SO LONG || NIALL HORAN || #Wattys2019

SIX

The Minnesota State Fair was the performance Haleigh had been looking forward to. People packed in close together as they ate corn dogs, listening to their favorite artists while they sipped on a lemonade. She was expecting her and Niall could explore a little bit, perhaps even wait in line to get on some dizzy rides that would make them laugh until their stomachs hurt. Plus, she had been hoping for a fun-filled night where she could do a mini fair-themed photo shoot. Security and his status had completely slipped her mind until they were informed they either needed to stay on the bus or backstage where they were safe. His manager didn't want them to accidentally lose track of time, and even had people bring them their meals from certain stands so they couldn't use the food excuse.

Maren, her and a few of the band members were in the middle of an intense round of Go-Fish after sound check ended, casual chatter going on between them. Haleigh raised an eyebrow as she looked down at her cards, before asking the country singer, "Do you have any sevens?"

Maren smiled, shaking her head. "Nope; go fish."

Haleigh snapped her fingers in disappointment before she drew another card. "Dang it." She set down the small deck she had gathered throughout the game and raised to her feet. "I'll be right back," she told them. "I'm going to go to the bathroom but don't peek at my cards!"

"No promises!" Maren cheekily called out as she walked away, hearing her laugh in response.

Luckily, they had decided to play in Maren's dressing room instead of staying on the tour bus where they had spent hours just driving. Haleigh turned a corner since the restroom was down the hall, accidentally bumping into someone's chest. Before she could apologize, a hand clasped over her mouth which made her quickly raise her gaze. At the sight of Niall's mischievous smirk and his sparkling blue eyes, Haleigh looked at him in annoyance. "You gave me a heart attack," she hissed once he removed his hand. "What the heck are you doing?"

"I'll tell you if you come with me; If not, I'm not saying a word," Niall told her quietly, looking around to make sure no one else was around. "I was just on my way to find you."

Haleigh noticed the hat covering his brown hair and the dark glasses he held, putting the pieces together. A small gasp escaped her, "Are you sneaking out?"

"Don't act so surprised, love," Niall replied as he pulled out a baseball cap for her to wear from behind his back and a pair of glasses from his pocket. "I came up with a fool-proof plan."

Haleigh squinted her eyes in disbelief and crossed her arms expectantly, "Okay, then. What is it?"

"I know you've been looking forward to coming here," he started, watching as her face softened from his words, "and I saw how crushed you were when you were told we couldn't leave. So, I grabbed these and wore a shirt that I hate so we'd get at least a few hours doing whatever you want before we have to be back for the meet and greet."

She swore she felt her heart swell at his sweet gesture. "Really?"

He smiled as he nodded, "Really. Now are you in or what?"

"Of course I'm in," Haleigh scoffed, snatching the glasses from his grasp so she could place them against her eyes. "We're going to have so much fun," she let out a tiny excited squeal as he fixed her hat on top of her brown hair.

He grinned and bopped his finger against her nose, watching as she cutely scrunched it up like she always did. "Heck yeah, we are."

*^*^*^*

It had been awhile since either of them had experienced a fair, since it seemed like their lives never seemed to slow down, so they thought it was important to do the things they had only desperately wanted. The crowds made him tightly grasp her hand, her fingers securely interlocked with his. They kept their heads down and huddled into one another, especially after Niall lost her for a moment after he was pushed in the shoulder.