I rechecked my luggage one last time before I heard Shawn yelling my name from the living room.

“Do I have to reschedule our tickets for tomorrow? How long are you going to take? We do not have all day. We are going to miss our flights. Maya come out please.” Shawn yelled as I counted my luggage and went through the checklist one last time. That guy can be a pain in the ass sometimes.

“I am done. Stop getting hyper.” I assured him as I pulled the trolleys out of the bedroom.

“I just want to get there as soon as I can. She is all alone there.” His voice lost its edge by the end of the sentence.

“I know. I know you want to and you will. You just have to wait for a little longer.” I hugged him in reassurance. He instantly hugged me back and I felt his body unknotting the tension.

He took my luggage from my hand and began walking out. 

“I'll go and unload them in the car first.” He said.

“Where are the others?” I asked when I didn't get a single sight of the gang.

“They already left. We'll meet them directly at the airport.” He informed me.

“Maya!” I looked behind to find Niall waving at me from the kitchenette.

“I'll meet you downstairs,” Shawn whispered into my ear and planted a quick peck on my cheek before exiting the room.

I turned towards Niall to find him scowling at his back as he left the room. As soon as he was out of sight, his eyes immediately turned towards me.

“Is everything okay? You have been giving me the cold shoulder since last night. Did I do something that might have upset you?” He asked, his voice blended with confusion and sincerity.

I was indeed giving him the cold shoulder. He needed to know that deserved every ounce of it.

“Hmm, I don't know. Let me jog my memory real quick and get back to you.”

*Flashback*

The night before.

I hurried my steps on the stairs as fast as I could. I just declared to Shawn that I would go to Manhattan with him. The next morning. If somebody would have told me that I would be making reckless and wild decisions without a second thought, without properly planning for it for about a month before it, I would have hysterically laughed at their faces and brushed them off claiming that I would do it when pigs would fly.

It turned out, life wasn't about pre-deciding and planning. There would be no jest or thrill coming out of it if things happen exactly the way we want them. I have learned from my experience that life throws the best in your path when you least expect it. Unexpected things always give you memories worth remembering. 

I was about to step on the last stair when I heard indiscrete murmurs. I halted on my step and decided to eavesdrop.

 “How on earth did you even get the idea that I like you? I mean no disrespect, but you are delusional.” The husky voice said. It was Niall's.

I saw a black-haired girl, fiddling with her strands in nervousness, her back facing me. It was too familiar to not recognize.

“I… I must have imagined it. I am sorry. I didn't want to make things awkward.” Maddie's words stumbled out, her voice breaking.

“I am sorry if you had the wrong impression. I don't like you. I like somebody else. I think you pretty much know who she is.” Niall blurted out, his voice cold, something that was so unfamiliar to me. He was always this warm and soft kind of a personality. His cold demeanor was somewhat surprising.

“Y-You smiled at me multiple times and winked too and were really nice to me so I thought… Ugh, I don't know what I thought. I am sorry.” 

This is so embarrassing. I would have melted into puddles of liquid out of embarrassment if I had to go through that!

“I didn't smile at you. I smiled at the girl standing beside you. I am sorry for giving you the wrong impression.”

I cannot stand the second-hand embarrassment. 

The moment I decided to step in to save her, Maddie already turned her heels and ran away as quickly as she could.

I followed her immediately and caught her by grabbing her shoulder and turning her towards me.

“Maddie, are you okay?” I searched for her eyes.

“Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Why won't I?” She feigned giggling.

“Don't try to fool me. I heard you two talking. I am so sorry, Mads. I didn't know you liked him. I would have talked to him about you.”

“Oh gosh no! It's okay. It is my fault though. I misunderstood his intentions. Also, his heart already belonged to someone else, way before I came into the picture.” She tried to chuckle, trying her best to conceal her feelings. But I knew better.

“That doesn't give him a right to talk to you that way. It is not right.”

“I am used to it, you know.” She rubbed away the tear that collected at the prick of her eyes before continuing. 

“You know I never had a boyfriend.” She stated.

“You didn't? Are you serious?” I found it hard to believe. Maddie was gorgeous. Beautiful actually. 

We never talked about her life much, especially her dating life. Not at all, now that I was noticing. It made me feel like a shitty person for not doing it. She actively participated in mine while I, on the other hand, didn't pay heed in hers.

“No. I didn't. I did like a guy before. His name was Liam. He was a basketball player in our school. Not the captain, but quite popular amongst the girls. Like every other girl, I was head over heels for him too. It sounds pathetic, I know, but I craved his attention. But one day, he finally noticed me, and I was over the moon. But apparently, he just needed me to complete his assignment and homework for him. I sucked at Math, you know. I fucking took tuitions so that I could do his homework when he wasn't even in my class. I even asked him if he would be my date for Junior Prom. I actually did it. Only for him to laugh hysterically at my face in the hallways and for other students laughing and mocking at me. I made a complete fool of myself. He ended up with one of the cheerleaders. That doesn't surprise me, to be honest. It's cliched, and that's what happens.”

She chuckled, while a few tears rolled down her cheek, leaving stains on her rosy cheeks.

“What I am saying is, I am used to this. This, people mocking and making fun of me for my feelings. I have no power over it. So I guess it doesn't matter. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to ask Niall. It was so stupid. You couldn't possibly like someone in two days, right? Maybe I wanted to be bold or shit, try something different. It obviously backfired.” She shook her head, still trying to laugh it off as if it wasn't that big of a deal.

“I am so sorry, Mads you had to go through that. Nobody deserves that. You are one of the most amazing people I've ever had the privilege to meet. You deserve nothing but the best, Maddie. And I want you to know that. Liam was an ass. He didn't deserve you. One day, someone would love you in ways that you couldn't have even imagined.”

