Niall's POV

Senior Year has been great so far. I have my best friends, Liam and Louis, by my side, but then there's Amanda; Amanda Beaton. We've been best friends since diapers and frankly I have the biggest crush on her; no I am absolutely in love with her. What hurts the most is that she'll never see me as more than a friend. When her beautiful emerald eyes meet mine and she says she loves me, she'll never kiss me the way that I want her to so badly. All she does is talk about her boyfriend, Harry Styles. Ugh! Just the mention of that piece of filth makes my blood boil. Him and Zayn are the school's bad boys and not to mention are the biggest dickheads I've ever met. They're both womanizers and every girl in school would kill for their attention. I personally don't see what is so great about them and why girls fondle over them so damn much.

"Hey Nialler," Danielle beamed.

I ran towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Where's Liam?" I asked, looking around.

I was surprised that the brown-haired lad wasn't by her side.

"He texted me saying that he overslept. He said he'll try and be here before first period, but I doubt it," she giggled.

"Who needs him, when you have me?" Louis chimed and I turned around to see the funny bloke dressed in his usual attire: striped tee, suspenders, chinos and toms.

Danielle giggled as said teasingly, "I rather have him then you."

Louis took a step back and put his hand to his heart.

"That hurt," he joked, trying to act hurt by her statement.

I just chuckled to myself. Man, I love my friends.

"So have you talked to Amanda today?" Danielle asked curiously.

I looked down at the mention of her name. I knew right now she was probably at Harry's locker, sucking face with him.

"Excuse me, Danielle, but can I speak to Niall for a few minutes?" Louis asked, slinging his arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah sure. Besides I have to go and meet up with Eleanor. She's talking to coach about her idea for a new routine. We want to do something fun and new for the first game of the season," she answered.

"Any excuse for her to be in a mini-skirt is okay for me," Louis winked.

"Whatever Tommo," she rolled her eyes. "Bye guys," she waved.

We waved goodbye and she disappeared down the crowded halls.

"So what do you want to talk to me about?" I asked and opened my locker.

"Are you ever going to tell her how you feel or are you going to let this go on?" Louis asked, his ocean blue eyes burning holes through mine.

"What am I supposed to say? Oh by the way, I'm completely in love with you and I want to be with you, even though you have a boyfriend?" I questioned him.

"You should've told her when you had the chance," he advised.

"Every time I was going to, I could never find the courage to let those five words come out of my mouth," I explained, slamming my locker door shut.

Eleanor ran up and kissed Louis' cheek.

He slid his around her waist and she said, "Hey Nialler," with a smile.

"Hey Eleanor," I smiled back.

"Code Red, Code Red, Code Red!" Louis yelled and I turned around to see Amanda and Harry walking down the hall.

His hand was really low and I scowled at the sight. Jealously filled my eyes as I watched his hand caress her bum and her laugh at something he said. Louis, Eleanor and I walked away, trying to avoid them when a voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Niall!" Amanda cried.

I turned around and faked a smile.

"Hey Amanda," I replied, trying to act cool.

"Why have you been avoiding me lately?" she asked, her eyes casting down.

I suddenly felt a tang of guilt because of how I've been treating her lately.

"I haven't been avoiding you, silly. Why would I do that?" I lied.

She smiled at my response and gave me a hug. I held on her tightly, receiving a scowl from Harry. I kissed her forehead, cheeks, and nose, like I always do and ran my fingers through her hair. Harry stared me down, giving me the look of death, but I had to admit, I enjoyed every minute of watching him suffer. He finally got to experience what I go through every time he's with her.

"Ahem!" Harry coughed, his face red.

Amanda pulled away from me and bit her lip nervously. I started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" she asked, a look of disappointment on her face.

"I have to go discuss my project with Mr. Myers," I lied.

"Umm, Mr. Myers' room is that way," she informed me, pointing to the opposite direction.

"Oh right," I grumbled, walking past them, receiving dirty looks from Harry.

Amanda's POV

What the fuck was that?" Harry yelled.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my temper rising.

"He was all over you. I can't believe you let him do that to you. The fucking nerve he has to do that, especially in front of me!" Harry spat, running his hands through his curls.

