Stand Up

chapter 6

A/N There are links in the comments for Noemi's and My outfits...the first is hers and the second is mine :D 

Amanda's POV

Niall and I sat across from Noemi and Zayn, observing them as they interacted. It had to be one of the cutest things I'd ever seen, besides Niall when he was sleeping. He would glance sideways at her, and then quickly look away, and she would do the same, blushing and moving her hair behind her ear. He'd reach for her hand, stop and then clench his fist on his thigh. She'd lean closer to him and then move away, like she didn't want to invade his personal space...even though I was pretty sure he wouldn't mind. 

When I'd first met Noemi, she'd been a little shy...and then I got to know her. So I was a little confused watching her with Zayn. I mean, she was like me--outgoing, fun-loving, and stubborn. This was just weird. 

Something warm touched my hand, and I looked down, startled. Niall had placed his hand on mine, right over top. I smiled, glancing at him. He was gazing innocently out the window, chin on his fist. I turned my hand under his so that our palms were together, and laced my fingers through his. He squeezed my fingers, bringing our joined hands over to rest on his thigh. There was this warm feeling in my chest, a happy glow. I felt like a little kid. He turned his head to look at me, a crooked grin lighting up his face. I chuckled, and then turned to see if Zayn and Noemi had made any progress. Zayn now had his arm over the back of her chair, trying to look like he was just relaxing. Noemi had scooted closer, but was still sitting rigidly.

"Allora Noè, ci sono alcune cose che faremo stasera...dimmi se non le vuoi fare: mangeremo la pizza con loro, e dopo andremo al loro concerto, visto che ho i biglietti. Mia madre li ha comprati tanto tempo fa, però non credevo che li usavo perchè non volevo andare con nessuno. Ora che ci sei, vado con te. Credo che dormiamo a casa mia, ma siccome il concerto finisce tardi, forse dobbiamo stare in un hotel. Va bene?" So Noe', we have some things to do tonight...tell me if you don't want to: we are going to eat pizza with them, and after that I have some tickets for the concert. My mom bought them for me a long time ago, but because I didn't want to go with anyone I didn't think I'd use them. But now that you're here, I'll go with you. I believe we'll sleep at my house, but since the concert ends late we may have to stay in a hotel. Okay? 

 She nodded, and then looked at Zayn. Niall was distracting me, having flipped our hands over and rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand. I leaned against him, smiling at Noemi. I had to admit, I was smiling more than ever now that I was with them, even after the fiasco with Harry.

My grin turned into a frown thinking about it. 

What was I going to do about Harry? And beyond that, what had he been thinking?! I couldn't be with him...I'm with Niall...I think. He hasn't really said anything about being seriously involved.

"Ah...Amanda, I wanted to ask you something. Actually, two somethings." Niall interrupted my troubled thoughts.

I nodded for him to go on.

"I was wondering...if you wanted to go with us to the concert tonight. You'd have backstage passes, and front-row seats, and--"

I laughed.

"Actually, we were going to go anyway. I've got tickets...you just won't be able to see us right away. We'll make signs so--"

Zayn cut in, arguing.

"No, no! We need you where we can see you. So we can sing to you and stuff."

I could feel my skin heating up, knew it was turning a bright red to match my shirt. If ever there was something I hated about my skin, that was it--embarrassment, anger, passion, etc, etc. was visible on my face. It was annoying.