I stood with my back pressed against the door of Liam’s room. His conversation with Niall was inaudible, but they were both laughing. Liam always knew how to cheer Niall up.

Taking one last breath, I set my hand on the door knob and opened the door. Liam looked up at me for a split second, then back to the screen.

“Hey, Nialler, there’s someone here who would like to talk to you.” Liam said.

“Who is it?” Niall gasped. “Is it Santa?”

I bit my lip and tried not to giggle. Liam had earlier explained to me that Niall didn’t know I was with him, so this would be a surprise.

“I think this person is much better than Santa.” Liam said slowly. He looked over at me, and gave me a questioning thumbs up. I nodded back. He stood up from his seat and I took another deep breath, then exchanged places with me.

Niall’s eyes widened when he saw me.

I gulped.

“It’s okay.” Liam nudged. “Just say hi.”

“Hi.” I said, waving my hand just a little.

Niall continued to stare, making me uncomfortable. I was about to jump out of my seat and run out of the room when Niall said something.

“Hi.” He gulped visibly, rubbing his neck. “I-I didn’t know you were at Liam’s.”

“You weren’t supposed to know,” I shrugged.

Niall propped his elbows on the table and stared into the screen.

“I’m not trying to be rude or anything, and I mean this in the nicest possible way… but have you been getting enough food to eat?”

I heard Liam laugh lightly. I smiled.

“Yeah.”

Niall smiled, too, but you could see those stress lines at the corner of his eyes.

“Ari?” he said softly, biting his lip.

“Yeah?”

“I-I miss you.”

My heart broke when I listened to the broken part of his voice, the part that I had shattered.
“I miss you more.”

That made him grin.

“Should I leave?” Liam whispered from beside me. I hesitated, and then nodded. He winked and left the room.

“You’re wearing my hoodie.” Niall laughed, the beautiful infectious laugh that I hadn’t heard in so long. “I was looking every where for it.”

“I know,” I giggled. “I guess I packed it by mistake.”

“Mhm.” He sassed. “Because it totally went from my room to yours by accident.”

I laughed hard. He just smiled back at me, and I did the same.

“I’m really sorry.” He whispered finally, running his hands through his hair. “About everything. Everything I said. Everything I did. I over reacted and I messed up.”

“I’m sorry too. I said some stuff that I shouldn’t have.” I answered, tearing up. I wiped away a tear and blinked a few times.

“Are you crying?” he asked, reaching his hand out to the screen. “Please don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying.” I lied, smiling to prove it.

“Lie.” He stated simply.

I sighed loudly. “Fine. You got me.”

Niall laughed, licking his lips. “Guess what?”

“Hm?”

“On my birthday, I got drunk. I went to this really lame bar and drank like, twenty shots. My mum had to come get me from the bar.” He paused. “That was embarrassing.”

“You’re weird.” I told him, nervously biting my nails.

“So…” he dragged, looking nervous as well. “Do you think you’ll ever forgive me?”

I looked up at him, and if I could I would’ve have kissed him right then and there.

“I think I’ve already forgiven you.”

He grinned, then let his smile fade.

“You’ve gotten thinner.” He noticed.

“I know.”

“And, well, paler.”

“I know.”

“Why, Ari?”

I shrugged, not wanting to tell him the truth.

“Would it bug you if I said that you still look beautiful any way?” he asked quietly, twirling a clump of his hair.

“It wouldn’t bug me. It’s not true, so whatever.”

Niall put on a devilish grin.

“You’re insecure!” he sang. “Don’t know what for. You’re turning heads when you walk through the do-o-or. Don’t need make up, to cover up. Being the way that you are is enough-“

“Okay, Ni. Stop it.” I groaned, sticking my fingers in my ears. He let out a melodious laugh, but stopped.

“You’re cute.” He sighed, blushing lightly. “Annoying weird, as well.”

“Oh,” I scoffed. “Well thanks.”

Niall laughed. “Just kidding, love.”

“Right.”

He smirked, shifting in his seat. “Could I talk to Liam for a second?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“Liam!”

He came running into the room, looking distressed. His expression softened when he saw me smiling.

“What’s up?”

“Niall’s getting tired of me.” I snorted. “He wants to talk to you.”

“I don’t think I could ever get tired of you.” I heard Niall mutter. I shot Niall a wink, though I was blushing as well. Liam took my place and whispered,

“Good to see you smiling again.”

I sighed contently and left the room, feeling jittery. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and my hands were tingly. I couldn’t even think straight.

The things Niall did to me.




Liam’s P.O.V.

“How did it go?” I asked Niall once Aria had left.

“Great,” Niall grinned. “I miss her so much.”

“I know. She misses you a whole lot.”

“Liam?”

“Hm?”

“Do you think I could fly over and surprise her?” Niall asked, a smiling teasing his lips. I nodded ecstatically.

“That’s a perfect idea. When is the earliest you can get here?”

“The day after tomorrow.” Niall answered. “I’m looking at some flights right now.”

“Okay.” I agreed. “Anything to make Aria happy is fine with me.”

Niall’s face softened as he looked at me. “I’m sorry Liam. I was jealous of you. Really jealous. You and Aria just have this friendship that I-“

“Niall, she loves you in a whole different way.”

He began to nod, but then paused. “She loves me?”

I bit my lip, and shrugged. “What I mean is, she and I have each other friend zoned. She sees you as something more than how she sees me. I promise, I would never betray you like that.”

Niall nodded. “Thanks, bud.”

“No problem. Not get over here before I have to come to Ireland and drag you here myself.”

Niall just laughed.