Better Than Words

Midnight

We arrive at the club after 20 minutes of low-playing music, awkward conversation, and nearly-choking heat that didn't come from Niall's car. To my slight surprise, he trots over to my door before I have my hand on the handle and opens it for me, offering his hand for support. The damp London air is cool around us, providing relief from the heat my rapid pulse generated in the car.

"You're quite the gentleman, Niall," I say jokingly as I regain my composure now that there is open air between us.

"You have no idea," he replies with a slight bow and a smile. "If you would do me the honor," he offers his arm to me. The switches he makes between attractive male and boyish sweetheart are dizzying.

I take hold of his elbow and and follow him inside the club where we meet up with the rest of the group. Zayn and Sam are sitting on a couch talking and laughing, their hands nearly touching. I can't make out what they're saying, but I can tell Sam is flirting--and from the looks of it, Zayn is too. Seated next to Louis and Harry are two girls I haven't seen before, one blond and one with short dark hair. Harry spots us and gets up to greet Niall.

"Hey, mate. Ali, this is my girlfriend," he gestures to the girl who has joined him.

"I'm Kaderina, but you can call me Kada!" she says cheerfully.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Ali," I smile in return. "Who is that with Louis? And where are Marina and Liam?" I ask Harry.

"That's a girl Louis has been out with a few times, I think her name is Mindy or Molly or something. I don't know, she's kind of a bitch," he says without remorse. I giggle at his remark. "Liam and Marina are off to get drinks--there they are right there," he gestures to the two breaking out of the crowd of people on the dance floor.

Great. Everyone seems to be coupled up, leaving Niall and I as the only two who didn't already have dates. Juuuust great. He's cute and seems sweet enough, but that's just the thing. He only comes off as a nice boy. I don't want to make things into a fling if I'm not interested, and besides, what are the odds of us seeing each other after break?

Marina approaches us and hands me a red drink and I eye her carefully.

"It's a vodka and cranberry, as far as I can recall, you like them," she smirks. "Don't worry, I didn't drug you. So, you rode with Niall, huh?" She gives me a sly smile.

"Yes, he figured there wouldn't be enough space in the other car. He was very polite about it," I explain.

"Well, Liam said he thinks you're cute, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with it..." she trails off. I nearly spit out my drink.

"I'm sorry--what?"

"Oh don't act so surprised, you look hot. What do you think of him?"

"Well," I begin hesitantly, "he's nice. I mean, really nice. But he just comes off as sort of... innocent, I guess? I mean come on, he's got blond hair and bright blue eyes and hardly any facial hair, and he hasn't made any crude comments all day? He just seems so...innocent. Besides, this is probably the only time I will ever see him, we live on different continents."

"Yeah, I guess I could see that. I still think you should have fun while you're here though. Speak of the devil... here he comes," she slips off back to Liam before I can protest.

"Oh good, you got a drink," he notices. "Do you wanna dance?" he sheepishly asks.

"Oh...I don't dance..." I admit. Though I have good rhythm, I have horrible balance and no sense of movement. "My dancing is not pretty."

"Oh come on, just one dance?" his hopeful blue eyes turn different colors under the club lighting.

I hesitantly agree, not out of pity, but just to be polite.