More Than This

“Wish us luck, Nora!” Niall yelled over the screaming girls in the crowd.

“Good luck!” I gave them all a thumbs up before they ran on stage for their last song of the tour. The past two weeks were practically a blur. Everything was a mess because we were all preparing for tonight, the last night. I would be flying back to Bradford tonight after the show so I could be home in time for my birthday tomorrow, and everyone else would be flying back in the morning. I quickly ran back to the bus so I could make sure I had everything packed, and by the time I got back into the arena, the boys were taking their final bow.

“That was incredible!” Louis yelled as they all ran past me and to the bus. When the last boy passed, I ran after them and onto the bus.

“Congrats, boys!” Paul climbed onto the bus before the driver put the bus in gear and drove to the airport. “The tour was incredible, and everyone is insanely proud of you.” The guys began to clap and cheer as I grabbed the wine that Paul had in the fridge for tonight. “Not too much tonight, boys. We still have to drop the lovely Miss Nora off at the airport.” I smiled and set the wine on the counter. Paul walked to the front of the bus and took a seat on the passenger’s side.

“I’ve had so much fun these past few months, guys.” I smiled and sat down next to Zayn. “Thank you so much for offering me this job.” I looked up at Zayn who was smiling down at me. “It means a lot.”

“Thank you for accepting the job.” Zayn hugged me and we all sat in silence until we pulled up to the airport. “And you’re sure no one knows we’re here tonight, Paul?” Zayn asked as we all stepped off with my luggage.

“Positive. If they do, then they’ve gotta be in the C.I.A.” I grabbed my two bags from Harry and we all walked into the airport.

~*~

We finally got my bags checked in and got to the gate where my plane was waiting. “Happy birthday, love.” Louis smiled at me and wrapped me in a hug. “I’ll text you when I can.” I laughed and nodded. The other goodbyes were pretty much the same, until I got to Zayn.

“I’ll see you tomorrow after I land, then?” Zayn asked, hopeful.

“Maybe. I’ve got a day planned out with Jake for my birthday.” I shrugged. “I’ll try and make it to see you fly in, though.” I promised and held out my pink. Zayn smiled and interlocked his pinky with mine.

“And if I don’t see you, then we can hang out the day after and watch Elvis movies and play Monopoly.” I smiled at the thought and wrapped my arms around Zayn’s neck. “I love you.” Zayn whispered in my ear before we parted.

“Thank you again.” I smiled up at him and walked off towards the gate with my carry on. “See you guys, later!” I called behind me and boarded the plane.

~*~

When I landed, I looked everywhere for Jake. I knew he probably wasn’t going to be at the airport since he was at work, but a girl could dream. I sighed when I didn’t see him and looked at my phone. Five oh one in the morning. It was a four hour flight, and I was worn out.

When the taxi pulled up to my apartment, I dragged my luggage up the stairs and opened my door. Mail was piled on the floor, and I was too tired to pick it up, so I kicked it to the side and dragged myself to my bedroom. I let myself fall onto my bed and sighed. It felt so good to be back home in my own bed, though I would miss the bus and the hotels. I kicked my shoes off and crawled under the covers fully dressed, and fell asleep almost instantly.

~*~

I woke up about two that afternoon and jumped up, realizing I had to get ready for the rest of the day with Jake. I grabbed my birthday outfit I had bought on tour and jumped in the shower. As soon as I was clean, I got dressed, dried my hair, did my makeup, and checked my phone. Thirty-five unread messages from almost everyone but Jake. There’s no way he would have forgotten about today, too. I replied to all the happy birthday messages, and Zayn’s message telling me he had landed safely, and grabbed everything I needed for tonight. Wine, food, movies, and my keys. Jake had rented a cabin for us to stay in for the night and I couldn’t wait to get there. He was supposed to meet me there at four thirty after he got off work so he could make me dinner and we could celebrate together.

I ran downstairs to my car and drove off, ready for my night with Jake.

~*~

I arrived at the cabin a little before five, expecting Jake to already be there, but the cabin was empty when I walked in. Maybe his boss had him working extra hours today. I set all the stuff down in the living area and made my way to the kitchen. I fixed myself a glass of wine and sat down in the living room to watch some TV before Jake showed up.

Six O’clock

Seven O’clock

Eight O’clock

Okay, this was getting ridiculous. I picked up the phone and dialed Jake’s number and his phone rang three times before he answered. “Hey, babe!” He sounded a bit out of breath. “What are you doing?”

“I’m waiting at the cabin you rented for tonight for my birthday. Remember?”

“Oh, shit! Babe, I’m so sorry. I’ll be right there!” Click. It seems he did forget my birthday, too. I tossed my phone to the side and refilled my wine glass for the third time. An hour later, Jake showed up with three wrapped gifts in his arms. “Nora?”

