C16 Chapter 16

I can tell that Niall is trying to calm himself down and that he’s biting his lip so he won’t say anything else, but I’m just way too confused because everything happened way too fast.

“I’m just-fuck you.” Is all he says before he walks off towards the stairs.

I look at Sophia and she looks at Kyle who understands that he has to leave us alone. After the two of us get Jasper into an empty bed we walk out on the balcony. I can hear chatter from downstairs and I recognize Niall’s voice.

“She’s fuckin’ stubborn, I swear to God I’m gonna punch a wall.” Niall says.

“Don’t mind her and stop getting angry over it. It’s not your job to worry about other people, let alone her.” Sean (I think?), his teammate, tells him.

“I just can’t stand it when women are abused for no fucking reason.” Niall mutters.

“She’s a rich snob who got in a fight with her drunk boyfriend, leave her be.”

Niall doesn’t say anything else, but I hear the sound of a lighter. Sophia and I look at each other silently for a few moments.

“You’re right. Why do I even bother with her? She’s always going to be a spoiled brat who thinks she’s always right and the world should bend for her.”

My jaw clenches and I can’t help myself. “You’re one to talk huh?” I say, looking down at him.

They both look up.

“You’re crazy, I swear to God.” Niall says as he looks up at me.

“Don’t you dare call me crazy, you idiot. I knew I hated you for a reason. You think you’re so smart huh? Niall the bad boy, ooh, I’m melting.” I say in a high-pitched voice before I step back inside so I won’t say anything else. I’m tipsy and confused and sad and my face hurts from Jasper’s slap.

“Are you okay? You want me to stay with you?” Sophia asks me when she sees me opening the door to Chris' room.

“No, I’m fine and way too angry to talk right now. Later.”

“Alright. You want me to bring you something?”

I sit down on his bed and barely even notice Louis passed out on it. “Yeah. Something to eat. I’ll stay in here for a while to clear my head.”

She nods and closes the door behind her.

I take off my shoes, sighing in relief because they hurt as hell and then sit down on the bed. I watch Louis sleep for a few minutes, literally thinking about nothing. Then my mind drifts off to the events that unfolded earlier: the slap from my drunk ex boyfriend, Niall sort of defending me by hitting him back, me yelling at him like the bitch I am, then the swearing session between the two of us.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, but before I can reach out to see who texted me, the door opens and I see a tall, skinny silhouette walking in with a plate.

I turn on the bedside lamp to see Niall coming towards me with a plate full of snacks and sits down at my feet. We look at each other for a few seconds and I have no idea what to do or say.

“Sophia gave me this to bring it to you.” He says and hands me the plate. I look down at it as I start eating. I kind of feel ashamed to say anything, because I know I am in the wrong and he was probably just trying to be nice.

“Thank you.” I say, not looking up at him though.

“For what?” he asks so I lift my head to make eye contact.

“You know what for. For trying to be a decent guy and me being an idiot.” I apologize before I shove another pretzel into my mouth.

“It’s alright.” Niall says, taking a chip from the plate. “Sorry for calling you a spoiled brat, you’re not that bad.”

I roll my eyes, but I know he probably stepped on his ego by telling me this. I cross my ankles as I shove a chocolate truffle into my mouth.

“He’s never done that.” I add after two minutes of eating in silence.

“I could tell by the look on your face.”

“How?”

“I’ve seen it before on…other people. I just know. It starts with a slap and then it escalates until you’re in way too deep and emotionally scarred.”

I swallow. “But he’s just-“

“Drunk? Yeah, that’s how it starts. Either way, just don’t-don’t go back to him. And I’m not saying this because I want to get into your pants or something. I just can’t stand it when people deserve better and settle for less anyway.”

“But I…one year. It’s just too much wasted time.”

“So?” he asks, raising his voice a bit. “You’d rather waste even more time in vain? You’re eighteen. You should live your life for fuck’s sake.”

“Like you do? I don’t think I can shag-“

“That’s not what I mean. I mean, be free. Do whatever the fuck you want without having to include someone else. Think about yourself for a change.”

I frown. “Why do you even care?”

“I already told you that I’ve seen other people settling for less when they deserve more and that makes me so fucking angry because I know they can’t help it and it’s fuckin’ sad. But you’re not thirty, you’re eighteen. It’s not too late for you.”

