More Than This (A Niall Horan Fan Fiction)

Chapter 3

Niall's POV

We arrive at Alliyah's house around 7:30 pm. We should be here at least before seven but Thalia and I decided to have a dinner at her house first. The lawn of Alliyah's house is neither big or small, and it's empty but there's a blast inside the house. Clearly, the party is inside. But honestly, this is the very first party Thalia and I went to.

Thalia told me to find the birthday celebrator so we head inside the house. Maybe a minute after seeing some familiar faces, we finally saw her. She's wearing a little black dress and she looks freaking amazing in it.

"Hi." Alliyah greets me then Thalia. She looks so pretty standing against the door frame. I can't help myself eyeing her from head to toe and I catch her smiling at me.

"Happy birthday!" My best friend greets her. Shit! I almost forgot it's her birthday. I mean, I'm just lost by her beauty tonight. I can't help it, okay?

"Happy birthday, Alliyah." I smile at her and I swear to God she's blushing. Niall, keep it cool. She then thanked the both of us.

"Why don't we get inside, right?" She snaps, practically laughing.

* * * * *

Earlier around 10 pm, just a few of Alliyah's visitors started to leave but the party is still going strong. With your friends around you and you all are having fun, surely the party will stay strong. And since earlier, Thalia and I never left each other sides. Of course.

We're in the living room right now with a few friends and the birthday girl. I'm actually sitting on the carpeted floor, legs crossed, whilst I'm leaning in between the legs of Thalia who is seated on a couch. I reach out for a bottle of root beer which I offered first to Thalia but she shook her head so it's all mine now.

"Who's up for a game?" Alliyah questions, holding a bowl full of rolled papers. Of course everyone said yes including Thalia and I though we really don't know what game is it.

"Do you know what's this?" I ask Thalia and she shakes her head while holding her laughter of embarrassment which I feel the same. I give her a Don't-Worry-I-Don't-Know-What-Game-Is-This-Too look.

"Let's start!" Someone announces.

* * * * *

"Thalia, your turn." Someone from the group say.

Before the game started, we were told to form a circle. As soon as we all did, Alliyah discussed the mechanics of the game. Every piece of the rolled papers on the bowl contains questions, dares and consequences. All of us will have a chance to pick one and get lucky or not. Some of the dares and consequences were really funny, some were a bit disgusting yet still funny, and some were easy.

"Pass." Thalia jokes. I look at her from my seat and she seems enjoying ―like I do, too― this moment. By the way, we are not seated together. I don't know how I end up across her and beside Alliyah. Oh, right! Now, I know.

Thalia shoves a hand onto the bowl and carefully fish out a piece of paper. "If the house is burning right now and you only have given a minute to grab something or someone, what or who would it be and why?" She sighs after reading. She then starts biting her lower lip; it's her habit. Of course, she would choose someone. Of course, she would choose me. If I had that one, I'd choose her too.

"Marc." She utters questionably. What?! I literally scream at her just in my mind. The group cheers at her answer and starts to tease her and Marc. My good mood switches instantly. Yet I could tell that she's lying. Why, though?

"Why?" I plainly ask her.

She looks at me with hesitation. As soon as our eyes met, everything around us became so blur. Those eyes of her couldn't last long looking at me for a matter of seconds. What's wrong with you? My subconscious asks her while I unconsciously shake my head at her. She might as well have that super power to read what's on my mind so I got an answer.

My eyes saw her practically staring at my hand on my lap. I look down a bit to check out what's wrong with my hand and ... what?! I am holding Alliyah's hand? How? When? Why? I gulp and look back at Thalia. She's ... uhm ... looks sad?

"Because ..." She tries to find an answer. Actually, I'm the one who have some explaining to do. I subtly unintertwine my fingers to Alliyah's but I can hardly get it at any possible way unless I tell her to because she has a good grip on it. Oops? Shit! I had able to recall how did this happen. This was the consequence Alliyah had got earlier; to hold hands with the person to her left. Me.

"In fact, you really don't need to answer that one." Marc says and smiles reassuringly at Thalia. Of course, she smiles back at him.

I sigh. I manage to lean backwards, having my arm ―palm's flat on the floor― extending to the back to support my weight. As soon as I set my mind back to the game, Thalia stands up and walks out.

"Be right back." She announces yet not everyone got her attention except me and Marc.

And this time, I delicately get off my hand from Alliyah's and excuse myself to follow my best friend. Marc stands up with me but I told him to stay and he did.

I search for Thalia and I saw her under a tree, vomiting? What? Is she pregnant?

I sprint towards her. "What happened? What is this?" I ask while she keeps on vomiting. I gather her hair and tug it to the back away from her face.

"Root beers." Hmm, with s? Now the fact that I thought she's vomiting because she's pregnant is just so hilarious. I don't mind laughing at myself.

"Whoa! How come?" I remember I asked her once and she refused to so, how come? "You haven't been drinking anything like that since we arrived her except coke."

"You just thought." Her voice rises and sounds rather pissed.

"Who gave you them?"

"Mar―" Of course, this drink isn't hard but obviously, she just doesn't like the taste of it that's why she's vomiting. "Because apparently, Niall? You're too busy minding about her instead of taking care and checking out of each other. Like seriously, Ni? I can't believe you." She sighs, soothing herself up to her feet. "But no, I'm not mad at you. Never." She adds.

"I ..."

"Maybe I should go ahead. I'm not feeling very well."

"Okay, let's go home."

"Nope. You're not coming with me. Might as well go back inside because you're really missing the fun." She says abruptly as she starts to stomp away.

"For cow's sake, Thalia, don't be hard on me." I whine.

"Hey!" A familiar girl's voice yell. I turn around to check who's it and yes, it's Alliyah. "Are you two leaving soon? But we're still having fun in here."

I pull out a smile at her and waves.

"I told you, you're having fun inside." Thalia murmurs a matter-of-factly and I could imagine her rolling her eyes at me.

"Sorry, her Mum's looking for her already so I have to take her home." I reason out with another alibi. "Thank you so much for having us here. Happy birthday again!"

"Hey, wait up!" I call Thalia while I'm trying to catch up to her. She's already walking on the sidewalk. She smiles as soon as I am beside her and shakes her head. "What?!"

"Nothing." She murmurs. "Why are you here? You should be there."

"Please stop shoving me away from you." I groan.

"I'm serious."

"I'm even serious." I pull her sidewards closer to me and she complains playfully. I then wrap my arm over her shoulders and leave a quick kiss on her head while murmuring a sorry into her hair. "You know there's no fun anywhere when I'm not with you." I said it because she's my best friend and I don't wanna be away from her, right?

"Corny." She chuckles whilst squeezing my hand that is swaying at the end of her shoulder.

"Ugh, forget it!" I laugh and she laughs along. "Now, let's go home."