"That's beautiful," A fan gushed at her in heavily accented English.

Marie's hand flew to her throat. "Thank you, dear." She fingered the necklace her best friend had gotten her.

"Harry must really understand Greek mythology…" A different girl, shorter than the first, commented.

"Oh, no. This isn't from Haz." She sat at the small round table at a Starbucks, surrounded by teen girls. Her mind spun back.

Last year for Marie's birthday Harry had flown her out to spend the week they had in Greece. On the day she turned 20, though, he'd had an

interview with Louis.

"C'mon Marebear, don't be such a downer! You're 20 now, don't be boring. Let's go." Niall pulled Marie up from the couch in their multi-roomed

suite.

"Where to?" She grumbled, not happy to be lugged around by an enthusiastic leprechaun.

The blonde smiled triumphantly and pulled her outside in her pajamas. "Shopping for your birthday present. I know exactly where to go, too."

Niall told the driver something, speaking quietly in a different language. The cabbie smiled, nodding, and glanced in the rearview mirror at

Marie.

"Ny?" She leaned forward, too, trying to hear what they were whispering. After several minutes the car pulled up outside of an old Grecian

market.

Niall thanked the cabbie in the same language and led Marie into the tight, alleyway market. He didn't let go of her hand which would've

bothered her if she hadn't needed the anchor. The brown girl wasn't sure why she needed him so much… But when she was with him she felt

warmer, whole.

For some reason Harry didn't have the same effect on Marie. Niall knew it and she knew he knew it. "Ny, do you see that?" She shook off the

thoughts that would only cause her trouble, pointing.

"Yeah, do you want it?" The blonde freed the necklace, knowing the one she wanted from the hundred or so hanging in the booth.

"Yes, so bad." Marie lifted her hair, turning so he could tie the silver chain. Niall's fingers lingered at her neck and she shivered. "Thank you,"

He smiled and paid the old woman for the Grecian design jewelry.

"You're welcome, Mare-bear." The blonde laced their fingers again and pulled her through the thickening crowd.

"Ny-bear someone will see us," Marie hissed as they slipped into a dark doorway and Niall laughed, continuing down the dimly lit hall.

"Room 27, that's us." He unlocked the door, his hand over his princess's eyes. The Irish boy let her see once they were inside. He smiled huge,

watching her reaction. He shut the door behind them as she moved further into the room.

"Niall this is beautiful," Marie smiled so wide her bottom lip pulled, almost splitting. She tackled her best friend in an enthusiastic hug, arms

around his neck and her legs up in the air.

"You like it?" The walls were painted as Mt Olympus, temples nestled into clouds. Niall knew Marie's love for Greek mythology better than

anyone. He was content with the tiny girl in his arms and he spun her in a circle.

"Ny, I love you." She laughed against his neck, tightening her arms so she wouldn't fall.

"You know how I feel," Niall replied and immediately regretted it. His princess slowly let go, once her feet touched the floor she started walking

away from him.

"Niall." She protested when he followed her to the couch and sat down. "Thank you for this, but I think we should go back now." Marie hated

that she was uncomfortable; it meant that the feelings were real. She didn't want to fall for Niall.

"No. We're here so I can talk and you can listen where we won't be interrupted." The blonde took a deep breath before he began. "I love you,

Marie."

"Niall," She tried, but he wasn't having it.

"No. I love you and I know there's something here. You can hide it from him but not me, Marie. I know you too well for you to play me. I have

envied, too long, the way you look at Harry. So I would obviously notice when you started looking at me like that." Niall shook his head slowly.

"Don't tell me you don't love me."

It was a challenge and Marie knew it. She stayed quiet, staring at her best friend.

"You are the most beautiful, talented, funny, and just plain amazing person…" The blonde's voice broke on amazing and he sucked in a breath,

taking his princess's hand. "I've wanted you since the beginning, Marie. I've loved you since… it feels like forever. I wouldn't trade any of this

for the world; I want you to know that. But Marie… you're my life. I honestly can't go a day, an hour without thinking of you. Everything

reminds me of you." His eyes were swimming.

Marie raised her hand, damning herself as she let it fold to his cheek, catching the tear there. Niall met her eyes and covered her hand with his

while he stared lovingly into them. She couldn't bring herself to pull her hand away, to hurt him.

"I-I can't do this Marie." He broke.

Niall's princess wrapped her arms around his shaking form. "I'm so sorry," she tried and stopped when he shook his head.

After a while the blonde was able to lift his head, eyes finally dry. He found, though, that Marie was biting her lip to bleeding to keep the sob

in. Tears were streaming down her face, staining her cheeks and rolling down her neck.

"Mare- Marie. Please, no. Don't cry."

"No. I'm hurting you and I hate it." When she spoke her body shook, rattling with the sobs punching up from her chest.

Niall pulled her back into a tight hug, cradling her face and holding fast when she tried to tug free. "Let me deal with it. I'd rather this than to

lose you." Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head. "Okay?" The blonde tilted her head back until their lips could meet.

Marie's body rioted against her. She tried to stop the kiss, she really did. But her mind played love song lyrics like when she kissed Harry. 'I'll

be there for you, these five words I swear to you. When you breathe I want to be the air for you. I live and I die for you, steal the sun from

the sky for you.' "Ny," Her mind was telling her go and her heart was saying the same thing.

Niall pulled back just enough to smile against her lips before pressing another soft kiss. "I love you, Maz."

Marie sucked in a ragged breath and hiccupped.

"You being with Harry? That won't stop me. You're my princess and I'm not willing to give you up."