Tell Me You Remember. (Niall Horan)

6.

I excused myself to use the toilet, but mostly so I could get away and evaluate my feelings. On one hand, what I felt for Niall was utterly ridiculous. We had known each other for barely a week, and the way we had met was not really the best. Plus, he was helping out my family, for Christ sakes.

But on another hand, I couldn't deny what was going on with me. There was just something about his eyes and his personality that struck a chord in me. We were so alike, it scared me. The familiarity I sometimes felt when he was around was getting weirder by the day.

When he told me people like he and I should stick together, I took it to heart. He was quickly becoming one of my closest friends. I couldn't believe myself; how quickly I had let this person into my life. But here I was, and I wouldn't undo anything for the world.

As I unlocked the bathroom door and padded down the corridor in my socked feet, I heard hushed voices coming from the kitchen. I pressed myself against the wall, listening. "You need to tell her before I tell her myself," Harry grumbled.

"I know, I was going to earlier but I...I couldn't," I heard Niall admit.

"Niall, you can't just keep this from her. We're leaving in a month for tour."

Tour? Did I hear wrong? What was this about? I quickly retrieved my phone from my pocket, pulling up a new Internet page. I typed 'Niall Horan' into the search bar. When the screen loaded, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

News articles and pictures of the boys' faces covered the screen. One article in particular read: 'One Direction flees uncontrollable fans; whereabouts yet to be released'. I clicked on the most recent link, and began to read.

"It has been almost two weeks since UK's biggest pop sensation One Direction disappeared after a out of control incident in Reading. Sources say fans and paparazzi bombarded the band, and security was unable to restrain the crowds. Niall Horan, aged eighteen, finally lashed out, yelling at the crowd to back off (along with a few curse words) which resulted in the blonde band member pushing a paparazzi to the ground. After the incident, Management confirmed the group will remain in an undisclosed location until further notice. Rumours have been floating around of the band seeking refuge somewhere in The Midlands of Ireland awaiting the start of their 2012 World Tour next month."

I stared at the screen in shock. I understood why he wouldn't want to tell me, but this was unreal. What did he think my reaction would be? I certainly was surprised, but I definitely wasn't angry at him. He had every right to act the way he did.

I stood in the hallway, unsure of whether or not I should walk in. But I didn't have time to think about it for myself because suddenly the door swung open, and there was Niall. "Winnie! Why are you standing in the dark?" he laughed.

"Hey, Niall?" I asked carefully, afraid of confronting him about what I'd read. I took his hand and led him to sit on the floor in the hall with me.

"What's up, Win?" he looked worried, his eyebrows bunched up above his nose.

"That pap, he isn't hurt is he?" I whispered. His eyes filled with shock when he realised I knew.

"Win, I was going to tell you--" he began to explain, but I put a hand over his mouth to stop him. "I'm not angry with you. I'm definitely a little shocked, but I'm not mad," I smiled, patting his cheek before letting my hand fall to my lap. "Why were you so afraid to tell me?"

He sighed heavily. "Because I was afraid you wouldn't want anything to do with me," he mumbled. "And I know I shouldn't have pushed him, he was just in my face. And I absolutely hate tight spaces and so many things were happening at once and--"