See You Again

chapter four

"Oh good, could you pass the cheese grater please? It's in the drawer nearest the fridge," my mom asked me as I walked into the kitchen. I walk towards the drawer and get the grater for my mom. As I hand it to her I ask her why she's cooking so much more than usual.

She grates American cheese as she speaks to me. "Your father and I decided to have a cookout this evening. Would you like to help cook?" I nod before pulling my hair into a ponytail and washing my hands. My mom comes over to me and ties the gingham printed apron behind my neck and lower back.

"I've already made macaroni and your dad is outside grilling the burgers. I'm gonna work on the chili if you'll boil the hotdogs."

I grab a package of hotdogs from the fridge and set them to the side. Once I grab a pot, I pour water into it and put it on the stove. When it's boiling, I add the hotdogs. It takes a while for them to finish but when they do, I lay them out and start laying out buns. I put a hotdog in each bun and then my mom pours the chili once she's finished making it.

My dad walks through the back door just in time to see us finished with our part. I'm in the middle of getting ketchup and mustard from the fridge to set on the outdoor table when my dad clears his throat.

"We'll have plenty of left overs with all that we've made. Jennifer, why don't you go ask Niall if he'd like to join us? I know how fond you are of him and we could really use the help eating this," he says, causing me to blush.

I decide that I don't really want him to come. Don't get me wrong, I like him and all but that's the problem. I can't like a guy I'll barely ever see.

"Dad, he has his own family to eat with. I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate us stealing their son."

"Nonsense. He'll love it and I'm sure his parents wouldn't mind. C'mon, at least ask."

"Ugh, fine," I tell him before leaving the house to go next door. I make my way to Niall's door and ring the doorbell. Seconds later I'm greeted with a medium height lady with dirty blonde hair. I assume this is his mother.

"Uh, hello. I was wondering if I could speak to Niall for a second?" His mom smiled at me before telling me she'll send him out. After what seems like forever, the door reopens to reveal a wet haired Niall. I'll never get used to that.

"Jen, hey!" He stares me up and down. "Nice apron! Really does your eyes justice." I look down and realize I forgot to take it off before coming over. I scratch my head and stare at my feet in embarrassment.

"Jennifer?" Oh yeah, I came here to ask him over.

"Shit, sorry. Uh can I ask you a question?"

"You just did," he smiles.

"Wanna come eat dinner with us? Danielle could come too. I get it if you've already eaten or you just don't want to but my dad was bugging me to invite you and well here I am asking you-"

"Take a breath! Yes, yes I'll come. But Danielle left earlier so she won't be making an appearance. Stay here and I'll grab my shoes." He closes the door and I wait until he shows back up. We walk back to my house as I tell him that I helped cook.

"Oh really? Am I gonna wake up with a stomach ache tomorrow?" I slap him on the arm playfully.

"I'll have you know that I'm a pretty good cook if I say so myself. Plus I only cooked the hot dogs," I say before we both laugh. I lead him to the back yard where we are going to eat.

My parents and two siblings are already sitting at the table. There's only five seats so my dad suggests that Phil, Niall, and I sit near the fire pit.

We make our plates then go sit down, ready to enjoy our meals. The three of us laugh and joke around, Niall even complimented my hot dog making skills.

I'm almost finished with my second hot dog, which Niall judged me for even though he had three and plans on going back for a fourth, when Chelsea comes over to us.

"Can I sit with you guys? You all seem to be having lots of fun and mom and dad are boring. They're talking about politics." The three of us chorus an ew and invite her to sit in the empty seat between Phil and Niall.

We spend a total of an hour and twenty minutes just sitting out by the fire messing around. My parents have already began to clean up and us kids decided to help. We each go around doing different tasks. I have a trash bag and my duty is to pick up empty plates, Niall is pouring out unfinished drinks and washing the cups, Phil is putting up leftovers, and Chelsea is cleaning off the table with a rag.

Once we're all finished, we sit on the floor of the living room playing a game of Life. I end up with one kid, Phil three, and Niall four. We quit that game and decide on a game of Uno in which Chelsea joins in and actually wins. Beginners luck I guess.

We're in the middle of playing Monopoly when Niall claims that I've cheated.

"You just gave yourself extra money! No wonder you wanted to be the banker!"

"That is so not true! I've had the same amount of money since I bought my last utility."

"You're lying."

"No, you're just mad that you're closer to being bankrupt than I am!" We all laugh at this because it's true. But what's also true is that I may have taken a twenty dollar bill or two earlier. How Niall found out, I'm not sure.

"Well this has been fun. I hate to say this but I should probably get going. I'm surprised my parents haven't come knocking on the door already." This makes us all sad, especially Chels. She's really come to like Niall as if he were an older brother.

"No, you can't leave yet!" She says to him. He laughs and says, "It's already eleven forty. My parents will kill me if I'm not home soon."

"Then stay the night," she tells him. We all look at her.

"Uh, that's not really up to me."

"Our parents wouldn't mind," Phil says.

"Would you?" Niall asks, looking at me.

"Of course not."

We ask our parents and when they say yes, he goes to ask his own. Chelsea is so excited, she goes with him. Once the front door opens back up, Chelsea walks in with a sad expression on her face. This soon turns into a smile when Niall walks in right behind her. Once closer, Niall throws his plaid pajama bottoms at my face saying, "Guess who's staying the night."

The rest of the night is spent watching movies and cracking jokes that are so stupid, they're funny. Niall eventually changes into his pajama pants and white t-shirt in the bathroom. Chelsea is forced to go to bed eventually and we promise her we'll let her hang out with us in the morning.

At two fifty-seven, Niall is fast asleep on the couch after watching a horrible DVD from years ago. Phil and I decide it's time for us to go to bed too. While Phil turns off the movie, I sneak a photo of sleeping Niall.

I'll make fun of him with it eventually. This photo itself makes me so glad he came.

okay so I actually think this is the cutest chapter yet. what do you think? let me know in the comments :)))