Fallen || n.h.

Chapter 13

I slipped my hands in the pockets of my hoodie. There was a cool, crisp feeling in the autumn air tonight as I walked the streets of New York. I passed by familiar stores and restrurants that we passed on our way to the stage.

I took in a deep breath and rounded a corner. I was just about to turn another but I felt slim fingers wrap around my arm and yank me into a nearby alley.

Another hand covered my mouth. I looked up to see who this person was. I could tell it was a man, but they had a hood over their face.

" I'm not going to hurt you " he said, his voice thick with an Aussie accent. " If I pull my hand away, you have to promise not to scream, okay? "

I nodded. His hand slipped away from my mouth and he pulled his hood

down. " Sorry for pulling you.. I'm Ashton. " He said, scratching his neck.

I tilted my head. What did this Ashton boy want and why did it involve man-handling me??

He looked me straight in the eyes. " Look, I was backstage during your interview. " It suddenly hit me that this was Ashton Irwin. I was speechless.

" You can't let the fact of who crashed into you change your relationship with Niall. " He said, leaning against the brick wall behind him. " People make mistakes, and we're all human. He really loves you Jenna. Remember that. "

He stepped away from the wall and waved a small goodbye. Maybe he is right. Maybe Niall really loves me, but I can't trust him. We just met.

---

Niall's POV:

I re-read the note for the eighth time. I can't think of anything that she would want to talk about, unless something happened at the interview. But what?

Liam pats me on the back. " Let's go back to the hotel. I'll even wait in the hall if you want. "

I nod as we walk outside into the cold air. Street lights are just beginning to

flicker on and there are colorful signs & lights everywhere.

The car ride is long and painful. I lean my head against the window, closing my eyes. I thought about endless possibilities of topics that we " needed to talk " about.

I was beginning to get even

more anxious as we got closer and closer to the hotel. Finally we pulled into the lot. I looked at the ground as we walked into the lobby and towards the elevator.

It seems like it takes forever to reach the 5th floor, even though it probably only takes less than a minute. We step out into the hall and go our separate ways.

As I slipped the key into the lock, the door opened and Jenna gave me a blank look. I couldn't read her emotion, if she was mad at me or sad or anything in between.

She beckoned me to sit down and true to his word, Liam waited in the hallway. Jenna sat down right in front of me and folded her hands in her lap.

" I.. I found out. That you crashed into us. " she blurts. I suspect that's not how she wanted to come across, because she blushes.

I hang my head and let out a sigh.

" I.. " I begin but I am cut off.

" Let me finish. I am not mad at you. You are human, and you're entitled to a mistake once in a while. " she says looking at the floor.

" That's all? " I ask. " Nothing else to say about it? "

" Well... I feel like you are just dating me out of pity now. " she says slowly. My heart aches as the words tumble from her lips.

I shook my head. " Jenna, that's wrong. Way wrong. I love you, a lot, and not because I crashed into you. "

She looks at me with a face of admiration. I expect her to speak but all she does is nod. She gets up and opens the door to let Liam in.