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

Jess' POV

It's Monday, and usually, people hate this day for obvious reasons, but since I don't have work or anything today, I'm in a good mood, although a bit bored.

'Niaaalllll!!!! Where are you? What are you doing?' I try texting him.

He doesn't reply straight away so I look for a movie to watch. Halfway through the film I picked, he finally answered.

'Jesss!!!! I was working. But done for the day! I'm guessing you're bored? Get ready I'm taking you out. I'll be there in 20.'

As soon as I finish getting ready, Niall texts me that he's here. I take one last look, making sure I'm not forgetting anything, wallet, phone, keys. I lock the door behind me and go find Niall.

'Hello there!' He says.

'Hi, Niall! How are you today?'

'Exhausted! And we're barely not even halfway through the day!'

'Then why am I in your car and driving to who knows where? Go home and rest!'

'I don't need rest when I need is my daily dose of Jess, and I want to take you somewhere a little familiar.'

'Let me guess, you're not gonna tell me where until we get there?'

'Exactly!'

A short drive later barely got through 3 songs on the radio, he finds a parking spot for the car and then we walk our way back to wherever he's taking me. It does look familiar. I've been here before, with him. Wait...

'Hyde Park? Again? Really? I mean you do realise there are other parks in London, right?'

'Yeah, but this one is my favourite!'

'So what are we going to do this time? Same as last time?'

'No, I don't feel like looking at anybody else but you today.'

I look at him suspiciously.

'What?' He chuckles.

'Nothing, you're different.'

'Is that a problem?'

'No, of course not. It's just a little confusing.'

He doesn't say anything. He holds my hand and leads me to the pond like last time. I think he has that path memorised by now. He can walk from the entrance to the pond blindfolded if it wasn't for all the random people that are there.

We don't sit on the same bench as last time, instead, we circle the pond until we reach a spot with the least amount of people possible.

We sit on a bench near the trees where we're mostly alone, except for the very few people passing through behind us.

'Isn't it beautiful here? It's so peaceful.' He gushes.

I don't even know what to say. On one hand, I don't want to insist too much and force him to discuss something he's not ready to talk about. On the other hand, I have to know what's going on in that crazy mind of his!

But I decided to let him talk at his own pace. So I just sit here, listen to the sound of wind in the trees and the ducks and swans in the pond, watching them play around in the water.

I turn to look at Niall when he put his arm around my shoulders and pulled himself close to me. I can feel my heart beating faster and my mind getting more and more anxious about all the unanswered questions.

'Look, Jess,' he starts, looking into my eyes as I turn in my seat to face him, 'I know we're like best friends, but we both know it was never about that. I think we both know how we feel about each other. But we, or at least me, spent most of my time either denying it or being scared of it. But I don't want to be scared anymore. Now I might not be able to take the leap because it still looks to me like throwing myself off a cliff. But I know that I can't deny how much I love you and I don't intend to hide it anymore. Of course, if that's okay with you. Maybe after getting used to being open about our feelings for each other on a regular basis, I'd feel safer when it comes to taking the next step? I don't know... I'm really trying here Jess.'