Serendipitous: Niall's Story

Two Teaspoons

Looking up, Ara silently huffed then groaned.  She felt rather like channeling Neville Longbottom at the moment and asking why her? Because honestly of all the restaurants in their town, she would pick the one where her ex just happened to be at, not to mention on a date, if it wasn’t awkward enough and the girl… looking up at the table she was currently not moving from under, she couldn’t help but wonder what the girl looked at… out of pure curiosity. She really didn’t care… that much, she was just curious. Any girl would be curious, but then again Ara couldn’t help but blush as she felt ashamed of herself.  She really shouldn’t care, after all they broke up rather amicably.  And she didn’t have any feelings for Nate anymore.  At least not enough that she cried a river when it was over and… oh the hell her curiosity was getting to her.  And she just knew that Summer would pester her for details upon her telling about this rather unfortunate turn of events.  Damnit she just wanted food not this!

“Ara?”

Blinking Ara looked back in front.

“What’s on your mind, you look awfully… thoughtful?” He asked almost unsure of his question.

“Well one I was just wondering why it’s always me, and also…” Ara trailed off not wanting to admit to wondering what the girl that Nate was now dating looked like. She didn’t want to seem like a crazy ex-girlfriend, curious yes, crazy, hopefully not. 

“Did you really like him?” Niall asked suddenly looking quite puzzled. 

Tucking her knees to her chest, Ara looked at her knees almost like as if they had an answer to that question.  Cocking her head to the side, eyes on him, Ara’s eyes softened just a tad before she took a breath and had a go at trying to explain herself. “I did and honestly I was really lucky to have ever dated him, looking back now.  He was so nice, accommodating to my schedule, and didn’t mind that I wasn’t really the girly girl who wanted to declare our relationship with public displays, or any displays actually.” Ara said only to slightly blush as she realized that even though when they broke up and Nate hadn’t said it out loud, but she had been a rather terrible girlfriend.  Wincing and looking away from Niall, “I really sorta screwed it up now that I think about it.” She admitted with a sigh.  But then again, they hadn’t much chemistry… 

Still as Ara turned back to look at him, Niall made another undiscernible expression before gulping. 

At this time, the waitress that had been told she had a table with a young couple came to the table only to see no one.  Just as she was about to turn around and question his co-worker, a head popped from under the table. 

“Can we have every flavor of cheesecake you have to go?” Niall Horan asked, peeking his head out upon seeing the startled waitress.

“Every?” Ara said startled, further causing the waitress to jump at hearing the female voice from under the table, her mind automatically thinking less than pure assumptions. 

“Of course,” Niall responded lifting up the table cloth to look at Ara. 

The waitress couldn’t help but be thankful that both patrons had clothes on… but why were they under the table in the first place? “Excuse me but if you would please, but, I mean it’s not our restaurant public policy but we generally don’t serve if patrons are under the table.” She finished with an uncomfortable cough. 

“Well, yes, er, sorry.” Niall said before scooting over to get out.  After getting up, he bent and offered Ara a hand, which she took with a bright red blush at the absurdity of them sitting under the table. If anything she was sure that they now had a few eyes on them.  Taking a peak, Ara resisted the urge to groan. Scratch that, make it much more than a few! Risking a glimpse, Ara looked over to where Nate was, only to find that he too was looking their way, his eyes squinted, still determining if he was indeed seeing things right.  As his eyes rounded, Ara couldn’t help but offer a small half squeamish smile so it didn’t look like as if she were avoiding or ignoring him.