Broken [One Direction]

Chapter 1

- Niall's POV -

I wasn't planning on falling in love. I wasn't planning for this whirlwind of emotions to rush at me. But that was the best part. It was unexpected.

Late into December, the boys and I were in the States on the last leg of our Take Me Home tour, but I had managed to sneak away for some alone time. Finding my way around town, I shivered and pulled the sleeves of my jacket down my hands a bit. Briskly, I walked into the coffee shop just across the street. I couldn't afford getting lost. It was a quaint place. As I stepped through the doors the smell of warm coffee and blueberry muffins greeted me. My mouth watered at the the thought of sinking my teeth into one of those doughy muffins. A short, brunette hair lady smiled at me and gestured toward her array of desserts and drinks. "Welcome to Coffee by the Book! How can I help you?"

What friendly people, I thought. Misty Falls was an unusually small town just outside of San Jose, a city in Northern California. Everyone here seemed to welcome you with open arms and overall, just seemed like a good place to call home. It had your typical small town feel.

I smiled back at the lady and replied, "1 large mocha cappuccino and a blueberry muffin, please."

She took note of my Irish accent and began making conversation. "Are you not from here?" she inquired.

"No, I'm from Ireland," I said back politely.

"How interesting!" She said while bustling about in the back, getting my coffee. "Well, here's your muffin and a coffee!"

I hesistated before asking, "Excuse me, how much is it?"

She dismissed me with her hands and said, "It's on the house for the traveler all the way from Ireland."

"No, really. I insist. Please, let me pay." It's the least I could do, I thought, figuring she had no clue I was part of One Direction.

"On the house. Don't worry about it."

"No, please," I argued back. "Here, please accept this," I held out the bill to her.

The lady's eyes widened and she gratefully took it from my hands. "Well, if you're sure."

"I'm sure," I confirmed.

Taking my coffee and muffin, I began to take more notice of my surroundings and found a girl sitting all by herself in the corner of the shop, curled up against the window bench with a blanket and a book. Normally, I would've left the girl alone and went on my way, but this time, something made me want to go talk to her. She had an uncanny resemblence to someone a neighbor of mine knew.

"Hi," I smiled toward her, taking a seat on the bench. When she looked up from her book, I was shocked by how much pain was reflected through them. She half-smiles and places her finger between the book to save her spot.

"Hi."

I wasn't sure quite what to say then. I wanted to crack a joke, use a pick-up line, or something funny. But I couldn't. So instead, what did I say? I said, "Why are you in this corner all by yourself?" At that moment, my brain went awry and words failed me.

"It's amazing what you see when you stop talking and just pay attention," she smiled slightly at me, offering no other explanation.

"I'm Niall," I held out my hand to her.

She took it and replied, "I know. I'm Kylie."