Chapter 13

Listen to: If I ever fall in love- Shai

It's a frightening thought, that in one fraction of a moment, you can fall in the kind of love that takes a life time to forget.

Niall's POV

I pull up at the front of the hospital and step down to search for her. I don't search for long cause I see her sitting on the pavement with her head bowed low. Her eyes are glued to her phone screen and a smile is stretched across her face. In moments like these, she looks carefree and it makes my heart beat rapidly. Just the sight of her.

She hasn't still noticed my presence and it gives me ample time to stare at her.

Weirdo much?

Call it whatever you want to, buddy.

I step closer to her and block the sunlight from her face so she has to notice me. She stares up from her phone, and once our eyes lock, her smile widens and her eyes become brighter.

"Hey there." She jumps up from where she's sitting and rushes to give me a hug.

"I'm sorry. I don't just know why I did that." She steps away from me and bows her head in embarrassment.

I smile at her this time, cause she doesn't know how beautiful this little things make her appear.

"It's okay." I say laughing a bit. "Are you ready to go yet?"

"Yes. Yes I am." She raises up her head and is still smiling.

"Shall we?" I stretch forth my hand and bend it at my elbows so she can hook her arm in mine. She looks surprised before she does this. But I think I see a hint of happiness in her eyes.

I love that I make her this happy.

"Where are we going?"

She says as I hold open the door for her to get into the car.

"You'll see." I reply as I step into my side of the car and start up the engine.

"The last time you said something similar to that, we ended up in your house." She says as she smiles and pulls off her sweater.

"I promise I'm not taking you to my house, again." I turn to face her and the smile that was threatening to erupt in my face is stalled.

Her breasts.

Her breasts are bigger than I expected them to be and they are almost spilling out of her tank top. Once she notices my expression, she tugs the tank top up uncomfortably.

Who the fuck wears baggy clothes with such big boobs?

"Helllooo, Earth to Nia'll?" She snaps her fingers in front of my face while giving me an irritated look.

"Sorry about that. I umm...I got confused." I reply as I put the car in Drive and move out of the parking lot.

Confused? More like distracted by her titties.

You know nothing.

She stretches her hands to the radio and keeps on tuning to different stations, till she settles on one playing a song by Jars of Clay.

I hate this band.

"Do you really like this band?" I can't help but ask.

"Yhup. They're really good." I can feel the smile in her reply to me.

"I doubt that. They look like a bunch of underpaid civil workers badly in need of a haircut."

"They don't! I can't imagine anyone possibly hating Jars of Clay. Honestly." She crosses her arms on her chest and let's out a frown.

"Well, you just met me." I reach for her hand and place it on the center console, intertwining our fingers.

She doesn't pull away. Thank God. We're making progress here.

I smile sheepishly to myself while squeezing her hand lightly. I keep on throwing random questions at her and she answers with either a yes or no. After a while, I notice she's no longer responding so I turn to face her and I find out she's already sleeping.

That was quick.

I don't let go of her hand as I turn up the volume on the radio and drive us to our destination.

Claire's POV

Nia'll slightly nudges my arm as he whispers,

"we're here." I look up from my slumped position on the chair and realize we're in sort of a park.

The difference is that, this park is void of human presence and there are not more than a few benches scattered across it. The grass is so green that it looks fake. Like the grasses on football pitches. The little lamp posts in the park are all turned on and it makes the park more illuminating.

The place is simply, beautiful.

He continues to drive for another mile, until he finally puts the car to a halt. By this time, I'm fully awake and the emptiness of the park makes me afraid. I'm more afraid of what I'll do with him alone than the fear of any other evil.

The place is so serene and beautiful and it makes me wonder. Why did he bring me here?

"What are we doing here?" I ask as I get down from the car.

"You'll see." He smiles at me before he stretches out his hand, waiting for my grasp.

I take his hand the same moment he says; "We'll walk for a bit." I internally groan. He must have noticed my sour expression, cause he turns around , his smile still evident, and says, "I can carry you if you want."

"No." I reply immediately. That'd be too awkward.

He shrugs but doesn't say anything as he continues to drag me along a stony path.

We walk in silence, except from a few sour remarks from Nia'll that I'm making him walk slower. I ignore him of course, rolling my eyes at some of the comments. I utilize the time to take in my surroundings. The further we walk, the brighter the lights from the light posts shine, and the stony path becomes narrower. I am beginning to understand why he likes this place. It's so quiet and peaceful, I could stay here forever as long as I bring a throw pillow and some marshmallows.

A few minutes later, he abruptly turns and we emerge at a lake, or a river. I don't really know the difference. The water is pretty wide and deep and a bridge is placed over it to cross over to the other part of it. The bridge is not tall and I'm sure if you sit on it and bend your hands, it'll touch the river.

Nia'll let's go of my hand and doesn't say a word as he takes of his shoes. For a moment, I think he's going to take off his clothes too, but he doesn't. Thank Heavens.

He goes to sit by the edge of the bridge, rolling up his jeans, and letting his legs touch the water. He motions for me to join him. I don't waste any time as I take off my own shoes, and repeat what he did earlier. I sit close to him and he drags me closer so my head lays on his shoulder.

This is nice.

