Flirting With Temptation

It was like he had this all planned out. There was a car waiting for us in the private back parking lot when we left the arena. I glanced behind me, knowing I'd probably catch shit for leaving rehearsal without letting anyone know. I checked my phone and noticed a message but turned it off and smiled as Niall held the car door open for me. “Thank you.” I got in and he shut it before coming around to the other side and got in himself. He leaned forward and whispered something into the driver's ear who merely nodded and took off. We got buckled up and I smiled looking over at Niall who seemed very satisfied with himself. “Where are we going?” He grinned and looked out the window as the gates opened up revealing at least a hundred fans on the streets around the arena holding signs and screaming at the blacked out car, which could only mean a celebrity was in it. “It's a surprise......so you'll see.” I watched him look out at the passing city in wonder and smiled, more to myself than anything. He looked beyond adorable with his awestruck face.

I settled back into my seat and he looked over to me with a toothy grin. “Hope I didn't disrupt any plans ya had.” I shook my head and messed with my hands. “No plans. I was just going to hang out until the concert, and I am pretty hungry, so this is perfect.” He grinned and nodded, looking even more proud. “Good! I was hungry and the other guys wanted to order in, but I felt like getting out and clearing my head. Plus it gave me an excuse to talk to ya.” I blushed slightly as he said this and looked away slowly, out at the city. After about five minutes the car stopped and Niall hopped out quickly before extending a hand back for me. I took it and he squeezed my hand gently as I got out and to my surprise didn't release my hand as he led me up to the old-fashioned diner. After he pushed the door open and let me go first I looked around smiling. The diner was decorated like an old-school diner. Pictures of Elvis and Marilyn lined the walls and an old jukebox was against the wall all lit up just waiting for someone to insert a quarter. I also noticed that there was a doorway into a completely different part that had an arcade in it. Niall chuckled at my expression and began leading me towards one of the booths in the back, away from the windows. “I thought you'd like this place.”

“It's incredible! How'd you find it?” I looked over at him across the booth as we both slid in and he smiled. “I was wandering around one day, it was our first trip here. And I stumbled upon this place when I got recognized and needed a place to hide. They have killer food and a great arcade!” I smiled at him and realized we were practically two kids let loose on the streets of Los Angeles. The server came over and instantly became starstruck, stumbling over her words as she asked us what we'd like to drink. Niall smiled, not phased at all by this girl's awestruck attitude. “I'll have a Coke!” He smiled over at me and I blinked getting caught up in those blue eyes. “Uh....I-I'll have the same.” The waitress nodded quickly and took off towards the back. I opened my mouth to say something but seconds later she came back carrying our drinks. She set them down along with two straws and smiled. “A-Are you ready to order.....or do you need another minute.”

Niall grinned and tapped his fingers against the table. “Well that's completely up to the lady here.” I blushed and shook my head at him and looked up at her. “I'll have a double cheeseburger, no onion. Fries with extra salt, and a chocolate milkshake with my meal, please. Thank you.” She quickly wrote this down and then turned to Niall. “And for you?” He beamed at me as if I'd just spoken the language of the Gods. “That sounds pretty good! I'll have the same please.” She nodded and then took off again. When I turned to look at him again he was shaking his head and I laughed slightly. “What?!”

He chuckled and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I'm just admirin' ya! I can't remember the last time I was around a girl when she didn't order a salad! You've got an impressive appetite on ya!” I grinned and nodded as I took a long drink of my Coke. “I'm always hungry! It's a bad habit, and I snack a lot!” He burst out laughing and admitted he was the same way. After our laughter died down he glanced over towards the arcade. “Want to play some games while we wait for our food?” I grinned and and nodded. “Yeah! Loser buys lunch!” He laughed as we both stood up and ran to the arcade. The next twenty minutes were so much fun. We played PacMan and a shooting game. Although I considered myself pretty good at games he was kicking my ass. I was a bit rusty, and I was a sore loser. Niall smiled at me as we finished the game and the final score came up saying he'd thoroughly whooped my ass. He threw his hands up in celebration and I nudged him hard. “Our foods here!” He laughed and I started to walk away but he tossed his arm around my waist and nudged me with his hip. “Don't be a sore loser! You did great......but I'm superior at video games. What else do I have to do while on tour?!” I laughed as we made our way back to our booth where he released me.

