The Player

Chapter 20

"Was the trip really that bad that you missed me that much?" he said while throwing my suitcase in the trunk of his car.

"Not the last day." I said.

"The last day was the only good day?"

"Yep. I hung out with Charlie the whole day basically."

"Charlie? Who's Charlie?" Niall said frantically. I took this as a chance to mess with him.

"Oh he's this boy I met in Baltimore. He's wicked cute. And he's a blondie just like you." I said in a flirty tone.

"What? Ella, why are you hanging out with another guy?" he asked.

"Hahaha, I'm kidding. Charlie's my new little brother." I said laughing.

"Ohh, that's a relief." Niall said starting the car. "So he's a cool little bro?"

"Yeah, you would love hanging out with him." I said.

"Well, hopefully I'll get to meet him someday."

"Hopefully."

"So is everything worked out with you and your mom?" he asked.

"Umm yeah, it's getting there. I haven't fully forgiven her yet, but I don't hate her guts anymore."

"That's good. I'm glad you worked it out."

"Me too."

"I was really serious about going down there to take you back here when you called."

"I know you were."

"I couldn't stand you being that distressed."

"I could barely stand it either. But I appreciate you being so concerned."

"I'm always watching out for you, Ella."

"I know. My Superman." I said. He smiled. We continued driving on our way back to campus, and it was silent. I knew Niall didn't want to bring up anything more about my mother or the bad moments of this past weekend, and I loved him for that.

"You know, you haven't kissed me since I got back." I said to Niall. He didn't answer right away.

"You're right." he said, then he quickly turned the wheel and pulled into a parking lot that was on the side of the road. He pulled the car into a spot and put it in park, and then pulled me over to the drivers side so I was straddling his lap. Then he brought my lips down to his. The feeling of his lips on mine was something I had missed, but tried so hard not to think about all weekend. After kissing for awhile, his lips left mine and he stared into my eyes.

"How was that?" he asked me.

"That was wicked romantic." I said breathing heavily, referring to how quickly he parked the car just to make out with me. He let out a laugh.

"I'm glad." he said. I climbed back into the passenger seat and we drove back to campus. When we got there, Niall and I went over to my housing unit and brought my luggage up to my dorm room. I unlocked the door and opened it. Sitting on my desk was a vase with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in it. A small white card was sitting next to it. I went inside and read the card.

'Welcome home, I missed you. Love Niall' is what what written. I turned around and Niall was standing in the doorway.

"What is all of this?" I said smiling.

"What?"

"The flowers, the kissing, the surprise at the airport...why are you doing all of this? I was just gone for the weekend." I said.