His Princess

The ten minutes of alone time I got every morning before Sparrow got to school, nestled in my comfortable Jeep with my music playing while I sipped on whatever drink I decided to get that morning, used to be my favorite place. If it was cold, I had hot chocolate to drink, but it wasn’t cold yet, so I was drinking some of Maw’s fresh lemonade.

There was something different about this morning, however. I wasn’t invisible in my Jeep today.

People stared as they walked by, whispering things amongst themselves that I had no chance of hearing, but I didn’t like it. It was uncomfortable, and my usual time of peace turned into a time of irritation.

It was also broken up a lot sooner than usual as Sparrow hopped into my Jeep, immediately squealing as she picked up her own glass of the lemonade. I always brought her whatever I had, so she was used to this routine as well.

It just wasn’t routine this morning.

“You do understand that you have so much explaining to do, right?” Sparrow squealed, which caught me off guard. “I mean, you’re all over the news and gossip channels. Who is this mysterious girl with One Direction? Hello? My best friend!”

I laughed and looked over at all the people staring at my Jeep. “That explains a lot. All over the gossip news? Fantastic. Wonder how many people will suddenly want to be my friend today?”

Sparrow giggled. “Well, at least you know I’m legit.”

“You’re so legit,” I agreed, still unable to stop from laughing. “Well, we were getting food, and Louis and Harry were waving at fans down below. Liam and Zayn were both talking to their girlfriends, so Niall started questioning my face. He noticed, of course, and wanted the truth. I told him that I’d tell him later, and he accepted that. Then he said something about how I really didn’t need to be insecure. Suddenly, they break out into song. I couldn’t look at any of them, but Niall got to sing the end of the second chorus by himself. As their security came up to get us to go, one of the guards sang, ‘That’s what makes you beautiful,’ to me, which the guys all flipped out about. It was incredible, and . . . they’re such awesome people, but I know, somehow, that this is real. We toured New York, and some fans wanted pictures of everyone—including me! So then we had to go to the police station to give them my statement, and then we threatened to press charges on sexual assault if he didn’t drop the charges against Niall—which would never go through in court because Daniel had no witnesses, and let’s face it. Niall Horan? Really? So, he had to make a public apology while also not mentioning my name.” I frowned. “I never heard that.”

Sparrow handed me a gossip magazine she picked up this morning, and when I saw it, I began freaking out myself. On the front page was a picture of the boys and me, particularly Niall, Harry, and I when Harry was trying to tackle me.

I slid down into my seat with the brightest smile. “This is unreal.”

Sparrow had a happy smile on her face as well. “I didn’t realize they were all coming.”

“It was for safety and publicity purposes,” I explained. “After the assault charges were pressed, fans were protesting and getting more adamant in their attempts to get to the guys. That and their manager didn’t want everyone thinking I’m Niall’s girlfriend or anything.”

Sparrow rolled her eyes. “Yes because that would be so tragic.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I quickly checked to see who it was.

Niall: I need to talk to you. I’m sure you have school today, so can we meet up and talk after? It’s very important.

I was surprised, mostly because I didn’t know what was so important, but I quickly responded. Yeah. That’s fine. Is everything okay?

Sparrow was curious, so I simply said, “Niall.”

Now, she was squealing. “He is so into you.”

I rolled my eyes. “No he’s not. Also . . . last night . . . after the other four left, I had to tell Niall what really happened. Sparrow, he cried, and I cried, and it just . . . it was so sad but so incredible. I . . . have a huge crush on him, more than just that stupid celebrity crush thing. Mine is actually legitimate. He likes you, though.”

Sparrow snorted. “Why on earth would you possibly think that? I’m not the one he asked to tour New York City with.”

I shrugged. “So? He wants to live near you, Sparrow. He’s thinking about buying that really big house near you.”

“That’s just because it’s available and perfect for the five of them,” she said with a roll of her dark eyes. “He doesn’t like me like that, Em. For once, can you just let go of your insecurities and just believe that someone amazing actually wants to be with you?”

I shook my head. “Not after what’s happened. I’m not gonna let myself be that stupid again. Besides, my life just isn’t good for him.”

She sighed. “You can’t let him ruin everything in your life, but it seems nothing is gonna make you see otherwise. Did you make sure Niall wouldn’t tell?”

“I did,” I nodded, and I began looking at the cover of the magazine again. The headlines read, “One Direction’s Mystery Girl.” Underneath that, it had the caption, Who is that girl? Is she a girlfriend? Find out inside! “Yeah, because they definitely know who I am.”

Sparrow grinned. “Their story is quite entertaining. Did you know that you and Harry were totally hitting it off all day?”

“No we weren’t,” I assured her, not that she needed me to tell her this. “There was one time when they asked me what was one thing on my bucket list, I told them the only one I could think of. Harry offered to take me up to their hotel room and fix that problem for me, but he was just kidding. But it was so . . . incredible. Harry Styles, though he was joking, offered to have sex with me to get that off of my bucket list.”

