Erica's POV

“Oh my god, you're so embarrassing!” I double over in laughter, trying to walk away from him.

“Erica! Wait for me!” He's laughing as he chases after me, grabbing me by the waist. “Oh lets just hug.” He traps me in his arms, my face buried in his shoulder, I can't stop laughing.

“I can't believe you did that.” I'm still laughing. Ian and I have been walking around Central Park for the last two hours. It's a hot day but a slight breeze so it doesn't feel so bad. Their are so many street performers here, Ian just got into a singing battle with one of them, all in good fun but it was hilarious. He's not a singer. Which made it even more funny.

I've been a whirlwind. I've known Ian for a week now, and we've hung out everyday. Either after class, before class, and now it's Saturday and here we are.

“So you're coming with me to the baseball game?” He asks, finally letting me go and lacing his fingers with mine.

“I don't know, I've never been to a baseball game, I don't really know what's going on.” I confess looking at all the other people walking around. This place is packed because it's the weekend but I love it.

“It will be fun, I'll tell you all about it. It's not hard to catch on.” He promises me and squeezes my hand. Things are so different with Ian. We've just clicked quickly. Nothing is forced, no pressure, just natural. The first day of class we went to have lunch and ended up chatting for three hours. I learned all about Chicago and why he wants to major in art history. We talked about our passions and our favorite historical figures. We talked about our families, how he has two younger sisters back at home, his mom is a teacher, his father a lawyer. His grandparents live in Rhode Island so whenever he feels homesick he just takes the train to visit them.

I still catch myself thinking of Niall. Ian doesn't look anything like him, but Niall is still everywhere. He's on covers of magazines, when I log into twitter, I swear every group of teenage girls I pass seem to be talking about him or One Direction. Every blonde man is Niall, I always have to take a second look. It's exhausting trying to hid my loss for Ian. I don't want to mix my feelings up between the two but Ian is here now so this is what I want now. This is what I need now. I've been short with Niall when he calls, it kills me but I need to do that for me. I don't want to hurt him but I can't keep hurting myself.

“Okay.” I tell him, finally agreeing to go to the game. I promised myself that I would try new things and have new adventures. Attending a baseball game can't hurt.

“So I'll swing by and pick you up in two hours. Deal?” He asks me as we walk towards the edge of the park.

“Sounds good.” We hug goodbye and go our separate ways. I've gotten quite comfortable at taking the subway by myself. I could walk all the way back home but it's quite a treck so I'd rather spend it with random strangers in what feels like a small, stinky tube. I laugh at the thought. In just the three weeks I've been here I've become so much more independent its crazy. I've spent nights alone, eaten at sit down restaurants by myself, and chatted with random strangers. Things I've never done but suddenly have the courage to do. I haven't got anything to lose. That's my thought process.

My phone rings in my pocket and I stop at the top of the station to answer it. Service isn't good under the streets anyway.

“Allison!” I practically shout at her. I only get to talk to her about once a week because of busy schedules and time differences. I take a seat at a nearby bench because this could be a long conversation.

“Erica!” She starts laughing. “How are you?”

“I'm perfect. It's so warm here today, I love New York.” I gush, I really do love it here. “How are you? How's London?” I look up when I hear car horns, I don't know why I do anymore, it's a constant noise.

“London is good, the sun was actually out today, no rain. I'm doing well. Just enjoying my summer off from nursery school. You'll never guess who I saw today.” Her voice lingers just a bit and I feel a pull in my stomach. I never know who to expect.

“Who?” I cross and uncross my legs, suddenly nervous.

“Just your favorite Niall.” And my heart drops. It's who I wanted her to see but not at the same time. Of course I've gotten to see recent pictures of him thanks to twitter and such but it's not the same.

“Really?” I finally speak.

“Yep, and he didn't look good.” She tells me.

“What do you mean?” I get a little worried, I don't want him to be sick, their tour still is not over with and I know how easily exhausted they can get.

“Love sick Erica. He wouldn't stop asking questions about you. How you are, what are you up to, how me misses having you around. I felt sorry for him to be honest.” It comes as a surprise, why would he be like that? He left me there that night. He left me, I could only assume he was done with me.

“What?” I ask, I really am confused.

“Erica. It's obvious. He still likes you.”

