Save Me Tonight (A Niall Horan love story)[ON HOLD]

A Potpourri of Emotions.

There was a week when I was all by myself at home. Granny had to meet up with some distinct relative of hers and hence, was out of town. This suited me just fine. Although I loved having Granny around, the idea of solitude always excited me. Still does.

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It had now been a month since I first saw Niall and, except for a few customary greetings here and there, things were basically going downhill. He was always surrounded by a million girls who called themselves ‘Directioners’ and claimed that all 5 boys were ‘reserved’ for them. (-_-) speaking of the boys, I had really bonded with Liam in the past month. Although they all were a great company, Liam was THE perfect guy friend. He even kind of knew about my huge crush on Niall but was cool about it. And was their any other option except being cool about it? It wasn’t as if I was going out with Niall or anything. Not that I had a chance anyway. As I mentioned earlier, we rarely talked. So it was really unexpected when we came across each other at school and he asked me if I’d like to come over in the evening! Here, let me replay the whole conversation:

Niall: Hey Cassy! Long time, no see! How have you been?

Me: Well, someone is always surrounded by girls I think? Ha-ha! I’m okay.

Niall: What can I say? I love all the Directioners! So what are you doing after school today?

Me: Huh? Nothing special, I guess….um, why?

Niall: I was wondering if you’d like to come over. You’re already friends with the boys, aren’t you? So, what say?

Me: Uh, yeah….sure. If you insist, I mean….

Niall: Yeah, I insist. See you then, it’s a date!

And with that, he was off, leaving behind a stunned me. “It’s a date!” his voice echoed in my head repeatedly. “Date…date….date!” Huh! Date!

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I reached their house at about 5 p.m., wearing my favorite tee and a pair of jeans. I was a bit anxious and my anxiety showed: I was biting my nails, fidgeting with my hair and what not. It was the first time any guy had struck a chord in me and I didn’t want to ruin it.

Checking my appearance for one last time, I rang the doorbell. Clearly expecting one of the five boys to open the door, I was confused to see a huge, burly man. Had I come to the wrong house in my frenzy? Yes, that must be it. I was all ready to apologize and make a run for it when the huge guy went, “You must be Cassy, I suppose. Come on in! The lads are expecting you. I’m Paul, by the way- their manager.”

OH! Right! Damn! Why did I always forget that these guys were famous?! Well, at least I came to the right house.

As I followed Paul, I couldn’t help noticing (read ‘admiring’) the house. Or wait, ‘king-sized mansion’ was a better term for it. This place was huge, well-furnished and SO neat that I could practically see my reflection on the ultra-clean, ultra-smooth surfaces. After a few minutes of admiration, realization finally dawned: Niall was way out of my league. He’d never, I repeat, never fancy a girl like me. I wasn’t rich, popular, beautiful or even talented. The only ‘talent’ I possessed was that of daydreaming (Sarcasm intended).  Conclusion: I stood no chance with Niall. Period.

“Hey, hey, hey! Look who is here!” Zayn greeted me. I smiled back at him and everyone else present in the room. I say ‘everyone else’ because apart from the boys, I noticed two really pretty girls too.

One was blonde with gorgeous eyes and a perfect physique. She had on a really pretty dress that flaunted her flawless figure. She introduced herself as Perrie. She was a singer and was going out with Zayn.

The other girl was equally stunning in a totally different manner. She had beautiful, dark curls and a cute smile. She was a dancer and thus, had a figure to die for. She was looking extraordinarily fantastic in an adorable LBD. She introduced herself as Danielle. She was Liam’s girlfriend. I remembered him telling me about her.

And it was then that realization #2 came: I didn’t deserve Niall. At all. Moreover, after looking at Perrie and Danielle, my already dented confidence went even more downhill. I always believed myself to be one of those rare girls who are comfortable in their skin and don’t fuss about petty issues like having a perfect figure or wearing the latest trends. But boy, was I wrong! (-_-)

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Later that evening, we all just chatted around and ordered pizza. Well, they all just chatted around. I simply listened as they shared stories of people I knew nothing of. Much as I hated to admit it, I was getting really bored. Being an introvert certainly didn’t help matters. Right when I was about to leave, Niall came. We walked off to the balcony.

“Not much of your scene, huh? You don’t talk much, do you?” he asked as he handed me a Coke.

“Not really. I feel like an outcast. I mean thanks for inviting me and all but….” I trailed off, hoping I hadn’t offended him.

“You can talk to me. Come on, tell me something about yourself, your family, your interests, anything?”

“Err….I….well, I…. I don’t really like talking about myself.”

“Oh! You’re a mystery, aren’t you?” he exclaimed playfully.

“Yep! I certainly am!” I replied back, happy because of the change of topic.

“Don’t worry. I’m good at solving mysteries. Especially beautiful ones.” He said and turned to look at me.

I felt my cheeks turning pink as I tried to avoid meeting his eyes. Did he just call me ‘beautiful’?

“Well, well, well! Guess who is blushing?” he teased as I tried my level-best to return to normalcy.

“I’m not blushing.” I mumbled.

“Yes, you are. See? Your cheeks are all pink. Aww!” he laughed as he pulled my cheek.

I tried to frown at him but failed. He was just so adorable! And when he pulled my cheek, tingles shot up my spine and I froze under his touch. How I wished time would halt!

“Okay, I won’t make you blush now. Al though you look like an extremely cute kid when you do so. Ha-ha!” he said, smirking.

“What? No I don’t! Niall!” I retorted back.

“Okay chill. I’m just kidding. So tell me something about yourself, no? Like, um, yeah, like how many of you are there in your family?” he asked.

“Uh…it’s just me….and Granny.” I muttered, uncomfortable because of the direction this conversation was heading to.

“Parents?”

“They’re dead.”

There was a long pause. I looked at him as his facial expression changed to that of sympathy. I grimaced. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy.

“Niall, no. they’re not dead. I lied. Please don’t ask anything about them ever again. Please.” I said, backing away from him.

“Cassy! But…..what’s the problem? Do they hurt you? You can tell me. I’ll- oh Cassy! Come here, you!” he exclaimed, shocked to see my eyes glistening with tears.

He tried to come near me, console me but I retreated. I wanted to be left alone.

“Pl-please, let me go. S-sorry!” I cried, sobbing and ran back home, as fast as I could, ignoring Niall’s calls to come back.

I know I shouldn’t have left like this but I couldn’t control myself. Even though it was purely unintentional, Niall had unlocked all the painful memories of my horrifying past.

Not all wounds heal with time. Some of them haunt you for the rest of your life.