Stay

 As I got up from my seat, Niall hopped off the stage and talked to a man standing at the end of the stage. Niall looked at me while talking. The man glanced at me and then nodded. Niall grinned.

                I continued walking with my mom when Niall quickly walked up to me.

                “Excuse me,” he said politely.

                I turned around. “Yes?”

                “I was just wondering, are you from Ireland?” he asked.

                “No, I’m not. I’m from America,” I said, moving out of the way of the people walking by.

                “I could tell by your accent,” he smiled. “So, anyways, I was wondering when you had to go back to America.”

                I thought for a moment. “I’ll be here until the end of the week. Then, I have to head back. Why?” I responded.

                “Oh,” Niall said sadly. “I was hoping that maybe we could hang out some and get to know each other a little bit.”

                I paused. “Well, maybe we can hang out while I’m here. It’s better than nothing, right?” I smiled.

                “Right,” he grinned. “So, where are you guys staying…?”

                “Rachel,” I said, telling him my name. “And some really crappy hotel. But it was all we could afford. Well, it was all I could afford. You see, I had to pay for this trip by myself,” I explained, playing with my hair a little.

                “I can’t have two pretty women staying in a bad hotel. Come on, we’ll get your stuff and move you to a better hotel. My treat,” he winked.

                “There’s really no need to do that. We couldn’t bother you with that,” my mother said. I had almost forgotten that she was standing there.

                “I insist,” he said.

                “Are you sure? We don’t want to be a bother.”

                “I’m positive. And it’s really no bother,” Niall smiled warmly. “Come on, I’ll help you guys move.”

*    *    *    *

                I lugged a suitcase behind me and followed Niall. He talked to the man behind the counter at the hotel and requested a specific room. He wouldn’t tell us why though.

                Finally, after some wandering, Niall led us to a door and used the key to get in. We set our stuff down and I wandered around my new environment. The room was so much nicer than our old one.

                “If you ladies need me, I’ll be in the room right next you yours,” Niall winked.

*    *    *    *

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

                I sat outside on the balcony. The crisp night air was relaxing, yet made goose bumps rise on my flesh. I brought my knees up to my chest, wrapped my arms around my knees, and rested my chin on my arms. The slight breeze felt much colder on my bare arms and legs. I took a deep breath and blew a piece of hair away from my face.

                “If you stay out here for much longer, you’re going to catch a cold,” a voice said from behind me. I turned my head to find Niall standing in the doorway of the balcony. “Can I join you?”