Love & The City

Niall & I are cuddling on the couch watching a movie. We originally wanted to go for a walk in Central Park, but then it started raining.

Niall said "Although kissing in the rain would be perfect for the non-dramatic first date I had planned for us, there's no way I'll go anywhere near putting you in danger again!"
"What's so dangerous about a little rain?" I asked laughing
"You could catch a cold!" He tells me, face dead serious. "So what would you say to the save alternative of watching other people kiss in the rain on the telly?"
"I'm fine with that" I smile.

Now we're watching the final scene of some cheesy romantic comedy.
"By the way, where was the kiss in pouring rain you promised?" I tease Niall
"I'm sorry, would you accept the last few popcorns as an excuse?" He offers me the bowl he nearly emptied on his own - it sure is true about him always able and wanting to eat.
I'm still stuffed from our fast food before, so I shake my head "No thanks, you take it"
"Hmmm..." He looks down at the corns "How 'bout I kiss you now? Without any rain, popcorn or other unnecessary distractions"
"That I could accept" I grin.
He grins back and pulls me closer with his left arm he's already had around my waist. I gladly follow his pull and close my eyes, just to feel his smooth lips mold into mine and his right hand softly stroking my cheek. He slowly parts his lips and slides his tongue over mine then sneaking it into my mouth. I swiftly touch the tip of his tongue with mine. My hands are pursuing their own little game, ruffling his hair without me actively guiding them.
Aknock on the door makes me jump, kicking the bowl of popcorn and closing my teeth shut. Niall winces.
"Oh my god, did I bite you? I'm so so sorry! Crap, are you bleeding?"
He covers his mouth with his right hand and looks pained. "No, no I'm... It's okay, you didn't do it on purpose"
As I eye him unbelievingly and apologetic, he takes his hand away and smiles a bit. "Don't worry about it love! I'll go check the door" He pecks my nose and rises, heading towards the door. I stand up, too and try to pick the popcorn out of the carpet, maybe I can ease my guilt at least a bit with that.
I hear Niall open the door.
"Nialler, you'r my man! The secret playboy, the lady's man - high five lad!" Louis booms, obviously in the greatest of moods.
"Uh, uhm what?" Niall stutters confused.
I'm confused, too - 'lady's man', 'playboy'? Where is that coming from? Is he seeing someone else besides me? Of course he is, how would he be dating someone like me exclusively?! I have no right to be jealous, we never cleared what this is! Shit, how could I be so stupid to believe in a real life fairytale? Tears are building up but I have to hold them back, they shouldn't think I'm a fucking child sobbing over her dream bubble bursting!
"I got the pictures here, in case you want your first kiss, this special moment, framed. I'm going to put them in the slideshow on your wedding day, I'll be best man right?!" Louis' voice approaches me, seems like he squeezed past Niall. "Everyone on the internet are already loosing their minds. I got an article here, telling all of your history with links to dozens of pictures, articles, videos...They call you guys 'Nophie'" He enters the room without even noticing me, looking at his phone in his one hand while carrying photos and a printout in the other. He turns back to Niall who followed him with an expression I cannot read. "Why the hell did the world know about that before your future best man did?! You could've at least sent a text!"
"I didn't want to be so rude as to interrupt a date with a text, but looking back it might have been smarter than having you do it now"
I can't help laughing about his tone which is a mixture of sarcastic and pissed. The unidentifiable look he gave Louis still worries me a bit, but at least he doesn't seem to be dating someone else.
Louis spins around. "Oh...Hey there" He comes over and hugs me shortly "Eleanor says 'Hi!' and congratulates both of you on this" He holds up the pieces of paper in his hand. I can hardly catch a glimpse on them, before Niall snatches them out of Louis' hand. "Hey" Louis protests. The anger on Niall's face fades and he gives Louis a friendly pat on the shoulder, but he still looks grumpy. "Leave us alone?" He pleads Louis
"Yup" Louis jumps to his feet, yells "Sorry for interrupting whatever was going on by the way" and runs off.
