Envy (Niall Horan) [BOOK 1]

ELI'S POV
It's been three weeks since I gave Niall the friendship bracelet. Ever since then all he wants to do is hang out with me. He's even waking up earlier just so we can talk before he has to go to the studio. I feel that our bond is growing stronger. I haven't been this close to someone in a long time. He truly is my best friend.
Every time we get on the subject of phones though, I always completely freak out. I can't let him know that I don't have one. What if he thinks less of me? I don't want him to know how third class I really am. I can hardly afford this room with Sofy, it would be even harder to have to pay for a phone.
I'm interrupted in my thoughts by a knock on my room door. A smile spreads throughout my face as I recognize the irish accent calling my name from behind the room door.
"Eli you ready?"
"Ya in just a sec." I reply.
I slip on my black tennis shoes and head out.
When I open the door, I see the blonde boy looking straight at me. Niall is wearing a simple black T-shirt with red shorts, white snapback, and black high tops.
Even his simple shirt looks like it cost more than my whole outfit, which consisted of a white v neck with overalls and black tennis shoes. I also did my hair in a side fishtail braid so I wouldn't look that laid back.
I see him still observing me.
"Too much right?" I sarcastically say pointing to my clothes.
He laughs and says "No it's just that this is the first time I've ever seen you not wearing a uniform. You look weird."
"Gee thanks." I say laughing.
"Shut up. I meant weird that you look more yourself."
"You're stupid." I comment.
"Fine, then I guess this stupid person isn't going to give you the best friendship week of your life."
"Did I say stupid? I meant genius!"
"Ya that's what I thought you said." He added nodding his head satisfied.
"I take it back you are stupid." I say
He then picked me up baby style and started running through the hall.
"Put me down!" I scream while laughing
"Not until you say I'm a genius."
"Fine I'm a genius!" I reply
"That's not what I meant."
"Fine you, Niall James Horan, are a genius."
"That's more I like it." He says while putting me down.
We continue walking down the hall towards the hotel entrance.
"Can you actually carry me again, because I'm exhausted from work." I ask.
He smiles and bends down with his back facing me.
"Hop on." He stated.
I hopped on his back and we headed to the parking lot as he carried me piggy back style.
In the car
"Paul thanks for agreeing to drive us this whole week." I hear Niall say.
"Niall how did you exactly convince my boss to give me vacation with pay for a whole week?" I asked.
"I have my ways." He says while smirking.
I look at him suspiciously and then ask "Aren't you supposed to be at the studio today? I mean it is Monday right?"
He then starts looking a little nervous and says "Well Simon decided to give us all a week off since we have been rehearsing so much."
Is Niall lying to me? He looks nervous.
I was about to ask him what was wrong until Paul pretty much yelled "We're here!"
Paul then handed me a pair of sunglasses and a hoodie as well as Niall.
"You do know it's like a hundred degrees outside right?" I say.
"You need a disguise so you won't be mobbed by fans." Paul stated.
I nodded in understanding and stepped out of the dark blue car.
I then saw Paul drive away.
Sometimes I forget about how famous Niall is. He seems like such a normal person. He doesn't have an ego and just seems like an ordinary guy.
"Where are we?" I asked Niall.
"The mall." He replied.
"Uh why?"
"You will see." He simply stated with a smirk.
When I walked in the huge mall, it was all empty.
No one in sight.
I just stood at the entrance observing the empty atmosphere.
I guess Niall noticed my confusion and stated "I rented it out for today so no one could enter but us."
"But why?"
He then hands me a pair of roller skates.
"What the--?"
"Put them on!" he added.
I put them on still confused.
When I had them on I looked at him and saw how he was wearing a pair of roller skates as well.
Before I could say anything he grabs my hand and started guiding me throughout the mall.
As we roll through the mall, store doors began opening with smiling employees standing right in front of their stores.
"Wha- whats going on?" I blurt out.
Niall looks at me and said "Pick anything you want. Everything's on me."
My mouth drops in shock and guilt.
"Niall I can't let you do this."
"Eli, it's fine trust me. Please I want to spoil you. You are my best friend. I know none of this can compare to what you have given me. But I-"
"What have I given you?" I asked confused.
He then points to his bracelet I made him and replied "More than you think."
I couldn't help but smile. I quickly wrap my arms around him.
"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you. So thank you."
He then kisses the top of my head and comments "Now choose."
I end up giving in.
No one has ever done this for me before. I'm so glad I met him.
After
Niall and I ended up getting matching pairs of converse. I also got two t- shirts and a pair of jeans.
"Niall thanks for today. How much was everything?"
"Don't worry about it Eli, it was all on me."
I hugged him again and gave him a sincere thank you.
NIALLS POV:
Saturday
I can't believe I haven't told her yet.... I am literally leaving tomorrow. I'm planning on telling her today since it is the last day of the friendship week I planned for her. This week has gone by so fast but perfect as well. On Monday I took her roller skating in a mall, Tuesday I took her to her favorite library and bought her all the books she wanted, Wednesday we went to a carnival, Thursday we watched a movie marathon of all her favorite movies with her favorite snacks, and yesterday we went to the zoo. I don't want to bribe her or anything but I want her and me as well to feel that we got to spend a lot of time together.
"Where are you taking me Niall?" she asked still blind folded.
"Be patient we're almost there." I reply.
I then unlock the cleaning supply storage closet in the back of the hotel and guide her inside.
When I untie her blindfold, her face just starts glowing with excitement.
I set up a picnic with her favorite foods. It's kind of cheesy but I don't care. I don't know when or if I'm ever going to see her again after tomorrow.
Before she sits down she wraps her arms around my torso and gives me a simple hug.
When I look down at her eyes I see how happy they look. I don't know what emotion her eyes are going to show when I tell her. Anger? Frustration? Disappointment?
As she sits down on the tacky red checkered blanket I start feeling nervous. I can't look at her.
She notices and soon has a concerned look on her face.
"What's wrong Ni?" she asks.
"Eli I.....let's eat first. I don't want to ruin our picnic."
I reach for the basket trying to open it, but stopped by Eli's hand.
I look up at her eyes and see how worried she is.
"Tell me Niall. Please."
I sigh and begin to tell her.
"Eli....I have to go to London."
"Why?" she asked.
"We finished the album last week. I have to promote our album with the lads and go on tour for about...a year."
"W-when are you leaving?"
"...Tomorrow." I regrettably say.
At the sound of that word she got up and walked to a corner of the room, her back facing me.
I walked towards her afraid of the anger she might have for telling her so last minute.
I turn her around to face me and see something that breaks me.
She's not mad. She's not screaming. She's not ignoring me. She's...crying.
I immediately grab her into a hug and start rubbing her back.
I hear words coming out of her mouth that are interrupted by her sobs.
"Please don't forget about me." I hear her say.
I hug her even tighter and kiss the top of her head.
"Why would I ever forget about my favorite girl?"
She then looks up at me and chuckles a little.
I wipe the tears from her eyes and grin at the sight of her smile.
"Eli we could video chat and call each other you know." I tell her.
She then starts to seem uncomfortable and I let her out of my embrace.
"Ya of-of course. Completely forgot about that."
She obviously seems uneasy about something.
"Eli-"
"I need your phone number." I hear her say.
I then hand her my phone and say "Oh just put your number in my phone and I'l-"
"Oh um- I just got a new cell number and I-uh- don't remember it yet. Why don't you just give me yours and I'll save it on my phone and text you." She adds.
"Oh okay." I say.
I then write my number on a napkin and watch as she puts it in her pocket. She then motions me back to the picnic and we enjoy each other's company the rest of the day. I'm going to miss this.

Notes