Guarded

||three||

Tonight is my friendly date with Niall.

"Hey, Cass," Niall says as I open my front door.

"Hi, Niall." I smile and invite him in.

He's in a white Kansas tank top, a New York baseball cap, and black RayBans.

I have to admit, he looks really good like that.

"You look really nice tonight," he states.

I look down at my white shorts and light blue tank top. It's not really the nicest outfit I could've chosen, but apparently he likes it.

"Thanks." I smile weakly and grab my phone and large purse from the counter.

"Mum! I'm going to the movies with Niall!" I yell down the hall in the direction of her bedroom.

"Alright! Curfew is midnight!" She calls back.

We walk out into the cool New York night air. I shiver.

"So, what movie are we seeing?" I ask Niall in the car.

"Whatever you want."

"I'm horrible at making decisions," I sigh.

"I didn't think Cassidy Billoway could be horrible at anything," he smirks.

I playfully punch his arm.

Cassidy? What are you doing? Don't lead him on. We're just friends.

"What about Blended? I love Adam Sandler," I suggest.

Niall thinks about it for a moment, but then nods his head. "Yeah, why not?"

We drive over to the movie theater in silence, except for Niall occasionally singing along with the radio.

When we pull into the parking spot, Niall quickly gets out of his seat. When I start to do the same, he says, "Stay there for a moment, please."

I'm a little confused, but then I see Niall walk around the car to my door.
He smiles and opens it up. "Good evening, ma'am."

I giggle and reply, "Evening, sir."

Niall laughs at my attempt to be proper as we walk into the movie theater.

"Two tickets for Blended, please," Niall says to the ticket guy.

"Oh, no, you don't have to pay for me," I try to stop him.

He holds up a hand. "Yes, I'm paying for you. There's nothing you can do about it."

"Niall-"

"Cassidy." He looks at me with gorgeous, bright blue eyes. "I'm paying."

I sigh and shake my head, but reluctantly put away my wallet. Niall smiles widely.

"Would you like some popcorn?" He asks as we pass the concession stand.

"No, thank you," I reply. I whisper into his ear, "I brought a whole bag in my purse because there is no way in hell I'm paying that kinda money for popcorn that isn't even buttered well."

Niall raises his eyebrows at me and grins. "I like the way you think, Cass."

I blush and smile proudly. "Thank you," I giggle.

We take our seats in the middle of the middle row of the theater, a.k.a. my favorite seat.

I pull out my bag of popcorn and set it in my lap. Niall reaches over to grab some, but I slap his hand away.