Why Don't We Go There?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Niall's POV
The musical rehearsals are now in full swing. Which meant that Clary has little time for anything. Even hanging out with me. She's casted as the second leading lady in the musical. She was so excited when she found out. I remember that day very well. She ran down the hallway yelling for me. "NIALL I GOT THE PART OF VELMA!!! NIALL I GOT THE PART!!" Then after yelling that she ran right into me, hugging me with both her arms and legs. Literally everyone was staring...I just held her close. Relishing in how it felt to have her wrapped around me. Now I barely see her. She goes from school to play practice to home to do homework.
Then if she has enough time we meet at the park for some footie. But lately her rehearsals are going later. Which makes me angry...because then she won't want to meet up at the park. And that's the only time I see her when it's just us. The play has effectively cutout movie nights.
The final bell rings and snaps me out of my thoughts. Perrie, Zayn, and Clary all get up and hurry out of music. I quickly dash after them. I make my way to Clary's locker. "Hey...when do you get done?"
"Um...like 7 maybe? I'm not sure...depends on how many times we have to run through the scenes today. Shit...I forgot to pack food...I'll just steal some of Perrie's." She finishes shoving things in her locker then shuts it. She turns and looks at me, giving me one of her dazzling smiles.
"Sounds like you could meet up at the park then?" I smile back quickly. I look at her outfit again. She was wearing just plain black jeans and a demin shirt with a bright purple scarf. But damn she looked amazing.
"Yea does 8 sound good? I don't have that much homework...and I can do some while I'm not on."
"Yea sounds good Clary. I'll see you later...don't break a leg." I shoot her a wink then walk away. I smile to myself because I already started planning to drop her off food since she forgot. Hmm what should I get her...maybe something from the bakery...yea that sounds good. I get out to my car and hop in.
I get home and sit down to work on some homework. Ew biology...damn Clary isn't here to help...okay I can do this myself. I look at the first question and flip through my notes....
After about an hour I finished. It was close to 5 now. Time to surprise Clary! I get up and tell my mom where I'm going. "Aw you're such a good boyfriend."
"MOM! We aren't...you didn't...we are just friends." She just wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Sure ya are." I groaned then went out to my car. Remind me to never ever bring Clary over again.
It was a short drive to the bakery. Harry's mop of curls appeared once I walked in. "NIALL!!"
"HAZ!" He cracked his usual grin that effectively had every girl at school hooked.
"What are you doing here?"
"Picking up Clary food...gimme her usual sandwich...and a sugar cookie."
"Ohhh upgraded to food runs...I can almost hear the wedding bells." I flipped him off.
"Shut it. I'm just being a good friend...she forgot to pack food."
"Riiight a good friend that wants in her pants."
"HARRY! Shut up." My face was probably so red. Harry went and gathered up what I wanted and gave me a bottle of water...which was a good call on his part. I paid for everything then left but not before Harry could say a few more jabs at me for picking Clary up food. I should be thankful he's not jealous or mad at me...but he's always been so laid back.
I get to school...and wander around because I'm really sure where the hell the performing arts center is. I think it's out by...not the gym that's for sure...hmmm. I reach the cafeteria and look around...I really honestly should know where the hell this place is. I'm just going to head down the music wing. I walk down the dimly lit hallways...yep this is creepy. I see some theatre people and just follow them. SUCCESS!
I open the doors and see Clary on stage in a very...revealing outfit. Zayn sees me and waves. Then Perrie sees me and pokes Clary. Who turns around and smiles at me. "NI!!! What are you doing here...is that what I think it is?" I quickly hid the bag behind my back.
"Depends...what do you think it is?" I was just grinning. I walk all the way to the stage, standing inbetween her legs.
"Is it...a bakery delight?!" She had her hands clasped together.
"Why you guessed correct. I got you your usual sandwich and your favorite cookie...oh and a bottle of water..." I had her the bag while mentally high-fiving myself.
