I sighed as I wrapped the apron around my waist, tying it into a bow behind my back and blowing out a puff of air to remove a strand of hair that had fallen in front of my face. Another day of work, waiting tables, cleaning up other people’s mess. I don’t even know why I worked here. Maybe it was just for the money, maybe it’s because of the free chicken. I worked in Nando’s in Cabot Circus, Bristol. Only a few hours left of my shift so it shouldn’t be too bad. I’d just begun cleaning up after what must have been a group of Neanderthals judging by the state of the table. How did they even manage to get chicken on the walls? I sighed as I took out the disinfectant and cloth and began wiping down the filth.
“Anna, we have a very important group of customers coming in any moment” my manager, Louise placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’re our best waitress; I want you to serve them. And remember, they’re VIP’s, so be on your best behaviour”
I nodded and smiled at her, throwing my cloth and disinfectant back into the bucket. Despite my obvious distaste at working here, I was good at my job. Carrying the cleaning products with me I left the dining area and made my way back to the kitchen. I threw the products back into their cupboard and washed my hands. I looked into the mirror above the sink and pulled out a hair band. Pulling my long blonde hair up into a ponytail I observed my face. I never wore much makeup; honestly I didn’t really need to. My skin was clear so I didn’t need foundation. A slick of eyeliner and a bit of mascara was all I needed. Coming to the conclusion that I looked presentable, and concluding I didn’t have any chicken on me, I picked up my notebook and pen and made my way back out to the dining area.
“Table 8” Louise spoke into my ear in a hushed voice. “This is your last table then you can head home, and remember, be lovely, as always”
I giggled at her remark as I made my way over to table 8. My heart almost stopped when I saw who was sitting there. That was One Direction. I was about to serve One Direction. I was beginning to think Louise had done this on purpose, attempting to release my inner fan girl, but I was determined to not come across as crazy. I took a deep breath into my lungs, releasing the air slowly, calming my nerves. I proceeded towards the table, a smile on my face, holding the notepad in one hand and the pen in the other.
“Hey guys! You ready to order?” I politely asked, managing to control my excitement so far.
Niall’s eyes shot up to greet mine, making my heart race a little. A sweet smile adorning his face, calming my nerves but also increasing my panic at the same time.
“And what’s your name?” his velvety smooth Irish accent invaded my ears, making me feel weak at the knees.
“My name’s Anna and I’m your waitress today” I offered a sweet smile in response, along with what I imagined were rather flushed cheeks. He’d only said one sentence and I was already feeling faint. I blinked, breaking eye contact in an attempt to calm my flustered nerves. I looked around the table at the rest of the boys, who were all focused on their menu’s attempting to decide what they wanted to eat. I glanced back at Niall, noticing he was still looking at me, a grin still plastered over his face, clearly proud of his ability to make my heart race. In turn they told me their orders, which I wrote down into the notepad, my handwriting slightly scrawled and messy due to my shaking hand. I finished writing down their orders, glancing up every now and then at Niall, whose eyes continued to stay locked onto me, offering a cheeky wink as my eyes met his. Smiling, I turned away, struggling to hide the blush of my cheeks. I managed to maintain my composure long enough for my still slightly weak legs to carry me out of view into the kitchen. Throwing the notepad and pen down onto the counter I let out an exasperated sigh. I heard a giggle from behind me and turned to see Louise standing in the doorway, grinning at me.
“Nicely handled! I’m actually surprised you managed to keep your cool!” She joked. I threw a tea towel at her, closely missing her face, only making her laugh more. I pouted at her before turning my back and getting started on the boys’ drinks.
Carefully placing the glasses on the tray and picking it up, I walked out of the kitchen and headed back to the table to serve the drinks. As I approached I could see Harry taking a picture of Louis who was now wearing a napkin as a bandana. I chuckled silently to myself at their playful natures before placing the glasses down in front of each of them. I offered a quick smile to each of them as I served their drinks, feeling a bit shaky again as I could almost feel Nialls’ eyes on me. Okay, good, I’d successfully managed to serve them their drinks, well done Anna. Although clearly I’d praised myself too soon as I picked up the tray, knocking Nialls’ drink and spilling it all over him. It had to be him, of all the boys, it had to be Niall. Gasps resonated from around the table, followed by a few quiet giggles and a roar of laughter from Zayn.
