Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Fifteen

With promotion of the album, the five of us were travelling quite a bit before the holidays officially arrived and we all went our separate ways until it was time to meet back up in LA for tour rehearsals in January.

When I arrived back in LA a few days before rehearsals started, I didn't tell Esta, mostly because I figured she already knew and that she would be preoccupied with Zayn.  So I was surprised and shocked when I stepped off the elevator and she was standing there, waiting for me.

"Niall!" She screamed as she jumped into my arms.

"Hey!" I said, completely taken aback by her greeting.  Again, I had expected to not see her waiting for me.

"I missed you!"

"Missed you, too."  Her arms had wrapped around my neck so tightly I was beginning to find it difficult to breath.  "Esta...Esta...I can't breathe."

"Oh shit, sorry," she said, letting go of me.  "Just excited to see you, is all."

"Well, I'm glad about that.  I'm glad to see you, too.  Although, I thought you'd be busy with Zayn."

"Oh, yeah, I was.  He got back a couple of days ago.  I told him I wanted to make sure I got in some time with you when you got back.  He told me what day, so here I am."

She smiled at me.  Her wanting to ditch her boyfriend to spend time with me, kind of made me feel really good.  "You sure?  I mean, he's your boyfriend, right?"

She shrugged, "Yeah, I guess he is, but I told myself I wouldn't ditch anymore friends because of a boy.  I've spent time with Kendall and Danielle and met a few other people through them.  But, you sir, are my number one friend priority."

I smiled at her as we walked down the hallway.  "So what's first, then?" I asked, reaching my door.

"Well, first, I allow you to at least toss your bags inside but I've got dinner cooking and movies ready to be watched."

"You cook?" I joked as I unlocked my door.

"As a matter of fact, I'm an excellent cook."

"I've never seen you cook a thing."

"Have you seen me every day since we met?  No.  So, shush!  I'll be across the hall.  Come over whenever."  She gave me another hug and a peck on my cheek.  "Welcome back, Niall.  Even if it's only for a couple of weeks."

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I lightly knocked on her door before entering just so I wouldn't sneak up on her.  "In the kitchen, Niall.  Come help."

I walked into her kitchen and she had several things out on the counter and stove top.  "What are we making?" I asked.

"Stuffed bell peppers with shredded chicken, rice and corn, and tons of cheese.  I've got the chicken boiling and it should be ready in a few minutes.  I've got the water for the rice heating up.  Just need to cut the peppers, peel the corn and grate the cheese.  Do you think you could start getting the corn off the cob?  They just finished cooking, and are sitting in the colander in the sink."

"On it." I said.  "Could I put some music on?"

"Sure, go right ahead."

I pulled my phone out and hit shuffle on my playlist, turning the volume all the way up and placing it down away from the food.  We spent a good amount of time taking turns between actually cooking our food and singing and dancing around her apartment.  Finally, everything was ready and we settled down onto her couch to watch the first movie.

When the movie finished and the food was gone, I decided my jetlag was getting the better of me.  "Think I'm gonna call it a night, Esta.  That okay?"

"Of course," she said, standing up and walking me to the door.  She gave me a hug and held on for what I thought was a little longer than usual.  "I've missed this," she said, softly.

"Me too."  I kissed the top of her head and went back inside my own place.