"Ni...oh my gosh I love you...you are the best ever!" She hops off stage and hugs me then pecks my cheek. It took me a second to process what even just happened.
"Well...I heard you say that you forgot food...so I thought that it would be nice to surprise you..." I look over to see Zayn and Perrie making kissy faces at me. So I flip them off real fast.
"Oh my gosh...you remembered my favorite cookie!! Plain sugar cookie...no frosting...food has never tasted this good..." I beam and stay there talking to her. I sat on the stage beside her while she told me about what scenes they were doing today.
"Hey I could drive you home...you only have what another hour?" She hands me some of the cookie, like it was second nature for us.
"Oh my gosh...could you? That would be amazing...here have some more cookie!" I laugh and shake my head.
"No...I need to watch my weight remember?" Then we both started laughing. After Thanksgiving that became our little inside joke.
"Oh right...sorry...how insensitive of me." She was still somewhat laughing and I couldn't stop laughing.
Soon the director came out and she had to go again. I just sat out in the audience and watched. Which I shouldn't have because this show...I don't know how I am going to make it out alive and with out a hard on. I shift around in my seat and take out my phone to distract me....then I hear her voice. My head instantly snaps up and big mistake. Huge mistake...because holy shit...I want to do her right there on stage. HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO GO TO THIS EVERY SHOW?!
Clary's POV
After we finish running through that song I was free to go. So I quickly changed out of my costume and headed out to meet Niall. "See ya tomorrow Cali! Have fun with Niall..." Then Perrie wiggled her eyebrows at me. I threw a shoe from the floor at her.
"Come off it! We are just friends!" Perrie just laughed while I headed out to the seats to get Niall. He's sitting there on his phone with his hand in his hair. I go and plop down next to him. "Ready to go?" His head snaps up and looks at me.
"You can leave?"
"Yea I'm all done for today...hey thanks for the food again." He just smiles at me.
"No problem...well let's get rolling huh?" We both stand up and head on out. We get to his car and hop in. It was close to 7 when we got back to our houses. I get out quickly then turn to Niall.
"Meet back out here in like...15?" He quickly nods then watches me jog over to my house. I run inside and see my mom is on the couch.
"Hey darling! How was rehearsal?"
"Good...I'm going to go practice with Niall for about an hour or so okay?" I yell as I run up the stairs. I quickly change into sweats and a hoodie. I grab my football gear then a spare pair of tennis shoes. I slide those on the barrel back down the stairs, while tying my hair up into a bun.
"Alright...be safe okay? I want you back by 9:30...got it Clary?"
"Yea! Thanks Mom!" I plant a kiss on her cheek then head out the door again. My life right now is just go go go, I barely have time to just lay around and relax. I'm always doing something. Whether that's football practice, helping my mom with some new mural, musical rehearsal, or homework. I have like 0 downtime.
Niall was already in his car waiting when I got over there. I hop in with a smile on my face. "What's got you all happy?"
"Nothing...just glad to see my bestest friend!" Then a hug him.
"Ugh Clary! Get off!!" I laugh but let go of him. He just shoves my shoulder lightly.
Finally we get to the park and I burst out. I slide on my hat on. Wow the stars look amazing tonight.
[FLASHBACK]
"Clarissa do you see the sky?" I nod looking up at the sky, my dad was laying down beside me on the blanket outside our little house.
"Yea Daddy I do...it's so pretty...I want to paint it for Grandma...would she like that?" I look over at my dad, the one whose single laugh made me smile. He was my travel buddy, my protector, my playmate.
"Grandma would like that...we leave for the palace in a few weeks..." I sit up and clap my hands. My dad laughs at me again then tells me to lay back down to show me more stars.
[END FLASHBACK]
"Clary...hello?! Snap out of it...and come help me set up...we can star gaze afterwards." I look at Niall and smile then go beside him.
"You promise? I haven't done that since my dad left..." He looked at me and stopped putting down the cones.
