Every Minute's Like the Last; A One Direction Fan Fiction by Niallerbeast

Every Minute's Like the Last; Chapter Ten

Nikki

October 2011

Fate fell short this time

Your smile fades in the summer

Place your hand in mine

I’ll leave when I wanna

“So babe, your birthday is later this month. Thought about what we’re doing for you yet?” Louis asked, leaning over the back of the couch and nuzzling my neck.

“Are you going to be back in time?” I asked, forgetting the actual date of their awards banquet that they had to fly back to London for.

“Of course. Today’s, what, the second? We leave tonight, and we’re back the tenth. Plenty of time to plan!”

“How about a party? A huge L.A. party. It could be a masquerade, everyone wears masks and fancy ball gowns! Just in time for Halloween, but no dorky costumes, like superheroes or anything like that.”

“Whatever you want, love.” Louis answered me. “Listen, do you want to go out to dinner tonight before I leave? There’s still a few hours and I’m all packed.”

“Sounds good babe. It’s your last night, so you pick.”

“How about Lush? I think it’s still early enough where we can get a table. Plus, I want to you to meet Mikaela. Harry will probably bring her to your party, so it would be nice.”

“Yeah, sounds perfect. I’m so happy that he’s found someone he clicks with. It’s always so difficult for him to connect to people. He just closes off usually.”

“Yeah. I’m really pleased that he’s paired off.” Louis said, grabbing his jacket.

I stood up and slipped on a pair of sandals. “Yeah. Maybe we can double date when you get back!” I answered, grabbing the keys off the counter and tossing them to Louis on the way out the door.

*******

“Louis! And you must be Nikki!” I was pulled into a one armed hug by someone who could only be Mikaela.

“Yes!” I peeked at her name tag to confirm my guess. “glad to finally meet you! You and Harry have only been together, what three weeks? But he never shuts up about you!”

“Don’t tell him she said that though, or else we’ll be in trouble,” Louis added, poking me in the stomach playfully. “Do you think you can sneak us a table?”

“Of course! No need to sneak! There’s still a few open. I’ll get you guys one in the back, for some privacy.”

“Thank you, Mikaela,”  I said warmly. “I’m so glad we finally got to meet.” She leaned in and gave me another hug, then grabbed the menus and clicked off towards the back of the restaurant.

Louis wrapped his arm around my waist and led me after her.

“So,” I said after our plates had been set down, “tell me about this awards banquet thingy.”

Louis took a thoughtful bite of his filet mignon before he spoke. “It’s for this season of X-Factor. We’re making a speech there, about everything we’ve accomplished thus far. And, we’re meeting with this season’s final four, congratulating them on it and keeping their morale high. They got as many of the show’s alum as possible to come.”

“Is Cher going?” I asked. I had met Cher Lloyd during their season. Since we were close in age, we’d become friends for the duration of the show, but had sort of lost contact after Louis and I had moved to America. We still text a bit, but not as much as before.

“I’m not sure. It’s possible, since she just released a single back home.”

“You should invite her to my party. Tell her that if she needs a place to crash, I’d be more than welcome to have her. And I’m sure you boys wouldn’t mind seeing her again.”

“Okay. I can put the offer out there if that will make you happy. But I can’t vouch for whether she’ll actually come or not.” He sighed.

“Thanks! Love you.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He smiled at me, then went back to his food. “Hey, what’s wrong Louis?” I reached out and grabbed his hands, taking them in mine. “You can tell me.”

“Nothing.”

“Louis, come on. I can tell when something’s wrong. Are you nervous for your flight?” the waitress came back to the table then, and took our plates, leaving the check on the table. We both fell silent until she walked away.

“Look Nik, let’s discuss this at home, not here.” I reached into my bag to grab some cash, but Louis signed a check with a flourish, and got up to leave. I raised an eyebrow and hurried after him. He was already hopping into the driver’s seat of my car. I got into the passenger’s side, but just barely. He took off before I could even put on my seat belt on.

“Louis!” he ignored me, staring determinedly at the road. I kept quiet until we reached my apartment. Chanel’s car wasn’t in the driveway. I followed him inside.

“Louis, what the hell?”

He looked at me, breathing heavily. I took a tentative step towards him, and he surprised me by rushing forward, he pushed me back against the wall and pinned me there, his lips  smashing into mine. My first instinct was to tense up, pushing my hands against his chest. His hands covered mine and I relaxed into the kiss. That was all the signal Louis needed, as he thrust his tongue into my mouth, going into full-on make-out mode. His hands traced my arms, rubbing my shoulders. Then, he gently pushed the strap to my silky cami down my shoulder. His other arm snaked up the back of my top, and he started tugging at the clasp of my bra. I jerked away.

“Whoa, whoa, Louis! Stop.” He took a step back, eyes blazing.

“Nikki. I don’t want to leave. Even when we’re recording and not touring, I still have to leave you. And I don’t want to. I miss you so much when I’m gone. I just want you so bad Nik.” He stepped against me again, grabbing the belt loops on my jeans. I slid sideways and stepped out into the room.

“Okay, okay Louis. I miss you too but I don’t mind. Louis, you quite possibly saved my life two years ago. I owe everything to you. I’m not going anywhere. And I do want to go further with you. But not now. Not because you’re leaving and want a little something to tide you over. We aren’t there yet. I haven’t done anything since Ethan. You know that. It’s a big step for me, for us. It has to happen more naturally than this. On my terms, not yours. I’m sorry.”

Louis sat down on the couch and motioned for me to join him, pulling me onto his lap. I nestled my face into his neck. “I’m sorry Nikki. I wasn’t trying to force you into anything. I just thought since I was leaving- but I see now that we aren’t ready and that’s okay. I can wait. For you, I’d do anything.”

I smiled and kissed his neck. “Thank you Louis. What time is it?”

“Fifteen minutes until Harry Liam and Zayn arrive,” he replied, understanding what I was really asking. I closed my eyes and took in the smell and feel of him beneath me. Just a week until we had this again. I could do that. And when he got back, I would have a huge present waiting for him. For us.

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 A/N: As always, feedback is appreciated! You can message me at niallerbeast.tumblr.com and i'll be sure to get back to you! Nikki is based off amazaynlytastytomlinson.tumblr.com. She's suuuper nice, you guys should follow her blog!  I based this whole story on her and her one shot request from forever ago! Her outfit from this chapter can be found in the external link over on the sidebar. My polyvore account is Britsstyle (because basically all i use it for is to make outfits based on all my my british babies!) Also, I would love to get a higher readership so if you have any ideas please let me know, especially if you want to be fanfic affiliates!