Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Six

About three weeks later, I stepped off the elevator, turned and stopped in my tracks.  There, at the end of the hall, was Esta.  I walked up a bit before announcing myself.

"Esta?" I asked.

She turned around and saw me, a shocked expression on her face quickly replaced by one of embarrassment.  "Niall, hey," she said, softly but cheerily.

"Hey," I said, smiling at her, "You're back."

"Yeah, I am.  Just got in."

I looked down at the two bags she had with her.  "You only took two bags?"

"Yeah, I tend to travel as light as possible," she said, her eyes darting around the hallway.  She looked nervous.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I am.  I'm sorry.  I guess I'm just surprised you're speaking to me.  I kinda just left. Did you get my note?" She looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite figure.  It was either one of hope or one of nervousness. 

"I did.  Patrick gave it to me, I think maybe a few days after you'd gone."

"Yeah, I was wondering.  I turned my phone back on when I got back and saw I missed your texts and calls.  I'm sorry I just kind of bounced."

"It's okay."  She looked at me.  "Really.  I promise."

"You sure?  I felt bad leaving just a note and not texting but I had my phone cut off earlier than expected.  I didn't want to leave it taped to your door.  I wanted to tell you in person."

She was talking so fast, I could see she was hoping I wasn't mad at her.  "Esta, it's fine.  I promise.  I got the note.  I understand."

"You sure?" she asked, confused.

"Yeah.  You really didn't even owe me a note, to be honest.  But, I'm glad you did."

"I just didn't want you to think I had just bailed."  She hung her head a little, bringing her thumb to her mouth to bite on the nail.  "I, uh, don't really make friends very easily.  Well, I do, I just don't keep them.  And, I don't know, you were so nice to me when I lost my job and I had fun hanging out with you."

"I had fun hanging out with you, too."  Out of curiosity, I then asked, "Where's Jace?"

"Oh, he, uh, we broke up."

"I'm sorry, Esta," I said, while simultaneously glad the asshole was gone.  Although, according to Patrick, he'd be back.

"It's okay.  It's a bit we do," she said, trying to laugh it off but I could tell she was upset.  "I'm, uh, quite tired, Niall.  Do you mind if I head inside?"

"Of course not."

"Thanks.  Um, we could hang out tomorrow, if you want?"

"Uh, well, tomorrow is kind of busy for me," I paused, seeing her face drop a little.  She probably thought I was being nice to her face but didn't want to actually be around her.  "But, if you're around maybe late tomorrow, we can hang out?  I actually have something I wanted to talk about with you."

Her eyes perked up a little but, "Oh, okay.  Um, yeah, I guess just call or text me.  I promise, I'll respond this time around."

"Okay," I said, nodding and smiling at her.

She opened her door, picked up her bags and went inside.

"Goodnight, Esta.  Welcome back," I said, smiling at her.

"Thanks.  Goodnight, Niall," she smiled at me as she shut her door.