"Promise." I smile then take some cones and finish helping him. I can feel him watching me. But I don't really care anymore...in fact I kind of like that his eyes always find me. I smile and look at him.
"Ready to go Horan?" A smirk played on my lips and he just cracked one back.
"I guess so Wolf." Then like that we started our drills. We sat back down on the ground and smiled at eachother. I tell him some stories from rehearsals. Mostly about the paint fight that Perrie, Zayn and I got into one Saturday. He was dying laughing.
After practicing for about an hour Niall just laid down in the grass. "Ni...what are you doing?"
"Star-gazing...would you like to join?" I smile and nod quickly forgetting about the ball. I run over and lay down next to him. I look up at all the stars and sigh. I start pointing our constellations for Niall. I'm smiling when I talk to him about my dad. "He would politely tell me to shut up so he could show me the different stars...or worlds...he liked to believe that. He would be smiling and pointing them out. I loved star-gazing with him...he was so into it. He would know when an eclipse was going to happen and he would let me stay up to watch it with him. I remember those days like they happened yesterday..." I stop talking because I noticed Niall was just staring at me. "What?"
"You're so beautiful when you smile Clary..."
"Niall...you have to say that...you're my best friend." He smiles weakly then looks back up at the sky.
"Well I'll star-gaze with you whenever you want okay?" I roll over and peck his cheek.
"You're the greatest Niall Horan. I'll hold you to that until the day I die." Then we just laid there in silence. Sometimes Niall would ask me to tell me a story about my childhood. I was careful to not mention my days at the palace. But I was so happy just talking about my dad. The whole car ride home I couldn't stop smiling.
I said goodnight to Niall, thanking him again for everything. He just shrugged me off. "Clary honestly it's not a big deal...stop thanking me." I just nod then hug him again before running home. I run up the stairs and flop onto my bed. I sigh and change out of my clothes, throwing on one of my dad's shirts. I climb into bed, replaying the night's events over and over again in my head.
The musical rehearsals are now in full swing. Which meant that Clary has little time for anything. Even hanging out with me. She's casted as the second leading lady in the musical. She was so excited when she found out. I remember that day very well. She ran down the hallway yelling for me. "NIALL I GOT THE PART OF VELMA!!! NIALL I GOT THE PART!!" Then after yelling that she ran right into me, hugging me with both her arms and legs. Literally everyone was staring...I just held her close. Relishing in how it felt to have her wrapped around me. Now I barely see her. She goes from school to play practice to home to do homework.
Then if she has enough time we meet at the park for some footie. But lately her rehearsals are going later. Which makes me angry...because then she won't want to meet up at the park. And that's the only time I see her when it's just us. The play has effectively cutout movie nights.
The final bell rings and snaps me out of my thoughts. Perrie, Zayn, and Clary all get up and hurry out of music. I quickly dash after them. I make my way to Clary's locker. "Hey...when do you get done?"
"Um...like 7 maybe? I'm not sure...depends on how many times we have to run through the scenes today. Shit...I forgot to pack food...I'll just steal some of Perrie's." She finishes shoving things in her locker then shuts it. She turns and looks at me, giving me one of her dazzling smiles.
"Sounds like you could meet up at the park then?" I smile back quickly. I look at her outfit again. She was wearing just plain black jeans and a demin shirt with a bright purple scarf. But damn she looked amazing.
"Yea does 8 sound good? I don't have that much homework...and I can do some while I'm not on."
"Yea sounds good Clary. I'll see you later...don't break a leg." I shoot her a wink then walk away. I smile to myself because I already started planning to drop her off food since she forgot. Hmm what should I get her...maybe something from the bakery...yea that sounds good. I get out to my car and hop in.
I get home and sit down to work on some homework. Ew biology...damn Clary isn't here to help...okay I can do this myself. I look at the first question and flip through my notes....
After about an hour I finished. It was close to 5 now. Time to surprise Clary! I get up and tell my mom where I'm going. "Aw you're such a good boyfriend."
