In Other Words (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty-One 

Roxy’s POV

Niall sat on my bed going through my old yearbook as I riffled through my drawers looking for the bottoms to my bathing suit. He had his thumb stuck in the back of the book, marking the page where my name could be found in the index, and he was going through to find (and laugh at) all of the pictures of me. 

“Broadcasting Club, Honors Society, Theatre…” He said, reading off a list of the clubs I was pictured in.  “NERD Alert.”

“Whatever. Not all of our mommies let us drop out of school.” I said, trying to choose a pair of sandals from the heap at the back of my closet.  

“Ouch.” He said without looking up. “Who’s Aaron?” He must have moved onto the autographs.

“Just this guy I did theatre with. Why?” I pictured the pages of my yearbook, trying to remember what embarrassing things may be written there by my old classmates.

“He put his phone number here with ‘keep in touch’ underlined not once, but three times. I think we should give him a ring.” He said, pulling out his phone, and resting the open book on his chest.

“You do that, Ni. I am sure he doesn’t even remember me.”  I said, as I ran to the bathroom to grab my toothbrush. I really should just get one to keep at his place, but I thought that might cross the line.

“How is that even possible?” he yelled loud enough for me to hear.

“He’s a big-shot now, girls are probably falling all over him.” I yelled back.  The front door opened. “Honey, I’m home!” said Penny, dropping her enormous purse onto the coffee table. That girl was preparing for a zombie invasion, judging by the contents of that bag.

“In here.” I said, zipping up my toiletry case. Penny came to the doorway and eyed me, pulling her hair out of her high pony-tail and shaking it out.  “Road trip.” I said. “You’ve got the place to yourself tonight and tomorrow.”

“Jealous.” She said, using the mirror to check her eye makeup. “At least I’ll get to pee with the door open while you’re gone.”

“You do that anyway, Pen.” I said, turning the light off and walking back to my room. She followed.

“Hey Niall.” She said plainly. I was glad she was keeping her cool around him now. I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable, and I didn’t want her to be embarrassing. She sat down on the bed next to him. “Want me to show you all of her old boyfriends?”

“Penny!” I said.

“Please do.” Niall said, handing the book over to her and flipping over to his stomach. He rested his chin on his hands in anticipation.

“We’ll be on our way now.” I said, taking the handles of my tote bag and slipping it up over my shoulder. “See you later, Penny. Try not to burn the place down.”

Niall’s POV

Roxy was in her element getting the food prepped for tomorrow’s trip. I watched from the breakfast bar as she zipped around the kitchen. She’d already cut up an entire pineapple, a massive piece of watermelon, made twenty mini burritos with various fillings and something she called “puppy chow”, which was made with Shreddies cereal, chocolate and peanut butter. Despite its name, this shit was delicious. “You better leave some of that for tomorrow, mister!” she said, slapping my hand gently from the giant bowl. She finished packing everything into the plastic storage containers my mum bought me (that I hadn’t even taken out of the box), and looked around for her next task.

“I could get the sandwiches ready tonight…” she said.

I shoved my stool back from the bar, seizing the small window of opportunity.  “Nope. You’re done for tonight.” I said, putting the containers into the refrigerator.

“Oh! Let me just get the drinks into the cooler, that way we just need to throw some ice in there in the morning.” She said, picking up the case of Corona and loosening the cardboard flaps with her index fingers.

“That’s it.” I said, bending down and tossing her over my shoulder. She cried out initially, but then began to giggle. “You’ve gone mad. It’s time for bed.” I said, kicking the door to my bedroom open and tossing her on the bed, where she landed with a bounce.  Her hair splayed out on my comforter and she just laid there and huffed as if she were displeased. I knew better. “Let’s find you something to wear.” I said, heading to the chest of drawers.

She shot up from the bed and to my side. “Let me pick.” She said, eyeing the open drawer. “Fine.” I said, and pulled my shirt over my head. I caught her watching me out of the corner of her eye, but I didn’t let it on.  “This’ll do.” She said.

I sat down on the edge of the bed. “So, aren’t you going to change?” I said. She looked past me, eyeing the bathroom. “Why are you shy?” I asked.

“Get over it, Niall.” She said, and off she went. I pulled off my jeans and climbed into the cool sheets. Roxy emerged from the doorway in my old Springsteen shirt and a pair of black boxers, the sleeves of the shirt rolled up over her shoulders.

“The Boss! Nice choice.” I said, flipping down the covers as an invitation.

Roxy’s POV

I climbed into the bed and positioned myself on the very edge, as far away from him as possible, and closed my eyes. “Nite.” I said. I felt his eyes on me, and I couldn’t keep up the charade for very long. I slid closer, incrementally, eyes still closed until I could feel him breathing.

“Come to your senses?” he said, his hand slipping into my hair, his thumb resting on my cheek.

“Quite the opposite.” I said, brushing my lips on his.

“I’m not sure why we even bothered to get you changed into those clothes.” He said, his hips moving in closer to mine. He moved his other hand up under the hem of the old t shirt, his fingertips cool on my stomach. He was inching higher.

“It’s all about the build-up.” I said, running my finger along the elastic band of his boxers.  His breath caught in his chest, and he pressed against me harder.

“God, I’ve been waiting for this. I’m going to make you feel so good.” He said, his lips moving to my collar bone.

A small moan left my lips. He knew exactly what to say to make me crazy. I felt the surge of blood rush outward from my chest to the spot on my skin where his lips were. The warmth rose between my legs. I brushed kisses down his chest and stomach, his muscles tensing beneath them.

“Get comfortable.” I said. His eyes flickered as I brought my hands to his sides, my fingernails grazing the length of his body, finally tugging off his boxers as he lay back against the pillows.