Niall put the car in reverse, and we drove away in silence. "Are you okay?" he finally asks.

I turn toward him. "Who the hell was that?" I ask, mustering the sternest voice I can.

"I-I don't know," Niall stuttered. I rolled my eyes.

"He knew you by name. Of course you know who he is. He said his name was Zach, and that he'd been looking for you and he wasn't happy," I say, trying not to show my fear. "Should we call the police?"

"No, no we can't do that," Niall said. He seemed to be in deep thought. I hoped he was still paying attention to the road.

"Well you're going to have to explain to me what just happened."

"Okay...okay. I lost to that guy in a pool match, and I owe him some money. That was last weekend, I didn't think he'd come look for me," Niall said. I wanted to believe him, but there was something in his voice that made me doubt.

"Are you sure?" I asked quietly.

"I'm positive," Niall said in a confident, yet gentle voice. I let myself believe him. After all, there was no reason not to. I began to relax.

"Well," I said. "Didn't know you played pool," I smirked.

Niall smiled and sighed. "I do sometimes. Wasn't expecting to lose though, didn't have any cash on me."

"Makes sense," I said truthfully. "That was quite the night if I do say so."

"In a good way...?" Niall questioned.

I thought for a second. "In a good way," I decided. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Niall grin. It gave me butterflies in my stomach. We pulled up to my apartment complex, and he walked me all the way up to my door.

"So I'll see you for lunch sometime this week," Niall said as I unlocked my door. His confidence returned.

"I suppose so," I said. "Goodnight, Horan. Take it easy."

"Night, Emma," Niall replied, and shut the door. I loved the way my name sounded coming out of his mouth.

I sat on my couch and flicked the television on, not really paying much attention to the program. I was consumed by my thoughts.

Niall really did seem like a nice guy. Confident, almost cocky, but nervous at all the right times and still playful. He seemed down to earth from what I could tell. The run in with his friend Zach did worry me, but I tried not to dwell on it. He said it was a one time thing; Zach must be crazy anyway.

The more i thought, the more I realized I wanted to be close to Niall. I wanted to stay up until four in the morning talking to him, and walking through town, hand in hand. I wanted to eat breakfasts with him and I wanted to look at the stars with him. All of this poetic nonsense suddenly made very much sense.

Stop, I told myself. You've only just met him. And you might be moving in a few months anyway.

That's right. I might be moving.

Reality settled in. I couldn't be close to him; I was about to move to an entire different state. I didn't need more people to miss while I was gone. I think this is a problem of mine, caring too much and too quickly. I decided to try to sleep, to get the thoughts out of my mind.

It's Saturday and I decided I need to dance. Janine has helped me choreograph a jazz dance, but today's not a jazzy day. I know I should be practicing for my audition, but I just can't today. I need to do something else.

I've been working on another contemporary-lyrical type piece to the song The Great Escape by Patrick Watson. It's sad, but at the same time it isn't? I guess you could describe it as nostalgic. Some of the younger high school girls who dance at Janine's have definitely described it as "sad" though.

The studio isn't open on Saturday, but the door is unlocked. I suppose someone must've been here earlier, or is here now.

Wasting no time, I put my music in the player and breathe. I always have to breathe by myself before I can dance. Eventually, I've got everything but the music blocked out, and it's as though something else is controlling me. I move through space, jumping and turning, and feeling. I've always gotten emotional when I danced for many reasons that would take too long to explain.

The song came to an end and I stood for a moment. It began to repeat itself when someone started talking.

"You're pretty good I guess," a deep voice said. I gasped and whipped around.

"Niall!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here oh my god you scared me so bad how did you even find me you didn't follow me did you-" I ran on and on. English teachers everywhere would cringe.

"Relax," Niall interrupted. "Of course I didn't follow you," he laughed. "Janine is my aunt. She asked me to pick something up from here, and that you might be here. So of course I had to come," he explained.

"Oh wow, she's the aunt that took you in?" I ask, and he nods. "Wonder why she never told me."

"She used to think I was nothing but trouble I suppose," he said with a glint in his eye that almost made me nervous.

"Well...I need to practice. I uh...I'll call you later," I said with a smile. Niall smiled ecstatically. It made me giggle. "Really, you've got to go. Good bye Niall," I laughed, pushing him out.

"Oh Emma please don't make me go," he whined. Then he dug his heals into the ground so I couldn't push him.

"Niall I've got to work!" I yelled. I tried to be serious but I was overcome by laughter. I shoved my back against his, and all at once he turned around! Just as I started to fall he caught me and turned me around.

"Clumsy much?" he replied with a stupid grin. He was still holding onto my shoulders. I blushed and backed away.

"Okay really I've got to work. I'll talk to you later," I said, any hint of enjoyment pushed out of my voice.

"Well alright," Niall said. "I...sorry if I like..."

"No, no!" I exclaimed. "You're fine! I just...I'll call you later okay?" I said, biting back tears. I was angry at myself for the sudden mood change.

"Okay," Niall said and he walked out. I bit my cheeks and turned the music back on. I really did like that boy.

WOW I've been busy and sick and everything! sorry I haven't updated. I'll try to update again tonight if my medicine doesn't knock me out. Ilysm thank u all for reading this

-Emily 💜