“I… I’m so sorry!” I stumbled over my words, grabbing napkins from the table, my whole face turning bright red with embarrassment. I couldn’t even look at him; I couldn’t believe I’d just done that. I spilt a drink on Niall Horan! It wasn’t until I felt a hand grab mine, which was frantically trying to clean up the spill that I was able to look up at him. His blue eyes locked with mine, a sweet smile on his lips.
“Don’t worry about it love” he spoke softly, trying to calm me down a little.
I breathed a sigh of relief, letting go of the napkins and standing up straight. I held out a hand towards him, offering for him to take it, a sudden wave of confidence washing over me.
“Come with me, I’ll help you get cleaned up” I sighed, praying he would accept my helping him as an apology. To my surprise he took my hand and rose out of his seat. Trying my hardest to stop my legs from collapsing underneath me and also trying to block out the hushed words and giggles coming from the rest of the boys, I led Niall out into the kitchen, stopping next to the sink. Picking up a towel, I began wiping down his shirt, trying my best to remove the sticky cola stain from the blue cotton. I glanced up, daring to make eye contact with him, fear evidently obvious in my eyes as his next words would suggest.
“You don’t need to be scared you know, I’m not going to sue you for spilling cola on me or anything” He chuckled softly, still smiling and clearly enjoying my flustered state.
“Well thank you” I managed to respond, not really sure what else to say.
He reached down and took the towel from my hand, placing it on the counter and moving to lean against the wall. I kept my eyes on him, watching as he crossed his arms across his torso, studying me as I was him. We continued in this silence for a moment with me attempting to understand what was going on, before he walked back towards me. My heart fluttered as he moved closer to me, our eyes still locked. It was taking all my effort to keep my composure at this moment, Niall still moving closer to me. Our bodies were just inches apart when he suddenly stepped back, a look of contemplation on his face.
“I’m surprised” he suddenly remarked.
“Surprised?” I wondered what he was talking about, had I done something unexpected. All I did was stand there.
“I thought you would crack, you seem to be struggling to keep your composure” He grinned, scanning my face for my reaction.
“You were testing my ability to stay composed?” I questioned, trying my hardest to work out what had just happened. Was Niall Horan flirting with me?
“I can tell you’re a fan, I can see it in your eyes” he stated “Your hand was shaking when you were taking our orders and you can barely keep eye contact with me without blushing”
His remark caused me to blush once more. Had I really been that obvious, I thought I’d managed to keep my cool, evidently not. I turned and picked up the towel; folding it and placing it back down on the counter, trying to find anything to do to avoid having to look at him. I leaned against the counter, inwardly cursing myself for being so blatantly obvious.
“We should hang out some time” the Irish voice called my thoughts to an abrupt halt. Had he really just said that? I turned to face him, scanning his face in an attempt to judge whether he was being serious or not.
“Yes, I’m being serious” He laughed. Was this boy psychic? Or were my thoughts really just that obvious. I’d have to work on concealing my thoughts a little better. He walked towards me, reaching his hand out to my body. I stiffened, panicking at the thought of Niall touching me. My body relaxed as he reached into my apron pocket, pulling out my phone. He typed something into the phone before handing it back to me.
“I’ll call you some time” He grinned. He’d taken my number from my phone, the cheeky bastard. Although to be quite honest I didn’t mind one bit.
“O-okay” I stuttered out. I think I was going into shock a little bit.
“What time do you get off work?” he asked, leaning against the counter top and smiling at me. I explained to him that they were my last table and then I was finished for the night. He nodded his head before determining that we should probably head back to the table before the boys started to wonder where we were.
