Louder (A Niall Horan Fanfic)

Chapter Four

“You guys were amazing!” I exclaimed as the boys came off the stage. I wasn't exaggerating- it was a great start to their tour! “But next time I'll bring earplugs,” I added, rubbing my ears for effect.

The boys all laughed the crowd began to scream. “Encore, encore, encore!” they chanted.

Liam threw his arm around my shoulder, “they make us feel so bad, you know, always wanted more.”

“Yeah,” Niall interrupted, “we'd love to keep performing but management doesn't let us.”

“I'm sure they couldn't stop you!” I said.

“Oh, believe me, they could,” Harry said, a cheeky grin on his face. I rolled my eyes, he was so weird! “Anyway, wanna go out tonight?” he asked the boys.

“Yeah, let's go clubbing!” Louis said, jumping up and down like a hyperactive toddler. It was hard to believe he was the oldest!

“Sure,” Zayn said, looking in the mirror to ensure his signature quiff was in perfect condition.

“Sorry lads, I'm meeting up with Danielle tonight,” Liam said.

“Ooh,” the boys said in unison, causing me to laugh and Liam to blush a shade of bright pink.

“I'm hungry,” Niall complained.

“We'll get food when we're out,” Louis suggested.

“Pinky promise?” Niall asked, extending his pinky out to Louis.

“Yes,” Louis promised, rolling his eyes. You could see the excitement in Niall's eyes; he was so adorable!

“We'd better go get changed then,” he said, skipping off to his changeroom.

“Someone's excited,” I laughed as the boys all hugged me and followed Niall down the corridor. I took this opportunity to call my best friends who I had only spoken to twice since I arrived here six weeks ago. Within a few days of landing in the UK, Harry had bought me a phone and an international calling card. I dialled Louise's number into my iPhone, confident that her, Amy & Charlotte would be together, and waited for her to pick up. The dial tone continued for about two minutes before it went to voicemail.

“Hey, it's Sophie. Call me later, ok?” I said into the receiver before hanging up. I sat down on one of the backstage sofas, feeling rather lonely and deflated. My best friends were still living their lives, just without me. For the first time since I arrived in England, I felt homesick and missed everyone. Don't get me wrong, I loved being with my family and the boys, but there was a part of me that wanted to go home and right now, that part of me was in control. I just sat their looking at my phone, watching the minutes tick by, trying to focus on anything other than home and the tears that were building up in my eyes.

A few minutes later, Harry emerged from the changerooms. “Hey, the others will be out soon,” he said in his very distinctive Cheshire accent.

“Ok,” I said, wiping my eyes dry.

He took a seat beside me and flung his arm around my shoulder. “What's wrong, baby cuz?”

I looked at him sternly before bursting out laughing. “Baby cuz? I'm only a month younger than you!” I protested.

He gigled softly and patted my head, “true, but you're so small!”

“Shut up Haz!” I whined, gripping onto his hand.

“Look who's feisty?” a voice called down the corridor. I turned my head to see Louis walking toward us in nothing other than his signiture stripes and suspenders.

I let go of Harry and stood up, picking up my handbag. “Where are the others?” I asked.

“Here,” Niall said in his Irish accent as he and Zayn joined us, “Liam left to meet Danielle. Now let's go and eat! I'm hungry!”

“I want to go clubbing though!” Louis whined. I rolled my eyes- the boys were all so immature. I looked at each of them; Louis & Niall were about to get into a full-blown argument while Harry & Zayn were admiring themselves in the mirror.

“Here's an idea, you boys go clubbing...” I began before Niall cut me off.

“That's not fair!” he said, crossing his arms and pouting.

“Um not finished!” I said.

“Sorry...” he muttered, looking at the ground.

“So what I was going to say is you boys go clubbing and I'll take Niall to get some food. Then we'll meet you later,” I suggested, causing Niall to jump up and down.

“Yes!” he said excitedly.

“Sounds good,” Harry said, “can we go now?”

“Yep! Bye!” Niall said, entwining his fingers with mine and pulling me towards the exit.

ONE HOUR LATER

“I can't eat all that!” Niall said.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because it's not possible?”

I raised my eyebrows. “You, Niall Horan, are telling me that you cannot eat a cheeseburger and fries in under five minutes? I'm shocked!” I said with a gasp.

“Fine!” he said, caving in and biting into his burger. We were so alike and both really needed to work on our persistence. I watched on with a smile on my face as he downed his meal in just over four minutes.

“See? I knew you could do it!” I said proudly.

“Yeah yeah,” he laughed, leaning back into his chair, “should we go find the others?”

“Well you can but I just want to go to sleep,” I said, taking a sip of my water.

“I'll walk you home,” he offered.

I jumped up and linked arms with him, “thanks.”

After a minute or so of silence, Niall spoke up. “Do you miss America?” he asked.

I looked up at him, “that obvious, huh?”

He chuckled softly. “No, it's just that I miss Ireland,” he explained in his gorgeous Irish accent, “and I thought you might feel the same way about America.”

I nodded, “yeah. I miss my family and friends but I chose to be here. Besides, I love hanging out with you guys.” I nudged his shoulder playfully.

“You're coming on tour with us, right?” he asked.

“Maybe, Harry hasn't mentioned it though.”

“You should, it'll be a laugh and you're fun to be around,” he smiled.

“Aw, thanks Ni,” I said, giving him a hug.

“Why did you choose to come here?” he asked. I could hear the nerves in his voice. Why was he asking me this? I hadn't mentioned Connor to any of the boys and I wasn't ready to do so. By now, we were approaching Harry's driveway. I waited until I had reached the doorway to answer.

“Let's just say someone broke my heart,” I confessed. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could, my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID- Louise. “Sorry, I have to take this,” I said, standing on my tiptoes and kissing his cheek.

“Bye,” he smiled, blushing a light shade of pink, as he turned around and left the driveway.

“Hey,” I said, answering Louise's call and going inside.

“Soph!” she exclaimed, “I have to tell you something!”

“What?” I asked, faking excitement. Her news was probably that she got a boyfriend or something materialistic. She was your typical princess who got everything; the guys, the clothes and even the grades.

“I was talking to mum last night and she promised that she'd pay for me to come visit you soon!” My jaw dropped in shock. I had no idea what to say. She took me completely by surprise- I was not expecting that.