I look down at my toes. “You’re right. He’s gonna apologize tomorrow and I don’t know if-actually, fuck him. I’m putting an end to it. So what if I used to be his ‘cheerleader’ and all that shit? I can be someone else’s. I can-I can.” I drunkenly rant and set the plate down next to my phone.

Then I shimmy further down on the bed until I’m laying down. “Thanks. You’re not that bad. I’m gonna close my eyes for a bit.”

“I’m going back downstairs.” Niall says after a few moments, before he stands up and turns the lamp off.

After he’s gone, I get under the covers and grab my phone.

The last thing I remember is looking at Sophia’s text before falling asleep.

Niall’s coming up with your snacks, he offered and insisted

***

I skillfully managed to avoid Jasper the next morning as I collected my brother from the living room floor and drove back home. He’s been ringing me since yesterday, but I eventually blocked his number and all his social media as well.

“What do you want to do for your birthday?” my father asks Jason on Sunday evening. Then I suddenly remember that he’s turning sixteen on October 24th, which happens to be tomorrow and I feel guilty because I’m a bad sister.

“I was thinking on taking a few people to Thorpe Park on Friday after school and also sleep over there.”

“You want me to rent it our for you?”

My brother’s eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. “Thanks, but no. It’s way more fun when there are other people as well.”

“Alright, how many friends are you going to invite?” dad asks at the same time as his phone rings.

“Well, six-“

“Yeah, hold on. Just let me know how much money you need.” He says and walks out of the kitchen with his phone taped to his ear.

I sympathetically look at him. “So how many people? Let’s make a list.”

“Well, Jake, Bryan, Chris, Justin and Mike.”

“My Jake?” I ask.

Jason laughs. “God no. He’s a new friend.”

“You also said six people, yet you only told me five names.”

“Well, I was also thinking about inviting Leah.”

“Leah as in Leah Harrison?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think she’ll come.”

I make a face. “So you have a crush on her but she despises you? A love-hate type of thing?”

He hesitates, which lets me know that he’s hiding something.

“What?” I push.

“We’re kind of hooking up but like, we’re not telling anyone. And I hope you won’t tell anyone either!”

“Wha-like what? Hooking up meaning? Sex? Kissing? Touching?” I ask, completely shocked.

“Like, making out. Jeez Nicki, don’t make me tell you the details.” He says, rolling his eyes.

“Fine. So, back to your birthday. Let’s say you invite six people plus you that’s seven. A day pass is forty pounds, plus a night at the hotel for seven people would be around….a thousand pounds? With food and everything.”

“Sure.” He says, obviously not even paying attention to my math because he’s busy with his phone. “Hey…are you and Jasper broken up?”

“Why?” I ask, frowning.

“Because I saw you with Niall at the party.”

I look down at the marble table. “Oh.”

“And right now, Leah sent me a snap with Niall and another girl in their living room. And he also posted a photo on Instagram-”

I shrug. “I don’t care. Let’s talk about your birthday.” I say, but I’m half lying, because I’m 5% jealous.

“So, have you decided?” my father asks, suddenly coming back into the kitchen. “How much money will you need me to wire into your account?”

“Well, six friends plus me and I kind of wanted to sleep in a hotel-“ Jason starts.

“If you want to stay overnight your sister is coming as well.” Dad tells him.

Jason and I look at each other. He raises his brow and I shrug. “Fine.”

“Well then. I’ll wire fife thousand into both your accounts and that should do it, right?”

We both silently nod as we exchange looks. Typical. Once dad leaves the room, Jason stands up from the chair.

“You don’t have to babysit us, you can go shopping or-“

“It’s fine, really. I need a break from everything anyway. Plus, I think the chances that Leah will come now that another girl is coming are much higher. Even though that girl is me.” I tell him.

“Oh, she thinks you’re actually pretty cool.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Really?”

Jason laughs. “Yeah. She loves it when you and Niall fight.”

I roll my eyes but smile as he leaves.

***

“You’re avoiding him.” Is the first thing Jake says to me on Monday as I try pulling my books out from my locker without being seen.

“What? Who?”

“Niall. Or Jasper. Bitch, you kissed-“

“Shhh!” I shush him by placing my hand over his mouth. “I’m actually trying to fucking avoid him.”