Sparrow laughed. “Sounds like you had an incredible day.”

“I did,” I agreed right as my phone began to buzz again.

Niall: It’s nothing you need to worry about. My hotel room? 3:30?

I will be there as close to 3:30 as possible, but I don’t know with traffic and everything. I’ll definitely be there, though.

“We should get inside,” Sparrow finally decided as I put my phone back in my pocket. “Getting in will be challenging enough with all of your new friends.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not setting them up to meet One Direction.”

“That’s probably what they’re hoping,” she said, but like she suggested, we both climbed out of my Jeep. I definitely made sure to lock it and put the keys in my bag, and when I did, I was swarmed. Some girls, some guys. Either way, I could barely move.

It reminded me of the claustrophobia I felt yesterday, but Niall wasn’t here to help me through it this time.

“Okay, let me breathe!” I exclaimed, and I somehow forced myself through the crowd. It hurt so badly, but I did it.

“You met One Direction?” our Directioner friend—the one that went to the concert and said she wouldn’t leave without them in her car—gasped. “You didn’t even go to the concert! But suddenly, you’re hanging out with them on the streets of New York!”

I nodded and winced. “Yeah, we were all hanging out. They’re actually really cool guys. Can I just get to class, please?”

“Can we meet them?” another girl pleaded.

“They’re not even here anymore,” I said, but that was only partially true.

“Louis and Liam went back to England while Zayn went off with Perrie, but it never said where Niall and Harry went,” she protested, and I groaned.

Sparrow noticed my pain and frustration so she cleared her throat loudly. “I met them too, guys. I have their numbers just like she does. We met them together. She just got to see them yesterday.” Sparrow grinned. “Won’t say why, but seriously? They’re just people. Now back off and let us get to class!”

“You didn’t meet them like she did,” another girl protested.

“Yeah, she really did,” I said. I looked at Sparrow with wide eyes. “I forgot to tell you that Louis and Harry were so bummed out that you didn’t go yesterday.”

Sparrow shrugged. “I had things to do.”

“That’s what I told them,” I assured her. Of course, I purposely didn’t mention that she wasn’t going because she thought it would be just Niall and me.

My phone buzzed again, and with a smile, I looked at it.

Niall: That’s fine. Have you seen the magazines? No one knows who you are, but they want to.

I tried to appear uninterested in the text, as if it was to my mom or something, as I replied. Yeah. Sparrow got me one, and apparently every One Direction fan at school saw them too. They’re ridiculous.

“Who are you texting?” someone nosily asked.

“She’s texting her mom,” Sparrow said, and she looked over my shoulder to pretend to verify that. “Now, seriously? If you don’t let us get to class, it’s about to get ugly. Move!”

Niall almost immediately responded.

Niall: Yeah. That’s one reason why I wanted to keep you out of this. I’m really sorry about it all.

I managed to get inside and off to my lonely locker before I responded. Don’t be, Niall. It’s my fault. I have to live with it. Besides, it’s kinda fun watching Sparrow go She Hulk on them. One girl tried to tell her that she wasn’t with me and didn’t meet you guys too. Speaking of which, is there anything we don’t need to mention? Really, we’re not talking to anyone about it, but is there anything in particular we need to make sure doesn’t get out?

Sparrow’s eyes were raised in curious question. “Anything adorable?”

I shook my head, and before I responded further, I checked to make sure I had a moment. “We’re meeting after school. He has something important to tell me.”

She forgot what she was doing and actually squealed, but as soon as she did, she clamped her hand over her mouth and gawked at me. “At least it’ll die down eventually.”

I nodded and began getting the books I needed out of my locker. “Should I hurry home and change? I mean, I have to drop Mika off anyways.”

She shook her head. “You’re fine. Make sure you ask Maw, though. She’s been really understanding in all of this.”

I nodded and did just that. Is it alright if I go and meet Niall after school? He has something important he needs to discuss with me.

Sparrow let out a sigh of content as she looked over at me. “I will never forget Mika’s face when she saw them.”

I was smiling at this point and nodded. “I know. I told Niall exactly what that really meant to her, and I think it cheered him up a bit, considering what I told him before that. He . . . I mean, I know the fans all say he’s sensitive, as does the media. He’s even said it himself, but I really know that now. He isn’t afraid to cry and be upset and then show it.”

Sparrow laughed. “He’s more sensitive than you are.”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “Ha, ha. Real funny.” The bell rang, though, so we had to go our separate ways. “I’ll see you in second period.”

Through the pain and crowds and claustrophobia, I made it to first period in just the nick of time. I got seated with my binder out right as the bell rang to begin class.

Whoo. English.

Notes

The snippet of lyrics in the description are from There Are Days by The Ready Set. :)

Hope you guys enjoy! It's more of a filler for what's to come. What on earth could Niall have to talk to her about? :)

Let me know what you think? I'd really appreciate it!