Totally Not Me ( 1D/ N.H. / Niall Horan)

Chapter 15

I really don't know where to start in this conversation. Things have been so awkward between us lately.

I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, "You have a really good singing voice."

"You heard that?" The look of horror on his face makes me wish I could scoop those words up and shove them back into my mouth.

"I...I...I just heard the last couple bars as I walked in." I lie.

"Oh. I've got that song stuck in my head."

"It'll do that. I heard it on the way over here. I like it." I begin to relax a bit and try not to overthink this conversation.

"It's catchy. I'm a pretty big Justin Bieber and Michael Buble fan myself." Niall informs me.

"No way! I'm a huge Justin Bieber fan!" I blurt out.

"You're kidding. I would have taken you for a Black Eyed Peas or Fergie girl."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I exaggerate being offended.

The room becomes engulfed with Niall's laughter and he quickly covers his mouth with his hand.

"Hurry up and sit down or else you are going to get me fired." He whispers quickly.

I sit as fast as I can and we launch right into my lesson. Niall is a really good teacher. He's patient and examines things really well.

"You've been practicing. I can tell. You MAY get a gold star today after all." Niall teasingly compliments and once again, I make an over exaggeration look as if I was offended. He pierces his lips to muffle his laugh.

As my lesson comes to an end, I am glad I didn't request a different instructor. He has made me feel better without even knowing it.

"Did you want to have lunch today?" The question sneaks out of my lips without me thinking it all the way through.

"Sure." He shrugs and smiles. "Same time? Same place?"

"Yea." I answer as I gather up my stuff. I stand up and begin to walk out. "I'll see you then." I say over my shoulder.

I hear him start to strum the Ne-Yo song again as I turn down the short hallway.

I make my way to my dad's car and get in.

"That must have been a good lesson." My dad openly observes.

"Why do you say that?" How would he know?

"You barely cracked a smile all morning and you walk out of there grinning from ear to ear."

"I was just worried about the lesson today due to drama at school all week." I vaguely explain.

"So, does that mean I'm eating alone for lunch today too?" He raises his eyebrows at me.

"You scare me sometimes on how well you know what's going on."

"Thank goodness that GPS we had the doctor implant in your bum is finally paying off!" He laughs at his own joke.

I can't help but laugh with him. My dad is always sarcastic.

* * * *

I wait outside impatiently on the bench outside the music store for Niall. I stare down at my converses as I swing my feet slightly.

"Wey hey!" I hear and look up to see this smiling face walking towards me. His smile is infectious and I can't help but return it.

I stand up, awkwardly adjust my hoodie, and we make our way to our usual place for lunch.

"Are you ready for homecoming?" He asks.

Ugh! Homecoming. Brent and my mom have completely sucked the fun and excitement out of it all.

"I guess." I shrug.

"You guess? No offense but aren't girls supposed to be all excited for this shit. Isn't this stuff what you all live for?" Under his sarcasm, I can tell that he genuinely doesn't understand.

"Calling it 'shit' doesn't make it any more appealing." I smirk.

He tilts his head back and his laughter fills the restaurant.

"Sorry. Amy is driving me crazy over matching this and avoiding that. Thank god we're just going as friends! I can't imagine going as a couple." He chuckles.

"At least you aren't stuck with King Brent and Prince Ryan." I respond.

He pauses for a second to survey our situations.

"Why do you give Ryan such a hard time? I mean your step brother is a complete asshole but is Ryan the exact same or are you just lumping them together?"

I open my mouth to answer and then pause. Wait. Do I just lump them together or has Ryan actually shown that he is an asshole too?

"Ok. So you make a point. I blanket Brent's assholiness over the whole group."

"Assholiness?" He laughs again.

Our meals come and we begin to eat leaving our conversation unfinished.

"Maybe you should give the lad a shot. He obviously has a thing for you." Niall breaks the silence after our plates are nearly clean.

"I don't think so."

"Why not? He's trying like hell to impress the shit out of you all the time."

"Yea right." I look down and pick at my draw string bracelets.

"You know, it would be easier to play the guitar if you didn't have those on all the time. I never see you wear these at school."

"Nope. These save my life."

"What?"

"Maybe one day I'll explain but today is not it because you have five minutes to get back to work."

"Fuck!" He says look at the time on his phone.

We hastily clean up and I walk him quickly back to his work.

"It was nice to actually have a lunch without crying or misunderstandings." He comments out loud.

"Yes it is. Now hurry and go back to work before something like that happens!" I tell him and point towards the store.

"Yes, ma'am." He solutes and jogs in.

I turn on my heels and walk to my dad's car.

Maybe I am being too hard on Ryan. I'll see how homecoming goes. If he makes it a lot less painless than my mom and Brent, then he can't be all bad.

"How was lunch?" My dad asks with a sheepish grin on his face before I even get my seatbelt on.

A/N- Holy writer's block! I knew where I wanted to go with this chapter...I just wasn't sure how I was going to get there. Thank you for being so patient! Please vote, share, and/or comment. Thanks for continuing to read my works! :)