"MOM! We aren't...you didn't...we are just friends." She just wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Sure ya are." I groaned then went out to my car. Remind me to never ever bring Clary over again.
It was a short drive to the bakery. Harry's mop of curls appeared once I walked in. "NIALL!!"
"HAZ!" He cracked his usual grin that effectively had every girl at school hooked.
"What are you doing here?"
"Picking up Clary food...gimme her usual sandwich...and a sugar cookie."
"Ohhh upgraded to food runs...I can almost hear the wedding bells." I flipped him off.
"Shut it. I'm just being a good friend...she forgot to pack food."
"Riiight a good friend that wants in her pants."
"HARRY! Shut up." My face was probably so red. Harry went and gathered up what I wanted and gave me a bottle of water...which was a good call on his part. I paid for everything then left but not before Harry could say a few more jabs at me for picking Clary up food. I should be thankful he's not jealous or mad at me...but he's always been so laid back.
I get to school...and wander around because I'm really sure where the hell the performing arts center is. I think it's out by...not the gym that's for sure...hmmm. I reach the cafeteria and look around...I really honestly should know where the hell this place is. I'm just going to head down the music wing. I walk down the dimly lit hallways...yep this is creepy. I see some theatre people and just follow them. SUCCESS!
I open the doors and see Clary on stage in a very...revealing outfit. Zayn sees me and waves. Then Perrie sees me and pokes Clary. Who turns around and smiles at me. "NI!!! What are you doing here...is that what I think it is?" I quickly hid the bag behind my back.
"Depends...what do you think it is?" I was just grinning. I walk all the way to the stage, standing inbetween her legs.
"Is it...a bakery delight?!" She had her hands clasped together.
"Why you guessed correct. I got you your usual sandwich and your favorite cookie...oh and a bottle of water..." I had her the bag while mentally high-fiving myself.
"Ni...oh my gosh I love you...you are the best ever!" She hops off stage and hugs me then pecks my cheek. It took me a second to process what even just happened.
"Well...I heard you say that you forgot food...so I thought that it would be nice to surprise you..." I look over to see Zayn and Perrie making kissy faces at me. So I flip them off real fast.
"Oh my gosh...you remembered my favorite cookie!! Plain sugar cookie...no frosting...food has never tasted this good..." I beam and stay there talking to her. I sat on the stage beside her while she told me about what scenes they were doing today.
"Hey I could drive you home...you only have what another hour?" She hands me some of the cookie, like it was second nature for us.
"Oh my gosh...could you? That would be amazing...here have some more cookie!" I laugh and shake my head.
"No...I need to watch my weight remember?" Then we both started laughing. After Thanksgiving that became our little inside joke.
"Oh right...sorry...how insensitive of me." She was still somewhat laughing and I couldn't stop laughing.
Soon the director came out and she had to go again. I just sat out in the audience and watched. Which I shouldn't have because this show...I don't know how I am going to make it out alive and with out a hard on. I shift around in my seat and take out my phone to distract me....then I hear her voice. My head instantly snaps up and big mistake. Huge mistake...because holy shit...I want to do her right there on stage. HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO GO TO THIS EVERY SHOW?!
Clary's POV
After we finish running through that song I was free to go. So I quickly changed out of my costume and headed out to meet Niall. "See ya tomorrow Cali! Have fun with Niall..." Then Perrie wiggled her eyebrows at me. I threw a shoe from the floor at her.
"Come off it! We are just friends!" Perrie just laughed while I headed out to the seats to get Niall. He's sitting there on his phone with his hand in his hair. I go and plop down next to him. "Ready to go?" His head snaps up and looks at me.
"You can leave?"
"Yea I'm all done for today...hey thanks for the food again." He just smiles at me.
"No problem...well let's get rolling huh?" We both stand up and head on out. We get to his car and hop in. It was close to 7 when we got back to our houses. I get out quickly then turn to Niall.