We sat down and I took a long drink of my milkshake. It tasted so good and I blushed furiously as I quickly realized I'd moaned. Niall grinned at me and chewed a fry thoughtfully. “That good huh?” I giggled and picked up a fry tossing it at him. He dodged it and then threw a warning finger up at me, challenging me for more. After a moment of staring at each other we both burst out laughing and then started eating. After taking the first bite of my burger I quickly realized he'd been right about killer food. This was the best. And I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I'd started to eat. We quickly finished and began sipping lazily on our milkshakes. “So what's up with that guy from breakfast?” I blinked at him, completely unprepared for the question he'd asked. I sat back in the booth and messed with a loose thread on my jeans. He cleared his throat and my eyes darted to him. “Ya don't have to answer......I was just curious.” He gave me a sincere smile and I shook my head before I cleared my own throat, which felt dry like sand paper.

“No, it's okay. It's just been awhile since I've even thought about Jesse. We broke up last year, and I haven't really taken a long moment to process it. We were together for about four years.....off and on. I met him when I was only 16 and had just been signed. He had experience in the music business and we just had this really great chemistry. I could talk to him about anything and he just understood. But it just got really complicated.....and he changed.” I fidgeted with my fingers and Niall watched me, listening to every word I said. “When I went on my first tour things got weird. He seemed really distant and disinterested and soon we barely spoke. Then I was seeing pictures of him in the magazines with some girl. We broke up, but when my tour ended he got a hold of me and apologized. Said it'd never happen again and then we got back together. It went on like that for four years until I finally got tired of it. Every time my back was turned there was a new rumor flying around about him with this girl, and then that girl. I was sick of the games, so I just packed up my stuff and moved back into my apartment. It was really hard because a week after we broke up I went on tour and began filming for my movie. It was embarrassing because in the movie I had mental breakdowns and moments of weaknesses where I'd answer his calls or texts and we'd just end up fighting and I'd end up upset. But I decided not to edit those scenes out because I thought it was important for the fans to see that I was an actual human, with emotions and weaknesses like them.”

The entire time I'd been talking I'd been staring into my milkshake glass, which had collected condensation on the outside. I was swishing my straw around the glass and avoiding looking at Niall. Afraid I'd see pity. But when I looked up, I saw the same smile that I'd been seeing all day. “That's really brave of you. I like that you didn't edit that stuff out. I think you're right, it's important to show that you're a human. I admire ya for that. And as for Jesse, if you're happier without him then that's all that matters!” I smiled up at him and then nodded. “I am.......happier I mean. I'm starting to be.” He grinned and then the waitress came over and asked if we were ready for our check. Before I could say yes he pulled out a fifty from his wallet. “Keep the change. Thanks!” She smiled and then stumbled off happily. I blinked and then playfully kicked him under the table. “That wasn't the deal! Loser pays, remember? I lost miserably!”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Course not! I never woulda let ya pay! This was my treat, I asked ya here, I'm payin'!” I blushed slightly but nodded. “Alright. But, now you owe me!” I scooted over in the booth and patted the seat beside me. He seemed slightly confused but got up and then joined me on my side of the booth. I outstretched my hand and smiled. “Your phone, please.” He pulled it out and then I unlocked the screen before finding the camera and clicking on it. “Now, smile.” He did as I turned the phone around and got close to his face with a huge grin on my face. I snapped the picture and then turned his phone around to look at it. It was a really cute picture and when I glanced over at Niall he smiled. “Good picture!” I laughed in agreement with him and then clicked on his address book. I added myself along with my number and then sent the picture to my phone. “There, now you have my number, and I have yours along with a great picture.”

