*Niall’s POV*

As soon as this Birdman fellow mentioned we would have to actually do work in this class I wanted to get up and leave. But that would make me a quitter, and Niall Horan is no quitter. Plus it would have been kind of hard to leave since someone had taken the seat next to me and their bag was blocking the aisle. I didn’t even bother paying any attention as to who it was until partners were assigned.

Slowly turning to face them, I realized who it was immediately by those big brown eyes and the long brown curls resting on her shoulders. Of course it would be the same girl that I had already met - well…been run over by - twice before. It was such an unexpected coincidence that it made me laugh. I was completely nervous about being her partner because that meant that we would have to spend a lot of time together and considering I probably came off as a bit of a jerk, I assumed she probably already hated me. That was not my intention…so I reintroduced myself. A fresh start.

She started talking about…something. Probably the project, I presumed. The whole time I was just staring at her perfectly smooth, light brown skin and wondered what this clumsy girl was really like. Apparently I would find out soon because I realized she had asked me a question. “Oh, sorry. Yeah just uh text me when ya get the chance and we can meet up.” I quickly turned to walk away after flashing my million-dollar smile, and I swear I felt her watching me as I went.
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In addition to working at the pub on Tuesday and Thursday night, I had football or “soccer” practice twice on Wednesday (morning and night), and a tennis match on Saturday morning. Basically, my week was packed and Monday, which was today, and Friday were the only days I could relax. I was supposed to go to an extra football practice with my roommate Louis tonight, but thankfully he had to work. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. He’s hilarious. But sometimes his sass is a little bit obnoxious.

My Monday night was just as boring as any other and I hadn’t heard anything from Autumn. When Tuesday rolled around I was tempted to call or text her but I decided it was best for me to wait. Wednesday passed and still…nothing. But of course, Thursday night she decided to call, right as I was headed out to work. I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be working since my boss was out on holiday and left the annoying, stubborn manager in charge. I get on with most people, but she was possibly the grumpiest and most stuck up person I met. On the contrary, my boss was the most carefree and easy-going lads I’ve ever met in my entire life. It makes me wonder why he hired her…maybe they’re shagging or something. Who knows? I answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi. So I was thinking- oh wait. Is this Niall? It’s me. Autumn.”

I laughed, “Yes it’s me. How’re ya?”

“Ok good. I’m good. And you?”

She sounded so cute on the phone. Wait, what am I saying…I barely know the girl. “Tired, but good.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. Can she read my thoughts? Oh, God did I say that out loud?

She cleared her throat. “Cool. Well, uh. I was wondering…would you maybe want to meet me somewhere tonight? To discuss the project?”

“Well, actually I-“

“Oh. You’re busy I understand. It was kind of last minute I’m sorry. We can just do it some other time if that works better for you. Or not. Wait, not that’s not what I-“
She was talking so fast I could barely get any words in. She sounded so sweet and vulnerable, I didn’t want to let her down. I guess I could just call in sick to work… Manager Margaret already hates me anyway and I know Mark, my boss, won’t care. “No, it’s fine, really. I’m not doing anything important right now anyway.” My stomach growled and I glanced at the clock. Only 6 pm. “Wanna discuss it over dinner?”

“Oh, okay! Yeah…sure.”

“Cool. Meet me in front of the campus café in about… fifteen minutes?”

“Sure. See you soon, bye.”

I called in to work and then changed from my work clothes into some jeans with holes at the knees and an old grey tshirt, grabbing my keys, wallet, and hoodie on the way out. As I headed towards the door, I passed the bathroom mirror and noticed my hair was all messed up. Not caring to try and fix it, I tossed on a hat and twisted it backwards to keep down the loose ends at the back. Nice.

I guess I had spent a little bit too much time admiring my reflection because when I got there Autumn was already waiting for me and talking to some guy with brown hair that looked like he worked there. I walked up behind her and cleared my throat, but she seemed really interested in whatever he had to say.

“Ehem..errr. Autumn?” As she turned to face me, my breath caught in my throat. The moon reflecting off of her face making her look even more beautiful.

