Flicker || NiallxOC {Book #1}

Niall Horan closed his eyes and drifted off into fantasy land. Wasn't much different from the other times he did. He soaked in those moments as long as he could. The entire record was finished, and he was finally done with the stressful part of the song writing process.

The tracks were laid down, polished, edited and composed how they were meant to be. Now all Niall wanted to do was sit back and relax. Maybe take a week or two off to charge up his batteries. Doing nothing made him anxious, he always had to be doing something. Writing, laying down tracks, strumming his guitars. He can never let his routine go.

He blew out a big chunk of air and collapsed on his couch. Being at home felt almost too calm. He hated the silence that took over the room. It was unsettling, too eerie. His ceiling looked as if it might fall down. His mind went to that place again.

He took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. A lot of names he barely knew, a few he did personally. There was a girl he met and chatted up at his favorite pub that he was slightly interested in. She was easy on the eyes, not much going on up top but had amazing legs and a great rack. He could...

His phone rang before he slid his thumb across her name.

"Yeah?"

"What's up man?" Peter, Niall's best mate asked him.

"Not much, what's going on?"

"I heard you laid down the tracks. Wanna kick it?"

"What's up?"

"Just this place Danny's been telling me about. You up for it?"

Niall thought for a moment and closed one eye.

"Yeah, gimmie a few. Meet you there. Text me the address."

Niall didn't know what he was doing or where he was going but he just needed to get out. His mind was going back to the reasons he started writing in the first place. Now he was done with everything he wanted to bury it on the record where it belonged. Where all his heartbreak should be.

As he got ready he contemplated what he was going to do with himself until promotion started. He hoped the break would last much longer than a week. He made a mental note to contact his management to demand more time to prepare for the craziness that is his life.

Niall never hated what he did, he loved it, every moment of him enjoyed being on stage and singing to thousands of fans who still wanted him there. It's the dream he's been waiting for since he was 16 years old. Now he just wanted to do nothing, see where the moment takes him. Get pissed, not worry so much what people may think. He'd leave that to further down the line.

The hustle and bustle and New York was prominent as he walked out of his apartment and he found that comforting. He didn't have a team or a chauffeur, he took the tube most places he can get. Thankfully New York is one of those cities built for anonymity no matter who you are. He wouldn't get recognized tonight, he wasn't Harry Styles. Not nearly as promoted or as big as his former band mate. He had nothing to worry about.

Surprisingly the subway trains weren't as full as other nights. Niall took the seat closest to the door in the far corner. Just in case he did find himself in a weird situation, you never know. A busker with a guitar began strumming some cords as he looked on. He almost felt sorry for him and then realized he was no different, they were just two lads living the dream. What did he have to be sorry about?

Niall fixed his beret down his face, checking his phone for any new text alerts. One popped up telling him the place. He figured it was downtown near Montague street, the only few pubs that serve the best Guinness. Niall was in that mood. The "oh fuck it all" one. He liked those. He won't get recognized. He was on break still, no one even knew he was out and about, he was dressed like everyone else. Thanks to his small stature, he could get away with being as anonymous as he wanted. Again, he wasn't Harry, no one would care.

Niall still thought of himself as someone who did very well for himself but can still get away with blending in with the crowd. As brunette especially, he definitely doesn't stand out like he used to when he was a blond. He was grateful to leave that life behind him where it belonged.

The train came to an abrupt stop, he moved with the force. As soon as the sliding doors opened he was out the door, jogging up the steps as he took in the sights and sounds of East Manhattan. In all fairness he chose a place where paparazzi used to camp out every day but there was nobody around. He could still hear the music and chatter inside the pub he walked to. He liked this place, not just for the drinks but the people. They just didn't give a shit. His kind of people.

He waved to his friends already halfway into their tab. He would have to catch up to their level. No one can out drink Niall Horan, not even if they tried. Many have, including his closest friends. He stared down his best friend as he threw down an attractive pint of

Guinness, the foam looking just as sexy as it always did.

"Go on then, you poofter." Peter commented, downing the rest of his drink, ordering another.

"Fuck off. What's up man?" He asked him, planting himself firmly on the stool.

"Not much, just pissing it. What the fuck are you up to? Finished your tunes?"

"Finally...now am off. Probably as long as I can until the record company rings me up."

"Fucking aye. Feel like cruising tonight? Not a whole lotta birds but you're here, time is precious, fuck it."

"Tell me about it. Whatever on the last part. Unless you see something decent."

"At this time a night, that's all there is." Peter said, looking at him with a knowing expression.

Niall smirked, downing most of his pint. "Good then, be the proper wing man. Make yourself useful."

"Every man for himself, man. But am still your mate," Peter said, standing from the bar and grabbed his coat.

"Where ya goin' man?"

"Toilet, holler mid-wee if you see anything promising. Save it for yourself, ya look like you need a proper slag in your life."