He smiled and nodded. I handed him his phone back and felt my heart skip a beat as his fingers touched mine and lingered there for a second before he pulled them back and then slid his phone into his pocket. “Ready to head back? We've been here awhile.” My eyes darted to the clock on the wall and was surprised to find we'd been here almost two hours. Liz was probably flipping shit, along with Gwen. I nodded quickly and we slid out of the booth. I noticed the waitress staring at us and smiled. “Hold on.” I led Niall over to her and smiled. “Do you happen to have a pen and a piece of paper, love?” Her eyes grew wide before she quickly handed me a blank piece of paper and her pen. “Here you go, Mrs. Maxwell.” I smiled up at her taking them gently and winked. “Call me, Chelsea.” She nodded as I set the piece of paper down. “What's your name?” She fumbled with her curly hair and piped up quickly. “Natasha.....”

All the love to you, Natasha. You're the greatest! Stay fabulous and never forget how amazing you are. Love, Chelsea Maxwell.

Niall smiled at me before taking the pen and writing his name under mind with a smiley face. I slid the paper across the counter to her where tears began to fill her eyes. “Thank you so much! I'm a huge fan! I wanted to come see you guys tonight but I can't really afford to so I'll probably watch it online in a couple of weeks!” I smiled at her but then Niall made a big show of reaching into his pockets. “Well, what a coincidence!” He whipped out a couple pieces of paper. “I happen to have 5 tickets and backstage passes with me!” Her eyes grew wide and her legs began to tremble. He gave them to her as her hand shook violently. “Oh my God! Thank you so much! I can't thank you enough, this is so amazing! You guys are so amazing!” I laughed along with Niall and we smiled at her. “Listen, bring some of your friends and come see us at the meet and greet tonight. We'll get some pictures together and you'll have a great time.” She nodded quickly as I said this and then I waved as Niall put his arm around my waist and led me outside to the car.

Once in the car I turned on my phone and the second it was fully loaded it began going crazy with notifications. I bit my lip trying to go through them. I had 10 missed calls, 15 text messages, and 3 emails. I went through them and watched Liz have a mental breakdown, and Gwen bitch me out for leaving without telling her. Niall watched me as I sighed and put my phone on my lap. “In trouble, are ya?” He grinned at me mischievously and I nudged him. “Because of you.” He laughed and rolled the window down, the breeze felt great against my skin. I unlocked my phone and then opened the message from him. I added his name into my phone along with a smiley face right next to it. Then I saved the picture and smiled at it. It was super cute, and I kind of wished I could make it my screen saver, but that'd probably be weird. Niall and I were greeted with screaming fans as the gates opened and security pushed them back. We waved and then the gates closed and the car stopped. The second I had stepped foot out of the car Liz came bursting through the doors. “Where have you been?! You can't just disappear like that, you had us worried todeath about you! What were you thinkin-” She quickly stopped when she saw Niall come around the side of the car with a smile on his face. “Sorry, it's my fault. I asked her to lunch, and sort of rushed her......I won't let her leave again without lettin' ya know!”

Liz glanced between us as I let a cheeky grin escape onto my lips. She smiled slowly and shook her head waving her hand nonchalantly in the air. “It's okay! We know where she is now, that's all that matters! Did you have fun?” She was obviously trying to impress him with her easy-going personality, but I knew better. I'd be in trouble later, when Niall wasn't around to save me. “Course we did!” He threw his arm around my shoulders and without hesitating I moved a little closer into his side. “We just went to lunch and talked for awhile. It was great!” I piped in. She gave me a look but smiled. “Well, rehearsals are still going on for now, but make-up, hair, and your designers need to speak to you about what you'd like to look like tonight.” I smiled and nodded. “I'll be right there.” She gave me a slow nod before going back inside. I looked at Niall and exhaled deeply as he chuckled under his breath. “Thank God you were here, she might have chewed my head off if she hadn't have seen you!” He laughed as we began walking into the arena. We went into the main part where Jesse was rehearsing.

