Half a Man at Best (Sequel to VALERIE)

Chapter Twenty-three

~UNEDITED~

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

“I am really happy for you, Niall. I can’t believe you’re finally settling down.” I tell Niall as our bodies sway to the soft music. He had asked me to dance with him as his best friend – to which I grimaced but go along anyway – while his wife, Bree, is dancing with her father not so far from our spot in the dance floor. I never really got used to the reference as his best friend, although yes, I am his closest friend who isn’t a boy.

My hands are wrapped around his neck while his are on the sides of my waist. Looking at Niall in an elegant black tux put me on edge. It’s not like I am not used to seeing him this formal, it’s just that… oh well, he’s married now and it still feels weird because it’s like just yesterday when he was the only single in their band for a very long time. And now, as I watch the wide beam across his face just makes me feel all giddy inside. I am so proud of him.

“I didn’t even expect her to say yes in the first place.” He says while sneaking up a glance to his wife before he looks at a space beside my head, overtaken by a happy trance.

“Believe it or not, I didn’t either.” I mock him. He gasps, feigning hurt. “Just kidding, Niall. Why wouldn’t she? You’re so adorable and she loves you.” I coo while pinching his flushed cheek. “I don’t even know why.”

He answers me with a shrug before speaking, “You know what, Val? I missed this.”

An affectionate smile swirls across my face and I almost tear up if I am not able to fight it back. He doesn’t even have to elaborate for me to understand what he is referring to. I missed this too – the times when he’d usually confide on me but then I’d always throw banter on him instead of making him feel better about his self.

“Me too.” I say while looking down between us before I meet his bright blue eyes once again. “You know that I love you, right Niall?”

He gives me a nod. “And I you too, Vee.” His words cause my heart to swell which I quickly respond by closing the distance between us to wrap him in a tight hug. Even though Niall is already married now and he’s about to handle mature decisions now, I know he’d still be the Irish twat that I came to love. And although I try to deny it, he is indeed one of my bestest bestfriend despite the many bantering, pranks and whatnot.

“Bree is lucky to have you, Nialler.” I breathe out the words as I pull away a little to give a little peck on his cheek.

A delighted smirk is written at his face while he looks to his side once again, watching as Bree laughs along with her father while he turns her around in place before sinking her backwards down the floor, supporting her body with his arm. It’s such a lovely sight to see.

I remember when I was still little. My Dad would usually scoop me up in his arms and he’d hold up one of my hands. I’d wrap my legs around his torso firmly as he’d swing me around to the beat of the music. Those were the days that I’d consider myself the happiest – bothered with nothing but taking an afternoon nap – until I met Harry.

Since the day we’ve been put together by forced circumstances, I’ve been able to deal with different types of emotions. It had been the craziest ride of my life – pretending as his girlfriend around other people but bickering within the privacy of each other. I’ve been exposed to a whole lot of sticky situations. I got hated and almost got attacked by a mob of crazy girls. I’ve been rumoured as a cheater and my hidden identity has been revealed.

We despised each other at the beginning. Next, we got carried away with our make-believe relationship – I loved it. And then along the way, Harry went cold due to my series of mishaps.