Stranded with Niall Horan || n.h.

Chapter 6 - As Sappy As It Gets

After an intense tournament of chicken (which Isabella and Harry won, but Chelsea and Zayn were a close second) and loads of splashing, the eight of us decided to venture back to our cabins to change into something dry and with a little more coverage. Chelsea put on a black halter dress (I wasn’t kidding when I said her entire wardrobe was black) with white polka dots and black flats, Isabella had a garden-green halter dress with matching wedges, and my attire included a blue strapless dress with yellow flip flops. I looked at my hair in the mirror. I decided not to do anything with it. Sometimes, the natural look was best.

We met up with the guys and headed out for a hearty lunch (which I was very pleased about). After our meal, we lollygagged as a group for a while, but then the three “couples” ventured off to do their own thing. Chelsea and Zayn sat by the pool and played songs for each other – or to each other, I’m not entirely sure – with their guitars, Isabella and Harry grabbed two cups of Starbucks and sat on a bench, gazing at the sunset, and me and Niall…we just basically walked around the deck of the ship.

“Nice day we’re having, huh?” I asked as we walked slowly along side the rail.

Yes, it’s a very cliché thing to talk about: when in doubt, discuss the weather. It’s not that I was “in doubt” or anything. It’s just that whenever I’m with Niall, my tongue gets tied and I keep telling myself not to say something stupid.

“Yeah it is pretty nice, isn’t it?” he said as he looked up at the sky and stuck his hands in the pockets of his skinny black jeans.

I really wanted to slap my forehead at my attempt of a conversation starter, but I resisted the urge to do so. Why must it be so difficult to casually converse with attractive men? I looked over at him, to find him looking right back at me. I could stare at those eyes forever, I really could. Yikes! I really need to get a grip and say something worth saying.

“So Niall, tell me more about yourself.”

Yep, that was the best I could do. I think my strategy was to let him do all the talking, and just smile and nod at whatever came out of his gorgeous mouth.

“What would you like to know?”

I looked up at the sky, hoping the clouds spelled out a question for me. They didn’t. They were just mocking me with their stupid fluffiness.

“Um…well…what do you like to do for fun?” I finally managed to ask.

“Well, I like to take long walks on the beach, getting caught in the rain, and getting caught in the rain while walking on the beach.” he said, adding a smirk.

“Oh really? I think I know a woman on eHarmony who would be just perfect for you.”

He sarcastically laughed, “Very funny. But, my whole life basically revolves around music. I love to write songs, sing, play the guitar…the works. How about you?”

“I’m just a big art fanatic; I usually just do photography and sketches though.”

“Sketches?” Niall asked as he stopped and looked at me, “Like sketches of…people?” I nodded and he added, “Do you have any with you?”

This was the question I always hated. I was pretty self-conscious of my drawings and the opinions of the people I showed them to. But Niall seemed pretty non-judgmental… so, I reached into the tote bag that hung at my side, and pulled out a small sketch pad. Niall took it excitedly and sat on a nearby bench. I sat next to him, my insides twisting and turning as he slowly flipped through the pages.

“Nina, these are really good. You have talent.” he said, not taking his eyes off my most recent sketch of an old man and woman feeding ducks at a pond.