Affection | N.H

Chapter 32

("You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody."-Maya Angelou)

So this is Nellie who Niall talks about?

She turns around to face Veena and I take in her appearance. She is very beautiful. She has a skinny body and she is fairly tall. Taller than me at least. Her tan skin glows under the light peeking through the glass windows. Her short blonde hair covers her shoulders and she looks absolutely stunning in a short, black pencil skirt and white button up shirt. Instantly, I start comparing myself with her. My pale skin, my fat belly..

"I don't feel like working today." She dismisses Veena very rudely and turns back to Niall who has been staring at her.

I walk towards them slowly, counting my steps and my heart doesn't seem to stop pounding against my chest. What will she think of me? Will she like me or will she dislike me?

"And you are?" She snaps at me as soon as I reach hearing distance to them.

"She's Tarisha." Niall tells Nellie.

"You're dating now?" She sighs.

"I don't date Nellie."

..

We are sitting in Niall's car. Since the first day I met Niall, I have been sitting at the front with him, today I had to take the back seat because Nellie wanted to sit beside Niall. Niall is staring at her during the traffic signals and when he is driving, they are talking about events from last year. I am like an invisible soul amongst them right now.

Nellie wanted to go somewhere with Niall. I don't know where we are going now. I think Niall will drop me off before going out on his mini date with his crush from last year, Nellie. Well, he probably got his feelings back for her, or he actually never lost those feelings.

I am proved wrong as Niall parks at the driveway of his house. I am once again left confused, and unsure of what to do. I unbuckle my seat belt and get off the car followed by Nellie and Niall.

"So many memories with this house, right?" Nellie looks at Niall and I swear I saw her wink. Niall doesn't do anything though.

My heart breaks. What kind of memories did they have? Niall has mentioned before that Nellie was the only girl he felt safe with before he met me. He also said I remind him of Nellie. Basically, he doesn't think I am Tarisha. He thinks I am some duplicate of Nellie. The thought of Niall whispering comforting words in Nellie's ears, giving her small kisses, makes me shiver.

It's your fault you thought you could be his only one. He has hundreds. Why is that stupid little subconscious of mine always so right?

"So, are you coming in?" Niall asks Nellie.

"Of course, why would you drive all the way here with.." She pauses to glance at me, "with some random girl. I mean I thought we could have some quality time together after such a long time." Nellie says as we all step into Niall's house.

She seems to know this house very well. She kicks off her heels and skips to Niall's room very happily.

"Niall, I will leave now. You can spend some time with her." I inform him and turn around to leave.

Niall spins me around by my hand. I silently wince at the pain the scars send through my body. His blue eyes look directly into my eyes. His lips are slightly parted and he rests his hand on my waist. "You're staying."

"Nellie wants some time with you, alone. I am interrupting that privacy. Just let me go Niall." I say trying to get rid of his tight grip. My scars seem to be bleeding under his tight touch.