Niall's gaze follows him and stays in the direction of the door even after Louis has left. He then looks down at the stuff in his hand, sitting down next to me and spreading everything out on the table. There really are pictures of us kissing on the balcony earlier. Louis printed out an article from sugarscape as well
Niall finishes the article before I can. "I'm going to call management, they can't just do this!" This time I can read the expression on his face as he turns it towards me: fury. Is it so horrible to have someone think he's in a relationship with me? My eyes are stinging again. Don't cry, do not fucking cry! Niall's expression softens and he quickly closes the space between us wrapping his arms around me. "I'm so sorry for dragging you into this! I know it can be hard to be the center of attention, you feel like there is nothing you can keep private. I understand if you want nothing to do with me anymore. I wouldn't be mad when you just walk away."
"Wh-What?" I try concealing my sobbing, but it's not easy
"Yeah you're right" he sighs "That wouldn't help a bit. People would hate you for 'breaking my heart' or watch you trying to capture the moment you break. I couldn't be sorrier! I should have learned from the Liam-and-Danielle-thing, but instead I was selfish. I didn't think of how all of this would affect you and your life. I just wanted to get to know you and the more I did the less I wanted to let you go."
Listening to Niall, I slowly understand what he thinks I'm upset about. But I really don't mind that! As long as he keeps holding me, keeps saying things like how he doesn't want to let me go I'm absolutely fine.
"Niall?" I interrupt him
"Yes?" He asks cautiously, probably preparing for me to tell him that he does have to let me go.
I hesitate. Am I ready to spill out all of my feelings for him? What if it's too soon, I don't want to scare him of like a crazy stalker fan. I'd love to just shut up and stay in his arms, but now I've already started.
"You want to go to some restaurant on Friday?" I ask the first innocuous thing that comes to my mind
"What? Erh, yeah" Of course he is confused, I was on the verge of crying just a few seconds ago.
"Great, uhm Lindsay reserved for us. D'you remember her?" I free myself from his embrace and look up into his face as if nothing had happened.
"The girl you met at Jimmy Fallon's?"
I nod.
"Uhm, so it woul be the three of us?" He questions doubtfully
"No, she wanted to kind of triple-date with Harry and Max and Anne, but since those two are not a couple at all she said they could bring someone if they wanted. Oh and Harry could text her if some of the guys want to tag along"
"Ah..." Niall seems unable to cope my sudden mood swing and all of the information I ramble on about.
"Yeah, she practically attacked Anne and me when she saw us on campus this morning"
"Huh."
Uhkay, that was another way to scare him of, great...What to do now?
"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. Anne was pretty skeptic, too. She thinks Lindsay is planning something like evil" I laugh a bit
Niall snaps out of his behaviour and chuckles with me. "And what would that be?"
"I have no clue, maybe Anne is starting to get a bit paranoid"
"Maybe, but I don't mind that. I'd love to go out with you and some friends"
I smile happily.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out and read a text from Max:
Hey there, I'm sorry to disturb but I really need your help with some tasks. When are you coming home? x
I remember that I, too have to get some work for uni done, so I text back that I'll be on my way.
"I uhm, have some work to do, for uni. Let Harry ask Lindsay where and when exactly?"
"Sure do!"
Before he can say or do anything else, I jump off the couch and nearly run out of the room yelling "Bye". What on earth is wrong with me? Why do I suddenly feel the need to escape his hotel room? I decide to think about the whole situation thoroughly while sitting in the subway. Hopefully I'll figure everything out...

Notes

Hey there, sorry it took me so long I don't know why, but I didn't have the motivation to write.

Maybe you noticed that Harry did not appear in this chapter as promised, but Louis did and does anyone really mind?

I hope you can read the article. If not you can look at it again on my Tumblr ;)http://sopihaa.tumblr.com/post/79358741207/a-love-story

xoxo