What Now? | N.H.

Chapter 24 | Pink Carpet

The last walk.

Alongside Bella, Gigi, and Kendal we walk down the brightly lit runway hand in hand.  The crowd erupts in applause as we stop and pose at the end. I wave and smile out at the energetic crowd and find my eyes drifting over the area where Niall sat. Harry, Zayn, Louis, and Liam are all standing up out of their seats calling my name, clapping, and whistling. I giggle into my hand at the sight. I pull my hand away from my face and my smile drops. He's not there. I quickly force a smile trying to hide my confusion. 

Gigi wraps her arm around me and waves as we turn around and start walking back. 

"What's wrong?" She asks me as soon as we're hidden by the curtain. 

"Niall, he- HOLY SHIT!" He's standing there in a tailored black suit with a black collared shirt underneath. He's fiddling with a single pink rose when he sees me. His eyes widen and he takes a step forward but before he can get any farther I run into his arms. He catches me and stumbles backwards. I burry my face into the crook of his neck. He smells like a field of lavender, just like the cologne I bought for him for christmas. His nose digs into my shoulder and his hands hold me around my waist. "I thought you couldn't come,"

"I lied," I giggle and he slowly sets me down in front of him. His hands don't leave my waist as he peers deeply into my eyes. I squirm slightly under his gaze not sure how to deal with the butterflies running rampid in my stomach or the heavy drumming of my heart. "I wanted to surprise you," He pulls me in closer by the waist so my arms are pinned between us. He raises the rose in front of me. I take the rose in my hand and smile up at his glowing features. I stand on my tip toes and trap his lips in mine. The kiss is slow and meaningful. The feeling of his lips on mine makes me realize just how much I've missed his touch. I move my arms from resting around his neck to his shoulders pinching the rose in between my fingersand pull away and lean my forehead on his. 

"I love you,"

"I love you too," I search the room to find most people clearing out. I step away from Niall and look behind me to see Gigi, Kendall, and Bella whispering to eachother behind us sneaking, not so subtle glances at us. I smile and wave at them, so does Niall, they walk over to us. 

"Hey Niall," They all say. "We're sorry to ruin this moment but we still have to get changed for the Pink Carpet after this," He kisses me on the cheek and I slowly walk away with my arms linked with the girls. 

"I call being maid of honor," Gigi calls out as soon as we turn the corner. She detaches her arms and runs out in front of us with her arm in the air. I laugh and drop my arms. I make my way over to wear my bag sits in a chair in front of a vanity with bright lights surrounding the mirror. 

"But I-" Kendall starts to say but is cut off by Gigi. 

"Nope, I called it,"

"I'm not even getting married," I shake my head and dig through the bag looking for the dress I plan on wearing later. 

"Just in case," Gigi smiles up at me as she takes off her heals. "It's gonna happen so it's best to be prepared,"

"Yeah, ok," I roll my eyes and scoff but am betrayed by the giggled that escapes my lips. 

"What? We all know it's true," They all nod their heads in agreement. I shake my head and look over at the rose lying on the vanity. Sure, I want to marry him but, nothing is garunteed, how do I know he won't get bored of me one day and leave me. I know he loves me now and I hope he'll love me ten years from now because I don't think I could ever stop loving him. 

"I'm going to get changed," I say slinging my dress over my shoulder and walking towards the dressing rooms. I don't know if you could even call them rooms, it was just three walls with a single curtain.