You'll Never Walk Alone

Niall's POV

It killed me to watch Nataly cry. And I mean it. I'm not lying when I tell you that watching her cry made me feel like something died inside of me. I couldn't stand whatever made her so sad.

She'll tell you when she's ready. I mean seriously, do you really expect her to open up to you after knowing you for a whole day?

But even though I only met her yesterday, she already meant so much to me.

After our day out, I returned to our flats. I decided to hang out at Liam's for a while. Maybe he can help.

"Hey what's up Nialler?" Liam smiled brightly when I walked in.

"Nothing," I smiled to reassure him that everything was ok.

"How was the, umm, date?" he grinned slyly.

"That's what I came to talk to you about," I looked at him and I could see that he knew that I wasn't in a joking mood.

"What happened?" his face was serious now, too.

"Nothing bad, we both had a great time. It's just, I crossed into personal territory today," I looked at the floor.

"Oh," he walked over.

"Sit down, Niall." He lead me to the sofa and we sat down.

"Now tell me everything," he laid back into the cushions as if preparing for a good naptime story.

"We went to the park later after the movie. And she pointed out a sign for the hiking trails and she suggested going on a hike. I asked her if she liked hiking and she said it was something she used to do with her dad. I asked what happened to him. And she started crying. I felt so guilty. I FEEL so guilty. I hate seeing her cry," I finshed it off there.

"Niall, I know you asked because you care. I can already see how much she means to you. Even though you've only known her for a whole day. Just leave the subject alone for a while. She'll tell you when the time comes," he patted my shoulder.

I smile half-heartedly.

"Well, I got Nandos in the fridge and they're playing a bunch of great movies on TV," Liam smiled.

I smiled back.

"What movies are playing?"

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We heated up the frozen Nandos leftovers and watched 3 movies. Hanging out with Liam really made me feel a lot better.

Finally I decided to head back to my flat. I said bye to Liam and walked to my flat two doors down.

As I shut the door and stepped further into my dark flat. Nataly's words bounced around in my head.

It's too dangerous. And I don't want to put anyone in danger.

What is it that makes her so dangerous?

Is it because she has the ability to almost disappear into the shadows?

Or the way she always kept herself shut from the world?

And then she took over my mind.

She was beautiful. With her strange hair and her unique eyes.

They say eyes are the windows to the soul. When you look into Nataly's eyes, you see top security, vaulted doors that need a code to be able to be opened.

And then a strange thought occurred to me.

Am I interested in her because of how mysterious she is? Once I find out her secret, would my feelings just disappear?

I needed to talk to her again. I reach into my pocket and feel around for my phone. Once I pull it from the pocket, I flip it open and send her a message.

To: Nataly :) 

Hey are you feeling better?

From: Nataly :) 

Yea, look I'm sorry, ok, I just don't want to put you or anybody else in any kind of danger. I'll tell u wen the time comes.

To: Nataly :) 

Nataly, you have nothing to be sorry for. It was all me. I completely understand.

From: Nataly :) 

it wasn't your fault. You didn't know. Thanks 4 being there.

To: Nataly :) 

Hey maybe u can come and hang out 2morrow? At my flat? 12:00?

From: Nataly :) 

I'd love 2. C ya there :) 

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When Nataly walked in through my door, I couldn't believe my eyes. She had dark shadows underneath her eyes and her eyes were also a little red and puffy.

As if she'd been crying. All night long.

"Are you ok?" I ask, walking toward her.

"Yea," her voice is hoarse.

"Why don't you lay down in my room for a bit?" I say, placing my hand gently on her back and leading her towards my room. 

"No, no, it's ok," she pushes back and sits down on the sofa.

This wasn't the Nataly I met 2 days ago.

"Nataly, I'm so sorry," I kneel in front if her. "I didn't mean to do this to you, I'm so sorry," I felt small tears fall silently down my cheeks. It really hurt me to see her like this.

"It's not you, Niall, stop crying. You're gonna make me cry even more," she tries to smile.

She wiped away my tears.

I get up and walk into the kitchen. I come back into the living room, holding a huge tub of ice cream.

"I don't know about you, but ice cream always makes me feel better," I smile brightly, shrugging my shoulders.

And my whole day brightened when she smiled back.

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After at least two movies, Nataly seemed to come back to life. Color was restored into her face and her smiled returned. Her eyes were still a bit dark becuase of lack of sleep, but the red and the puffiness faded away slowly. We laughed and joked around and it felt so good to hear her laugh again.

"We should do this again sometime," she says, taking a breath from all the laughing.

"Yea, we should," I agree, trying to stop laughing.

We collapse onto the sofa. I felt tired. You know, a a little bit, not enough that I was going to fall asleep.

"Hey the boys and I are heading to Nandos tomorrow night. Danielle and Eleanor are coming along. Maybe you and Catelyn can tag along, too," I shake the hair at the back of my head.

"I'd love to come. i'll just ask Catelyn," she smiles brightly.

"You have no idea how nice it is to have your smile back," I grin at the ceiling.

"It feels nice to have it back, too," she grins.