Gwen noticed us and ran over quickly thumping me in the back of the head. “Where have you been moron? Everyone' been looking for you!” I smiled and gave her a look and then nudged Niall. “Um, we just went to go get a bite to eat!” She glanced over at Niall before she exhaled sharply and giggled. “Oh.....um.....okay! Well, Todd and I are gonna have a mini rehearsal in our dressing room! Join us when you get a quick second?” She gave me a look that said we'd definitely be talking about this when that minute came and I nodded. “Alright, I've got to go talk to my designers first though.” She ran off laughing and grabbed Todd up. “Is that some kind of a girl thing?” I laughed as Niall said this and nodded. “Kind of! Don't worry about it!” He smiled and we walked farther into the arena. I glanced over and noticed that Jesse had taken notice of us and didn't look happy about it at all. I looked away quickly and noticed that Louis and Liam were huddled together, watching us and when they noticed me looking they just smiled and waved. I waved back and then Niall noticed and groaned slightly. “They'll give me crap for this. I didn't tell them I was takin' ya out.”

I looked over at him and smiled running a hand through my soft, golden hair. “It's alright, I'll give you time to talk to them while I have my meeting then. I'll just.....see you later.” He smiled at me and nodded. “Alright. Have fun.” It almost pained me when he pulled his arm off of my shoulders to release me, but as I walked away I felt a tingling in my heart, and the back of my head burned knowing that multiple eyes had been on us. I made my way through back-stage and then downstairs to my personal dressing room. There I spent about 30 minutes with my stylists getting everything squared away for tonight. Once that was done it seemed like crunch time.

The entire backstage area lit up as everyone began to bustle around. People began arriving at the arena and I knew that soon enough it would be my turn on stage. Within an hour the screams and stomps from the arena could be heard everywhere. The first couple of performs went on and I began to get nervous. Liz came up behind me about 30 minutes before our set and smiled. “Time to get ready, lovely!” I followed her to my dressing room where I got dressed in my performance outfit and then had hair and make-up start on me. Sooner than I would have liked a stage hand came knocking on the door saying there were five minutes until my set. Gwen and Todd came in and we talked about the songs we'd play. We discussed the options and then finally chose. Liz wrote them down and then sent them to the stage manager and sound guy. I began jumping up and down as we got to the side of the stage where Jesse was finishing up his set.

It was honestly nerve wracking to be in front of over 18,000 people. Even to this day. People always asked me if I still got nervous before a gig, and the answer was always the same. Of course. I didn't know a single person that didn't get nervous, it just came with the job. Finally it was our turn and I reached into my pocket and turned my phone on silent but noticed I had a message from Niall. I clicked on it and it opened and instantly smiled.

Don't be nervous, you'll do great. I can't wait to see you perform, and I hope to see you after! Good luck!

I blushed but then the lights in the arena went out and I knew it was time. I shoved my phone in my pocket and got ready, as I shoved my mic in my ear. I was then rushed under the stage to the lift that would lift me on-stage. I stood on it and waited as Gwen got situated on her drums and Todd was already on the stage getting everyone pumped. I fastened my guitar on and then nodded towards the guy closest to me and the music started playing. I then gave him a thumbs up and began playing my guitar when my part came in and the lift began pushing me upwards. My mic was wrapped around my ear and to my mouth since this song I wouldn't be able to hold a microphone. The second I came into full view the crowd went crazy and I began singing Smile a crowd favorite. The audience bounced around, and sang along to it. After that we finished our set with another guitarist as I took my microphone and did the choreography with my dancers.

After our set I thanked my crowd, blew some kisses, and then ran off stage out of breathe. I was greeted with a bottle of water and congratulations from Liz. I thanked her but then realized that One Direction was about to perform. I quickly pulled out my phone and replied to Niall's text.

