Clary's POV
I quickly ran over to my house. I had to call Nicole. She would know what to do in this situation. For god's sake Niall punched Nate. Granted Nate totally deserved it and if Niall didn't then I probably would have. I got inside to see my mom and Maura passed out on the couch. So I snuck upstairs and quickly dialed Nicole's number. "Nicki! I have a crisis."

"Okay what what?" I told her everything that happened. I'm sure I was talking a mile a minute at this point. I'm so confused over my feelings for Niall. I really like him...more than Harry if I'm beig honest. Niall just understands me better. I told her that I told Harry that we should just be friends. "Sooo you and Niall right? Oh good because I totally shipped you guys."

"I don't think I can though! I mean he is friends with Harry!" But then I thought of that look on his face when he was racing towards me and Nate. He looked like he would do anything for me.
Lately I have been thinking about what it would be like to kiss him. To let him touch me the way a boyfriend could. "Ugh! My life is in shambles!"

"Oh yea you have it so hard. A hot Irish boy actually cares about you. Damn it must really suck to be you."

"I don't need attitude Nicole! What do I do?!"

"I say you climb that Irish boy like a fucking tree and get it on." She literally sucks at advice...why did I even bother.

"I am not doing that. I think I'll just be friends. Maybe he doesn't even like me like that. You would've punched him."

"Yea I suppose I would've. Well I better let you go back to your party."

"Ha yea...ugh I'll be texting you okay?" I don't want to go back over there...it will be so awkward...

"Yea okay! Love you!" I hung up and changed into a pair of yogas and one of my Rams jerseys. I quickly threw in one of my dads shirts for sleeping in. I also grabbed one of my blankets and pillows. I snuck back down the stairs and out the house.

I headed back over and just walked right in. I have gotten on that level with Niall. But now I don't even know what to think. I hate this. I look around and see that Harry is on the couch and Niall is with him. Well here goes nothing. "Hey Niall where do you want my stuff?" Both their heads whirl around. Harry smiles at me. I still feel kind of bad for asking to be friends. But I can't date Harry if I have feelings for Niall. But I can't date Niall because I would feel bad. "Oh I can take it! We'll be sleeping upstairs."

"Oh uh thanks...where upstairs?"

"My room. It's big enough to fit all of us. Well considering its just you, me, Haz, Lilly, Ellie, Liam, and Tommo sleeping here. Perrie and Zayn can't. Their parents won't let them." I just nodded my head and let him take my stuff upstairs. Well shit. I go and sit down by Harry. I quickly shoot off a text to Nicole.

Me: We are sleeping in his room! I think I might die.

Coley: Girl get on that! Is it just you two??? ;)

Me: You are so perverted. No everyone else will be in there too.

Coley: Damn. Well then cuddle the living shit out of him

Me: Then the bed would be all full of poop.

Coley: Do you always have to make a joke? Well I'll leave you to your hot Irish man. Love youuu.

Me: He's not my man. And love you too.

"Who are you texting??" Harry looked at me curiously. I looked over at him. I met his eyes. They were their usual green. But they seemed sadder. And I knew I was the reason why.

"Nicole...Harry listen...I'm—"

"Don't tell me your sorry Clary...I can see it in your eyes that you like him more. I'm just glad you told me before I ended up with a shattered heart." I got up and hugged him.

---

Niall's POV
I came back downstairs to see Clary and Haz hugging. I stopped dead in my tracks. Halfway down the stairs, here I am standing, watching. I felt my heart break. It physically hurt me. God this is what it's going to be like...I'm going to be her best friend and watch her as she dates other guys...when I know...I know that it should be me.

I watched as Haz whispered something to her. Then I heard her sweet voice ring out. A huge wave of jealous hit me fast. He said that I could have her and look at him now...
"You really think he likes me like that? But we are birthday buddies." Then I almost fell down the stairs. Clary looked at me and smiled. Damn that smile got me every time.

"Jeez Niall. Walk much?" Haz gave me the thumbs up. Okay I was stupid for being jealous...I can't help it though.