“How are you so sure about it?”

“I just am… sure about this. Very sure. You would see.” I smiled at her and engulfed her in a tight hug.

“You're the best bitch.” Madrid hugged me back.

“Shh… Don't say that out loud. If Lexi hears you, she will slaughter both of us.” We both chuckled and stood there for what felt like hours.

**

“I heard your conversation with Maddie last night,” I informed and it was enough for him to figure out why I was upset.

“Oh.” He grew silent.

And so did I. 

“She had a misunderstanding. I didn't like her the way she expected me to be.” He broke the silence.

“I… I have always liked you. You know it, don't you?” 

I rush out a bundle of air and finally turn towards him to look him directly in the eyes.

“That's not the point anymore.” 

“You are with him now, aren't you?” He asked, his eyes fixed at the kitchen platform.

“Yes. I am. I… It was always him. You know it, Niall.” I said, he still refused to look at me.

“But Maddie doesn't deserve to be treated that way, Niall. It was just wrong. She had been through enough of that crap, and when you treated her the exact same way, I can see in her eyes that she was deeply hurt. She didn't deserve that, Niall. You have been my best friend ever since I came here. You took care of me when I couldn't. That wasn't you last night. You are this big, warm fuzzy ball that brings warmth and ease to anyone's mind. You are so much better than that Niall. I hope you realize that.”

He finally looked up at me, his eyes teary.

“I will. Well, as long as you are happy, I am happy. Just know that, if you ever need anyone to talk shit about him whenever he screws up, you are more than welcome here.” He smirked mischievously, finally loosening up. That's the Niall I knew.

“Haha, sure.” I giggled and walked towards him.

He wrapped his hand around mine and pulled me in a warm embrace. 

“I will miss you.” He whispered.

“I will miss you too. But I am not going for forever. I have a college to finish here, remember?” I chuckled.

“How long will you be gone?” 

“I am not sure. A few weeks, I guess.” I said as I pulled out.

“Okay.” He gave me a tight-lipped smile. “Safe journey. Text me as soon as you land, okay?” 

“I will,” I said. “I should get going.” 

I waved him off and turned on my heel, walking towards the door.

As I reached down the stairs towards the car, I saw a small figure facing the car, and back towards me. It turned around when it heard the clicking of my heels.

“You are leaving?” Zoey pouted as I reached closer towards her.

“Yeah. But just for a few days, so be good, okay?” I sat down on my knee so I could reach her face level.

“You do realize I'm thirteen and too old for you to give me lectures for being a good kid or whatever.” She crossed her arm, her lips curving into a wicked smirk. Always the sass queen.

“Yeah yeah. But I won't be there to save you the next time you pull out one of your weird pranks on your mom and stepdad.” 

“Hmm right. Well, I guess that will have to wait until you get back." She shrugged.

“Is he your guy?” Zoey pointed towards the man sitting in the driver's seat.

“That… is Shawn.” We both stared at the guy sitting inside the car.

“He is a handsome hunk. Scratch that, he is a snack.” That sounds awfully familiar.

“Language, Zoey,” I warned her with a stern voice, giggling after a second.

“Yeah yeah.” She chuckled. “I am going to miss you. I'm going to call you every day and annoy the shit out of you.”

I chuckled with her and replied, “Sure, whenever you want. And also, if things get out of hand at your house, just go to Niall's and call me, we would talk for hours, okay?”

“Okay.” She replied nonchalantly.

“I am serious, Zoey. Just… call me whenever you want, okay?” I told again, this time in a bit more serious tone.

“Yes, yes I would. Jeez, chill down. You worry a lot. I'll be fine.” She patted my shoulder as if I was the one worried.

“Fine, just call me okay? I'm gonna go now.” I hugged her and quickly pulled out and stepped into the car.

“Are you done?” He asked as he switched the engine into life.

“Yes. Let's do it.” 

~

We joined the group as soon as we spotted them lounging in the waiting area.

“Finally. I thought you two were going to show up after we take off.” Andy yelled as soon as he spotted us. This caught the attention of the other passengers and we received awkward glances from all directions.

“If it isn't our massive ball of optimism welcoming us.” Shawn mocked as we took a seat.

“I missed my nine hours of beauty sleep because of you. Was it really necessary to book the early morning flight for us?” Andie was definitely not a morning person, just like me.

“Yes, it was.” The boys began bickering and after a while, I stopped paying attention to their random bantering.

Maddie pulled me by my sleeve and I turned to look at a very chirpy Maddie beaming at me.

“What's up?” I asked.

“Niall texted me.” Her voice almost came out as a whisper-squeal.

I raised my eyebrow in astonishment.

“He said that he was sorry for how we treated me last night and that he felt really bad about it.” I had never seen Maddie this cheery and excited. It was a good thing, right?

“And…” she took a dramatic pause, adding to the suspense, “He said he would like to get to know me better first!” She actually squealed this time, gaining a few judging glances in our direction.

“I am so happy for you, Maddie. You deserve nothing but the best.” I shot her an honest smile and she showered me with her bear hugs.

Good morning passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight UA-271 to NYC. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you.

I looked over my shoulder towards him and looked at me at the same time. We nodded and grabbed our backpacks.

Here goes nothing.

Hey guys! Here I am with a super quick update.

Like I previously informed, I am going to travel so I am trying to quickly finish the book and update as I might not get the chance to, after that.

We're not far from the end. To be honest, it's a bittersweet emotion, it still doesn't feel real. I will let you all know how I would feel when that fact actually dawns upon me XD

Question of the day: What was your most emotional moment (the happiest one)?

To be honest, I don't actually have one. Not yet. My life had actually been pretty plain and boring. :)

I hope you liked this chapter.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)