Duck Tape Girl

Chapter 17

Rach's POV

Liam and I sat in my car talking for what seemed to be no time at all, before the rest of the gang showed up. They all wore looks of relief seeing that I hadn't abandoned them.

"Do you want me to talk to them?"

"No." I sighed. "I'm a big girl, I should probably do it myself." I got out of the car and slowly walked towards them.

Niall looked like he had something to say, but continued staring down at the ground. Zayn started to apologize for Niall but I stopped him.

"If he is 'sorry for what he has assumed about me, then he can tell me himself; but don't speak for him if you want to go to the zoo with us."

Zayn step faltered. "W-We are still going to the zoo?"

"As long as we get all of this sorted before we leave." I stated firmly.

I wouldn't have normally talked to him like that or anyone for that matter, but I was obviously still angry.

Liam open the door. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just a second." My leg started to shake from the pain my knee was causing, so I decided to lean against my car for support.

"Look Rach", Lauren started, "I'm sorry for not having your back inside. But it's not like I know about your cousin. I'm not saying it's your fault, but I don't know, it just seem to be the best answer available at the time".

I gave her a look.

"I know, I'm so crap at apologies. Sorry."

I take in her words and sigh. She was crap at apologies but at least she was trying. It was more than Niall  had to offer. Louie kept his head moving trying to find a distraction,  Harry was fiddling with this shirt picking at a loose string. Zayn looked like all he wanted to do was nap. I could feel Liam's gaze on me as I readjusted.

"Can you guys give me and Niall a minute?"
I glanced at Liam then at Niall, they all nodded and got into my car mumbling in agreeance. Niall still stood in the same spot as before. When I heard all of the doors had  closed, I finally spoke up.

"So I 'cheated' on you? I didn't even know we were going out. And I really want to know what was going through your head to make you think it was okay to yell and name call a person you just met today and know nothing about.

Silence.

"Well?", I pushed. Keeping his sight on the ground he finally spoke.

"I thought that you liked me and then we kissed. So I guess I thought that we were together or something. Then, when I overheard your conversation, I felt betrayed so I said hurtful things trying to make myself feel better, only to find out that I was making a fool of myself."

He sighed, "I'm sorry Rach, do you think that we could start over?"

"Look Niall I come from a very dark past, and I don't want any part of going back to that. And by the way, did you even notice that I never kissed you back? The first kiss between us was by accident; the second kiss wasn't forced, but I'm not going to lie, it really wasn't working for me."

He looked up at my face with a sullen expression.

"I'm sorry if I'm hurting your feelings, but I want you to know now so you don't feel like I'm stringing you along. Okay? So no, I don't think we should start over......... At least not like that but I would still be fine if you and I would be friends."

Taking a long breath he started," But what about your crush then? It was between me and Liam," he paused, "and your crush was on him and not me, wasn't it?"

"I nodded."

"I'm so stupid! I just assumed it was me by the way we were interacting and by the way you were smiling at me. But I guess I was wrong. I'm sorry Rach. For everything. I think I would be okay if we were friends too."

I smiled and clapped my hands together.

"Good, now that that's out of the way we should probably get going to the zoo."

He nodded and we started towards the car doors.

"Everything okay?" Liam asked.

I nodded. "Yup. Seatbelts everyone!"

Everyone was for the most part silent as we drove. Liam tapped his foot to the music Zayn was taking a cat nap on Harry who was smiling at Lauren. Louis was looking out the window; Niall bobbed his head to the beat and Lauren and I both hummed to every song on the radio. All I could think, was hopefully the zoo would be better.

A/N:
Hey everyone! I decided to post a random chapter. It's only been what four years?😅
Anyway, you guys know the deal if you liked it let me know, if you didn't like it let me know, and if you think there could be any changes that need to be done, feel free to message me.

If you see this thanks so much for reading!

-Cassi