That Magical Summer

Chapter 22

“Reservation under Horan?” 

“Niall, I don’t think they take reservations here…”

“Right this way,” the tall, server dressed in a tie remarked. This was the place you two had gone with Ellie and the rest of the boys, the day you had first discovered paparazzi. You two were prepared this time, you wore big trench coats, and sizable shades too. Much to your surprise the lady took you into an empty room. You walked inside, to see one lone table in the middle of the room. The table was set for two. The walls covered in bright, white lights streaming from the ceiling. It was absolutely charming.

“May I?” Niall asked motioning for your jacket. You nodded, as he slipped it softly off your shoulders. “Wow.” He looked at your red dress. It was low cut at the top, showing a little cleavage. It’s thin sleeves just perfectly wide enough. The body of the dress clung tightly over your hips, curling them in.  The bottom of the dress dangled loosely over your thighs. You paired it with a pair of sparkly, red pumps that made you a few generous inches taller. Ellie had helped you wrap your hair into a fancy curled bun. Your makeup was subtle, yet pairing to your outfit. You wore silver bangles and silver, diamond studs. You felt like a movie star. “You look, magical,” he breathed.

“Thanks,” you giggled. You had thought you were going to be way over-dressed when he took such a casual restaurant like this. But now you’re glad with your choice. “You don’t look too bad yourself,” you smiled as he removed his long coat, revealing him in a snug shirt and tie. He looked sexy…

“After you,” he said pulling out a chair from one end of the table.

“Thank you,” he was such a gentlemen. You picked up one of the glassy menus.

“What are you going to order?” he asked after setting his down.

“I’m thinking maybe just a burger.”

“Oh yeah. Sorry about that. This was the fanciest place I could find…” you grabbed his hand from across the table, looking into his eyes.

“Niall. It’s perfect,” he gave you a wide grin.

“I think I’ll go for a burger too,” he resolved. Just then, a young boy walked into the room. He held a writing pad and a pen in his hand. 

“Are you two ready to order?” he asked flicking the pen nervously within the balls of his fingers.

“Yes. We’ll take two burgers please,” Niall said handing him the two menus.

 “And to drink?”

“I’ll take a coke, no ice. Y/N?”

“I’ll just have water.”

“Very well. I’ll be back with your drinks in a sec.” As soon as he left, the room was silent. Niall slipped a pen out of his pants pocket and began scribbling something down onto one of the napkins. He turned it around so you could read it:

 That man had a uni-brow!

You nearly burst out laughing, before covering your mouth quickly to make sure he didn’t walk back in any second. He had also drawn a sloppy stick figure next to it, that somewhat resembled the man. You snatched the pen from Niall, perfecting his uni-brow.

“Exactly!” Niall cried out in sudden laughter. You giggled along as the man walked back in. You seized yourself, trying to control your breathing as he brought you the two glasses.

“Here you are,” he said placing them down in front of you.

“Thank you,” Niall murmured between silent chuckles. You took a sip of you water.

“How did you get this place?” you asked looking around. There was an antique, black lamp hanging high from the ceiling. It’s yellow-white light illuminating the room with an old-fashion feel. It was very bistro like.

“I pulled a few strings,” he winked.

“I bet you get to do that a lot.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know. Since you're Niall Horan and everything,” you leaned back in your chair.

“I guess. But being famous isn’t always all that.”

“How so?”

“I hate the rumors, the judging, oh and especially the hate. People act like they know me, when frankly I’ve never spoke a single word to them my whole life,” he took a deep breath, “Sorry. Sometimes it just gets…frustrating.”

“No no I get it. But don’t you like being famous?”

“Oh yeah. I love it. It’s just-sometimes it’s hard you know?” you nodded understanding. Niall was the most laid-back, carefree, loving person. You don’t see how anyone could hate on such an innocent boy. The rest of the night was spent talking about everything. From childhood, to high school, favorite movies, to hobbies, past relationships, your current relationship…

“Thank you,” he said out of the blue.

“For what?” you asked taking a fry from your plate and swirling it around in the bleeding ketchup.

“For saying yes,” he munched down on his cheeseburger like there was no tomorrow. He was already ¾ done with his, and you barely have eaten a ¼.

“Was there ever any doubt?”

“Well yeah. Of course. You hated me at the beginning, I know it.”

“I wouldn’t use hate…”

“It’s okay Y/N. I know you didn’t like me.”

“It’s not that really, I just-You see this summer was supposed to be my summer to be alone. To kind of be free, have no worries you know? Not have to worry about going here or going there, just be here. In this moment. It was going to be the peaceful, calm summer. Where everything is quiet and perfect…”

“It still can be,” he said.

“It still can be.”

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             He hooked his hand into yours. The sky was barely visible in the setting sun, but you could still look into Niall’s eyes. You crinkled your nose at the sudden coldness under your bare toes.

“Is this the kind of calm you like?”

“Exactly,” you smiled moving closer to him. You wrapped your hand to hold onto his arm as he walked you along the beach. This was the perfect way to end a perfect date. You walked all the way down the beach end, nearing the metal fence. “Ca-can we turn around?” you asked.

“Of course babe,” he replied. He’s never called you something like that before. Babe? Babe. You smiled. You liked it.

“Should we be getting back to the boys? I feel kind of bad I haven’t been spending much time with Ellie…”

“Yeah. You’re probably right. But I like being just with you better. Alone,” he sighed.

“Me too,” you agreed as he stopped. The silence, washing over the rumbling waves beside you. They hit your feet only to recede again. He brought his hands to your waist, holding you close as your hands found his neck. You interlaced your fingers behind the nape of his neck.

“Stay at my place tonight?” he whispered upon your lips. You answered with a seldom kiss. Your hands raveled themselves into his hair as his hands lowered. His tongue skimmed against your bottom lip, as he leaned you backwards. You let him in, as he deepened the kiss with his tongue circling around yours. You smiled against the kiss, knowing he was enjoying it just as much you were.