Typical [L.P. + N.H. + A.I.]

2.3 - Unblock - Game Night

Niall's POV

'I'm gonna go get more snacks from the kitchen, anyone needs anything?' Jess says standing up.

'No thank you!' Liam responds.

'Need any help?' Harry asks.

'I'm good, thanks.'

I follow her to the kitchen. I'm worried she's being weird because of what I did yesterday. I just don't know what to say. But I have to say something.

When I enter the kitchen, she has her back turned but I can hear her sniffling.

'Are you okay?' I ask.

She glances at me then turn away again, wiping her eyes and cheeks from the tears.

She faces me again, smiling, 'I'm great! Just caught of cold or sth...'

'It's not the cold season.'

'Okay, so it's not a cold. What do you want?'

'I'm sorry.'

'Yeah, you said that already.'

'I mean it.'

'Maybe. But it doesn't explain anything.'

'I was drunk, I did a mistake.' I tried to explain.

'I know. But why?'

'I just wanted to check something?'

'You wanted to check if you have feelings for me. And then you realised that you don't so you just left.'

'No, well yes, but that's not what happened. You're not gonna understand.'

'No, Niall. I don't understand. Because you're not explaining it.'

'Even if I explain it.'

'You're not even giving me a chance to understand what's going on in your head!'

'Can we just pretend nothing happened and just move on? I really am sorry I acted the way I did.

'Fine. Nothing happened.'

'So we're okay? Can we go back to being friends?'

'Yeah, we're okay.'

'And can we still hang out and keep working on inspiring you?'

'I actually started writing something, but it's not much at the moment. I'm still looking for a story.'

'Can I read it?' I ask her.

'No, you'll read it when it's ready.'

'Sounds familiar.' I tease her.

'Sounds like you!' She chuckles.

Good, she's back to normal. I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her towards me, kissing her cheek and then walking back to the sitting room with the snacks.

Louis' POV

'Took you long enough!' I tease Jess and Niall who just laughs it off.

'You seem to be doing better.' Liam says looking carefully at Jess.

'I'm great!'

'You know you can tell us anything, right?' He asks.

'Yeah, I know.'

'Mate, leave her alone when she's ready to talk she'll do so at her own time.' Harry tells Liam.

'I know, I'm just worried.'

'And I appreciate that Liam. I do. But honestly, there's nothing to tell. Nothing happened.'

'Jess...' Liam says.

'What? It happens, I was just moody for some reason, and now it's gone. I'm okay really. There's nothing to worry about. Let's just continue the next game.'

'How about never have I ever?' I suggest trying to break the tension.

'Don't you guys hate this game?' Jess asks us.

'We do!' Harry shouts.

'Well only when we're in interviews and there are cameras everywhere. Not when we're home alone.' Liam explains.

'Up for it?' Niall asks Jess who nods.

'Newbie starts!' I call.

'Who me?' Jess asks so I nod, 'Okay, never have I ever, oh! Had a tattoo! Come on you three! Drink!'

'Never have I ever...' Niall starts, 'Had a drink thrown in my face!'

'Not fair!' Harry shouts, then drinks.

'What? Why?' Jess asked confused.

'I was young and stupid, said the wrong thing. Forget about it. It's not a story to be told! Louis, I believe it's your turn.' Harry explains.

'This could take a while. Hold on I'm sure I can find something I've never done.'

Jess' POV

We play for a while, having fun and drinking. But deep down, I can't help but think about everything that happened. How can I just pretend nothing has happened. Niall kissed me. I kissed Niall. Niall!! The guy I've been crushing on for a year! Sure it was just a meaningless celebrity crush at the time. But now he's here and he kissed me. And then he asked me to forget it happened. I guess we really are just friends after all. I can do friends. It hurts. A Lot! But I can do friends. Maybe someday he'll change his mind who knows. I have the feeling like there's more to the story. There's something he's not telling me. But for now, for the benefit of our friendship, in front of him and the rest, I have to pretend like everything is fine. Well not really pretend. It is fine. It just sucks. Niall... Why won't you love me?

'Alright, I'm calling it a night!' I say standing up stretching.

'Why! It's still early! It's just midnight! You don't have work tomorrow.' They all complain.

'I'm starting to feel a little... you know... I need sleep.'

'Alright, Goodnight!' Liam, Niall and Harry say.

'I'll walk you out.' Louis adds.

I tell the group goodnight and walk to the door with Louis. He follows me to the hallway.

'Are you and Niall okay?' He asks me.

'We're okay. It's just weird. He's holding back on me and I don't get it.'

'Just be patient with him. He's solving his inner battles right now. Things will be better soon.'

'If you say so. Thank you, Lou. Goodnight!'

'Goodnight Jess!'