That Magical Summer

Chapter 21

“I haven’t a touched a ball in forever,” you said rolling it under your feet a few times. You heard Louis and Harry having a snicker, “You boys are so immature.”

“When was the last time you played?” Niall asked propping the ball up in the crook of his foot and juggling it a few times.

“Like I told you. High school,” you said.

“What are the teams?” Zayn asked. The boys were all dressed in athletic clothes, Zayn in a simple white tank top and black sweatpants with a stripe down the side. Harry had an orange beanie pulled over his hand, and was wearing a black v-neck and shorts. Liam was wearing purple, baggy sweatpants and a black shirt. Louis was almost identical to Harry, and Niall was wearing a blue tank top, and board shorts. Ellie was doing her best to wear something she could run in, but she wasn’t the most athletic girl. She was wearing a stripy tank top and a pair of dark washed jeans shorts. Yourself wore a pair of red Nike shorts, with a white v-neck.

“How about…Me, Y/N, and Harry on one team and Liam, Louis, Ellie, and Zayn on the other?” Niall suggested pointing everyone different places. You all nodded migrating to the sides Niall had appointed.

“I don’t know Niall. It’s been a really long time…”

“You’ll be fine Y/N,” Niall pecked you on the cheek lightly as he walked backwards. Harry gave you a funny look, but quickly shook it away when the ball came soaring towards him. He trapped it with his chest, settling it still with the sole of his foot.

“We’ll kick off,” he said tapping it about a foot in front of him. The other team took position, Louis and Zayn up in the front. Ellie was hiding behind Louis as much as possible, and Liam was off in his world. He was standing off by the goal, with his hands in his pockets. You didn’t exactly want to invite him, but Niall had forced you to.

Since your team only had three people, you played a flat line-up with the boys on either side of you. Harry passed you the ball swiftly before sprinting up towards Louis. You struggled with the ball at your feet, as Zayn ran towards you. You tried to move away, but he stole the ball immediately from your feet as was dribbling towards the goal. You tried dribbling back after him, but it was no use. He was already way past you. He took it right up the goal line, shooting it as hard as he could. Surprisingly, it went right over the goal post. He fell over onto his back, laughing. As did everyone else.

“C’mon man you had a wide open shot!” Louis cried.

“Our ball,” Niall motioned to you.

“Oh no. You just saw what I did. You take it,” you said a little embarrassed you were so bad. You used to be one of the best on your school team. Maybe you were just a bit rusty…

Niall took the goal kick, and with the flick of his ankle the ball was plummeted above your head. You jumped up in an awkward attempt to stop it, but it flew way too high for your little 5’6” head. Instead it landed at Ellie’s feet. She shrieked, but tried to settle it. She began pushing the ball forward slowly with her toes. Louis was trying to help her and instruct her about what to do, but before anyone could move you ran up and took the ball from her feet. She gasped as you swooped in, dribbling the ball from her reach. You sprinted up to the goal with Niall only yards from you. Liam was standing by the goal whistling, when he saw you approach. His eyes widened as you aimed up a shot. You swung your leg back, hoping to hit the bottom of the ball to loft it and…It whacked Liam right in the nuts. It knocked the wind out of him, causing him to fall back in pain. You rushed over to him.

“Liam-“ he groaned.

“I’m so-“ he groaned again.

“I didn’t mean-“ he groaned again. The boys helped him up, as his hands stay clutched onto that area.

“Maybe it’s best if he sits down,” Ellie suggested as the boys led him over to the side of the field.

“Nice shot Y/N,” Niall beamed high-fiving you. You blushed because you actually didn’t feel all that bad.

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“A bet is a bet guys,” Harry said putting a hand to his hip.

“Yeah. You guys said you would do it,” you said copying Harry. You heard a collection of moans as they started to strip their clothes, well except for Liam. Right before the soccer-or football-game you guys made a bet that the losing team had to jump into the ocean with either just their underwear on, or in Ellie’s case just her bra and underwear. You giggled as you saw Niall take out his phone. He snapped a picture of the three, half-naked kids.

“Niall you better not-“ Zayn tried to protest. You, Harry, and Niall just pointed at the ocean shutting him up. He sighed.

“But I can’t even swim…”

“Just get wet at least a little bit.” He shrugged again as he took Louis’ hand. Louis grabbed onto Ellie’s nervous hand and they ran towards the ocean. Leaving Zayn where the waters were shallow, Louis picked Ellie up by her waist twirling her around. They giggled, and laughed, giggled, and laughed. The water danced along them in a happy jig, as they tromped through the clear waters.

“We should’ve picked something harder,” you mumbled.

“C’mon let’s go inside love,” Niall said grabbing your hand.

“So you two are-“ Harry said when Niall cut him off.

“Yeah.” Your cheeks trickled pink as he guided you into his house.

“What do you guys wanna do for dinner?” Harry asked obviously starving from that intense game.

“I don’t know. I was kinda thinking that I wanted to take my girl out to a fancy dinner. A real date,” he smiled warmly.

“There’s not many fancy restaurants around this place Ni,” Harry pointed out.

“Well I have something in mind.”