“Whoo? Niall or Jasper?”

“Jake, I swear to God, if you say one of those names again-“

I suddenly see Jasper entering the school with a Band-Aid on his cheek where Niall punched him.

“I have to go because he’ll want to talk to me and I’m just over it.”

“Over him?” Jake gasps as he follows me down the hallway, far away from Jasper and his sulkiness.

We turn the corner towards the west wing of the school, just to see Niall chatting to the same blonde girl at her locker that he hooked up with at the party and also posted a photo of on Instagram.

“This way isn’t good either, fuck.” I groan, rolling my eyes. “Look, I have to get to class. See you at lunch okay? We’ll talk then.”

Jake nods, still confused, but lets me walk off anyway.

I sit with him and Sophia at lunch, because my brother is apparently sitting with his squad, which also includes Leah Harrison.

“Does your brother turn sixteen today?” Niall asks, sitting down across from me, next to Jake, out of nowhere.

“Wha-yeah. Why?”

“My sister also turns sixteen today. And your brother invited her to Thorpe Park overnight this Friday.” Niall continues.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, trying to figure out whether I’m the only one who feels awkward. Judging by Sophia and Jake’s interested expressions, I figure out that I am in fact the only one who feels awkward.

“Because she’s begging me to go with her, otherwise my mother won’t let her go. And she’s never been there and all that shit.”

“Sooo?” I ask, wondering where this is going but I have a clue.

Before Niall can answer, Jason sits down next to me, pushing me further to the left with his ass.

“I need to talk to you. It’s about my birthday on Friday.” He tells me and I look at Niall. That’s when Jason also sees Niall and his expression changes to something more serious. “Uh…I’ll actually talk to you later. When you’re not busy.”

“No, it’s fine. I have to get back to my table anyway.” Niall says and stands up before walking away.

Jason waits for him to be far enough so he won’t hear, before he turns back to me. “Look. Leah’s mother won’t let her come alone, so she’ll only let her come if Niall comes as well. Her mother isn’t too happy with the idea of her and five other boys alone with no supervision. So please be alright with this and come with us, please. I really like her Nicki and this might be my chance to-“

“If you say shag, I swear.” I warn.

“I was going to say that this might be my chance to let her know that I like her.”

“Oh, I’m melting. Looks like romance isn’t dead after all.” Jake gushes from across the table, where Sophia and him have been sitting, watching everything unfold under their eyes. Jason shows him the middle finger before he focuses back on my face.

“Nicki, please?”

I roll my eyes. “Sure. But this counts as your birthday present.”

He smiles and pulls me into a hug. “You’re the best. Love you.”

Then he sits up and walks back to his table with a smile on his face.

“Aw, he’s in love.” Sophia says and smiles.

“But back to you, what happened on Friday? What the fuck? Was I that high I didn’t notice?” Jake wonders, dramatically looking off in the distance.

I tell him everything that happened on Friday in detail and all he can do is stare at me with a shocked expression.

“So it’s officially over?”

“Yeah. I mean, I never said it officially, but it’s over. And I know I’ll have to talk to him eventually but right now I’m still angry.”

Jake exchanges a look with Sophia. “So after you’re done with Jasper, are you going to get with Niall or-“

“No. Definitely not. I mean, I wouldn’t mind a “no strings attached” kind of thing, friends with benefits and whatnot, but I definitely won’t get my feelings involved. I mean, it’s Niall. And I’m done with the romance bullshit.”

“Shit, you sound like the ice queen.” Jake gasps, putting his hand over his heart. “I love it.”

There are a few moments of silence as the three of us eat our lunch, before Jake lets his fork fall to his plate.

“I can’t with this silence. Can we please talk about the fact that you and Niall are going to explode from the sexual tension on Friday? I mean come on, you’re going to be sleeping in the same hotel room for fuck’s sake.” Jake rambles as Sophia starts laughing.

I look over to Niall’s table, where he’s sitting with the guys from his team, all except Jasper, laughing about something.

“Nicki? You don’t have anything to add?” Sophia asks, making me come out of my daze.

“No, not really.” I mumble, shoving the rest of my apple pie into my mouth.

As I swallow, I think about how Jake is probably right. I mean, Niall and I can’t really stand each other, but isn’t hate sex the best sex there is?