Something New [n.h.]

chapter five

Rachael sat on her couch, after finally unpacking all her boxes. Her new apartment was finally starting to feel like home as she continued to look around her living room while sipping on a glass of white wine. She felt as though she needed to reward herself for starting a full time job and moving to a brand new city all in one week, while at the same time unpacking all her boxes in her tiny studio apartment.

Though her apartment was full and felt like home, she couldn't help but feel empty. She was now living in this huge city with no friends. It was like she was completely alone. Well not completely.

Her fingers played with the number she had dialed into her phone as she pursed her lips together contemplating whether or not she should call. It was mainly the alcohol that had gotten to her that was practically screaming for her to do, but it was her conscious being saying for the love of god don't. She was tearing herself apart. It was a full on war with her head and her heart.

But as she continued thinking, she thought what was the harm, they were friends after all.

She quickly put the phone up to her ear, and took another gulp of wine as the ringing began.

"Hey Rachael," Niall finally answered.

His voice was enough for the butterflies to soar throughout her stomach. She tried suppressing them down, but they kept flying back up.

"Hey Niall," she smiled while talking into the phone.

"What are you up to, Rach?"

She hated when she called him that, it only made the butterflies more sporadic. But at the same time she loved it.

"Just finished unpacking, and I'm having a housewarming party...by myself." She mumbled the last part, slightly embarrassed. "And seeing as how you're my only friend in London, I am personally inviting you to come over and join me so I don't feel pathetic...Please"

Niall chuckled, "I'm so happy to have gotten the invite...I'll be over soon."

Rachael beamed from ear to ear, bidding Niall an eager "See you soon!" and quickly hung up.

She smiled to herself, doing a small little happy dance and then realized that the Niall Horan was once again going to witness her drunk and listen to her drunk rambles like the night before.

"Oh god," Rachael's face dropped and then spoke to herself, "He's going to think I'm a goddamn alcoholic."

Rachael, out of pure panic, chugged the remainder of her glass of wine. That was only going to make it worse.

Hopefully she would sober up before he came over.

Time passed by and Rachael wasn't getting any more sober than she already was. And when there was a knock on her door, she cursed slightly to herself for drinking the entire bottle of wine.

She composed herself as she walked toward the door and swung it open, greeting Niall with a smile.

"Hey Rach," he smiled back as she let him in.

"Niall, hi!" She spoke trying not to sound too sloshed.

"Little tipsy, are we Rach?"

It didn't work.

"Just a bit." She smiled tightly, trying to hide the embarrassment.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm slightly buzzed as well...some lads and I went out for drinks when you called. And I decided to ditch them and see you." Niall told her. "I'd much rather drink with you than a bunch of boys at a crowded pub on a Friday night."