I wanted to slap this boy across the face.

"He's my best friend, plus it's my fucking life and I make my own decisions! You don't own me!" I yelled, crossing my arms around my chest.

"Don't you see he's in love with you? He's all over you!" he yelled, his voice full of frustration.

I scoffed.

"He's my best friend! He's not in love with me! Best friends don't fall in love with each other, especially when they've known each other since they were in diapers!" I protested.

"Whatever. Let's just forget about this," Harry sighed, his voice softening.

I sighed and let my arms fall from my chest. I hadn't realized the scene we caused and I was a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah, let's just forget about it," I whispered, biting my lip nervously.

"I love you," he whispered.

He kissed me fiercely and I kissed back. He begged for entrance, but I pulled away.

"We're in school. Can't you wait until later?" I teased, squeezing his cheeks.

"Fine," he pouted.

The bell rang and we went to our classes. I walked in and received dirty looks from the girls in the class. I was used to it already. A lot of girls were jealous of me because of me being with Harry, but I didn't see why they were so jealous. I'm not even close to being the prettiest girl in school. In fact, I don't even know what Harry sees in me because I'm not pretty or popular. I sat next to Eleanor who was the only girl who actually wanted to be my lap partner this semester. Every girl was too jealous of me to actually want to be my partner.

"Hey Amanda, have you talked to Niall today?"

"Yeah I did. Hey do you know what's been going on with him? Ever since I started dating Harry, he's been distant and I miss how close we used to be. I mean he is my bestest friend in the whole world," I explained, my voice full of sadness.

"No, I have no idea," she answered.

I had a feeling she was keeping something from me, but I refused to question her about it.

"You know Harry and I got into a fight."

Her eyes widened and her mouth was open in the shape of an "O".

"What?" she asked in bewilderment.

"Yeah after Niall left, Harry just started yelling at me. He told me that I shouldn't let Niall touch me. He also accused him of being in love with me. The fucking nerve he had," I explained.

"And what did you tell him?" she asked.

"I told him that he's my best friend and that I can do whatever I want and I told him that Niall's not in love with me. Best friends don't fall in love with each other," I explained.

"Are you guys still together?"

"Yeah. He apologized and I forgave him."

I smiled and we turned our attention to the professor who was rambling on about shit I could care less about. I just wanted it to be lunch already so I can talk to Niall. I miss my little blonde angel. I miss having movie night every Friday at his house. I miss all the good times we had. I decided to pull out my phone and text Niall.

Hey Nialler, do you wanna have lunch with me?

Nialler: Yeah sure. Do you want me to wait for you at your locker?

Yeah sure. You come over and then when I'm ready we'll go together.

Nialler: Won't Harry be upset?

I'll just tell him to have lunch with Zayn. I'm sure he'll understand.

Nialler: Ok. I'll see you then.

I smiled wide, probably the biggest smile I had in a while. I was one step closer to having my best friend back. I couldn't wait until lunch time. The first three classes went by really fast and before I knew it, I was on my way to my locker. When I arrived, Harry was waiting for me.

"Hey babe," he smiled and kissed me.

"Hey," I smiled back.

"You going to go to lunch with me and Zayn?" he asked.

"Actually, I'm going to have lunch with Niall," I answered with a smile.

"Oh okay," he muttered.

"Is it okay if I have lunch with him?" I asked.

He shrugged and said, "It's fine I guess."

I was puzzled at his somewhat carefree attitude. Before he was jealous of Niall, now he didn't care if I had lunch with him. This was nothing like him. He never acts like this. Niall started walking down the hall and Harry grabbed me and kissed me fiercely. I kissed back and wrapped my arms around his neck. He begged for entrance and kept his grip firm on my bum. I granted him access and I pulled him even closer to me. Niall stopped in front of my locker and I noticed he was starting to walk away.

I pulled away and yelled, "Niall, wait!"

He stopped and turned around slowly.

"You seem busy, so I'll just wait for you at the cafeteria," he mumbled, barely audible.

"No, it's fine," I protested. "I'll see you later, babe," I said to Harry.

