CHAPTER 22:

"If I had known then, that I'd be feeling this way. If I could replay, I would have never let you go." ~I Should've Kissed You, One Direction.

Wednesday, 25th September 2013

LOUIS' POV:

"Oi! Give me my burger back Niall!" Harry huffed, sitting back down when he couldn't retrieve it and glaring at the blond boy who was happily munching on the stolen burger.

Lunch time was always epic, whether it be the fights and spats and drama that occurred on a daily basis among the students and were extremely amusing to watch, or the daily ritual of Niall stealing food off our plates, or the fact that all six of us got a chance to sit and share stuff with each other, as we all had almost different classes.

Dani and Liam were in their own little world, giggling to each other and I puked internally. I had the urge to shove between them and shout something inappropriate in their faces, but I spared them.

The actual fun was in teasing Zayn and Harry. At first, I was a bit wary of Zayn because he seemed a bit intimidating, but he was an okay fellow. He actually didn't mind my inappropriate jokes. Why? Because they made Harry a blushing mess and according to Zayn, 'he wanted to kiss the life outta Harry then and there 'cos he looked so damn adorable.' Cue girly awws. Now cue me gagging.

"Yo Guys! And girl! What's up?" Josh asked, coming over to the table along with his girlfriend Perrie, who was also Zayn's ex. It confused me how Zayn wasn't bitter at all about their break up, and vice versa as they were together for a long time. They were actually happier now with different people, so I guess that was a good thing.

Perrie and Danielle immediately started some girly topic and I focused my attention far away from them. You must be thinking, their table must be so crowded right now!

Yes. Yes, it is.

"So guys," Josh started. "I'm going to a video game convention this evening, but everyone is scared to embrace their inner nerd and come with me." He then looked around the table hopefully.

"Sorry mate, but I'm busy. My parents are coming home today," Liam gave his excuse.

"What about you guys?" Josh questioned Zayn and Harry.

"Well I don't really like video games that much that I'd go to a convention dedicated to them," Zayn shrugged, stealing a fry from Harry's plate.

"And I've gotta tutor Mr. Hot Shot today," Harry gestured to the black haired boy beside him who rolled his eyes, but smiled.

Josh looked sad now. I chuckled. "I'll come with you. I'm a bit of a video game junkie myself."

"Can I come too?" Niall asked excitedly, now done with both his and Harry's burgers. Of course the bloke was going to come. That's another thing we had in common. We loved video games. I'd even gifted Niall a vintage game on his birthday, which was almost a few weeks ago.

"Sure," Josh grinned happily at us. "The more, the merrier!"

And then he gave us the venue and the time of the convention. Hm, this'll be fun.

"Can you pick me up Louis? I don't have a car," Niall confessed.

"Alright. But make sure you're outside when I arrive. I don't want to run in to your brother again," I muttered, wincing and rubbing my now healed nose at the memory.

Niall guffawed and nodded.

~*~

"This. Place. Is. Awesome!" I announced when we walked inside, looking around. This place was a video gamer's paradise, literally.

There was each and everything dedicated to each and every video game known to man. Like special edition sales, characters, competitions, you name it.

"Man I love this game!" Josh crowed, towing us both to a setup of one of the games I didn't recognize.

Niall's eyes widened when he saw the game Josh was pointing at. "Me too! Have you played it's 43? That one gets me every time!"

"I know, right? But it's the most challenging one! And when that stupid monkey jumps outta nowhere..."

I tuned them out, as I did not want to pretend to know the game they were talking about.

Niall and Josh kept talking, exchanging high fives and pats of the back every now and then. Watching them, I felt a weird feeling swirling in the pit of my stomach that made me want to push myself between Niall and Josh.

What the hell Louis? Are you jealous? My inner voice teased.

Shut up! I snapped back.

Touchy, touchy. Just kiss him already you carrot.

My eyes widened. I had one sassy conscience.

But my jealousy got the best of me and I walked over to the lads, ready to drag Niall to the food stalls with me. But before I could do that, Josh's phone rung and he pulled it out.

"Yeah, Ava? What? Why isn't Mum picking you up? What? I thought that was on Wednesday! Oh. It's Wednesday today. Okay. FINE! God you're impatient! I hate you too!" Josh shoved his phone into his pocket, muttering colorful words.

"My Mum has to work late today so she can't pick my little sister up from dance practice. So I have to. But it isn't fair! The show's just about to start!"

Niall patted his shoulder with sympathy. "Sorry mate."

I don't know why but I felt relieved. And a bit nervous. And excited.

'Cos you're gonna be alone with Nialler, duh! My inner voice sassed again.

Josh left to go pick up his sister, and we were indeed left alone.

"So, uh let's go?" Niall asked awkwardly. I nodded. Why did we feel so awkward when we were alone?

Guess, idiot.

Ugh, it's not healthy I tell you, talking to yourself.

We started walking to where they were unveiling a really cool new video game and showing us the trailer. I glanced at Niall when we were seated. It's like when there are more people- like our friends- with us, we joke around like always. But when we're alone, the awkwardness kicks in. Guess we still haven't gotten over what happened at the party.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

I groaned. What's with the sassy inner voice?

"You okay, Lou?"

I met Niall's curious eyes. "Yeah, I'm okay."

