International Love. ✈ z.h.

twenty-five ~ ❝love songs.❞ ✈

Niall's Pov

My thumb ran over the warm mug that I had yet to take a sip out of, the woman I had just met patiently watching me as she took the occasional sip from her own coffee. Maybe it was the fact that I was used to having complete strangers come up to me and know the little things about my life. It's what comes with being a celebrity, you know? But still, a part of me felt a defensive wall come up from her direct question, my brows furrowing as she sent a small smirk my way.

"Why? So you can sell the truth to some big press company?" She only shrugged, licking the whipped cream off the top of her lip as she flipped a few braids behind her shoulder.

"You can think that, but honestly? Not really, no. I just know what it's like to go through a rough break up; and I'd like to know your side. Not the media's." Again, silence. She seemed alright, not like a person that would immediately run off and blabber to the first person she saw that she had just spoken about Niall Horan's relationship.

"Why should I trust you?" Another shrug.

"There's no way that I can prove myself to you; I'm just offering myself up as an outlet. I doubt you've really told anybody how you really feel about this whole mess. I know it's hard to believe, but people tend to open up a lot more easily to strangers than family or friends because they know they'll never see them again. So, take what you will from that." She spread her arms out in front of her and then brought them behind her head, leaning back against her chair as she offered a soft smile.

Something about her attitude; it was a lot like Zayn's in a way. The piercings, the bold hair colors and fashion choice. Without even meaning to I let out a soft laugh, that turned into a full blown chuckle until soon I was leaning over the table in loud laughter, disturbing the customers around us and earning a look of confusion from her.

"Did I say something funny?" Before I knew it I had tears falling, confusion turning into concern as she brought a couple of napkins from the holder on the table and handed them to me. Fortunately my laughter was masking the few sobs that managed to escape out at the same time; I shook my head as I wiped away the tears that fell, discarding the napkins by my mug as I gave a large sigh and looked up at the ceiling.

"Even though he's broken my heart, everything around me continues to remind me of him." After a few moments I brought my head down to look at her, a sad smile coming up as she brought her hands to my own.

"Oh, honey. That's what love does."

+

I hadn't even realized how long we'd been talking until I'd noticed that the sky had gone from it's normal blue-gray color to a deep blue. I stood, startling Skylar as I patted my pockets to make sure I still had everything, my phone included. I pulled it out just to check, biting my lip at the numerous messages and missed calls that littered my phone from my parents as I ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm sorry to cut this conversation short but I've got to get home. My parents and my brother will throw a right fit if I don't get my arse home within twenty minutes."

"That's alright, I hope I helped you get whatever it was that was bothering you out of your system." She stood up, more slowly than my abrupt action to stand and collected our long empty mugs, quickly taking them to the sinks in the back and then coming back to give me a hug.

"Break ups are hard, but I believe you'll get through this. Who knows? Maybe the two of you will stay connected in some way. Whether it be friends or something more. Good luck, Niall."

"Thanks, Skylar." I gave one last wave before I started my slow walk back home, the paparazzi long gone. I kept my hood on and head low until I was back at my front door, quickly opening and closing it yet still trying to be as quiet as I could.