-----Harry’s POV-----
They’d been out in that kitchen for an awfully long time. I started to wonder what our Niall was up to. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was doing a little flirting, she was a very pretty girl. I like girls who don’t wear a lot of makeup, and she definitely didn’t need it. I realised I was chuckling to myself at the thought of Niall flirting with the poor girl. Although I have to say Niall’s moves are generally pretty good, girls don’t normally turn him down. But then again he is a worldwide famous pop star; girls didn’t turn any of us down.
-----Anna’s POV-----
Niall left the kitchen and headed back to the table. I stopped to grab a new drink and the tray of the boys’ food. When I reached the table Niall had already sat back down and was receiving a few curious glances from the boys, and a slightly creepy smirk from Harry. I placed the drink down in front of Niall, careful not to knock it over this time, although I wouldn’t mind another few minutes in the kitchen with him. After serving them their food, I apologized again for the accident and returned to the kitchen.
-----Later-----
I fell through the door of the staff room and flopped onto the sofa in the corner. Burying my head into the pillow I let out a disgruntled groan.
“You okay there girl?” Louise questioned from the doorway.
“No. I want the earth to open up and swallow me!” I exclaimed, dramatically flailing my arms above my head. Louise chuckled before throwing herself down beside me and flinging her arms around me.
“It’s okay sweetheart, I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re THAT crazy” she reassured me, “just a little bit crazy. Go home girl! Your shift’s over”
“Have they left?” I sighed
“They have, but they left a nice tip for the, and I quote, the best and most adorable waitress we’ve ever had” Louise grinned at my reaction, clearly enjoying my startled expression.
“They said that?” I questioned, surprised they hadn’t asked for me to be fired.
“Yep” she replied “Well, actually it was the Irish one who said that, seems like he took a fancy to you”
My cheeks flushed once again. I must have spent this whole evening looking like a tomato. Removing my apron and moving to face the mirror, I pulled my hair out of the ponytail, allowing it to cascade over my shoulders and down my back. It had actually gotten quite long, reaching down to my lower back, just a few inches from my hips. I released a deep breath, reaching down to grab my bag and headed for the back door. I called out my goodbyes to Louise and the other staff and shoved the door open, stepping out into the cold December night air. My body stiffened as the frosty air kissed my skin, my arms reaching up to pull my scarf tighter around my neck. My gaze lifted up to the night sky, a sheet of white cloud enveloping the heavens. I jumped, startled upon hearing someone clear their throat behind me. Instinctively I threw my hands out protectively in front of me, hitting the mysterious stranger across their face.
“Ouch!” the stranger exclaimed “it’s me Anna, it’s Niall”
The stranger stepped forward into the light, clutching the side of his face, revealing that it was in fact Niall. I just smacked Niall Horan in the face. Would I ever stop embarrassing myself?
“I am so sorry” I gasped, reaching forward and placing my hand gently on his cheek. “I’ve got to stop attacking you like this”
“Tell me about it!” he exclaimed “First you’re throwing drinks on me, now you’re punching me!”
“Well you are lurking in the shadows like a creep! And the cola was an accident!” I retorted “what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you” he smiled sweetly, that Irish accent making even the bizarre situation seem oddly romantic. A smile spread across my lips, my heart doing a little flip at the thought of Niall waiting outside in the cold just to see me.
“I thought maybe we could go for a walk in the park?” he asked, a hopeful look in his blue eyes. I nodded, liking the thought of a night time park walk with Niall. He let out a small sigh of relief and smiled, offering his hand for me to take. I gladly took his hand and we began walking. The park was relatively near so it didn’t take us long to get there. We walked for a minute before finding a bench to sit on.
“It looks like it might snow” I mused aloud
“Really? We’re going to talk about the weather?” Niall chuckled, sliding across the bench to sit closer. I turned to face him, shrugging my shoulders and smiling. I’d never been very good at this conversation thing. I shivered, realising how cold it actually was since we’d been sitting still. Actually it was bloody freezing, why the hell was I sitting in a park at 10 at night in December? Oh yes, Niall Horan.