Niall shook his head and pushed his friend's shoulder as he watched him walk off to the back of the pub. He took in the silence as he ordered another pint, washing it down his throat like it was soda pop. The taste and feeling he got from his favorite drink made his tension melt away. He loved this feeling.

He thought about what Peter said, now that he was in the right mood. Why not spend it with someone that was looking for a good time also?

"Hey buddy, whatcha up to?" The bartender asked.

"I dunno man, whatever."

He cleaned some glasses, while staring at him, amused. "Not the place to do whatever, unless you're looking for something specific."

Niall chuckled. "Pfft, fuck off. I'll leave that to me friends."

"Some bird tore your heart or somethin'?" He said, leaning his elbows on the counter.
Niall scoffed.

"More like I tore hers. Anyway, old news, been there done that. New start." He downed the rest of his pint, feeling annoyed at this guy suddenly.

"Whatever you say. You wouldn't be interested in her would ya?" He asked, nodding to the entrance.

Niall briefly turned around and rolled his eyes. A mousy looking brunette stumbled inside, unsure of her surroundings. She looked confused, drunk, high or all three. Her stern eyes focused on her phone. She looked mad, like she was about to punch someone. Niall bit his lip and turned back around.

"Not for me man, go on ahead, you get this one." Niall commented, slapped some money down and fixed up his collar.

He thought about waiting for his friend but figured he would just text him. Peter looked like he wanted to party and Niall wasn't feeling it. Could be what the bartender said, it may have triggered old wounds. Niall thought he was done with all that with the record finished. He made up his mind, took his phone out and sent the text. Good riddance.

Niall was immediately hit with a cool breeze that made his cheeks turn red. Felt like being back home in Mullingar. He was almost lulled by its beauty. New York is just starting to hit it's proper Fall season and he couldn't be happier. He smiled, walking to a nearby park where benches were strewn on both sides of the empty streets. A sigh of contentment left his mouth, he sunk into the feeling. He didn't think twice as he made his way to one of the benches and sat down.

He leaned back, closing his eyes as the bitter cold bit his eyelids, keeping him awake but giving him peace of mind. He felt a presence near and opened his eyes.

"Oh, sorry, I'll go to another bench." She said meekly; she was tall, chestnut hair, looking down ashamed. "Sorry..."

"No, stay if you want. Bench doesn't have me name on it." Niall smiled politely; the girl nearly turned around as she hesitated. "Really, it's fine."

She stepped closer, Niall caught her appearance more clearly. She was wearing a white scarf tied loosely around her neck. Her brown hair blew around, in her eyes, she moved it sloppily. "Thanks," her voice was small and apologetic, like a little girl's.

Niall took in a deep breath, continuing to sit. Normally he would have walked up and moved to another bench but he stayed where he was. The girl took out ear buds and placed them inside her ear, flicking something on her phone. She leaned back and closed her eyes, her lips parted slightly, her eyes remained closed.

Niall took his eyes off her momentarily, when she rustled he stared again. He watched her forehead crease, wondering what caused it.

She pulled out of it and held her head in her hands, frustrated. "It's not working." She exclaimed, turning her device off and crossing her arms over her chest.

"What's that now?" He asked her, moving closer when she caught his eye.

"It's nothing really. I'm sorry, I'm really ruining your moment here. I can't even have my own moment." She said that as if it mattered to her the most.

Niall scratched his head. He was feeling like now was a good time to walk away and let this girl, whoever she was, sort out her inner drama but he didn't. He was wondering why.

"You're not bothering me at all, I was just wondering, if you want to, I know we don't know each other, but if you wanted to tell me what's bothering you?"

She looked down then away from him. "It's so stupid, you're probably gonna laugh at me."

"Maybe not."

She held his eyes seriously and loosened her arms to fiddle with the hem of her jacket. "I'm just trying to relax I guess."

Niall waved for her to continue.

"There's this silly app that people say helps with anxiety, so I got it, still working on it. But it's not working, nothing is."

He narrowed his eyes, amused, "So you think an app is going to help you relax?"

"It's called Calm OK? In my opinion it doesn't work."

Niall burst out into a fit of laughter, holding onto his stomach as he flipped over. He didn't mean to but it was suddenly really hilarious to him.

Her mouth fell open as Niall's laughs subsided. "Wow, that's rude. You know...forget it...I'm getting outta here."

She began getting up but Niall called out to her. "Hey, wait up?"

She stopped and turned around only to almost crash into his body. He backed up gently.

"Sorry, couldn't help meself there. What's your name?" Niall asked, seeing her deep emerald eyes for the first time.

"Amelia." She looked at him a little strange. "What's yours?"

"I'm Niall. Again, really sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you, just the situation. Maybe I can help?"

"How is that?"

"You wanna get outta here?"

Amelia watched his hopeful face and bit her lip. She could already feel the chill in the air began to make her cheeks numb.

"Where are we going?" She asked him as he had a mischievous look in his eye.

Notes

Thanks for reading!