Just as Much

Erica's POV

Two weeks. All we have is two weeks left until Niall comes home. Granted, it's only a break for two weeks but I don't care at all. I've already told my mom I'm just going to be practically living with him for those two weeks. I've missed him more then I thought I could.

I've kept myself distracted with my courses, Medieval law, Byzantine Civilization, and Early Modern Europe being my most difficult ones. This term I have classes every day and not just all day on Tuesday's and Thursday's so I've been stuck working at the office with my mom. She's recently decided to release a line of environmentally friendly cleaners so she's been extremely busy with that, marketing, design, production. Veronica and I have been managing the office. It's not exactly my cup of tea, not something I really want to do but it is nice to be working with people and not just cleaning houses. Of course, if someone can't clean for some reason, holiday, sick, whatever the reason may be, I'm first to get called out.

Niall has been so busy. I knew that tour life was difficult but between traveling, time zones, writing and recording sessions for their next album, working out, shows, private events, he hardly has time to even sleep. So when he does get time our conversations are short. If we text, which is usually all we can do, it can take hours sometimes for him to get back to me. I hate it, but I'll never tell him, this is his dream, this is what he wants.

I haven't told him I love him yet. When he told me it just took me totally off guard, I wasn't expecting him to tell me that for a long time. It's awkward on my part because I just don't know what to say back to him. It was all so sudden and quick. I love Niall but I just want to make sure before I invest all these extra feelings and emotions. I never realized how much he cared for me even before we got together.

“So when does he come home?” Allison ask as we slide into the booth.

“Two weeks from yesterday.” I smile at the mere thought of being in the country with Niall again.

“You two have big plans?' She asks, raising her eyebrows up and down.

“I don't know. I've been looking at things we can do but I don't really know what he wants to do. I feel like we haven't had a proper conversation since he left. He's always buys and/or tired.” I sip my lemon water and look around.

“Well, I mean, you kind of knew it would be like that didn't you?”

“I guess, I just never thought I'd have to live like the girls do, it's a little easier for them, they get to go on tour with their boyfriends.” I purse my lips, I get quite jealous of Sophia and Eleanor, they get to see Louis and Liam every day.

“Yeah, but they paid their dues too, they both were in school while the guys toured. And it's not like you're going to quit. You don't want to and your mom will kill you. You know how important school is for her.” Allison reminds me as our server comes over and drops our food off. We're eating at Chicken Shop in South London, one of our favorite places. Allison always gets the same thing, half chicken, fries, and soda, I always get smokey half chicken, corn on the cob and water with lemon. It's a little dark in here but we went to lunch a little late so we missed the rush.

“I know. But we just hardly got together before he left. We split for the holidays, spent New Years together, then it was just us for a few weeks but he left early. I just want to be selfish. Niall and I just like to be at home, watch movies, and mess around.” I shrug my shoulders, cutting the corn off the cob, a habit I picked up in America.

“Well you'll see him in two weeks. More best friend time!” Allison acts cheerfully.

“Yeah right! You and Kyle are so close you can't get a wedge between you two!” I tease. Since I left back in June Allison started hanging out with this Kyle that lives in her building and now they're practically inseparable. I almost can't even call her without him being around. This time last year it would have made me sick how close the two are but now I understand and anymore I'm just jealous that they get to spend all their time together.

“It's just because Kyle is perfect.” Allison gushes, all I can do is roll my eyes and avoid the subject. She knows I'm jealous. “So how are you handling all the rumors?” I watch as she dips a fry in ketchup and devours it.

“Oh the rumors. Lets see, Niall is cheating on me, Niall is making out with another girl, Erica is seen out with another man, Niall never calls Erica, Erica ignores Niall. All that bullshit?” I question.

“That's what I'm talking about.”

“They're annoying. People get bored and just assume. You know, I can't even go to the dentist without someone saying I'm cheating on him. I'm sure if I ever went to the doctor they'd assume I was pregnant. That's why Niall always hangs out with guys because he can't go anywhere without people assuming he's dating the girl or sleeping with her.” I take the last sip of my water and push my food away, suddenly full.

