birds // hs

0.4

Th day passed quickly, and I nearly ran home after my shift was over. The bonfire started at eight, which gave me approximately two hours to find a dress and get ready.

"Well hello, darling," my Pops grinned as I ran through the door. I slid to a stop in the doorway to the living room and he looked up from his newspaper. "Have a good first day?"

"Yeah, it was...fun," I finally decided. He nodded. "The other guards are really nice."

"Is Styles still one of them?"

"You know Harry?"

"Known him since he was sixteen."

I sat on the couch next to him and he patted my knee. "Seriously?"

"Well I should think so. He lived with me for a couple months, back when he first moved here."

"What?"

"He was different then," Pops laughed heartily. He set his newspaper aside and took a long sip of water. "But you were telling me about your day."

"Nothing really to say," I shrugged. "I thought I would go find some new shorts because I left a few pairs at home. Would that be alright?"

"Of course. And you don't have any plans for tonight?"

I bit my lip. "Not that I can think of."

"Okay. Have fun at the store."

"Thanks."

He handed me some money which I declined, but of course he stuffed it in my hand anyways. I hadn't had my first payday yet and I wasn't exactly in any position to turn down money so I accepted, and was walking down the road when a very large flock of birds flew overhead. I glanced up and wouldn't have given it a second thought if not for a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, a feeling that made my stare linger for a second longer than usual. It was like déjà vu I guess.

"How can I help you, sweetheart?" An older woman asked softly as I tripped over the curb and caught myself on a tree. "Oh my, are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," I laughed. "Just didn't see the curb, that's all."

She smiled. "Follow me to the sundress section?"

_______________

I finally settled on a simple striped sundress, which complemented my new tan and freckles that went along with it. I left my light brown hair rolling in waves down my shoulders, waves that were formed from the salty water. I already felt so natural and earthy, I even decided to go without makeup. It would be dark anyway, right?

I pulled my hair back with a black ribbon and crawled under the sheets, careful not to disrupt my outfit as my Pops came and went. I guess I felt bad for tricking him, but his face wasn't exactly pleased or hopeful when I told him Harry was still a lifeguard. It was more like protective.

It was nine by the time his lamp flicked off and the house fell silent, except for the loud crickets outside and the whirring of the fans.

I crept carefully out the window and across the front yard, my feet padding on the cool grass and then the warm sand as I got farther away from the house.

"Hey, Rach," Niall grinned as he jogged up to me in the darkness. "Harry sent me to come find you."

"I know, I'm late," I gushed, looking at him for reassurance. "I'm so sorry, I-"

"This is a beach town, Rachel," he chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "There's no such thing as late."

That reply satisfied me, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

"So um, this is like an annual thing?" I whispered as a small group of people came into view. I counted one girl and six guys, plus two dogs.

"Harry started it four years ago," Niall nodded. "And don't be intimidated, they're all nice. Well except Liza but that's another story."

I stopped him. "Liza? Who is that?"

"Um, the only chick?"

"Don't be sarcastic with me," I warned, pinching his hard bicep. "Is she really mean?"

"Just stay away from her, okay? She doesn't bite."

Great.