Your luck worked! And now I'm sending some your way! Can't wait to see you perform and probably see you after!

Gwen watched me with my goofy smile and giggled. “Where has my best friend gone? She's been replaced with some goofball who smiles all the time and has a look of looooove in her eyes!” I laughed and nudged her but quickly made my way to stage right watching as One Direction began. The rest of the concert was a blur and I had tons of fun. After everyone had performed all the artists, including myself went out onstage and took a bow for our crowd before waving and saying good night. After that I had a meet and greet but Niall's words flew around in my mind. I still hadn't seen him after the concert, but I had to keep my mind busy with my fans. I saw Natasha and a couple of her friends who were ecstatic to meet me. We took pictures and after everything was done a lot of the performers were going out to celebrate, and normally I would but we left in the morning on buses for the next city. Liz had a car called for me with a weird smile on her face. I ignored her and headed outside. The car was parked out back and the second the driver opened the back door a grin was on my face. “Ello there! Fancy meetin' you here!”

I laughed at Niall who was sprawled out in the backseat. He scooted over as I climbed in and tossed an arm around my shoulders before lifting up a bag. “I have a night of fun planned for us!” I raised an eyebrow in questioning and took the bag from him curiously. Inside was every movie I could dream of, a couple bags of popcorn, and tons of different kinds of candy. I laughed loudly and looked at him. “I love it! It sounds like an excellent night!” We talked excitedly about the show while we waited to get back to the hotel. And once there we rushed inside and then up to my room. We got all settled with blankets, popcorn, and the candy everywhere on the table before we decided on Paranormal Activity. As we watched I would get extremely scared and hide my face, but he didn't seem to mind when I'd jump, or end up hiding in his shoulder and laughing waiting for him to tell me the part was over. We watched movies until the early hours of the morning. Eating popcorn, and devouring the candy until we ran out of movies. Our eyes were drooping when my hotel room door opened up quickly and I jumped.

I let out a small laugh as Gwen stumbled in, completely drunk with Jack and Alex in tow. “Hiya guys! WE'RE BACK!” Niall chuckled as Alex helped her to the bed where she stumbled before tumbling onto it. I stood up quickly, unwrapping myself from the blanket Niall and I had been sharing. “I can see that! It looks like you had fun!” She groaned loudly and sat up. “I feel sick.” I moaned and pointed towards the bathroom as Jack looked on guiltily, obviously being the only one to realized they'd interrupted something. “Sorry Chels......” I rolled my eyes but motioned towards Gwen. “You're both really gonna be sorry if she throws up on my bed. Get her to the bathroom; I'll be right there.” Niall stood up beside me and watched as they practically carried Gwen to the bathroom. We walked to the door where I was embarrassed. Niall chuckled as I opened the door and he walked just outside of it before turning around. “Sorry about....all that.”

Niall shook his head and smiled. “It's alright. It's late, I should head to bed anyway. We'll see each other tomorrow anyway.” I gave him a tired smile and nodded leaning against the doorway. “Yeah.....I'll see you tomorrow.” He smiled and reached out his hand, gently wrapping mine in his. I blushed as he lifted my hand to his lips and gently pressed them against my hand, giving me a gentle kiss. He released my hand at my side slowly and grinned. “See you tomorrow, darlin.” I waved as he walked away, with a little pep in his step and then closed my door slowly. I jumped up and down in excitement and squealed loudly. Alex came out of the bathroom looking panicked until he saw me. “You've got it bad, my friend.” I grinned crazily and nodded but then heard Gwen groan before heaving and rushed into the bathroom to help her. Jack and Alex quickly left for their rooms once realizing I had things taken care of. After awhile I helped Gwen brush her teeth before ushering her to my bed. I got dressed and then crawled in next to my intoxicated best friend an closed my eyes. A smile on my face and a weird burning sensation on my hand right where Niall's lips had met my bare skin.

Notes

I really hope you guys enjoy! Let me know what you think, my loves! :) Thanks for reading! -Caity