Addicted|n.h.|

The same feeling inside him was once again ignited. He knew he was falling for Ashley, more than ever and there was nothing that could stop this rush of feelings. He kept checking his phone for any messages from her but there were none-considering the time, she would be asleep and not obviously texting him. But the need for her filled him completely and he had to win this thing and prove them wrong.

He was already regretting doing what he'd done and now he was in too deep to back out from everything. If only he could rewind and say no to it. Say that it was a mistake and that he'd never do that-to her or anybody else. Maybe he'll just back out of it now. She doesn't have to know anything. He could feel the buzz in his ears, drowning everything else out, even his own thoughts. This thing wouldn't go down as planned. Nothing will ever be the same if she found out. If.

He wanted everything to go back to normal, go back to the way things were. Uncomplicated. He remembered the first day he met her and the days after that. The innocence in her eyes, the light that burned bright whenever she saw him. She trusted him. No one had ever before. Not even Kelsa. He sighed deeply as he buried his face in his pillow-sleep the farthest thing from his mind.

The question that kept going through his mind- how could i do this to her? How can i do this to her?

He could feel her hands hot against his skin-still fresh in his memory-that day when he took her to that lake. How she'd stumbled. So shy. So naiive. He could almost hear her ragged breathing, her. He liked her. Maybe more than liked her. And somehow, it scared him. He couldn't betray her. The thought of it was a death sentence to him. He had to rectify this situation. He'd do it first thing tomorrow morning. Okay, in the afternoon since tomrrow was a Tuesday and he had classes to attend to.

He tried sleeping but each time he closed his eyes, he saw Ashley crying her heart out. Instead of tears, blood running down her cheeks. His heart twisted and he turned in his bed, trying harder to sleep. Shutting his eyes tightly so that now all he could see were stars.

Why? Why? Why? Was it any good?

"Hey guys." Niall said as he made his way to where the boys were sitting.

"Hey Ni. Haven't seen you around. Where've you been?" Kelsa asked, pulling him down and sitting on his lap.

He tried pushing her away but she straddled him, holding on tight like as though he were her dear life.

"Just been out and about." Niall lied. He knew that if he told them the truth they'd pry him for details and he wasn't in the mood. He wanted to get over with this and everything else.

"Guys, is it too late to back out?" he asked, his voice low with concern, as the waiter put their glasses and left.

"Too late for what?" they asked innocently.
"You know...the deal." he said, moving in closer and lowering his voice.
"What deal?!" Liam asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
"That deal." Niall said, hinting something of an earlier date.
"Oh. I got it. No you can't. Too late bud." Zayn said as slapped him hard on his back.
Now what was he going to do? This was the only way out and that too had been blocked.
"Why?! Is she not agreeing to it?" Zayn asked.
Niall knew where this was going and he didn't want to pursue it further. It was going to be useless talking to these guys. There was nothing now that he could do.
Just then he saw Ashley walk in, their eyes locking only for a brief moment before Kelsa's lips found Niall's and she was trying to be all hot but it came off as a slut signal. Niall quickly pushed her off and followed Ashley out into the alley. She saw it all. He knew it. Why else would she have left? He should have tried harder and pushed Kelsa off completely but instead of prying her off, he let her sit there on his lap. Like it meant nothing. She meant nothing.
And she didn't. But Ashley didn't know that.

Notes