NIALL’S P.O.V.


Hannah and I had a great date, even though it was entirely different than what we expected. I told her how much I liked her dad and how I felt able to open up to him. She told me that she was proud of me for talking about my family and was glad that I didn’t tell him about Allison. The thing is, she still doesn’t even know that whole story.

By the time Joe dropped me off at Louis’, it was way too late to call Allison and ask her to see dad. Besides, that isn’t all I want to discuss with her. I need to know if she saw a doctor.

So, when I wake up the next morning, I make a cup of coffee from the pot Louis had left behind and sit in my room, planning my day. I need to go to orientation at school, but that isn’t until later in the afternoon. I’ll try to bribe Louis into driving me. I feel so bad asking favors of him, but I can always pay him in free weed. I decide that, first things first, I need to call Allie. I dial her number by heart and hold the phone to my ear, feeling a pit in my stomach, empty and nervous.

“Hello?”

She sounds busy; probably cooking or chasing after her niece. I hate that she left, but maybe she does need her family. I know that she had become a bit distanced from her sisters in the states.

“Hey, Allie. How are you doing?”

“I’m good, Niall. How about you? What have you been up to?”

She’s acting like we’re simply old friends catching up. There’s so much to talk about and she’s too casual.

“I’ve been... I’m staying with a friend. Greg kicked me out-“

“He what? Niall, I told you to call me if anything happened! That’s such shit!”

I know that if I don’t say something, she’ll just keep yelling and get more and more heated about the subject.

“It isn’t, though. Allie, I fucked him over when I slept with you. I know that, he knows that, and you
know that. I deserve all of this.”

She sighs and I know she agrees in a way, but she’ll never admit that.

“None of that gives him the right to kick you out on the streets. How did he know you’d have somewhere to stay? Hell, I didn’t know you had friends that were that close. No offense-“

“No, I’m not offended,” I chuckle lightly, “Yeah, I have some friends, but they don’t live in the city.
One of them is a newer friend... She’s, well- she’s more than a friend, actually-“

“Niall, that’s great. Really, it is. Tell me about her.”

I know that she must have sensed the awkward tone in my voice when I first brought her up, so she’s trying to ensure me that it’s fine for me to talk about Hannah.

“Can that wait, Allie? I think there are more pertinent things to discuss. You know, like a certain doctor’s visit?”

“Well, there isn’t much to talk about yet. They sent in my blood out to be tested, but I won’t hear back from them for another week. I’m trying to distract myself in the meantime. I’ve been babysitting Megan’s daughter practically everyday. Sophie keeps me busy.”

Allie’s older sister, Megan, is a single mum who worked full time. Allison watched her daughter, Sophie, every day when we lived in Ireland before.

“Well, that’s good. I’m sorry for bringing it up, then. I’m just anxious to know what is going to happen.”

“I know, I am too. It’s fine. I’ll call you as soon as I find out, though. I promise. Anyway, can you please tell me about this girl now? Let’s change the subject.”

I snicker and run my fingers through my hair.

“Well, her name is Hannah. She lives in this town that’s like straight out of a movie. Everyone is stuck-up and rich as hell. But, she hates it here. Really hates it. I met her through my friend, Louis, who she’s really close to, and now I’m staying in his pool house-“

“Niall Horan is living in a pool house? What has this world come to?”

“Ha. Very funny. No, Allie, that isn’t even the half of it. Hannah’s mum is nuts; she’s forcing her to quote on quote, date, this guy because his family has money, but in reality he’s gay! So they have this agreement and pretend to date, but she’s really with me and, until yesterday, no one knew that. But, I met her dad and his french mistress and everything has been great and all quite exciting.”

Allison can’t stop laughing. She’s gasping for breath through the phone and I realize how crazy it all seems when I say it out loud. I can’t help but to laugh with her.

“Jesus, Niall. You’re really digging yourself a deep hole there. I’m happy for you though. You must really like her to put up with that shit and I can’t remember the last time you really liked someone. Not since-”

“Please. Let’s not talk about her, alright?”

“Yeah- Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

I sigh and push back the hating memories that are attempting to surface.

“It’s alright. Hey, I need to ask you a favor. I know that it’s off topic.”

Allie’s inflection is serious again and she clears her throat.

“Yeah, of course. What is it?”

I take a deep breath and hope for the best.

