It Gets Better

Part 9

Liam glanced back and I saw his eyes go wide.

"Oh shit," he whispered under his breath as he turned to scramble out of the way. Soon enough Liam was tripping out of the door as Niall plowed into him.

My mouth fell open, freshly chewed sandwich and all. He was absolutely flawless.

"What are ye talkin about me for?" he said, looking between Dani and Liam with his back to me. He hadn't even seen me yet.

"Well, (Y/N) over here has a shirt that I think you'll appreciate." Liam said.

"Thats a pretty name.... But I'm afraid I don't know any (Y/N)s" Niall shrugged.

"Niall, meet your first (Y/N)" Liam said with a grin, pointing behind Niall, and straight at me. I quickly closed my mouth an chewed my food as Niall whipped his head around. His eyes went nearly as wide as mine.

"Were you the one I heard gasping and making odd noises?" He asked, smirking.

"Oh, um. Yea that was me... Sorry." I said, looking at the ground.

"No need to apologize, I thought you sounded cute." He said, with a flirty smirk. "Seems I was right." he added. I giggled and blushed.

"Thanks, Niall." it was amazing I could speak at all.

"Well stand up babe, I need a good look at this fabulous shirt." Niall rolled his eyes as he said 'fabulous' and held his hands out to help me up.

I set my sandwich down before reaching up for his hands. He grabbed firmly and pulled me up, harder than I expected and I lost my footing and held my arms out in front of me as I smashed into his chest. He stumbled back a bit wrapped his arms around me as I steadied myself. I blushed so hard I could physically feel the burning.

"You ok?" He asked, still holding me close, looking into my eyes.

"Um yea, I'm fine." I said, with a nervous smile.

"I'm gonna let go now... Yeh?" He said. I nodded and he stepped back and held my shoulders at arms length. "Feeling steady?" He asked. I blushed and nodded. He took his hands off me and backed up a step. No, don't let go.

"Are you two ok?" Liam asked, he was sitting beside Danielle, his arm hanging around her shoulder. They were both grinning cheekily, oh my gosh, they saw the whole thing.

"Um, yea I'm fine." I said, careful not to speak for Niall.

"I'm great too! Why, mate?" Niall said.

"Well, it looks like (Y/N) just mauled you..." Liam said and laughed. I blushed even deeper and looked down at the ground.

"Well... She is just a fan, right?" Niall joked back, and it hurt to hear. I really was 'just a fan' and I wouldn't be remembered so staying here and being embarrassed was a waste of time. I was already an emotional wreck, I felt tears start to brim for no reason.

"Well, I'm gonna go." I said shortly and turned to walk away.

"Wait, (Y/N)" I heard Niall plead.

I kept walking, I didn't want to cry in front of him. So much shit had gone on tonight, and all I wanted was to be alone, and here I was making an ass out of myself. I only made it a few steps before I felt a hand on my wrist and I was yanked back, crashing into Niall's chest yet again.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to maul you." I spat, the tears were about to spill again.

"oh my god (Y/N) that's not what I meant!" Liam said, looking guilty. "Babe, it's just banter between mates, you know we were joking?" he asked, with genuine concern laced through his voice.

"I know. It's not you, I've just had a rough night. I just need to go." I said trying to shove Niall away.

"What, do you have somewhere to be?" He said, it sounded like he wanted me to stay, but I was probably imagining it.

"I don't know...." I said, slowly realizing I had no idea what I was doing for the night.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed. I don't know why he cared so much.

"Why do you care? I'm just a fan." I said.

"We love all our fans, now what's wrong?" He said, refusing to take no for an answer. His response really wasn't what I wanted to hear, but I guess I couldn't really expect him to be interested in me. I was an average fan and I probably looked horrid from the events of the night.  

"I don't want to talk about it." I said, because I didn't. I didn't want to dump all my shit on a gorgeous international popstar. 

"Ok, I get it. but it hasn't anything to do with me?" he asked, curious.

"It's got nothing to do with you Ni! Leave the poor girl alone." Danielle piped in, I smiled over at her.

"No, you're perfect." I added, almost as a second nature. shit. I'd spent a year watching this boy through my computer screen, and I could never find a flaw. He scoffed.

"I think you've got me confused with yourself." he said. Only then did I realize how close we were, he was still holding me, and he had just complimented me. I froze. How could I respond to that.

"I um, I.... Thank you?" I finally managed to say.

"Not a problem babe." he said.

"Want to finish your food?" he asked, letting me go and breaking the tension.

"It seems you took the last chicken sandwich.... I'd  be right upset with you if you didn't finish it." he said, with a playful smile.

"Yea, I'm still starving." I walked back to my sandwich and sat down on the ground, reaching over to pick it up again.

"What're ye doin?" Niall asked. "What are all of you doin?" he looked over at Dani and Liam. "There's perfectly good tables right inside that fence!" he said, extending both of his arms toward the door.

"You're right." Liam said, stroking his chin comically.

"Maybe we could all go in there....." Dani added, prompting Niall to invite me.

"I think that's a fantastic idea, you wanna come back (Y/N)?" Niall asked, looking down at me. My mouth dropped.

"Um, are you sure it's ok?" I asked, I couldn't believe this was happening.

"Yeh, I'm a carefree mofo. I do what I want." he said cockily. Placing his hands on his hips and staring up at nothing. I busted up laughing with Liam and Dani. Niall grinned widely at our reaction. The giggles faded out and Liam broke the silence "Well then, let's go!"