"Oh I um...I missed a step that's all. Well its only 10 the dance doesn't end for another hour. What do you guys want to do?" I looked at Harry then my eyes rested on Clary...gorgeous Clary.

"Why don't you two pick? It is technically your birthday celebration." I look at Clary for some help. She is still smiling.

"I don't care what we do. Niall you pick?" I had an idea on what I wanted to do but Haz was not involved and Clary and I would be in my room. Focus Niall what's something fun that all three of you can enjoy.

"Let's play some FIFA." Clary just looks a bit bored and Haz fist pumps in the air.

"What?" Haz and I just gape at her. She LOVES FIFA...she plays it all the time with me...okay that doesn't mean she loves it. But she doesn't argue when I suggest we play it like she's doing now.

"You do know what FIFA is right?" Clary laughed at Harry.

"Yes I know...Niall showed it to me...I'm alright...you guys can play first." I get up and turn on the Xbox and the game fires up. Clary's only played a few times, she doesn't quite understand still. Clary moves closer and looks at me with those stupidly wonderful green eyes. "Mind if you show me the buttons again?"

"Um...yea...sure...of-of course." She smiles at me then moves EVEN CLOSER. She watched me as I explained what buttons did what. Then Haz and I started.

She was still sitting very close to me. I snuck some glances at her and saw her watching intently at the screen. God she was so fucking cute. It was actually very hard to concentrate when she linked her arm through mine.

I noticed that Haz saw and just wiggled his eyebrows at me. Well at least he is supportive. He doesn't know that I heard what she told him while I stood frozen on the stairs. I end up beating Haz. "Oh can I play Niall?!" Haz scoffed at her. I just cracked up laughing.

"Clary I don't mean to be rude, but Niall is the best out of all of us."

"Don't baby me Styles. Just give me the fucking controller." Haz just laughed and gave it to her. She unlinked her arm which caused me to stop laughing.

"Fine Clarissa. You asked for it. I don't like to beat girls though."

"Just play Horan." I smile at her...she loves tossing around my last name as a joke.

"Fine you asked for it Wolf." She smiled and shook her head...but her cheek turned a bit red. She's blushing...holy shit...HOLY SHIT.

She somehow managed to get the ball and Haz was sitting there watching intently as I tried to get the ball. The game was very intense. When it ended I just let the controller drop out of me hands.

"WOOHOO! I WON! I WON! HAZ DID YOU SEE?!" There was a knock and Haz got up to get it. I heard everyone come in. They saw me sitting on the couch and Clary doing her victory dance.

"Suck on that Horan! I just beat your little Irish ass!! By the way, You suck at defense." I just glared at her the best I could...because she looked damn adorable doing her little victory dance.

"YOU BEAT NIALL?!" Liam and Louis yelled. Clary just smiled at them and walked over and pinched their cheeks.

"You bet I did." The party ended up turning into a huge FIFA battle. Clary beat everyone. Maybe I shouldn't have really shown her how to actually play...

She eventually stopped and let us boys play while she told them the whole punching story. All in all it was a kick ass night. Until it came to who was sleeping where. We said goodbye to Perrie and Zayn. We got up to my room and just stood there.

Clary spoke first. "Dibs on the bed." I bit my lip and managed to say something witty.

"Fine but you have to keep your hands off of me." Everyone gaped at me while I went and sat down on my bed. Clary sat down beside me and whispered in my ear. "I don't think I'm the problem Niall." Well now I'm really not going to be able to keep my hands off...I think she's teasing me on purpose.

Everyone finally got ready for bed. I couldn't sleep, I mean for god's sake she was right next to me. She was out, she snored a bit but like cute snoring. Everything she did was cute. Then she rolled over into me. Well shit what do I do? I hear Haz whisper "Go for it. If you don't I'll punch you." I smiled at him. Damn he gets the friend of the year award. I wrap my arms around Clary and eventually fell asleep after I got my heart rate down. It felt nice having her cuddled beside me...it felt right.

Notes