When Boy Meets Girl

Chapter One

Who knows how long I slept for. When I awoke I laid on the couch for hours, thinking. I had dreamt that my ex Charles and I hadn't broken up. I had dreamt that none of this had ever happened, but in a way I was glad that it did. I took a moment to make sure that my encounter with Niall Horan was not a work of my imagination. At that thought, I smiled and drew a deep breath, remembering how it felt to see him in person. My heart began racing. Swinging my feet around, I reached for my phone and let the One Direction album go on infinite replay. I danced my way to the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea. I snatched up my hairbrush off the counter with my spare hand and began singing loudly.

"IF IM LOUDER, WOULD YOU SEE ME?" I closed my eyes and pictured Niall serenading me. The night was dark and starry outside the windows of my flat. The perfect setting for a night on the town. Without thinking, i threw on my now dry beige trenchcoat and some heels. I stared at my tired self in the mirror miserably.

"God I look awful," I sighed. I slopped on some makeup, combed my hair, and was out the door. The air was chilly from the recent rain and the oncoming fall season. Wind blew my hair back, making my face freeze . My teeth chattered slightly and I held the coat tighter around me. The light coming from the nearest Starbucks enticed me.

Inside, the warmth was inviting and I inhaled the lovely smell coffee brewing. I took my place in the long line. Fifteen minutes later, I was seated at a small table just in front of the cafe, the hot chocolate heating my cold hands. Somebody unexpectedly tapped my shoulder.

"Hey I know you," the person said in that familiar Irish accent. My heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears. I turned to see the bright face of Niall.

"Hi," I answered nervously. He had a drink in his hand too and looked awkward just standing there. He seemed to be waiting for something. 

"Oh sorry, please sit down," I offered, embarrassed. 

"Thanks." Niall sank into the chair across from me.

"So uhm, how are you?" I asked uncomfortably.

"I'm doing fine. Been working on the new album. You a fan?" 

Am I a fan? AM I A FAN? I wasnt sure how to respond to the question without scaring him off.  My room was filled with posters, I had gone to every concert I could, I tweeted about them 24/7. Was I a fan? I was more than that. 

"Yeah, I'm a fan," I tried to say calmly, leaning back in my seat. Niall's only response was a grin. I couldn't contain myself any longer.

"This is gonna sound strange, but can you sign, uh, this?' I handed him my iPhone. He laughed heartily.

"Trust me, it's not strange at all. Of course." Niall whipped a Sharpie out of his jacket pocket and his hand glided in sweeping motions over the back of my cell like he did this all the time. It only made me realize that I really was just another lucky girl, that he didn't actually like me. It had been by complete chance that I had even met him in the first place. 

"Here ya go." I held my phone close to my heart before returning it safely to the front pocket of my coat. 

"Thank you so much," I said. I slurped up the last of my hot chocolate and knew that I had to go. Niall had finished his latte long ago. 

"Well, this was fun. Wait I'm sorry i never got a name.'

"It's Christina but people call me Chris."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Chris. Maybe we'll see each other again." 

"I hope so." Niall got up and was gone in an instant without another word or any sign that he had been there at all. I sat for awhile before starting on my home.