“Hey.” I sighed and turned off the TV. “You forgot this, too?” Jake nodded in shame. “I guess it’s because you took up extra hours at work?” He nodded again and set the gifts down on the table in the dining room.

“I’m so, so sorry.” Jake kneeled down in front of my and took my hands in his. “I don’t know what wrong with me lately.”

“It’s work… I get it.” I shrugged and kissed his nose. “Now get your cute ass in the kitchen and make me that dinner you promised me.” I smirked. Jake’s face lit up and he ran into the kitchen to start cooking dinner. I grabbed my phone to text my mom that Jake had finally showed up before Jake called me into the kitchen.

“Can you help me with something, baby?” I put my phone down and walked into the kitchen to help him make the lemon peppered chicken, and an hour later we were sitting at the dining room table, eating our dinner. “I really am sorry about today, baby… you have no idea-“

“Jake I already forgave you.” I laughed and took another bite of my chicken. “Quit apologizing.”

“Okay… well, open your presents.” He smiled widely. I grabbed the first box. It was long and heavy, I was guessing a necklace or a bracelet box. I took off the wrapping and I was right. I opened the long velvet box to reveal a diamond necklace.

“Oh my God…” I looked up at Jake and smiled. “Jake… this is beautiful.”

“Here, let me put it on you.” Jake got up and walked behind me and placed the necklace around my neck, hooking it in the back.

“Thank you.” I turned around and pecked his lips.

“It looks perfect on you.” He smiled and kissed me again. I grabbed the next box, the biggest, and unwrapped it to see a box set of every Elvis movie ever made.

“Oh my God!” I nearly screamed and jumped up. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I yelled and ran over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him. “I love it!”

“I knew you would.” Jake laughed. “Hey, no opening this next gift until I get back. I have to go to the bathroom.” I laughed and went into the living room for my phone to call my mom. Unfortunately, my phone was dead.

“Hey, Jake, my phone’s dead! Can I borrow yours to call my mom?”

“Yeah, love. Go ahead!” Jake called from the bathroom. I walked over to Jake’s coat and pulled his phone out and started to dial my mom’s number when a text message from a girl named Shelly popped up. I tried to click ignore, but I saw the world ‘girlfriend’ and it caught my attention, so I had to read what it said…

Shelly: Let me know when you ditch your girlfriend and we can pick back up where we left off, sexy. I’ll be waiting for you where you left me in your bed… (;

My heart stopped. No. No. This couldn’t be true. Jake was… cheating on me? I stared at the text message in disbelief. Maybe if I closed my eyes, and looked again, it would be gone. Nope. It was still there. My hand was shaking, and my vision became blurry as I started to cry. “Nora? Did you get a hold of your mum?” I didn’t say anything as I heard him come up behind me. “Nora?” I turned to face him.

“Please tell me it isn’t true.” I begged. Jake looked at me in confusion. “Please… tell me this girl has the wrong Jake.” I tossed his phone at him. “Please…” He looked down at him phone when he caught it, and his face went red as his eyes got bigger. “No…” My heart was racing.

“Nora…” I waited for him to finish his sentence before he nodded and tossed his phone onto the couch. “It’s true…” My heart came to a complete stop as it slowly shattered into tiny pieces. He had cheated on me. “What do you want me to do?”

“Get out.” I whispered.

“Nora-“

“Get out!”

“Baby, come on-“

“Get out!” I screamed and ripped the necklace from around my neck and threw it at him. “Get. Out!”

“Nora, please-“

“Leave, Jake!” I opened the front door and tossed his jacket and keys out of the door. “Go back to Shelly, cos there’s no way in hell you’re coming back to me.” I grabbed the last remaining gift, a small velvet box, and tossed it out the door.

“Nora, I was going to tell you-“

“And you thought I would be peachy keen about it!? What the hell, Jake? You cheated on me!” My voice was getting thicker with every word.

“I was going to apologize!” Jake ran out the door and grabbed the box I had just tossed.

“Apologizing won’t fix this!”

“This box you threw out here like it was trash is an engagement ring, Nora!” Jake opened the box to reveal a tiny diamond ring. “I love you so much-“

“Obviously not if you can’t stay faithful.” Jake was quiet. “Consider this as a ‘no’.” I slammed the door and locked it before sliding down against the wall and crying. Jake cheated on me. Zayn was right, he had cheated on me.

Zayn.

I looked up at the couch where Jake’s phone was sitting and got up to grab it.

“Hello?” Zayn answered.

“Zayn?” My voice cracked.

“Nora?” I sniffed and nodded.

“Yeah.”

“What’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?”

“No.” I said and started crying harder. “Do you know where the cabins just outside of Bradford are?”

“Yes, why?”

“Can you meet me here? Cabin twelve?” I heard Zayn grab his keys and his door slam behind him.

“I’m on my way now.” I hung up and curled up on the couch to wait for Zayn to come to my rescue.

Notes