That Magical Summer

Chapter 33

“When?” the words wobbled out of your mouth like marbles as you spoke the only word necessary.

“In two days,” he whispered hesitantly. You looked at him, as he spoke the dreaded words. You didn’t know what to do, you didn’t know what to say. So you did what you always did, you ran. You stripped yourself from his hold and flew out the door. You tried to withhold the tears, but nothing could stop them from striking the sand harshly. You should have seen it coming. You should have known…

            The sun was barely visible, it was just an miniscule orange wedge sticking out from the above horizon. The air was crisp and beginning to settle to a chilly temperature. The ocean was calm and inviting, but taunted your every step. You set foot on the dampened sand, tromping your way through it, making your way for the one place you knew.  The gate. Once your feet gave out and your toes grew numb, you had reached the metal barrier. You thought about slamming your fists hard against the jarring metal, but you thought twice. You sunk down beneath it, hiding your face from the world. You didn’t want to be bothered. Nope. Not at a time like this. Not at a time when you just found out your boyfriend is leaving for tour. Your boyfriend. Or whatever he is.

“Y/N,” you knew it was him instantly. You would always know his Irish accent anywhere. The annoying voice that irritated you so much at the beginning of summer, the timid voice that sang to you in that cave, the loving voice that asked you to be his girlfriend…

“Niall,” you snarled from behind your arms, “Don’t.” You waited to hear the apparent footsteps, obeying your every word, turning and leaving. But you didn’t. Instead he sat beside you, the way you knew he would.

“Y/N,” he breathed, “Can we talk about this?”

“Talk about what?!” you exploded barely lifting your head from your forearms, “What is there to talk about?!”

“I-“ you cut him off. 

“When were you planning on telling me huh?” you shook your head with impulsive anger, “The day you left? Maybe even the hour before?”

“I-“ he stopped, “I was gonna tell you. I promise. I just didn’t know how to.”

“So this is how you tell me?!”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured blatant tears beginning to float in his eyes.

“What was all this to you Niall?” you asked lowering your voice, “Was all this just some summer fling? A two month thing that would never be spoken of again?”

“No-" 

“Because it was much more to me,” you gaped at the narrowing tears falling from your cheeks, “I told myself not to get involved. Not to ever trust a boy so much again. But you made me change my mind Niall. You made me forget about everything bad that’s ever happen to me. I set aside everything for you. I knew you were trouble. I knew I should have just walked away that day on the beach!”

“Y/N. This is not just some summer fling,” he took a deep breath wiping away a tear, “I’m in love with you. I really am. I really hate that I have to go—that I have to leave you. If I could do anything about it I would. You know that-“

“No I don’t know that. I don’t know that you even care about this relationship. About me…” you fell to a small whisper, “I even had sex you with!” 

“And it was the best night of my whole life. What we had this summer was magical. It was something that I will never forget. Never. I knew that I shouldn’t have asked you to be my girlfriend, knowing that I was leaving for tour. I shouldn’t have, but you made me change my mind. Y/N you are my everything, and I don’t want you to ever think of yourself as anything less.” 

“Bu-but you’re leaving,” you stammered for words. You looked up at his eyes, your summer’s memories on repeat within them. You saw the day you met and how he was so straight-forward with you. Something you’ve always despised in a guy. You looked back to the campfire, where you had helped him to sleep. How he had kissed you, and it couldn’t have felt better. How he asked you to be his girlfriend, that one day at the beach. How you didn’t even know what was taking over you, but you said yes anyways. The cave he took you to, where he sang for you. His angelic melodies still burned into your head. The night you gave it all to him, and he did the same in return making you feel everything from love to just alive. Everything you shared this summer, all the fun times, all the amazing times couldn’t go to waste. The problem is unavoidable, but there’s no use in getting mad. You could think of hundreds of reasons why you should stay mad at Niall, and how you should leave him alone on the beach right now. But what’s the use.

“I-I know babygirl. I’m so so sorry,” he said taking his thumb and forefinger to bring your eyes to face his. He brushed away a stray bang as you saw fresh tears springing from his eyes. He made an attempt to stifle them down, keeping them from running harder. But it made him cry harder. Harder and harder, as he stared up into your eyes. Your eyes were matching in that moment. The tears both saying I’ll miss you and I love you all at the same time. They both recalled memories from just days ago, both saying don’t go. Both slamming down onto the ground as instantaneously as they appeared.

“Does this mean we’re breaking up?” you said holding your chest high trying to stay strong, for the both of you.

“I don’t know Y/N,” he said shaking his head lowly, “I don’t know.” He placed an arm around your shoulder, as you sunk back against him. He ran his lean fingers through your hair, soothing your every breath.

“Well I guess we’ll just have to make the most of this time then,” you whispered sniffling back your last tear. You leaned in closer to Niall feeling his body warmth beneath you. You stayed in his arms, staring off at the trundling ocean in silence. You tried to cherish the moment, but it was hard. It was really hard, knowing that it was going to be one of your last nights together. That tomorrow would be your last day together. That this summer, would be your last summer together.