SO LONG || NIALL HORAN || #Wattys2019

NINE

Haleigh was avoiding Niall.

It was painfully obvious, especially to the lad. Instead of constantly being around one another, they only made eye-contact for a brief moment while Niall was on stage and couldn't do anything about it. Haleigh was still staying with him on the bus, but when he'd come on she'd already be asleep in an extra bunk or in the shower to avoid conversation. He'd catch her talking to Maren or any of the other band members, but she always turned on her heel quickly to dart in the opposite direction of him.

He was getting desperate, especially after her family visited. Having them there was supposed to make her open up, and she was happy that night- even giving him a hug in front of her parents- but when they left, it was like the light just flicked off again. Richard's advice was constantly floating around his head as they continued traveling, making him realize he needed to talk with her before the tour ended.

He didn't realize that Haleigh wasn't confused anymore; she was in love with him. She was spending time absorbing her mother's words, trying to make a plan on how to move forward. The reason she kept running off wasn't because she was scared of confessing her feelings, it was because the mere sight of him made her brain become completely wiped. She would forget everything she wanted to say as her heart skipped a beat and her hands became clammy. Haleigh was never this flustered in front of him before, and simply didn't want to sound like a blubbering mess when she talked to him.

Niall watched longingly from where he sat next to his band mates, seeing her across the room where she was getting something to eat with Maren. Jake noticed how silent the musician became, his teeth chewing on his bottom lip. He pat his friend on the shoulder, making Niall glance over in confusion. He had been zoning out a lot recently, but was hoping he just didn't miss something important. "Go talk to her, mate," Jake instructed him gently, nudging his head to the brunette. "We all know you want to."

"She won't even give me the time of day," Niall replied with a stressed sigh, dragging his hand down his face to wake himself up more. "I thought feelings and emotions were only to be confusing as a teenager. Yet here I am, about to turn twenty-five in less than a week, puzzled as ever."

"Unfortunately, the rest of your life is going to have a lot more feelings than when you were sixteen," John piped up quietly into the conversation, the other lads turning their heads as well. "And if she won't give you time, you make time, dude. We're tired of seeing you in this slump, and it's only been a day."

"Are you sure?" Niall questioned, tilting his head as he flicked his gaze over to the girl. "Maybe I should give her the space she wants."

"No, absolutely not," Louis shook his head, and since he was sitting behind Niall on the steps, he lightly pushed the singer in the back. "Go talk to her now before she starts eating. You might not get another chance."

Niall raised to his feet slowly, shooting an uncertain look towards his friends, who grinned and sent him a thumbs-up. A shaky breath escaped his lips as he started walking in her direction, his hands nervously clasped together. His confidence grew slightly with every step, until she spotted him in the corner of her eye. "I actually forgot my phone in the dressing room," she excused to Maren, politely interrupting her. "Can you grab me a plate while I go get it? Thanks."

Haleigh didn't wait for the country singer to answer, even though Maren said she would. She quickly turned on her heel and walked briskly away from Niall, who picked up his pace. "Haleigh!" he called her name loudly in frustration, blowing by people who looked really confused as to where he was going. "Haleigh, stop it!"

Her head stayed facing front, her chest heaving up and down every time she heard her name. She knew he was gaining on her and almost broke out into a full sprint, until he appeared right behind her. He swiftly wrapped his arms around her stomach and lifted her feet off the floor, tightening his grip when she started struggling. "Let me go!" she complained, kicking her legs and accidentally whipping her hair in his face. "Niall, I swear, put me down now!"