Author's Note:

Follow my Twitter! @MyHeartsMistake :)

Chapter 27:

~'~'~Three Days Later~'~'~

"Josh! I ha- Uh, hello." I stammered out awkwardly as my eyes landed on the curly haired blonde girl in front of me. 

She smiled at me, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. "Hey."

"Brook!" Josh appeared out of the kitchen door. His eyes landed on the CD in my hands. "Oh, thanks for bringing it back. Did you like it?"

"Yeah, Parachute is an incredible band. I'm very impressed. Thanks for the loan," I responded. He nodded and a short, awkward silence ensued. 

My eyes landed on the blonde, who was looking at Josh, who was looking at me.

"By the way, Brook.. This is Lilly Adrian. She's my best friend," Josh explained, motioning towards her.

"Known him since we were seven. Way before the One Direction days," Lilly grinned, a twinkle in her eye as she gazed at the dusty haired drummer.

Something sparked up inside me. It wasn't jealousness and I couldn't quite put a finger to what it was, but I knew I didn't like it.

"When I joined One Direction, we lost contact. But since she's in London for a bit, we decided to catch up," Josh further explained, seeming as if he was coming up with excuses.

"We're going to be late for our reservations if we don't leave soon," Lilly spoke up with a glance down towards her watch.

Josh nodded, "Sorry to be leaving. You can stay here if you want, there's pizza in the freezer."

"Oh gosh, pizza, exact same Josh I remember," miss white blondie spoke up and something about the way she said it made my blood boil.

"I think I'm good, I'll head over to Harry's for a cuppa," I smiled my thanks to Josh, "I'll see you later, if we're still on for a movie tonight..?"

"Definitely! I'm dropping Lilly off at her hotel after lunch. I'll text you," Josh said before giving me a side hug. I smiled up at him, controlling myself and not sending Lilly a smug grin.

"See you later," I waved at them before letting myself out of his flat. I pulled out my phone while I started back towards the boys flat complex.

I logged onto Twitter and typed out a quick tweet.

BrookTommo: It's chilly out this afternoon! Think I'm gonna go to @Harry_Styles for a cuppa, since I can't seem to sit still!

Harry_Styles: @BrookTommo Your brother is here.. Are you sure you want to come? :P

BrookTommo: @Harry_Styles Just kidding, I'm not coming. I'd rather not deal with his brotherly lectures at the moment.. And way to get rid of me, Haz:(

Harry_Styles: @BrookTommo Sorry, Louis and I are watching a scary movie and having deep conversations over coffee. Didn't think you'd want to join us!

BrookTommo: @Harry_Styles OH GOD. Deep conversations. Glad I stayed clear. I'll talk to you later :)

Deciding against going back to Lou and I's flat, I kind of wandered around the complex a bit. It was a nice area, grass and flowers surrounded the sidewalks. It was also very private, which was nice. 

I found a bench beside the small water fountain towards the front of the complex. I took a seat and watched the water trickle down. It was oddly relaxing. Of course, it didn't last long. My phone vibrating brought me out of my thoughts.

From: Niall

Hey, where are yeh? I was thinking I'd take you out for coffee? Lemme know !

To: Niall

I'll be at your flat in a minute, took a stroll. I'm totally up for coffee! :)

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I started towards Niall's flat.

"Hey, you ready?" Niall asked, the door swinging open and the Irishman standing in front of me. He was wearing jeans and a simple white t-shirt, his hair mussed up and ray bans adorning his eyes.

"Of course!" I smiled fondly at him as he hesitantly grabbed my hand in his. We shared another smile before he locked the door and we started towards the small coffee shop near their complex. "You need your license so we don't have to walk!"

"Oy, and how many times have you told me that in the past week?" Niall complained good-naturedly.

"Only twice a day," I shot back with a teasing grin.

"And you're only complaining because you're lazy and you hate to walk."

"I'll just blame the car accident for breaking my leg and making it oh so hard to walk," I over-dramatized, making a pained expression and adopting puppy dog eyes.

"I can carry you," Niall offered with a smirk.

"Or you can get your license so I don't have to walk!" I counteracted with a not-so-sly wink.

"Babe, we're here. It's a five minute walk," Niall brandished his arms to show me the coffee shop.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get coffee!" I wound my fingers around his forearm and guided him into the little shop. It was mostly empty, save for the few college students studying at the far tables.

"Niall! Brook! The usuals?" The peppy, white-haired Ruth called out over the counter. Niall called back an affirmative and the little old lady set to work. It brought a smile to my face that she remembered almost every single order of every single person who walked in. I had only been here four times, but already she knew exactly what I wanted.

Niall threaded his fingers with mine and pulled me towards the counter, the perfect amount of change in his other hand.

"You two are looking adorable as always! How are you doing?" Ruth babbled as she handed us the two cups. Niall passed her the money.

"Really well, Ruth. We'll have to come by and have a chat sometime. I have to head to the studio soon," Niall's face contorted into a sad face.

"Busy one, you are!" Ruth waved us off with a smile.

With a proper goodbye, we took our coffees and walked back outside. The walk back was full of jokes, teasing and laughter. 

When we finally reached Niall's flat, he turned to me with a smile, "I know we're not exactly the typical girlfriend and boyfriend.. But I know that despite everything we've been through, we'll conquer it all. There's just one thing I want to ask."

"Go for it," I responded with a slight flutter in my stomach. Suddenly, Niall was a breath away, his hand placed comfortably on my waist. His forehead was against mine and my entire world seemed to stop.

"May I kiss you?" He whispered, the breath hitting my face.

"Yes," was my response. Niall quickly closed the gap between us, as if trying to keep any interruptions from happening. His lips gently pressed against mine and it was like suddenly, the world was right again.