After watching the trailer thingy, which was super fun to be honest, we walked out of the convention room laughing and discussing the game animatedly.

"I'm gonna gather up all my allowance money for that damn game!" I jibed.

Niall nodded in agreement. "And I'll come play with you!"

"Hell yeah! Another race! I'll kick your arse this time Horan," I taunted the blond lad.

His blue eyes glinted mischievously. "We'll see about that."

We we walked out of the exit of the building, we were taken my surprise and instantly drenched.

"Oh God!" I groaned.

"Damn! It's raining buckets!" Niall laughed, amused, pulling his jacket's hood over his head. I shielded my eyes so I could spot my car through the misty atmosphere.

"Let's go before we freeze to death!" I called over the loud pouring rain. Seizing Niall's warm hand, we finally reached to my car and without sparing a second I unlocked it and we climbed inside the toasty car.

"God! It s-shouldn't be so c-cold this early!" Niall stuttered, his teeth chattering. Poor guy.

I reached to the back and pulled out a spare blanket, passing it to the shivering boy.

"T-thanks."

I shrugged out of my soaked jumper, tossing it into the back seat. I cranked up the heater to max.

"This is London, Nialler. Here it starts getting cold in September," I quipped, answering his previous statement.

I started the engine and it gurgled for a while, then finally started. I cautiously pulled the car out of the parking lot, maneuvering out onto the slippery road.

After slowly crawling along the road due to traffic caused by the rain, we stopped altogether.

I whipped out my phone and checked the time. 8.32. Wow. We haven't moved for 17 minutes.

"Great!" I groaned, placing my forehead on the steering wheel.

"Ah, it's okay Louis. We gotta stay positive."

"Mhm." I glanced at Niall and we has looking out the window, at the heavy falling rain that was fogging up the window and pattering on the roof of the car.

"Looks like we're gonna be stuck for a while," Niall turned to me and when he caught me looking at him, he looked down and blushed. And I caught myself doing the same.

"Er, yeah." Not much conversation went on after that.

~*~

We've been stuck in this stupid traffic for nearly an hour and a half and haven't moved so much as an inch. Niall was now asleep, curled up adorably in the seat.

There was some tree that had fallen on the road blocking it, and we were all now patiently waiting for the tow machine to arrive and take away said fricking tree.

The rain had gotten a bit lighter now, judging by the decrease in the intensity of the pattering sound on the roof.

A car honked loudly behind me and I rolled my eyes in irritation. Honking won't make this damn traffic move now, would it? The loud honk apparently caused Niall to jolt awake.

"Did we move?" He mumbled sleepily, rubbing his eyes. He looked so cute right now, like a confused puppy.

I smiled at the thought and answered him. "Nope."

Niall groaned. "Well I'm not gonna sleep again so let's see what's on." And he reached for the radio and turned it on. Some song by LMFAO was on (we both hated them) and we glanced at each other then burst out laughing.

Niall's laugh really was contagious. After I sobered up a little and looked back at Niall, my breath hitched. He was looking so... sexy. His cheeks were flushed from all the laughing, his hair was all ruffled in a sexy way, his brown roots showing, his eyes were shining and he was looking back at me in a way I couldn't figure out, but it made me want to kiss him really bad.

~*~

NIALL'S POV:

After we calmed down from our laughing fit, Louis wiped his eyes and looked over to me. And suddenly reality hit me hard, right at that moment.

I was alone.

In a car.

With no way out.

With a guy I really fancy.

Who possibly likes me back.

And who's looking at me in a way that's making me want to kiss him like it was the last day on Earth.

The annoying LMFAO song just had to end at that precise moment and Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran just HAD to play. I groaned and cursed the radio people. I reached out to turn the damn thing off but Louis placed his hand on mine, stopping me.

He didn't let go of my hand and unconsciously, I guessed we started leaning closer. My thoughts were becoming incoherent but I cold still feel Louis' warm hand on mine and his face that was getting closer and closer to mine.

Kiss me like you wanna be loved

This feels like falling in love...

I just wanted him to kiss me already, DAMN IT! I leaned even closer and our lips brushed, making my tips tingle and my cheeks burn.

I saw Louis close his eyes and my heart raced in anticipation. I felt Louis ever-so-lightly increase the pressure of his lips on mine and just as my eyes fluttered shut, a loud honk jolted us both out of the trance and we pulled back immediately, flustered, not meeting each other's eyes.

"Move it!" Someone honked again from behind us and my eyes widened as I looked around. The rain had stopped and the cars ahead of us were already way ahead. 

Louis shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, then he quickly drove the car forward.

~*~

Louis stopped at my house and I got out. "Er, thanks for the lift Louis," I murmured, not meeting his eyes.

"No problem," he replied softly.

I nodded to him and he drove away. I stood in the light drizzle in front of my house frowning over what just happened today.

Louis and I almost kissed. Keyword, almost. And we really want to kiss each other. We have feelings for each other. So why the hell do we feel awkward?!

Now Louis is not the only one intensely confused about his feelings.

~*~

GOD DAMN IT! THEY WERE SO CLOSE FROM MAKING OUT! >.<

Now don't kill me, I have something better planned for Nouis. :D

THE GIF ON THE SIDE IS SO CUTE. I JUST. #NOUIS >>

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Stay sexy!

~bemycupcake <3