Chapter 15

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*** Arianna's POV *** 

My heart is still beating fast from hearing Niall call me beautiful.  

I wonder why he was mentioning me to his sister? Oh, they were talking about girlfriends not so long before. Maybe, she had asked about any girls he had liked. I could feel my cheeks begging to turn red.  

Harry had recently left. He looked a little mad, like he really did want to leave. He mumbled something about a video conference for One Direction. Before he left, he have Sydney a long kiss. She was now sitting in a state of melancholy, her fingers softly resting on her lips.  

"I wonder what was so important the boys had to leave like that. I kinda like Niall. He was fun. His accent was cute, too." Kaylie voiced before pouring the last of her soda into a cup.  

Cross kept his eye on me while Kaylie talked, gauging my reactions. I must have twitched or something along those lines when she mentioned Niall because he laughed and leaned back in his chair. I narrowed my gaze at him, as a warning. He must know something. He raised his eyebrows at me. He just loves screwing with my mind. 

I drop it, I'll get my answers later.  

The conversation has moved on to plans for the day after tomorrow. They were debating between karaoke or a beach night.  

The beach was nice this time of year. But Sydney and I loved kareoke. Music has always been a huge part in our lives. Especially, now since she was in Fusion. I had a job singing at a couple of restaurants throughout the week. Sometimes, even weddings, or some festivals the city holds.  

Nothing too serious. My mom wants me to go to school and get a more solid career. I'm working on my nurses licence, on line and some in school classes. Sometimes, I volunteer at the hospital on my days off. 

They decided on the beach. Sydney was ready to protest but they were prepared with a compromise. Campfire, smores and singing. Sydney happily agreed, as long as she could bring Harry. No surprise on that one. Harry has sort of been adopted into our little circle. 

No one really mind if any of the boys tagged along. They were welcomed with opened arms. Even Lou and Liam. They weren't around as much. They were always visiting family, or girlfriends but they had come over to Sydney's house for dinner during the holidays. Liam and I had gotten on real well. Our personalities were oddly similar. Lou was a jokester. Not really serious that one. He liked lightening the mood, which was very useful when everyone was stressed.  

Jen snapped her fingers in front of my face. I jump a little, I was deep in thought.  

"I said, 'We're going to head on out. ' alright? " she repeated slowly like I was dense. I nodded.  

"Us too," Kaylie added. Both girls had been sometimes ride. Luckily, Cross had came on his own. I glaces at him, waiting for him too add on his exit. But he never did. I smirked, this will work out perfect.  

I got out of my chair and have everyone who was leaving a hug and a goodbye kiss on the cheek. They left like a heard, all grouped together, heading in one direction, chattering.  

Sydney stayed behind, and Cross was laid back in his chair with no plans to leave anytime soon. Humph. Either he knows I'm aware that he knows some secret, or that I'm completely oblivious. Either way, he was being a little cocky.

"So, you gonna tell me now, or later?" I said, cutting straight to the point. Sydney lifter her head up, not sure where I was going with this, but once she saw the look I was giving Cross, she caught on. 

"Tell you what?" Cross said innocently, Putting his hands in front of him and shaking his head,

"Hmmm. So, its later then? Oh, okay. I gotchya. " I nod at Cross and turn to Sydney. "Want some ice cream while we wait?" I ask.

She nods excitely. Sydney will give anything for sugar.

"You can come along, too." I say to Cross, as if he wasn't going  to tag along.

We walked to the kitchen silently, Sydney and Cross already taking a seat at the dinning room table across from each other, leaving space for me at the end. I quickly grabbed spoons, and bowls and placed them on the table.

"Is chocolate chip cookie dough okay?" I ask, as scary as it sounds, some don't enjoy the amazingness that is chocolate chip cookie dough.

They nod, Sydney a little more lively.  I seized the beloved cookie dough and laid it on the table. 

Sydney was the first to attack the ice cream, she scooped three spoonfuls into her bowl. I followed her lead, topping it of with another half spoonful. Cross had only started to scoop out his ice cream before Sydney started bouncing in her chair from the sugar. This wasn't one of my best ideas, but you know, you've got to let go every once in a while.

We ate in silence, not wanting to waste the deliciousness of the ice cream. When I was done, I sat back in my chair and watched Cross as if to say, "You can tell me now." Eventually, he caught on.

"We'll if you really must know. Niall is tripping because he likes you." Cross said flatly. Sydney began to spazz and laugh.

"I knew it! I knew it!" She sung repeatedly dancing around the room. "This is great!" She added.

"Wait, you knew?" Cross said, a little confused.

"Duhh, Cross. She's one of my best friends, she knows pretty much everything." I say, stating the obvious. 

Cross threw his hands up in defense.

"But he's just a friend." I say to no one in particular, mostly just to reassure myself. Sydney looked a little sad at this statement.

"Awww, another one to the friendzone." Cross said jokingly. 

I sat in thought for a moment, Cross seemed to register my silence and waited for me to add on.

"But maybe," I start. "Just maybe, I'll give him a chance."

"He has a chance!" Cross cheers for the possible safety of another one being in the friend zone. 

"Catch is: he's got to make the first move. He has to talk to me first. " I declared with a smug look on my face. As nice as he is, he seems like a shy type. If I'm lucky he'll won't contact me himself. And I can just get out of this ordeal. I nodded to myself, in congratulations. I made a good little loophole on this one. 

Then, Sydey's words tortured me once again, You never know. You might like Niall.

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