“It’s dad. He hasn’t been doing well. He- well, he tried to off himself a few days ago and he’s been digressing. I’m going to plan a trip over there as soon as possible, but I was hoping that, in the meantime, you would visit him. Just whenever you can. I don’t want you to go way out of your way or anything, just-‘

“Niall, of course I will. I love your dad, you know. He needs someone there that is close to him. I’ll
go over there when I’m done here, I promise.”

I let out a sigh of relief and stand up from my bed. I have to start getting ready if I plan on getting anything done today.

“God, thank you so much, Allie. It’ll mean so much to him.”

“I’m happy to do it. I was going to visit him anyway soon, but now that I know he’s in a bad place
again, I’ll make it a main priority.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”

“Stop, Niall. Your family is like my family. It’s practically my responsibility. I have to go, though. Soph just woke up from her nap.”

“Alright. Thanks again, Allie. Love you.”

“Love you, Niall. Bye.”

I hang up with a slight feeling of relief. I still have anxious thoughts toward her pregnancy test, but there’s nothing I can do about that right now. There really isn’t much that I have control over in my life at the moment.

I pull on a pair of jeans that appear to be clean enough and find a t-shirt in my duffel bag. I need to go shopping, because I don’t have many clothes. Maybe Hannah and I can go soon.
Once I’m dressed, I use the restroom and fix my hair before leaving my (temporary) room again. Louis is sitting on the couch, Xbox controller in hand.

“Hey, Lou.”

He nods his head, but keeps his eyes glued to the television.

“Morning. What are you up to today?”

I shrug and slump into the adjacent couch.

“I have orientation later. Is there any way you could take me into the city for it? I’ll give you free green. I have to pick some up from my supplier while I’m out there.”

Louis grins and presses a quick succession of buttons on the controller.

“Well, I do want weed, but I will pay for it and you can just take my car. I’m planning on vegging out today.”

“Lou, you’ve been doing so much for me. The least I can do is let you smoke off me while I’m
staying here. Thanks for letting me use your car again. I need to look for an apartment while I”m in the city today.”

Louis pauses his game and leans against the soft cushions, practically glaring at me.

“Why? You can stay here as long as you want.”

I scoff and prop my feet up on the coffee table.

“While I appreciate that immensely, I need to be closer to school. I don’t have a car and it’s a
pretty long drive.”

“Dude, we have extra cars in the garage. You can take mine, or one of those, whenever.”

“Doesn’t that kind of ruin the whole ‘your parents not knowing I’m here’ thing?”

“Niall, they wouldn’t even notice. Look, do what you want. If you can’t find an apartment, though, you’re welcome to stay. I can pitch in for a place out there too, you know? We can be part-time roommates and have a place to hang out.”

He pretends to pull a joint to his lips and smiles wickedly. I laugh uncontrollably, resting my hand on my stomach as I try to grasp my breath.

“You’re impossible, Louis.”

I stand up and walk into my room to grab my phone and shoes.

“Just promise to think about it!”

He calls after me and I return, ready to go. I spot his keys on the counter, exactly where I left them when I borrowed his car last. He hasn’t left this place at all.

“See you later, Lou. By the way, you should shower.”

He flicks me off, returning his attention to ‘Call of Duty’ and I chuckle before leaving the house to head to the city.


___________


“That should be all for the fall 2013 orientation. Deans and professors will be sitting over to the right of the stage to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!”

I stand up quickly, hoping to make it out of the auditorium before everyone else. There are so many people in here, I feel like I might throw up. Just as I make it to the double doors, I hear someone faintly calling after me.

“Niall!”

I step outside and turn around to find Sam, a guy who I’ve sold to the past couple semesters. He’s
one of the few buyers I’ve become friendly with and we’ve even had some classes together.

“Hey, mate. How are ya?”

He gives me a brief hug and we step out of the way of the crowd rushing out.

“I’m great, man. Where have you been all summer? I’ve only seen you like, what? Once; when I bought that O from you in June. Damn that stuff was dank.”

I grin and nod in agreement.

“Yeah, dude. I’ve got more if you want some.”

“Hell yeah! Wanna head up to my dorm?”

I’d much rather sell in the privacy of a dorm room as compared to a crowded sidewalk full of people.

“Sure.”

We walk a couple blocks while Sam tells me about a trip his family took over the summer. We come up to a large, familiar building and notice that right across the street is the apartment complex where my supplier, Zayn, lives. Perfect, I can go straight there after this.
Once we make it to the third floor, I follow Sam to his room and he unlocks it quickly.

