Chasing Ari (a 1D Fanfic )

Chapter 13

***Arianna's POV***

I caught Niall stealing a glance at me again while we were eating. This must have been the twentieth time. And every single time,  Sydney's words to me kept floating back and forth in my mind.

'You never know. You might like Niall.' Sydney's voice repeated inside my head. Harassing me for what must have been the twentieth time. 

I stood abruptly, making some people around me jump at the sudden change. I quickly grabbed some empty cups and cleared some plates of the table. I need a reason to leave the patio. I had to clear my head.

I briskly walked into the kitchen and shoved the trash in the garbage can. I clutched a glass and filled it with left over wild berry smoothie I had made earlier in the day. I relaxed a little after a gulp of the smoothie. It made me feel at home again, when my mother would make smoothies for me before I had to leave for school.

My mind starts to wonder. I start to replay last night in my head. How Zayn had introduce Niall so randomly to me. How Zayn had split us up so Niall would be paired with me.

I now realise the subtle hints Niall had dropped. Little flirtatious words here and there.  My mind went over our conversation while spying on Sydney and Harry.

" I like girls who can take charge." he had said. 

"Maybe I'll take you there."  I remember his smile when he said that, carefree and wonderful. As if traveling to Ireland was tangiable.

I was so blind last night. How did I not take notice of any of this before?

Thinking about it now, Zayn must have switched our phones on purpose. It was all part of his little plan. 

I hear the sliding glass door creak open a bit and I freeze, my glass in mid air. 

"I'm sorry, it was a bit loud out there," I hear Niall say. Great. The last person I want to see right now.  I'm trying to clear my mind! Can no one respect that?

I can't even think straight. Maybe I should just go back outside. 

I hear one of the dining room chairs scrape across the floor. "Oh, at least he comfortable," I whisper sarcasticly to myself.

I hear him laugh, and I catch my self scrunching my nose in annoyance.  

"No, no. I've been great. How have you been?" He says. I peer into the dining room. His back was towards me but I could see his hand held up to his ear.

For some reason, I decided to stay in the kitchen.  I pretended to wipe down the counters, even though they were sparkling as it is. I just didn't want him to turn around and see me standing there like a duck. 

"No, I'm so sorry. I didn't have my phone. Its kinda a long story, Winter." he says apologetically.

Winter? Its an odd name, even if it is a nickname.  But then again, we do call McKayla, 'Kay'. People always think we're saying 'Okay'. Its a little confusing for people outside the circle.

"Yea, I'll tell Sydney you say Hello. No, she isn't as crazy as she was in Disney. I think Harry's calmed her down a bit. They just kinda chill there." he goes on.

I remember when Sydney told me how she met Harry.  A random run-in at Disney. She didn't give much detail. She was hurt from the way Harry said goodbye. Now, that they are back together, we don't bring up Disney anymore. We don't want Sydney to have anymore bad memories. I think its a little funny how after all their time apart, after the Disney fiasco, Harry was able to win her back. It took him a couple of tries , notably, Sydney wasn't ready to get hurt again. Harry had to start the process of winning her over all over again.

"Haha, funny, but no." he paused. "No, I don't have a girlfriend. Do you, Lauren?"  Niall laughed again softly.

I snorted to myself. He doesn't have a girlfriend, yet. Not if Zayn has more to this little plan of his. 

What am I even thinking? I don't even like him like that. I peered back out at the dining room. Sydney's words echoed once again.  

You never know. You might like Niall.

That is it. I need to get outta here before my brain drives me insane.  I tip toe towards the sliding glass door, his back was still towards me. If he happens to tilt his head to the left, he would see me sliding the door open with swiftly. 

I was closing the door as I heard him say into the phone. " Well, there is this one girl. Arianna. She's beautiful." 

I jump a little at his words. My fingers slip and the door slams shut. Just what I needed.

Niall turns his head in surprise, and acknowledged  me on the other side of the door. His eyes grow wide and his mouth slacks a bit. I wasn't sure if it was in shock that I was standing there, or in horror that I had heard that last words he had uttered.

 He closes his mouth quickly and I see him begin to turn red. He covers his face with his hand.

I think its time for me to go.