“Well you both know it's not true. But that has to be exhausting.”

“It's not the easiest thing I've ever done but I just want it to be Niall and I, and if this is what we have to go through then this is what we have to go through.” I shrug my shoulders, leaning back against the chair, looking around. I notice a few girls fresh out of school, still in uniform, looking at us and whispering. I already know what they're talking about. “Let's head out?” I suggest and Allison nods, our check has already been paid for.

We stand, bustling our coats up, the wind has picked up here, snow has been falling and melting, making London not so picture perfect as it has lots of mud around the streets.

“So what are you and Niall going to do when he comes back? Besides lots of sex.” Allison asks just as we leave the restaurant.

“Allison!” I kindly hit her arm. “I don't know, theirs an Inventing Impressionism show at the National Gallery and the Noel Fielding Exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall. They're both at the beginning of March.” I turn to her as we stop at the crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.

“Seriously? You want to take Niall to art shows?”

“I think he'll like it. It will be good for him.” I start walking, not waiting for Allison as I can hear her heals quickly catch up with me. “How come you didn't have school today?” I ask, remembering the younger girls in their uniforms.

“Our director makes the schedule, she planned this day off back in August. I won't complain.” We continue walking down the street to her car, for some reason even though we went to lunch later, parking was a nightmare still.

“So what are you doing for the rest of the night?” I ask.

“Kyle wants to go out, you know, since its Friday. You should come!” Her eyes wide and I can see plans running through her head at the moment.

“Ah, no I think I'll just stay at home.” I wait for her to unlock her car and climb in to the passenger side.

“Come on Erica, please. You never go out anymore. Don't make me call Niall.” She threatens me. “You know he'll be fine with it.”

“I know he will be. But as soon as I step out without him everyone is on my case, wondering why I'm out without him, who I'm talking to, what I'm doing without him. It's annoying.” I really hate this lime light, it's not something I really want. I just want Niall.

“Just forget about that. It can be just you, me, and Kyle. Pretty please?” She stops at the light and clasps her hands together.

“I just don't want to.” I slump a little in my seat.

“Yes you do. And you're going. No more no's.” She points her finger at me, she's been with those nursery school kids for too long.

“Fine.” I let out a huge breath.

“Yay!” Allison lets her hands off the wheel and I quickly reach over and grab it.

“Don't do that!” I scold her as my phone starts buzzing.

“Is that Niall?” Allison asks, now extremely cheerful that I've decided to go out with her. I nod and answer the phone quickly. My stomach all nervous just to hear his voice. God what his voice does to me.

“Hey.” Sometimes I talk to him like it's the first time, I get that nervous sometimes.

“Hey Erie. What are you doing?” He asks as I hold on for dear life, Allison taking a corner a little to sharply. She's always been a bit reckless behind the wheel.

“Just hoping I survive the drive with Allison back to my moms.” Niall starts laughing. He rode with us once and swore to never do it again. “What are you doing?”

“Just got done with press day, now we're off to the hotel. I'm so tired.” He sounds tired. They're all tired.

“I'm going out with Allison and Kyle tonight.” For some reason I'm like nervous to tell him.

“Good, you need a night out.” I instantly relax. It's so much harder having in so far away. “Hey, baby, sorry but we just got here, I'm going to bed. Text me when you get home so I know okay?” He asks, if I ever go out he always just asks that I text him, he worries half a world away.

“Always do.”

“I love you, tell Allison and Kyle I said hi, have fun baby.” I smile at his words.

“Good night.” I hang up the phone and look out the window, longing for Niall.

“God, and you get sick of Kyle and I? You and Niall are way worse. Lovers.” Allison teases and pulls me back to reality. Sometimes I just want to get lost in our dream land.

Notes

Hey everyone! So, still skipping around a bit. I didn't want to write too many chapters when they're apart but Erica needs some best friend time too!

I just can't thank you all enough for reading this story. You never know how people are going to respond when you put your words out there so it means a lot that you all take the time to read everyday and comment. :)

Friday eve!!

xoxoxo