Crossroads of Life

Chapter 6

Bailey’s POV:

“You better not!” I said, trying to pass off his comment like I thought it was a joke, even though I wanted so desperately to feel his soft lips against my own.

Niall shifted awkwardly in his seat and looked at the floor of the van.

“Why not?” he mumbled, before finally returning his gaze to me.

“Won’t Zayn get jealous? I see the way he looks at you..” I giggled.

“Oh hahaha yeah.”

“Besides, I’m just Paul’s intern.” What am I saying? I wanted to kick myself. I knew perfectly well why I was denying him, but I didn’t know why it was so hard. Even though I just met him, I really liked him. No matter how how I tried it was as if I could feel an invisible string pulling me closer to him. But a voice in the back of my head told me to grab a pair of scissors, cut the damn strings, and fucking run as fast as possible.

“So..?” Niall looked down at this lap and rubbed his palms on his jeans, growing more awkward by the second. I felt so bad for him. He was a great guy and I flat out denied him.  He looked up at me and gave me a big puppy dog pout, his blue eyes glimmering from  the streetlights outside the moving van.

I reached behind me and placed my thumbs on either side of his lips, pulling upwards in order to force his face into a smile. “Maybe later.” His face lit up at my words and I couldn’t help but question why. Did Niall Horan actually fancy me? No, of course not; But he wanted to kiss me right? No, he’s just drunk, Bailey; he won’t even remember this tomorrow, I convinced myself.

I gently removed my hands from his cheeks and lifted my head back upright so that I was facing forward again. Just as I did so the driver stopped the van.

“I hope you don’t mind, I asked him to bring us home first, I wanted to get the boys in bed before they fell asleep.. although it’s a little too late for that..” Liam said referring to the sleeping Harry and snoring Louis cuddled up against me.

“Not at all, my place is just a few blocks from here,” I replied.Paul had planned it  so that my flat would be close to theirs. I didn’t know how close though, but I figured it couldn’t be more than a few streets.

“Thanks, Niall or I will walk you home then,” Liam replied.

“Sure, I’ll help you get them inside,” I said, gently removing Louis’ arm from around my waist  and scooped up Harry’s head from my lap. Liam and Danielle helped peel both of the boys off of me so I that I could slip out of the seat.

Liam and I scooped up Louis, carrying him into the house bridal style. Danielle stayed back and supported Harry so that he wouldn’t wake up. When Louis was tucked in and fast asleep, Liam and I returned.

Liam picked up Harry next, and Danielle followed him into the building. I pulled the seat of the van forward, allowing Zayn and Niall to escape.

“FREE AT LAST!” Zayn yelled, pumping both fists into the air.

“Ssh, Zayn people are sleeping.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the van. He leaned on me for support as we waited for Niall to exit the van. We waited there for about a minute until it occurred to us that Niall wasn’t moving.

“Niall, are you coming or what?” I asked.

“No, ” he said crossing his arms from the backseat.

“Aw, well, guess you’re sleeping here tonight,” I said as I grabbed the handle of the van and began to slide it shut. I thought this would force some movement into him, but it didn’t. “Come on Niall, Zayn’s getting heavy.”

“I’m not moving until you kiss me.” REALLY. Why does he have to make this so damn difficult? I sighed, leaned Zayn against the van, and pulled at the hem of my dress down before re entering the van. Mixed emotions of guilt and excitement filled me as I realized that Niall Horan really did want to kiss me. Me. Of all people.

I leaned over the seat and Niall took my jaw line in his strong hands. Our faces inched closer and closer and soon I could feel his light breath on my face. His eyes fluttered closed just a second before mine. Our lips grew nearer and nearer and the desire to experience his lips move against mine grew stronger within me.

No, I told myself. My eyes opened just in time for me to veer away from him. I pressed my lips against his cheek. Even the slight touch of his skin against my lips sent tingles through my nerves.

“No fair, you cheated,” Niall complained as I pulled away.

“Yeah, well you acted like a five year old,” I retorted. “C’mon,” I said pulling him out of the van.. “Maybe next time, Horan,” I whispered in his ear.