That One Word

A Chapter by Kadessa (Kaddy)

Kadessa says her first word in years, but what does she say?

Chapter 4~ That One Word

Kadessa

My eyes peel open to find I am curled up in Niall's arms. So last night wasn’t a dream.

“Mornin.” Niall’s voice is slightly deeper, but still brings a smile to my face. “Did you sleep well?” I nod into his shoulder. “I was thinking, maybe today we can try to find your brother.” I use the arm laid over his chest to push myself up so I am sitting. Really? My eyes must show what I am thinking because he nods, so I replicate his nodding more eagerly. “Well I think Harry is making pancakes, would you like to go get some?”

Yes, yes, yes! I quickly crawl out of bed and before I know it my feet run around the bed and to the door. I hear Niall laughing behind me as his footsteps copy mine. I feel a giggle escape my throat as I run into the living room and jump onto the coach between Liam and Zayn. Niall runs strait to me and I feel his hands on my sides, tickling me. I burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Someone is ticklish.” Liam says, laughing at me. Somehow, I manage to wrench myself out of his grip and run into the kitchen where Louis is helping Harry make pancakes. They both give me confused looks as I push past them and hide behind Harry. I point at the door as Niall comes in.

“What’s going on?” Louis asks Niall, confusion clear on his face.

“Well, I found a very ticklish girl.” Niall replies, still smiling. I watch Louis’s hand reach over and grab a Nerf gun off the counter.

“Don’t worry fair maiden, I will stop the fiend.” I can’t help but laugh at the tone of Louis’s voice. Niall steps closer and Louis shoots him in the center of his forehead.

“Ok, I won’t tickle her anymore.” Niall manages to say between laughing.

**************

Niall takes my hand and literally drags me out of the room and in front of a computer. Pictures of my brother cover his face book page, Jace’s face book page. I follow Niall’s finger to an address.

“It's only a twenty minute drive from here.” I turn to look into his sparkling blue eyes and breathtaking smile. “It will only take a few minutes for the guys and me to get ready. Then we can take you to the mall to get some new cloths, and….” Niall is so excited but needs to take a deep breath and calm down.

“Niall.” I build up the courage to say his name and it slips perfectly out of my mouth.

“Ya,” he says, grabbing the laptop of my lap and his fingers race over the keys. The methodic typing freezes and he looks down at me. “Did you just…” I simply nod. “And you said my name.” I nod again, bringing a smile over his face. He sets the computer on the coffee table, so i stand up and give him a hug. “Ok, let’s get going. I will tell the boys to get ready.” He runs to the rooms yelling at them to get ready. I can’t believe I actually said his name. I begin to braid my hair over my right shoulder while I wait.

Harry comes out first, wearing jeans and a Blue t-shirt. Louis follows wearing Tan jeans, a red t-shirt, and suspenders. Liam’s simple jeans go perfectly with the red plaid shirt he wears. Zayn wears Jeans also and a green t-shirt. Niall comes out last wearing jeans and a simple white t-shirt and we all run out of the door. When we get to the bottom floor, we stop a few feet in front of the door. Niall’s hand slips along mine from behind and he comes forward to stand next to me.

“Ready to go?” Niall asks no one but me. Am I ready to face the world after the comments I received last night? I have to if I am going to see my brother. I nod in response and we push the door out in front of us.

Screams erupt in my ears, most screaming the boys names, others yelling dirty words at me. Niall doesn’t bother to sign anything as anger heats his face. I squeeze his hand to pull his attention to me. His blue eyes find mine and he relaxes slightly. I push up onto my tip-toes and gently kiss his cheek. This causes him to smile that dorky adorable smile, and girls to scream louder as horrible things slip their mouths. When the driver brings a SUV, Niall helps me into the passenger side and slips around to the drivers. The Boys pile in behind us and we pull away from the screams. Only for them to follow us.

Once we get to the mall, we go over to forever 21 to find some cloths. The amount of cloths is surprising, but the guy act like they come here all the time. My dad never let me shop for name brands so this is a whole new experience. The clerk stares at me when I come in. oh, right; I am wearing sweats and a hoodie.

I walk strait to the dresses, so many colors, they are adorable. After trying more than I can count on, I find five dresses I absolutely love. I get a few jeans, t-shirts, and a pair of dressy sandals before checking out. We walk strait to the bathrooms so I can change, ignoring the girls following us around.

All five boys stare at me when I walk out in a pure white dress that barely touches my knees. It’s flitted at the top and the skirt is layers of fabric. I do a little twirl, the skirt flowing around me.

“beautiful.” Is all Niall says, still staring at me. I take his outreached hand and we walk back to the car. The car ride is eerily silent as my anxiety builds. What will Jace think of Niall? What will Niall think of Jace? What will his foster family think about me? The car rolls to a stop and I look and the well built two story building sitting in the middle of a well off community. I can’t will myself to move so I just sit, starring. I don’t even notice Niall opening my door.

“Come on Kadessa.” I take his hand gratefully and slide out, following the boys to the front door.

“Ready?” Harry asks, finger only centimeters away from the door bell. I nod slowly and he holds down the bell for a second. I stand and wait for what seems like forever when the door slides open.

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