Silence fills the air as we both don't speak. Only the flapping of birds and the swaying of the waters. Nia'll would sometimes pick a stone from the ground and throw into the water and we'd both watch how it'll flop down and cause ripples in the water.

"Back when we were in Denver." He says all of a sudden. I tilt my head up to stare at him as he talks. "There was this really nice lake that was there. It was hidden behind a large bush and only if you listen closely will you hear the sound of the waters. I found it one time when I was running away from my father.

"I always used to go there because it gave me peace; one thing I always craved for. When things got heated at my house, or anytime I skip school, I'll always be there. I never told anyone about that place. Never took anyone there. It was like my sacred place.

When we moved to Seattle, I made it my point of duty to find a place just like that one. I needed a place where I can gather my thoughts and think out loud without interference.

After about 2 months of searching, I found here. It's a private park so no one really comes here."

He looks down at me before he continues.

"You're the first person I'm ever bringing to my sacred place."

"Why?" I can't help but ask. "Why did you choose to bring me here?"

"Because." He says pulling me closer to him. "I trust you. And I want to share this place with you. Only you." He adds.

"That's nice to hear." I can't help the stupid grin that spreads across my face.

"Enough of the walk down memory lane." He says getting up. "Wanna swim?" He begins to take off his clothes.

Oh no. "You want to swim? In that?" I point down at the river.

"Yes. It's not that deep. Just make sure you don't wander to the middle and you'll be fine." He takes off his trousers and his black briefs are revealed. I gulp down nervously.

I try not to stare at the way his back muscles move as he takes of his shirt and looses his hair. My throat constricts as I swallow hard.

He gives me one last stare as he jumps down into the water. I go the edge of the bridge and watch him as he pops up after few seconds.

"The water is not that cold. Join me." He flaps his hands in the water as he smiles at me.

"No, thank you." I say a bit skeptical. I really want to enter the water, but I have my doubts of my self control.

"Common, learn to live a little." He dives inside the water and resurfaces again, "It's really great in here."

What the hell, I'm doing this. I take off my jeans and my bra, leaving my tank top and panties on. I don't really feel comfortable wearing only a bra.

One.. two.. three. I mentally count as I debate whether or not to enter the water.

"Just do it." Nia'll says as once again, he enters under the water. I can see him swimming beneath the almost clear water.

I jump into the water, while my mind is still screaming at me.

He lied.

The water is freezing cold as it hits my skin. My teeth start chattering as I place my palms over my arm and rub furiously on them. Wishing the cold disappears.

I feel his presence behind me as I turn around to face him. I'm too late though, as he grips me by my waist and tumbles me into the water. I drink some of the water as I try to find some balance underneath.

After a while, I come back up and find him floating on the water. A proud smirk on his lips. "Not funny." I say while swatting his arms. It was quite funny though. But I won't tell him that.

We continue to stay in the water. Him swimming, while I just float around it and sometimes duck my head under the water to see how long I can last while holding my breath.

When the sun starts getting down, I opt that we leave because I know that my mum must have called me like a million times.

Niall's POV

I help her out of the water and force myself not to stare at her as she dresses. She makes me go get her cardigan from my car so she wouldn't have to wear her wet tank top. I restrain myself from telling her that I could practically see her nipple through the thin fabric of her tank top.

Once she pulls on her clothes and I pull mine on too, we make our way back to the car. She's smiling broadly and this time around, she reaches for my hand.

"Have you ever dated anyone before?" She asks as she swings our hands and our feet move in sync.

"Yeah. Her name was Amy." I don't want to tell her about Amy.

"Really, what was she like." She looks ecstatic to know.

I pause before I answer her. "Amy was..crazy. Hell, she still is up till now. We dated while I was really young. I wasn't wise back then." I tell her honestly.

"Okay... I'm guessing you guys never..you know?" She nudges her arm with mine while laughing.

She isn't asking what I think she's asking. Is she?

She's definitely asking what you think she's asking.

"I'm an 18 year old virgin. I'm not really proud of that." I look down at my feet as I talk.

She looks up at me before she speaks.

"Virgin? So boys like you can be virgin?" She stares at me unconvincingly.

"Yes. Is that hard to believe?"

"Duh." She states like it's obvious. "Hot boys can't be Virgin."

"Ahhh. So you admit I'm hot." I steady our hands and laugh out loud.

"Dude. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Her eyes bulges out as she places her hands on her face in mock surprise.

"I know I'm hot. You don't have to say it loud. I pinch her cheek before I continue. "What about you?"

"What about me?" She mimicks my question.

"Are you a Virgin?"

"Nah. I'm not." She answers like it's the most casual thing to be said.

"I see. Well, I'm not a virgin either." She stops suddenly and stares at me with wide eyes. She frowns for a while, but it gives way to a wide smile.

"I knew it! I knew you couldn't be a virgin. I'm never wrong." She keeps on hitting my chest as she exclaims how she's never wrong.

"I like you." I say while laughing along with her.

"I know you do. Who can't like a girl like me." She poses proudly as droplets of water from her hair fall to her face.

I draw her closer to me, the laughter in me gone. She looks at my hand on her skin and looks back to me, gauging my expression.

I try to talk slow so she understands me. "I mean. I like you."

Waoh.