Niall Horan Imagines

Back For You (Request) (Part Four)

if you haven't read the last few parts, please do so.

.

When he disappeared from my doorstep, my top priority was to pretend it had never happened. Knowing something like that existed added dimensions to the world that I didn't want. I wanted the small world I had, with the people I loved. I didn't want the fear that I experienced right then.

I rushed to bed, shutting my eyes until my brain shut off. Even though it was midday, I forced myself to act like it was a dream.

I woke up only half an hour later to loud pounding on my door, and I timidly opened it.

"Leah?" Melody sobbed, rushing up and hugging me. I sighed out, relieved.

"Hey," I breathed, patting her back.

"I thought he was going to hurt you," she cried, and I cursed at myself for ever trying to make myself think it wasn't real.

"It was just my past coming back to haunt me," I explained, smiling at she let go. She nodded, and I shut the door behind her.

Not even a week later, I was at the mall, feeling safer in public after what had happened. I pushed through racks of clothes on clearance, searching for a dress for that night. My parents had cancelled on dinner for the past four Friday's -- their unpredictability was infuriating -- so that Friday had been set in stone.

I finally found a dress that looked cute (pic to the side), so I tried it on. When it was a perfect fit, I was ecstatic. My parents always made dinner a big deal.

I was walking the dress up to the cashier when I caught a glimpse of a familiar face. I stopped in my tracks, pretending to take out my phone, but my eyes flicked up to see Niall pretending as well. I watched him stare at the jewelry in confusion as he tried to look nonchalant.

My first was reaction was to run, but I knew he knew I was there. My second reaction was to pretend nothing had happened, but he was being an idiot.

So I walked over to him.

I let my emotions take over, smacking him as soon as he turned to look at me. That was my second mistake. My wrist screamed out of pain, but I kept a poker face.

"What are you doing here?" I glared, seeing him laugh at my lame attempt to hurt him.

"Why are you buying that dress?" he wondered, rubbing the fabric in between his fingers. "It looks great, by the way." I gritted my teeth, annoyed that he was ignoring my question.

"I have a dinner date," I scoffed, realizing he wasn't worth my time. I stalked back towards the counter, hearing him walk at a human-like pace behind me.

"A date?" he asked, and I sighed as I handed the dress to the cashier. He stared at me from my right, and I handed the lady my card before looking at him.

"With who?" he glared, cutting me off from telling him the answer.

"You're jealous," I smirked, watching him grit his teeth.

"I'm keeping you alive for a reason," he reminded me, earning a concerned look from the cashier.

"Thank you," I quickly said to her, grabbing Niall's hand and rushing towards the door.

"I'm having dinner with my parents, idiot," I scolded him, letting go of him before I froze. He snorted, scratching his head.

"Why not with me, instead?" His question seemed stupid, like everything else he had done, but I thought about it.

I could make my parents see how it feels to cancel last minute, and I could get out of buying my aunts and uncles presents for a year. During that time of year was when a lot of birthdays in my family were, and my parents always made me buy them 'expensive and thoughtful gifts.'