"Bye babe," he answered and kissed me quickly. He smirked at Niall and walked away proudly, like he accomplished something.

I just rolled my eyes. There goes overprotective, jealous Harry.

"You ready to go?" Niall asked with a sigh.

"Yeah," I smiled and grabbed his hand.

I started running to the cafeteria and dragged him along beside me.

"Why are you running?" he chuckled and I giggled

"I want to be rebellious for once," I giggled.

We entered the cafeteria and a lot of girls stared at me. They were probably surprised that I was holding hands with Niall instead of Harry, but everyone knows I'm just friends with Niall. I would never do such a thing to hurt Harry. I'm not a bitch or a slut. I have morals, unlike most girls at the school, who have all been used up by either Zayn or Harry. We grabbed our lunch and I started dragging him out of the cafeteria.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked, clearly amused.

I giggled and responded, "You'll see."

I started running outside and we left the school grounds. We ran for a few minutes through the busy streets of London. I stopped at a park.

"Why are we here?" he asked curiously.

"You remember this was the place that we made the pact that we would be best friends forever, right?" I asked, my emerald eyes fixed on his aqua orbs.

"Of course I do," he responded.

I sat down on the exact same bench where we made that pact many, many years ago. I still remember that day like it was just yesterday.

*flashback*

I ran as fast as I could, trying to escape him. I giggled as I ran as fast as I could and I stopped at the bench, breathing heavily. He ran towards me and sat beside me on the bench.

"I got you, Amanda," Niall teased, his fingers grazing my back.

I turned my head and looked at him.

I smiled and said, "Yup, you got me."

"It's your turn," he informed me.

I loved how we could play tag every day and frankly that's what you do at eight years old.

"Niall, promise me that we'll be best friends forever and that you'll never leave me," I stared into his eyes.

"I promise, Amanda," he smiled back and hugged me.

It was probably the most meaningful embrace we ever shared. It showed how much we cared for each other and I never forgot that day. He sat beside me and slung his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to me. It was comforting and amazingly sweet at the same time. He definitely knew how to make me smile. I pulled out my lunch and took a bite out of the sandwich, trying hard not to look like a slob in front of them, but then again it was Niall, so I shouldn't be too worried. He took out his lunch and bit into his sandwich also. We just ate and looked at each other the whole time. Anybody could have sworn we were a couple. We were both in each other's arms and we were both staring into each other's eyes, speaking through our gazes. It was absolutely amazing and strangely I never have moments like this with Harry. I mean Harry's not big on romance as it is, but when we had a romantic moment, it was never like this. With Niall it felt so real. Wait why am I thinking about this? He's nothing more than just a friend. I'm happy with Harry. If I keep telling myself that, then hopefully I'll believe it. I have Harry and I don't need anyone else, especially Niall. He's just my best friend and nothing more. I can't fall in love with him, I just can't. I kept repeating that into my brain, hopefully causing my brain to listen to me, but something in my heart made me not want to believe it.

"This has to be the best lunch I've had in a while," I admitted with a smile.

"Wow, I wonder what your lunches must be like," he teased.

"Shut up!" I giggled, hitting him playfully on the arm.

We both laughed and stared into each other's eyes. For a moment, I swear I got lost in them and we both froze. He leaned in and I snapped out of the daze, just before his lips grazed mine.

"What are you doing?" I asked in shocked.

He snapped out of it and looked at me in embarrassment.

"I was just- never mind," he muttered, his face turning red.

Well this is awkward. At that moment, I felt those same feelings I was feeling earlier come back and I knew they had to stop.

"I- I have to go," I stammered and got up quickly.

I ran away as fast as I could and all I heard were Niall's calls for me to come back, but I couldn't go back, I just couldn't.

Niall's POV

"Fuck!" I muttered, running my fingers through my hair.

I didn't bother running after her. I knew that it would just make matters worse. I know her too well and this was not the way I wanted this lunch to end. I hope she doesn't end up hating me more. Damn it, Niall! Why do you always end up screwing everything up? I got up from the bench and slowly walked my way back to the school, fearing the worst. Why do I have to be in love with my best friend?