Summer Love

Chapter 7

July 2011

Niall's POV*

"Have you found it yet?" Carter asked me. I fiddled my thumbs in my lap and tried to fight back the words I knew were bound to spill out.

Carter is...different. She genuinely cares about how I am and if I'm okay. I don't think I like her.

No Niall. you don't like her. You can't like her.

Before I could even think, the words came tumbling out of me.

"I think I just did." I said with a small smile. Her eyes went wide and pink crept into her cheeks.

Great, I made her uncomfortable. I shouldn't have said anything at all. I should have just told her to leave like I did with Zayn. What is wrong with me?

We sat in an awkward silence for what felt like hours until her hand landed gently on my thigh. Our eyes met and she gave me a small smile.

"I'm glad." She replied. So she's not embarrassed? Thank god she's so understanding.

I smiled back at her then looked at the ground.

"Thank you." I said. She seemed confused for a moment until I spoke again.

"For asking." I mimicked her words from the night we sat around the bonfire.

A huge smile flashed across her features and a sweet laugh escaped from her lips. I couldn't help but laugh as well. So we sat there, watching the sunrise, just laughing together. And I swear to god, I've never felt happier.

Carter's POV*

This was the Niall I liked. This was the Niall from last night. Vulnerable, sweet, kind and caring Niall has reappeared. All I can say is I don't want this Niall to leave and I don't want this moment to end. He seemed so happy, just like I was. It is weird how just sitting here together can bring us both so much joy.

"Are you hungry?" Niall asked while standing up.

It was as if on cue my stomach began to rumble. We both laughed at the monster begging for food in my tummy.

"I'll take that as a yes." Niall chuckled while helping me up.

He began walking towards the mess hall where we got our meals but paused and looked back at me to see if I was coming.

"You go. I'll meet you there. I think I should probably clean up this mess." I motioned to the objects scattered around as a result of Niall's rage. He put a hand on the back of his neck and smirked.

"And there's something you have to do too." I added. He furrowed his eyebrows then immediately knew what I was about to say.

"Why?" He complained.

"Because all Zayn tried to do was help you and you pushed him away and screamed at him. He deserves an apology Niall." I urged him to make it right with Zayn.

"Fine. Only because you told me to though." Niall said with a smirk.

I could feel the heat invading my cheeks once again and couldn't help but smile back at him. Was he flirting with me?

Niall began walking back towards to mess hall again with his back towards me.

"Thank you!" I sarcastically yelled to him. He just waved me off with his hand and disappeared into the building filled with food.

I knelt on the ground next to the mess of Niall's clothes and personal belongings. I gathered all of his clothes in my arms and put them in a pile on the porch. I began shaking each one free of dust and then folded them in a neat pile to be put away.

Something glistened in the sunlight and I soon realized it was the shattered picture frame Niall had broken with his fist in the midst of his rage.

I knelt down next to it and picked it up, shards of glass falling from the frame. Encased in the now broken frame was a photo of Niall. He was laughing with his guitar in hand. He looked....happy. In the corner of the photo was a girl. Her blonde hair ended below her ears and she had a smile plastered on her face. Who was this? Is this why Niall is the way he is?

"Carter? I hope you like scones because that's the only decent thing they have in there." Niall's voice called out from outside the cabin.

I quickly slipped the photo into my pocket and threw the broken frame in the trash. I grabbed a broom from the corner of the room and began sweeping the glass into a pile when Niall appeared on the porch.

"I apologized to Zayn. He said we were alright. Sorry for the mess. Thanks for cleaning it up though." Niall ranted and I laughed at the fact that he didn't even take a breath between sentences. His face grew red at my reaction and he handed me a scone.

"Thank you." I smiled and took a bite out of my breakfast. Now that I somewhat changed his attitude towards me I have to figure out how to fix it towards everyone else. That starts with this picture.

Hi guys! Here's a morning update for you all.

We are now up to like 3.33k reads which is insane.

I love you all so so much.

If you're still reading this, comment where you're from.

much love,
gwen xx