Addicted|n.h.|

They were just fooling around. Meeting each other at odd times and odd places. That was their thing. It wasn't anything serious. That's the conclusion they'd drawn the other night. It was Monday morning, new day and new session for college. Niall couldn't believe he'd come this far in life. He'd thought that he would end up like his father or mother even. But being there that day, made his heart lurch.

He wasn't really good penning down his thoughts, but now that all these feelings came rushing inside him, he'd decided on putting them down on paper. He wanted to try something different this time. All the while in English class, his eyes were pinned on Ashley who was in the same class and had other classes that were the same as his. He'd chosen Psychology, a subject that he had great interest in for a very long time and finally he was going to be studying it.

Niall wasn't the studious type of kid. If he had the time to study he would study or if he were remotely interested in studying, he would study. He was the type of kid behind whose back you'd have to be all the time to get him to study but recently, he'd gotten into studying and was studying without anyone telling him to. He was surprised himself. His mind had wandered off to Ashley once or twice but otherwise, he was able to concentrate on his studies.

Looking back down, he noticed he'd written more than two pages. A poem. He didn't know that while he was thinking about all this, he'd written a poem. A poem that was about Ashley. Very much about her. He'd always kept a diary, more like journal where he penned down his feelings. This was all done when he was a kid. Growing up, he thought it was a waste of time, paper and money. But now, all of that was coming in handy.

He would keep this journal out of everyone's reach. Including Liam's, someone he trusted more than his life. They were like brother's. But sometimes, things are better left unsaid. The period's over pretty soon, or it's just the writing that makes the day go by sooner than thought. I shove the journal in my bag and quickly catch up with Ashley who's headed in the same direction as I am, that is, Psychology class.

Before Niall could even say something to Ashley, someone whom he wasn't expecting cut his way between them and nearly tripped Niall over. He watched with fascination as the last person he expected to talk to Ashley looked at her, his eyes sparkling. Tyson. The guy who only sleeps with girls and never calls them back. Tyson, someone whom he wasn't expecting to be talking to the girl he liked.

Yes, they were fooling around. Yes, they'd just done that before going for classes. But that didn't stop him from getting jealous watching the two of them touching each other's arms and Tyson bending low and whispering something in her ear. By the time he was able to catch up to Ashley, they were already reaching class. So he let is slide this one time.

Their Psychology teacher was already in class and was expecting all the students to be seated before he began with the introduction.

How old school! Niall thought as he looked over at Tyson.

* * *

The rest of the day slipped by and Niall realized that they had tons of homework. Who does that on a first day? It's just plain stupid and crazy. He was searching for excuses to meet Ashley when he realized that he could go over to her room and pretend he had some doubts in English or Psychology. But refrained.

He really needed to study and finish his homework, else it'll remain pending and he would never be able to complete it. So, he came to the conclusion that he'll do his homework in the park outside their dorm building. It was light outside and plenty of kids would be sitting in their rooms rather than outside.

Walking outside, he inhaled the fresh air. The scent of jasmine flowers looming in the atmosphere. Somehow it reminded him of Ashley.

Niall get over it! Study, study, study! That's what you gotta do!! He thought to himself as he sat down on the soft grass.

Keeping his books in a pile next to him, he began with Psychology and made the required notes that the Professor had told them to. Once done, he went over them and studied them properly to pick out the mistakes. Then, he grabbed his English notes and went over them before making his own notes, just in case.

To get them checked, he decided to go to Ashley. She would also be studying, or something of the sort. Just hoping that she wasn't hanging out with Tyson because he was worse than him. But this strong feeling overcame his sense that told him not to go to Ashley's room, for some reason even he didn't know. So, taking his books in a pile, he walked back to his dorm room and shut himself in. Turning on his phone, he checked his messages. 19 missed calls and 12 messages.

Checking his call logs, all of them were from Kelsa. All the messages were from Kelsa too. He checked each and every single of them before deleting the entire thing. He didn't have time for her. Not now. Not ever. Now that he'd finally got Ashley, not exactly got her, yet, but now he didn't have the time to talk to her. Maybe they'd hang out but apart from that they wouldn't do anything further.

There wasn't anything they could do further. He'd promised himself not to lose his virginity till he found the right one. And maybe, just maybe, Ashley was the right one. For him. And maybe he was for her. Just then his phone began ringing.

"Hello?" Niall said.

"I need to see you. Immediately." Kelsa said from the other end.

"Why?" Niall reasoned. He wasn't even in the mood.

"At the pool house, behind our dorm buildings. Please Niall. It's an emergency!" she said, her voice shaking and full of fear.

What the hell has she gotten into this time? Niall thought.

Notes