Love & The City

"Hey there!" I shout as I open the door to our apartment, letting Niall step in behind me.
"Nice place" He remarks while following my example in taking off his shoes and placing them on a shelf .
"Where the hell have you been? I need these donuts you promised 'cause I don't get the tasks Professor Marks gave us and that is highly frustrating!"
Seems like Anne is having a nervous break-down/panic attack thing again. I know these can only be cured with sugar. She has them all the time and eats loads of candy, but she exercises so much that she won't gain any weight that lucky bitch.
She's storming out of her room to claim her donuts, but freezes when she sees Niall.
"Uhm, this is Anne, my roommate. We study together. And this is Niall... I spilt my coffee all over him - as you can see" I gesture awkwardly towards them while introducing.
"Oh, okay" Anne is also trying to stay all cool. I know this is as hard for her as it is for me, since we sometimes spend our nights slightly obsessing over One Direction. After a long hard day of stressful Uni it's very relaxing to simply sit on the couch and watch 'This Is Us' with your best friend or turn their music on to the highest volume, sing along and dance around in the kitchen. Our male roommate Max hates it.
À propos "Is Max home? I thought he could give Niall some clothes:"
"Yep, he's in his room skyping with Larissa."
"Uhkay... Niall can I offer you something to eat or drink?" I ask as casually as I can manage.
"Some water would be nice"
"Sure. Anne would you be so kind and host our guest while I talk to Max?"
"Of course I will. Follow me, Niall! The kitchen is right here"
Anne leads Niall into our kitchen and I knock on Max's door.
After explaining the situation to him (without mentionning who Niall is though, because... I'm telling myself it's because I don't want to turn everything into a huge scene and treat him any different, but maybe I don't want too many people involved so I can feel like he is my personal miracle. I don't know, I'm just so confused!) Max gives me a shirt, some joggers and goes back to skyping with his girlfriend. It's hard for them to be so far apart - She's in Berlin - for such a long time - He has been here for more than four months and is going to stay another six.
I join Anne and Niall in the kitchen and there is awkward silence. Is it strange that I am happy about Niall seeming to be able to talk to me more freely than to Anne?
"I hope these will do" I half-ask unsurely.
"They're just fine!" Niall replies hardly glancing at the clothes I hand him.
Instead he is looking at me, beaming.
"You can change in my room"
I just cleaned it up very neatly yesterday, how many lucky coincidences can one day hold?!
I open the door to my room and Niall steps in. He's looking at the picures over my bed
"Friends and Family?" he asks
"Yup, I really miss them, I haven't seen them in months... I am german and on a year abroad right now, studying English and Social Studies at NYU."
"I would have reckoned you to be a native speaker" he says contemplative "But that you're brave enough for such a huge step is no big surprise after you saved me from the paps earlier" He winks and chuckles.
"Thanks" I murmur looking down. I have never been good with compliments.
His eyes fall on a beautiful painting:

"Did you paint this?" Niall gasps.
"No, my little brother did. He has a sick talents when it comes to arts... and getting in trouble" My voice drifts of, I'm a bit worried about him actually.
Niall steps fairly close to me "You miss him a lot, don't you?"
I nod slightly, it's hard to speak with the lump that's forming in my throat. His breath is tickling my face and I feel like I am going to drown in his smell.
"I can relate to that" he whispers, leaning in. I close my eyes.
This can't be happening, don't panic and stop sweating like a pig you moron!
A sudden ring makes me jump. I open my eyes an see that Niall is holding his nose.
"Ouch!" he mutters
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I, I didn't mean to..."
He laughs "Don't worry about it!"
I realise it was his phone ringing and it still does. He pulls it out of his back pocket and takes a look on the caller ID."I'm sorry, I have to take this." he says, already doing so. His face looks all businessy.
I decide to give him some privacy and leave my room, closing the door behind me. I go back into the kitchen, where Anne awaits me, looking as if she is about to explode any second.
"How did that happen? And you took him to our place, I can't believe it!"
I grin widely "I know, what is even happening here for Christ's sake?!"
"The better question is: What even happened in your room for Christ's sake???" she mockingly imitates me.
"Nothing..." My blush gives me away.
"Don't bother trying, Soph!" She looks at me knowingly.
"No, really! We just talked a bit... about my pictures and stuff" I say in what sounds like a convincing tone to me.
"Stuff...?" Anne glares at me judgingly.
Before I can further embarass myself, Niall comes in wearing Max's clothes.
"I uhm have to go now. Thankyou for helping me out."
I accompany him to the door. Putting on his shoes he says "I would really like to see you again." His eyes are smoldering into mine. "We are going to have an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's tonight and plan to go clubbing after. You and your roommates could come."
WHAT? "Uh, really?" I am dumbfounded.
"That's if you don't have other plans..?"
Is he nervous? How cute! :3
"No! No, I'd love to go with you. I don't think Anne and Max have plans either"
None that Anne wouldn't cancel, I'm sure about that.
"Great!" he exclaims, beaming.
"Then I only need your full names to put them on the guest list."
I tell him. Wow, I've never been on a guest list...
"You know where they're shooting?"
"Yep!"
"Be there at 12"
"We will"
"Looking forward to it!" He is leaning in again, but this time he hugs me firmly. I inhale deeply, I never want to forget his scent!
"Bye" he softly susurrates in my ear and lets go of me.
"Bye" I can hardly hear my own voice. He smiles at me one last time and walks out the door.

Notes

Soooo, longer chapter I think. Seems like it...I would have done a longer one, but I'm really tired.
What do you think about the picture, too corny? I got it from we ♥ it http://weheartit.com/entry/17528243
As always, please comment and vote. Of course you can also subscribe if you want to, but I'm not forcing anyone. Just so you know though, I do have some drama planned. I'm going to include a new character in about the next chapter and she is a real bitch. Stay tuned ;)
xoxo