Rusty Halo

Chapter Two

NIALL

          She’s gone. I wake up to find no trace of her. I start to run into the hallway, then realize I’m not wearing pants. Somehow, I don’t think the other boys will appreciate that.

            As I push my door open, I take one last look at my bed. I swear. Wait. Is that her bag? Yes! She’s still here!

            There’s laughter in the kitchen and I can smell Nando’s. I silently pad down the hallway, listening carefully.

            Logan’s sitting at the table, her hand clasped by Harry’s. I yawn loudly, giving them a chance to pull back before I walk in.

            “Niall,” Her smile… hell, her. She’s so beautiful. Like an angel.

            “Love,” I catch her hand and bring it to my lips, admiring the way her eyelids flutter half – shut. “Is that Nando’s I smell?” She frowns in disappointment; I’ve yet to kiss her perfect lips this morning. Her frown disappears, though, as I sit next to her on the bench and pull her close. She snuggles into my shoulder; I kiss the top of her head.

HARRY

          Every time he kisses her, it’s like a kick to the stomach. He starts to whisper in her ear, and she giggles, and then kisses his nose. Why couldn’t I have stayed with that beauty last night?

LOGAN

     “Well, I’m off to get dressed. Can’t stay in this all day, can I?” As I head down the hallway, I pull off Niall’s shirt, treating him to a view of my slender hips and waist.

     He makes me feel like such a princess.

ZAYN

            I wrap my arms tighter around Lisa, and she lays her head on my chest. I’ve known her for one year today, and she’s turned the legendary Bradford Bad Boi into a sappy romantic.

            “Love, do you think I made a mistake in bringing Logan here?” She looks up at me, and I admire the curly red locks and blue eyes.

            “Honestly? No. She sounds amazing, and I think Niall likes her. At least, that’s what he told me. In the few hours he’s known her, he’s already in love, and I think she is too.” God, I love this woman.

            “Kind of like us, right?” She smiles, kisses me, and sits up.

            “C’mon, I want to meet her.”

NIALL

            As Logan goes down the hallway, she pulls off my shirt, revealing a black thank top and the very edge of black lace above her butt.

            “Ahem,” Harry coughs, and I barely remember that he’s sitting across from me. “She’s going to be mine, Niall. You know it.” I arch one eyebrow.

            “Well, slight problem for you, Harry, but she’s already told me she loves me, so fuck off.” I stand up, grab the Nando’s bag, and go out to the balcony.

            Why did I say that to him? We’re supposed to be best mates.

LOGAN

     I pull on my favorite Ramones tee, skinnies, and TOMS. Wait… this is Ni’s shirt. Maybe he won’t notice.

     A door slams, and I walk back out to the kitchen, only to see Niall standing out on the balcony, his head in his hands. Harry’s still at the table, mirroring Niall’s posture. What the fuck just happened?