“He hasn't said anything about it. Why would he leave that night then?” I'm asking questions I know she can't answer but I just want to know.

“I don't know but I'm just telling you what I saw.” I don't know what to do with the information I've been received so I just sit and think. I feel like this changes things, I pull my phone away and look at the time.

“Hey, I'm sorry Allison, but I've got to go catch the subway, I'm meeting Ian in a few hours to go to a baseball game.”

“Ian? Whose Ian?” All this romantic whirlwind and I've forgotten to tell my best friend about my new man friend.

“OH, he's in my summer course. Gorgeous, dark hair, dark eyes, tall, strong jaw line. We've been hanging out every day.” I explain.

“So you've just forgotten about Niall then? New man in your life?” She asks, I catch a hint of sadness in her voice.

“I haven't forgotten about him, but you remember what he did. And he hasn't spoken of it since. In fact he's hardly even asked me how my time is here. I just need to move on. Even if he looks sad and still asks about me he doesn't show that to me. It's not fair to keep putting myself out there and practically begging him to do something when he doesn't.” I hadn't realized I was getting a little worked up. I pause and take a deep breath. I just need to relax.

“I know Erica. I just wanted to tell you. I know you can't just turn your feelings off in three weeks.” I look around at all the happy couples, some with kids, some without and I just want that. I ultimate goal is just to want that, want happiness. Even with my P.h. D, I know I can still have a family, and how do I know if I can have that with Niall?

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“Okay so our seats are right over there.” Ian points down just a bit. “I got seats at the end so we can get out easier. But that also means we have to get up and move every time someone needs to use the bathroom or get something to eat.” We've already missed the first inning as Ian has explained to me, I've learned that other than work or class, to never plan on getting anywhere on time. Especially on the weekends.

“It's okay, it's really loud.” It's surprising, I guess I didn't quite know what to expect but I love the atmosphere.

We take our seats, him sitting on the outside seat and me just next to him. We've stopped for drinks and food before we sat down. Ian was incredible nice and paid for everything. It's an easy game to follow along with, three strikes your out, catch a ball in the air and you're out, I've figured it all out by the bottom of the fifth inning.

“Excuse me Ian, I've really got to pee.” I laugh to myself as he moves out of the way for me to leave. I bring my phone, just in case. This stadium is massive and I'd rather not get lost. I find the bathroom quickly enough and see it's a rather long line so I scroll through my phone, playing games and messing around until its my turn.

After I've done my business and washed my hands I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket. I quickly dry my fingers and see it's Niall. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath, of course he would be calling me. I can't get away.

“Hello.” I lean against the wall, trying to get away from everyone walking around. It's hard to hear, everyone is so loud.

“Erica!” Niall is quite cheerful. Just when I think I'm good, that I've gotten away, he's returned. His voice brings all my memories and feelings back.

“Niall, what are you doing?” I ask, I know it's later back in London, around midnight to be exact.

“I'm just hanging out at home with the lads!” Drinking then, I can only assume. “It's really loud there, where are you?”

“I'm at a baseball game Niall and I have to get back to my seat.” I hate being short with him but I can't have a full conversation with him when I'm here.

“Right. Sorry.” It breaks my heart to hear his voice hurt but I deserve an apology for what happened if he's so heartbroken over me.

“Just call me tomorrow okay?” I ask him, starting to walk away from my spot and back to the seats. My mind has just been flooded with thoughts of him all the sudden. Just his voice gives me butterflies, thinking about him gives me butterflies. To be honest, Ian doesn't give me that feeling.

“Yeah. Tomorrow. Bye Erie.” I hang up the phone as I walk down the steps to our seats, putting my phone away. He has no idea what he does to me when he calls me by that nickname, he's the only one that calls me that.

“Everything okay?” Ian asks me with a smile on his face.

“Yeah, just a really long line.” I smile at him and scoot patch him, taking my seat. “So what did I miss?” I ask.

Notes

Hey Hey Hey! Hope everyone is doing well on this fine Monday. These two are just trying to hard to avoid how they feel. Really hard.

And I'm bribing ya'll, if I get 50 votes, I'll update again today. If not, you know their is always tomorrow! THANK YOU so much for all the comments, votes, subscriptions, and reads! You are all so important to me. :)

Mondays only last 24 hours.

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