Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Twenty Four

The next night, the four of us met in the hallway. 

I had spent the majority of the day trying to come up with some idea as to why we couldn't go but, despite hating Jace, I wanted to see my friend who I hadn't seen in months.  And I wanted her to get to know Melissa.  Although, something seemed off on that front, as well.  Melissa kept telling me I was paranoid.  And she was probably right, at least on Esta's end of things.  Jace, no way in hell I was wrong about.

"Hey, Niall," Esta said, giving me a hug. 

I watched Jace's face, looking for any sign that he was doing this for no good reason.  I saw nothing because he leaned in to give Melissa a kiss on the cheek.  I let go of Esta and reached out for Melissa.  Jace, however, stuck his hand out for me to shake as Melissa and Esta walked ahead of us. 

"Niall."

"Jace."

His hand felt cold and clammy. 

We all got into the elevator and an awkward silence filled the air.  Something was definitely off on all fronts and I couldn't figure out why.

We rode separately.  Esta with Jace and Melissa with me.  When we got to the restaurant, we sat down and Jace ordered two very expensive bottles of wine for the whole table.

"Show off," I mumbled.  Melissa must've heard me because she elbowed me in the side and gave me a look.

"So, Melissa, tell us a little about yourself," Esta started as the server walked off.  "Niall hasn't really mentioned you but I did see the paparazzi pictures of you two at that charity event a couple of months ago.  I loved the jumpsuit."

Melissa smiled.  "Thanks.  Um, yeah, I'm from Australia.  Met Niall back in January.  We hung out a few times but I think we both thought that would be it.  He randomly called me the day after they officially announced Zayn wasn't coming back.  Said he didn't want to live with what ifs and suggested we give it a go.  Sweet, isn't it?"

"Yes, very.  Niall is the sweetest," she said.   She glanced over at me and her eyes looked as if she was about to tear up.  I figured it was because of the mention of Zayn's name. 

'Huh, maybe she isn't over him?' I thought with some disappointment.

The server returned with the wine.  He poured Jace and Melissa first, because they were sitting across from each other before he moved to the other side of the table where Esta and I were sitting across from each other.  Esta practically snatched the glass from him before he had finished pouring and quickly inhaled the drink.  The server poured mine and left the bottle in the ice bucket before walking off to give us a few minutes to decide what we wanted.  I watched as Esta poured herself another glass, this time filling it almost to the brim.

"Slow down there, babe.  Save some for the rest of us," Jace said, laughing slightly.

I cringed and got elbowed again.  "Ow," I whispered.

"Stop it," Melissa said.  I didn't take my eyes off of Jace as she leaned in and whispered into my ear,  "You are embarrassing me.  Leave it alone, he isn't doing anything wrong."

"So, Niall," Jace started, "How are you guys doing without....Zayn, is it?"  I looked at him.  The tone of voice he used didn't go over well with me. 

"Oh, Jace, I don't think Niall really wants to talk about that," Esta said, before I could answer.  "I'm sure it's been a difficult time and they are trying to move forward."

"I suppose but—"

"Just drop it, Jace.  Please.  Niall doesn't want to talk about it."

"Well, then let the man tell me that himself," Jace said through clinched teeth.