“I don’t have a roomie anymore. He graduated in the Spring and they haven’t given me anyone else yet. It’s pretty sick.”

I nod and glance around the spacious room.

“How much do dorms cost?”

I set my backpack down on the empty bed, which doesn’t even have sheets. It’s just a plain
mattress.

“Eh, like four fifty a month each. Much cheaper than any apartments out this way.”

I nod at the reasonable price. I can do that, but I really don’t want to. Dorms are hell from what I’ve heard.

“Niall, man. If you’re looking for a place, you should totally move in here. I can request you as a roommate.”

I smile and start to pull out a pre-packaged bag of marijuana.

“Thanks Sam. I’ll let you know if that seems to be a possibility,” he nods and stares at the bag in my hand, “You want an ounce again?”

He nods excitedly, reaching back in his pocket for his wallet.

“Four hundred for you, mate.”

He counts through twenties and I double check the wad he hands me.

“Thanks, Niall. Text me if you want that half of the room.”

I smile and hug him goodbye.

“Sounds good. See you around. I’m sure we have some classes together.”

He nods in agreement and I leave, hearing him close the door behind me. I make it to the elevator and find my way down to the street where I recognized Zayn’s apartment. I cross over and enter the rugged building. This place looks so rundown on the outside, but inside it’s quite nice. I take the stairs to the second floor and find the door with ’204’ on it. Once, some of his friends were pretty high and thought it would be funny to change the numbers to say ‘420’ but Zayn flipped shit.
I knock lightly and within a few seconds, the door is opened by an unfamiliar guy. I step in after he nods to me and make my way into the living room. When I turn the corner, though, I’m met with a set of blue eyes that I did not expect to see.

“Jessica?”

She’s seated partially on Zayn’s lap, eyes glazed over, from smoking most likely. She looks just as shocked to see me as I am to see her.

“Hey, man. You turned that pretty quickly, huh? Need more?”

Zayn speaks before Jessica can; if she was even going to.

“Uh- yeah, I’ll take five more ounces.”

He nods and waves his friend over; the one who answered the door.

“Mike, get 5 ounces for Niall here,” he disappears into a nearby room and Zayn wraps his arms around Jessica’s waist, “that’ll be a grand.”

I stop staring at them and set my backpack down on the closest empty couch, pulling out the wad Sam had given me, as well as a few more hundred dollar bills. I hand them to Zayn and he glances over to Jess, winking.

“You count it, baby.”

She gulps and starts to thumb through the money.

“How do you know my girl, Niall?”

He sounds as if he’s accusing me of something, but I know that he’s just trying to sound like a
dick.

“Just through mutual friends. Didn’t know you two knew each other.”

I might be mad as hell right now to see Louis’ girlfriend with another guy, but I’m also not dumb. If I make a scene, someone will get hurt.

“Oh yeah, been together a couple months now, right babe?”

He kisses her neck and I think I might vomit.

“The money’s all here.”

As if on cue, Mike comes from the room and hands me the large amount of weed. I stuff it in my bag and turn to leave. Right when my hand is on the knob, Jessica’s hand is on my shoulder. I open the door and turn around to face her.

“What do you want?”

She has tears in her eyes now.

“Please, Niall. Just don’t tell Hannah and Louis.”

I roll my eyes and start to turn around, but she grabs my arm.

“I’m begging you. I- just, don’t tell them.”

“What all does Louis know? Because he’s been sitting around for days and hasn’t showered. This explains it all! What the fuck are you thinking?”

I speak in a hushed voice so that Zayn can’t hear.

“He knows I’m with someone. Just don’t tell him who. Please, Niall. Please.”

She’s begging and crying more than before. Whether I decide to keep it or not, I have to promise her I won’t so that she’ll let me leave.

“Yeah, I won’t tell them. But you sure as hell should. Be safe, Jess.”

And with that, I turn around and walk away with an unsettling feeling in my stomach. I have to find out what the hell is going on with her.

Notes

Sorry that it's taken me so long to update :( I've had a shitty shitty week so far :* Thank you for being patient <3

SO, who's shocked? Anyone?! :D

That puts all the boys into the story ;) hehe. Even if Zayn is somewhat of an antagonist. xx

Please comment and rate/subscribe. This story still seems to be the least favorite :/ oh wellll