Paper Houses **N.H**

Chapter 19

Evelyn's POV-

The next morning, I got dressed into some comfortable clothes for travelling that were also practical for being out in the woods. After saying goodbye to my sister, I went down and fixed some rooibos, downing the hot liquid as my dad tried to rush me out the door. When we went out, Niall and his dad were both already throwing some more stuff into the trunk of my dad's car, as they still had the keys from yesterday. I guess my dad trusted them enough to let them freely have them overnight like that. I, mean, I trusted Niall more than I'd trusted anyone before, but even I would've been a little leery about entrusting them with my vehicle.

"You tired?" Niall smirked at me, trying to rearrange some stuff in the trunk so the door would close.

I nodded. "Yeah, I accidentally slept later than I meant to"

"That's a first" he pushed one of the sleeping bags in with his hip, then reached up his hand to shut the door.

Then, he turned and crossed his arms. 

"You got it all in there?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Surprisingly" he grinned.

"You kiddos ready?" my dad called as he climbed inside the driver's seat.

"Coming" I replied, but hearing him shut the door, not caring about my answer.

Laughing, Niall rolled his eyes and walked around to the other side of the car. I went to the backseat of the driver's side and climbed in beside him, pulling the seatbelt over my shoulder and across my lap.

"What music do we want to listen to?" my dad turned to us.

I shrugged.

"I like anything" Niall said.

"We can listen to country?" Bobby suggested.

"I like it" my dad fumbled with the radio, then pulled out of our gravel drive-way.

Only seconds later, we began driving down the long, dirt road on our street. Beside me, Niall was picking at his nailbeds, kind of looking out the window. I doubted this area looked anything like where he was from. Sure, we were pretty out in the country, but this was America. I wondered if he had had somewhat of a culture shock when he first got here.

I was still pretty shocked myself that he and I had grown as close as we had. If you had told me even the day before they moved in that I would end up in a fast paced relationship with a musician that was going to move in next door who was five years older than me, I would've said you were out of your mind. I also wouldn't have believed you if you had told me I'd be going camping. 

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the outdoors. More than anything, I loved to be as close to nature as possible. I had my own little indoor garden inside my bathroom where the sun could shine in. I also had a collection of crystals in my room lined up on the windowsills and I tried to protect the animals as much as I could by not eating them.

Was I a bit of a hippie? Maybe? If you saw my room you'd definitely say so. I even had a collection of dream catchers hanging above my bed and burned incense when I got stressed out. No, i did not smoke weed, but the incense always helped calm me down. I'm pretty sure most of Beth's friends smoked the devil's lettuce though. I wouldn't doubt if she smoked, too. I swear she came home smelling like it most days. That, and a shit ton of alcohol.

I just didn't get her scene. It seemed she was always at raves or partying, but I much rather preferred staying in my room living a nice chill life. That is, until I met Niall, which I guess made it not so chill anymore. I was beginning to enjoy hanging out with him over staying in my room, or even better doing both at the same time whenever we just hung out and watched a movie together in my room.