-----Niall’s POV-----
I scooted closer to her, trying to be subtle but probably failing. She was talking about the weather. I’m pretty sure that’s a sign that you don’t know what else to talk about. I didn’t want her to feel awkward around me. I noticed her body tense and she again looked up to the sky, a shiver travelling through her bones. I needed to have courage now, just go for it. I moved in closer to her, reaching my arms around her and pulling her body close to mine. I hope she didn’t think I was being too forward; I just didn’t want her to get cold. Her body stiffened at my touch and I worried I’d gone too far, but slowly she began to relax into my arms, obviously happy to receive some warmth. I glanced down to the girl in my arms, a frosty cloud of breath leaving her mouth as she leaned her head into my chest. I smiled to myself. She seemed different to other girls I’d been with, although to be fair I hadn’t really been with any girls for longer than one night. Her arms snaked around my torso, clinging to my warmth. I closed my eyes and focused on my other senses, my heart racing a little. The scent of her perfume invaded my nose, a soft floral scent, with a hint of vanilla. I listened to her steady breathing and felt the slow rise and fall of her chest. A cold spot on my nose broke me from my trance and caused me to open my eyes. I looked down at her to see snowflakes settling in her golden hair.
-----Anna’s POV-----
A shiver ran through my body, chilling my bones. I felt Niall slide closer to me, enveloping my shivering bones in his warmth. I stiffened at the shock of his touch, although after not long, I relaxed in his arms, thankful and happily accepting the warm touch. I closed my eyes, allowing my body to relax, taking in the warmth of his skin, the smell of his shirt, the feeling of his arms around me. I leaned my head in, pressing my ear against his chest. His heart beat was a slow and steady thud, a calming noise. I untangled my arms from each other and slid them inside his coat, wrapping them around his body, my head still against his chest. His heart began to beat a little faster; clearly I was having an effect on him. I smiled to myself, feeling proud of the fact that I could cause Niall Horan’s heart to race. I opened my eyes, distracted from my thoughts by cold spots prickling at my face. Untangling my arms from his I sat up straight, my eyes facing the sky. A few snowflakes had begun to fall, softly at first, but becoming increasingly heavy. I turned to face him, his gentle eyes already locked onto me. I could tell my excitement was showing, my eyes wide, and grin plastered across my face. I’d always loved the snow. My warmth slid away from me, standing up in front of me and offering a warm hand. I gladly took hold of it and allowed myself to be pulled up from my seated position. I smiled as my inner child took over my body, throwing my arms up and spinning, my eyes closed, face pointed to the sky. I heard a deep chuckle from behind me, turning my attention to the boy who was standing a few feet away, admiring my actions. I reached out my hands and grabbed his, pulling him towards me and forcing him to spin along with me. It would seem spinning with another person could be slightly dangerous as I discovered when our feet tangled together, sending us both crashing to the floor in a heap. A laugh escaped my mouth as I looked up at the boy above me. A small chuckle left his parted, smiling lips. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his, the crystal blue orbs mesmerising and practically hypnotising me. I could feel his warm breath on my face as he lowered himself down slightly, stopping for a moment, checking his actions were welcome. My welcoming smile confirmed that. I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine, my body no longer aware of the fact we were lying on the cold ground, snowflakes prickling at our skin. My whole body felt warm, my heart racing as he deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing my bottom lip, begging for entry. I parted my lips granting his wish. As quickly as he was there, he was gone. Standing above me, reaching out his hands for me to take. I quickly gathered my thoughts and took his hands, allowing myself to be pulled up from the ground. I looked into his eyes questioningly, wondering why he’d broken the kiss. A small smile graced his lips, his arms taking hold of my waist.
“It’s cold out here” he explained “maybe we should head back to my place?” My smile seemed to be response enough as he took my hand and led me out of the now snow covered park.

Notes

I hope you enjoyed this one shot! It was written for a friend so excuse any terrible writing :')
I will be writing a one shot for each boy, as i said i'm writing them for a friend. Anyway i hope you enjoyed, please review/comment and check out my other story, Midnight Memories. Thanks!
Emily x