Niam Horayne - Love in a Boy Band

2 - So close, yet so far away

Chapter Two:

Niall's POV:

When the waitress left, I turned back to Liam, and was surprised. His normally adorable --- No, Niall, you shouldn't think Liam is adorable. Umm...pleasant. Yeah, that's the word. --- His normally pleasant face was contorted into a strange expression. Was that anger or hurt reflected in his eyes?

"So, how's it going with you and Danielle, mate?" I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively, trying to cheer him up. But Liam only mumbled a reply.

"Great Nialler, just great."

Well, that was weird, he usually liked to talk about Danielle. I will now use my magical Leprechaun happiness powers. My Li can't be sad, it's not right. I quickly slid to the other side of the table and hugged Liam, tucking my face into his collarbone.

Liam's POV:

When Niall mentioned Danielle it was like a punch in the gut. What was I doing thinking about Niall when I'm supposed to be in love with Danielle. I'm dating her for God's sake, not him. Great, now I'm possibly gay for my best friend, and a jerk as well.

Wait a second, was Niall ... hugging me? My heart started to beat faster at the thought, and it almost stopped as he nuzzled his face into my neck.

"What's wrong, Li?" Niall said in his thick accent.

"What's wrong? Everything's wrong, I'm falling in love with you Niall, can't you tell? That's why you shouldn't talk to girls like that. You're mine, my Nialler." I thought.

"Nothing you need to worry your pretty blonde head about, Nialler." I said aloud, putting my arms around him.

"Well, just know I'm here if you want to talk." Niall replied quietly.His hands found the back of my plaid shirt and gripped the folds of it tightly, pulling us closer.God, I hoped he couldn't hear my heartbeat. It was beating so erratically I thought it might burst. It was torture, having him so close, yet so far away.

"Here's three orders of Peri Peri chicken." The waitress looked at us oddly. I couldn't tell if she was questioning why two boys  needed three large orders of Peri Peri chicken, or if it was because of the position we were in, but I quickly cleared my throat and managed a"Thank you" with a polite smile. I gently untangled myself from Niall's sweet embrace and whispered in his ear.

"Come on Nialler, the chicken is here."

I tried not to laugh as his eyes lit up when he dug into the delicious chicken he loved. My mind was distant the rest of dinner as I thought about Niall, Danielle, and how my new feelings affected them.

Niall's POV:

Why won't Liam tell me what's bothering him? I'm his best mate! There are no secrets between best mates! We have a bromance! Could it be about Danielle? No...she wouldn't break up with him, she's too sweet. And Liam would never dream of it, he's head over heels for the girl.

Danielle was really lucky, anyone who got to spend time with Liam was lucky. He was so caring for the people he loved. Today at Nando's was one of the few times I had seen him genuinely upset. It was a weird feeling, like I couldn't laugh or even smile with him hurt. But when I hugged him it was even stranger. His heart was beating super fast and so was mine. I don't know why but once I touched him I just needed to be closer to him. I hope he didn't think it was odd when I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. But I needed to, it just felt right.