“Oh, hi! Sorry, this is Harry. Harry this is Niall.” Oh great, she had a boyfriend already. I was polite and shook his hand and he escorted us to a table.

My stomach reminded me once again just how hungry I was with a loud rumble. “I’ll have the double cheeseburger with fries and a coke please.” The boyfriend scribbled down my order.
“And for you, my dearest friend?” he asked, bowing towards Autumn as she giggled. Hmm…maybe just a friend after all.

“I’ll have the spinach omelet with hash browns and a glass of orange juice please, kind sir.”

I read that his nametag said Harry as he turned to walk away. “Okay! I’ll be back in a jiffy!” Jiffy? You’ve got to be kidding me. I turned my attention back to Autumn who was drawing circles on the table and aimlessly scanning the room.

“So...you ordered breakfast food at half past six in the evening? Interesting.”

“Yeah,” she blushed. “It’s kind of my favorite meal. I could literally eat only breakfast foods for the rest of my life! Once you get to know me better, you’ll understand that I’m not exaggerating at all when I say this.” I laughed. Adorable.

“Well I guess since we’re partners I’ll be getting to know you pretty well, and vice versa.”

“Yes, I guess so. Speaking of the whole partner thing…I read the syllabus and it says that our project has to be about either an event that had a significant effect or a controversial topic that has a significant meaning. But I’m assuming you read that. I guess we should start with what we don’t want to do? Any thoughts?” She had assumed wrong, because I definitely did not read the syllabus. To be quite honest, I had probably thrown it away by accident. But I went along with it anyway and talked about what I did remember.

“Well I’m not much of an actor so I say we scratch out the play. And documentaries tend to bore me so…short film?”

“Thank goodness, we’re on the same page! That’s what I was thinking. The hard part is coming up with a topic…I think a controversial concept would be much more interesting than documenting current events, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, ‘course. But what exactly would the topic be?” I honestly didn’t care much about what we were doing. I just wanted whatever she wanted. Our trains of thought were interrupted as Harry came back with our food. As we began to chow down, he pulled up a seat and joined us. “Hiii! I’m on break, can I sit with you guys?” He looked from me to Autumn, back to me, and back to Autumn with wide eyes and a puppy dog face. Autumn rolled her eyes. “We’re kind of in the middle of something, so unless you’re here to help…”

“I’d love to help! Are you going over that project you were telling me about? For film?”

“Yeah, we were.” I interrupted. “We just need a controversial topic to construct our film around. I can’t seem to think of anything….” They both looked at me. Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken up.

“What about love?” he asked casually.

“Love? How is that controversy?” Autumn asked.

“Just think about it…. Everyone defines love in a different way. Some say it’s one thing and another says it’s something else. Like if love is only possible through physical contact or people who think love is just an emotional flaw.” Wow. Not what I was expecting.

“Well, Niall. It looks like we’ll be uncovering the mysteries of love this semester. Maybe Harry actually is good for something.” I heard Harry saying he felt offended as she started laughing and teasing him. I laughed along as well, and we chatted for a bit more before we finished eating and paid the bill. Then it was just me and Autumn, standing outside under the dim sidewalk lights. We both stood there fidgeting awkwardly before breaking the silence. “So-“ we both began speaking at once and I laughed. “You go first.”

“Ok, uh…thanks for meeting me here, I know it was kind of last minute but um…. I guess we’re all set for now. We just need to get our film equipment this weekend, according the syllabus, before they run out of supplies.” She bit her lower lip and looked up at me with a childish expression.

“Okay well I’m free tomorrow or Saturday afternoon…we could go get it then.”

“Saturday sounds good. Just let me know when you’re ready, I guess. Okay well, thanks again…goodnight.” She raised her hand to wave, but I mistook her extended arms for an opportunity to hug her which resulted in me awkwardly leaning in and squeezing her tightly. She hesitated at first, but then readjusted herself so that she could hug me back. Smiling, I pulled away and watched her walk towards her dorm.

“Goodnight, Autumn.”

Notes