Niall's POV

It's been a week since Greg's visit, I tried to hid from them that I was gone all evening, but Denise called me out on the next morning telling me that I needed to do more then apologize to Erica for taking advantage of her good nature. To be honest, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure something out since then but I haven't quite put my finger on it.

But today we're at rehearsals for our stadium tour and I'm beyond excited, ready to get back on the road. The other guys don't like it as much, the ones with girlfriends. I understand why, but I don't have that problem.

“So you guys ready for South America?” Josh asks to no one in particular.

“I'm ready, we've never been there.” I lean back against the wall, sipping my water.

“Yeah, we're ready for a new place.” Harry chimes in as Louis, Zayn, and Liam are all on their phones.

“Hey guys, we're going to take a little break.” Our stage director, whose name has already slipped my mind informs us as we all kind of disperse to our own ways. I head out to the hallway and look down the window, thankfully people don't know where we are at the moment, so it isn't filled with screaming people.

Just as I turn to look away I see a familiar coat walking down the street, I squint my eyes to see Erica and another blonde laughing. I quickly search my pockets for my phone and find Erica's name.

To: Erica
Are you walking down Chalton Street?

I wait to see her reach into her coat pocket and pull out her phone, pausing s she reads it, and looking around for me. I laugh as I assume she's telling her friend what she's doing before she starts trying a response. I'm on the third floor so I'm sure she can't see me.

From Erica:
Yes, with my friend, Allison. Creeper.

I let out a laugh and quickly type out a response.

To Erica:
Wait there, I'll come see you

I forget my coat and race to the stairs, it's chilly outside, but it's not freezing, the weather is getting warmer. The jumper I have on does wonders for my body heat. I exit the building from the side door and see them still waiting, talking amongst themselves.

“Hey Erica!” I catch up to her a little breathless and give her an awkward hug.

“Hey Niall. What are you doing here?” She asks, adjusting her bag.

“Oh, we have rehearsals for the tour in that building, we were on break when I saw you walking.” I smile and notice her friend bumping her.

“Right, Niall this is my best friend Allison, Allison, this is Niall.” She points to us and we exchange a handshake.

“Nice to finally meet you Niall.” She smiles, you can already tell whose more outgoing of the pair. I'm wondering if Erica has mentioned me before as Allison said she's finally gotten to meet me.

“You too. So what are you guys doing?” I ask, sticking my hands in my pocket.

“I had to get some books on loan at the British Library for school, Allison came with the promise of ice cream, so that's where we were headed.” She informs me, I should have known, the British Library is just a few blocks away from here.

“You want to join us?” Allison offers.

“That okay?” I ask and Erica just smiles and tilts her head for me to follow as she starts walking.

We arrive at the quiet spot and pick our flavors, and sit down towards the back to enjoy our frozen treats. I learn that Allison is actually a nursery school assistant, she decided not to take the university route and just stop at her GSCE's. It's late in the afternoon on Tuesday so I know Erica is already done with class.

“How were your classes today Erica?” She seems off in her own world and not paying attention. “Erica?” I wave my fingers in front of her.

“Oh, sorry. What did you say?” She asked.

“How were your classes today?” I laugh.

“Nothing special. A lot of lectures today like usual. Of course I have my Vengeance, Hatred, and Law in Premodern Europe class today, so that helps, it's my favorite course.” Allison just shrugs it off, I'm assuming she's heard all about Erica's favorite class, but I know nothing of the sort.

“What class?” They actually have those classes?

“It's about the transformation in European legal habits between 500 and 1600 AD. You know, how the family-based forms of law, vengeance, and regulation gave way to royal, municipal, and ecclesiastical justice. We talk about the blood, the judicial ordeal, and judicial torture. It's really neat actually, we discussed the Magna Carta today and how that ties into the transition between sovereign power and earned power.” You can see the excitement in her face as I probably sit there dumbfounded, I have no idea what she's talking about.

“Well today, we made umbrellas out of tissue paper.” Allison breaks the silence and we all erupt into laughter.

“I'm going to use the restroom, excuse me.” Erica stands and walks away.

“So how long have you fancied Erica?” Allison asks as soon as Erica is out of sight.

“I don't fancy Erica.” I try to scoff at her thought, hiding my smile by taking another bite of ice cream.

“Oh come on Niall, I've only met you a half an hour ago and I can already tell. I mean, who really wants ice cream on this chilly day? And you've no coat on so I know as soon as you saw her you rushed down the steps to come see her.” She takes a scoop of her ice cream and smile to herself. “And you're not denying it so I know it's the truth.”

“Does she know?” I tell her.

“Erica?” She rolls her eyes. “Please. Erica is too nice to notice these things. She's so focused on structure and getting her studies done that she has no idea. And I won't tell her.” She promises me. “But you should say something to her.” She scrapes along the bottom of her dish and pushes it back on the table as she's finished.

“But what if she doesn't even like me?” I sound like a kid now, unsure of myself, but the truth of the matter is, I am.

“Well you'll never know if you don't tell her.” She looks past me, “She's on her way back, if she's asks, we've been talking about your tour.” I simply nod my head and continue to eat.

“So have you two become best friends now?” Erica smiles and takes a large bite of her ice cream.

“Oh, Niall was just telling me all about their tour to South America.” She nudges me and I smile, filling my mouth with ice cream. I hate lying to Erica, and she can always tell.

“Yeah, when does that start again Niall?” She asks, finishing her cup.

“We fly to Columbia on the 24th of April, the concert is the next day, it's going to be sick.” I can't help but get excited for it.

“That will be fun.” Allison pipes in. “Erica, have you put in your application yet?” She asks and I turn my head sharply to her, I see Erica's face redden.

“What application?” I ask. Is she getting another job? She can't quit, I don't know what I would do if I couldn't see her.

“It's for an internship at the New York City Historical Society. It would start in August, end in December. It's very competitive though so I'm not getting my hopes up. And yes, I mailed it in yesterday.” She turns back to Allison.

“So you'd be gone for what, five months?” I ask, counting in my head.

“Yeah, but you'll be on tour August, September, and part of October, then you're going on promotion for the album in November and holiday in December, so it's not like you'll miss me.” She nudges my arm and I see Allison giving me knowing eyes. She say's I won't miss her, she has no idea.

Notes

I just love writing about a best friend that's not afraid of anything. :) Every girl needs a friend like Allison.

Hope everyone is having a good day!!

xoxox