"Meet back out here in like...15?" He quickly nods then watches me jog over to my house. I run inside and see my mom is on the couch.
"Hey darling! How was rehearsal?"
"Good...I'm going to go practice with Niall for about an hour or so okay?" I yell as I run up the stairs. I quickly change into sweats and a hoodie. I grab my football gear then a spare pair of tennis shoes. I slide those on the barrel back down the stairs, while tying my hair up into a bun.
"Alright...be safe okay? I want you back by 9:30...got it Clary?"
"Yea! Thanks Mom!" I plant a kiss on her cheek then head out the door again. My life right now is just go go go, I barely have time to just lay around and relax. I'm always doing something. Whether that's football practice, helping my mom with some new mural, musical rehearsal, or homework. I have like 0 downtime.
Niall was already in his car waiting when I got over there. I hop in with a smile on my face. "What's got you all happy?"
"Nothing...just glad to see my bestest friend!" Then a hug him.
"Ugh Clary! Get off!!" I laugh but let go of him. He just shoves my shoulder lightly.
Finally we get to the park and I burst out. I slide on my hat on. Wow the stars look amazing tonight.
[FLASHBACK]
"Clarissa do you see the sky?" I nod looking up at the sky, my dad was laying down beside me on the blanket outside our little house.
"Yea Daddy I do...it's so pretty...I want to paint it for Grandma...would she like that?" I look over at my dad, the one whose single laugh made me smile. He was my travel buddy, my protector, my playmate.
"Grandma would like that...we leave for the palace in a few weeks..." I sit up and clap my hands. My dad laughs at me again then tells me to lay back down to show me more stars.
[END FLASHBACK]
"Clary...hello?! Snap out of it...and come help me set up...we can star gaze afterwards." I look at Niall and smile then go beside him.
"You promise? I haven't done that since my dad left..." He looked at me and stopped putting down the cones.
"Promise." I smile then take some cones and finish helping him. I can feel him watching me. But I don't really care anymore...in fact I kind of like that his eyes always find me. I smile and look at him.
"Ready to go Horan?" A smirk played on my lips and he just cracked one back.
"I guess so Wolf." Then like that we started our drills. We sat back down on the ground and smiled at eachother. I tell him some stories from rehearsals. Mostly about the paint fight that Perrie, Zayn and I got into one Saturday. He was dying laughing.
After practicing for about an hour Niall just laid down in the grass. "Ni...what are you doing?"
"Star-gazing...would you like to join?" I smile and nod quickly forgetting about the ball. I run over and lay down next to him. I look up at all the stars and sigh. I start pointing our constellations for Niall. I'm smiling when I talk to him about my dad. "He would politely tell me to shut up so he could show me the different stars...or worlds...he liked to believe that. He would be smiling and pointing them out. I loved star-gazing with him...he was so into it. He would know when an eclipse was going to happen and he would let me stay up to watch it with him. I remember those days like they happened yesterday..." I stop talking because I noticed Niall was just staring at me. "What?"
"You're so beautiful when you smile Clary..."
"Niall...you have to say that...you're my best friend." He smiles weakly then looks back up at the sky.
"Well I'll star-gaze with you whenever you want okay?" I roll over and peck his cheek.
"You're the greatest Niall Horan. I'll hold you to that until the day I die." Then we just laid there in silence. Sometimes Niall would ask me to tell me a story about my childhood. I was careful to not mention my days at the palace. But I was so happy just talking about my dad. The whole car ride home I couldn't stop smiling.
I said goodnight to Niall, thanking him again for everything. He just shrugged me off. "Clary honestly it's not a big deal...stop thanking me." I just nod then hug him again before running home. I run up the stairs and flop onto my bed. I sigh and change out of my clothes, throwing on one of my dad's shirts. I climb into bed, replaying the night's events over and over again in my head.
So that's the end? They don't get back together and get married or have kids?!?!?!I'm very disappointed
7/19/16