or my mood, but as I started walking down the now busy walkway right outside of campus where all the shops were, the day seemed significantly brighter. I was even kind of excited to find a job. I had seen a few help wanted signs the few times I actually came out and decided to apply anywhere I could. As I was walked, I decided some music would be great. But as I began to untangle my head phones, I kind of tripped over a crack in the concrete and fell into this girl on a skateboard, making the coffee she had in her hand spill all over the front of her shirt and her fall to the ground. She was taller than me, but not like overly tall for a girl. She had dark hair that hung in natural big waves, accented with a loose beanie. She wore a white print t shirt and an oversized sweater, skinny jeans, and black sneakers with more bracelets than I could count.

“What the fuck man?!” She looked up at me and I swear she looked high as a kite. “You need to watch where you’re going. Jesus I loved this shirt.”

“I’m so sorry! I was trying to untangle my headphones and there was a crack…” I tried to extend my hand and help her up but she just ignored it, standing while trying to dust herself off.

“Whatever bitch. I don’t need you fake apology.” And with that she got on her board and started to skate away while mumbling something about ruining her high.

“Jesus, people need to calm the fuck down.” I spoke out loud more to myself than anyone. I just kept walking but noticed right down the street from the incident, there was a skate shop with a help wanted sign in the front.

“Well if it isn’t my lucky day.” I was a skater myself and had even worked at the skate shop back in England. I liked staying preoccupied and liked the whole vibe. When I walked in, the bell on the handle of the door rang. There wasn’t a person in site. I looked around and saw piles of boards and a box of unloaded wheels in the middle of the store. On the sides there were more boards set up on shelves and displays. There were endless posters around the whole shop along with random displays of wheels and trucks. In the back there was a small selection of shirts, shoes, and back packs. And in the glass counter was the man display of wheels along with a magazine rack on top. It was pretty cool but small. It seemed like one of those places that you needed to open a window cause the artificial light made it seem dark and stuffy.

I walked up to the counter but didn’t see anyone. There was this cheesy 70’s bead curtain thing that looked like it led to the back of the store. Someone had to be here.

“Hello??” I slammed my hand lightly on the counter to get someone’s attention. “Anyone home? I’m here about the job opening?”

I heard some footsteps and what sounded like something had dropped. Suddenly a guy with spiked blonde hair, arms full of tattoos, and an eyebrow piercing came through the curtain, holding a stack of papers and a pen.

He set them on the counter in front of me and didn’t even look at me twice. “Fill these out.”

He disappeared into the back and I couldn’t help but being a little irritated. Even heard of fucking customer service?

I filled out every form he had handed me in less than 10 minutes. I waited a few minutes and realized he wasn’t coming out until I said something.

“Look man I’m done.” No answer. “You know what, fuck it.” I turned to walk out when I heard the beads.

“You’re done already? And you didn’t forget anything?” He looked over the forms and finally looked up at me, his eyes almost bulging out of his sockets. “Dude your hair is rad. You’re definitely hired.”

“What? You’re gonna hire me because of my hair?” I wasn’t offended, but almost thought this was a joke.

“I mean, nah. The hair is a plus. But we’ve been look to hire someone for weeks. You’re the only one to apply so you get the job.”

I shifted awkwardly. “Well okay. When do you want me to start?”

“Oh that’s up to the big guy. But since I know you’ll get the job, I might as well show you around. My names Niall by the way. I go to LAC, Las Vegas College.”  He extended his hand to me, and I took it thinking he would shake it, but instead he lifted it up to his lips and kissed it. “And your name is?”

“Oh um..” I hadn’t really noticed how cute he was until now. Focus Ali, he’s not that hot. “My names Ali. I’m a freshman at UNLV.” I looked up when he let go of my hand and noticed he had striking blue eyes. Okay, maybe he is that hot.

“Cool. Well I’m sure you’ve seen the actual store, it’s a pretty easy and basic set up. Here I’ll show you the back.” He pointed to the curtain and a lump formed in my throat. Please let someone else be here, or so help me God… “You going?” He gave me a weird look and I just looked down and started walking towards the beads. As I stepped through, he rest his hand on my lower back right above my ass, leading me through the doorway. Keep it together Ali.

“Okay well this is the back,” He pointed towards the back right corner, “that’s the kind of employee hang out spot.” It included a small table with three chairs, and microwave on top of a mini fridge, and a small tv hanging on the wall facing the table. “And that’s the storage, merch, kind of area.” This area included stacks of what looked like displays and shelves. There were also loads of boxes and things wrapped in plastic. I had just noticed though that the whole time, Niall hadn’t removed his hand. And I kinda hoped he wouldn’t.

“Well alright. Seems easy enough.” I didn’t really have much to say and I started walking back to the front, Niall following behind me. Somehow I felt his stare on my ass as I walked. I hadn’t had this much male attention in a long time. I loved it.

“Well when we get the officially okay of your employment, I’ll show you how to set up displays, use the register, stuff like that.” He gave me a small smile making him look sweet. “Um hey, I know its weird cause we don’t really know each other, but do you want to go to this party tonight? So we can get to know each other better of course. Its right outside of the campus, so you can walk and whatever.” He looked nervous and was rambling, which was adorable. I couldn’t help but compare him to Harry. They were exact opposites. Harry showed this good boy image, but had a dark side. While Niall showed this punk rock, smooth image, he seemed to have a sweet side.

“I’d love to. I don’t have a lot of friends yet so it would be nice to get out. You wouldn’t believe the shit I’ve had to put up with the last week.” I gave him a warm smile and was genuinely excited to be asked to go out. Even if it wasn’t a “date” it was still nice. “Plus I need a stiff drink.” I tried to lighten the mood and his nervousness. He seemed to relax and even cracked a wide smile.

“Then I’m your man. You’ll have fun. It’s a lot of cool ass people and I’ll help you make friends.” He nudged my arm and I laughed. It felt good to laugh. “Well I get off at 8 and then I’m gonna go home and change. I’ll meet you back here at 10?”

“Sounds good. Here give me your number just in case.” His smile widened further as he pulled a pen out of his back pocket and wrote his number on my palm.

“I’ll see you tonight Ali.” He gave me another shy smile as I walked out onto the street, thinking about how maybe this wouldn’t be all bad after all.

Sorry I've been gone! School has been crazy but trust me, I'm back at it and shit will get crazier than ever with Ali! Thanks guys :) xx