one last summer (n.h)

[8] - campfire magic

Deep breath, let it out. Deep breath, let it out. I may never be back at this place ever again. I started to feel my heartbeat through my shirt. My hands ran across the cabin wall as I slowly made my way down the length of the bedroom.

"Savvy! Are you coming?" Lexi asked me opening the door. I smiled softly as I turned to her.

"Yeah, I'm just taking it all in," I replied.

"Taking in your shitty cabin?" Lexi asked, "by all means don't let me get in the way."

"Shut up, Lex. You totally understand me. I've been in this exact cabin for four years straight. Now I'm just going to leave. Forever."

"You never know. My philosophy is to always assume I'll come back to this place. It's like home..." she paused for a moment, "you can always find your way back home."

"God, that sounds so stupid," I replied with a chuckle, "okay, quit being corny I'm ready to go."

"Finally," she groaned taking my hand and pulling me outside.

Niall and I hadn't talked since yesterday when everything went down. I didn't know how to approach him, what to say, how to say it. I was too nervous to even think about preparing anything.

The last night bonfire was a tradition that dated back past Lexi and I, past Paul, past everyone here. It was one night where we were all friends. It didn't matter if you didn't talk all summer or if you were fighting or if you hated each other. You were friends at the bonfire.

"So, you know you have to talk to him right?" Lexi asked pushing my shoulder.

I allowed myself to glance over at Niall who was giggling with Zayn and Harry. I sighed and shook my head.

"What am I even meant to say?" I replied, "last time I talked to him I yelled at him for ruining my summer. I don't think we're exactly on good terms right now."

"You forgot the magic of the bonfire," a voice cooed from behind us in a ghostly tone.

"Liam, you know it's annoying when you do that right?" I asked turning to face him.

"I'm always trying to lighten the mood and I get no appreciation around here!" He exclaimed, "you know, I'm glad you two are leaving at least Brielle and Zayn appreciate my jokes."

"Oh, Payno, you are going to fall apart without us here," Lexi chuckled.

"Am not," he mumbled.

"Are too," I shot back pushing him.

"Don't make me push you in the fire, Lyons," he replied messing up my hair.

"The kid resorts to murder to deal with his feelings... weird," Lexi frowned.

"Oh shut up! When did this moment become about me? I thought we were talking about Sav and Niall!" He exclaimed.

"Right, right," Lexi agreed allowing herself to get back on track, "you have to talk to him, Savs."

"What do I even say?" I asked, "hey sorry for yelling at you and telling you that you ruined camp! Actually it was the opposite and I'm in love with you?"

"Well... yes, say that exactly," Liam smiled wrapping an arm around me.

He started walking and dragging me along with him. Before I could even begin to resist his advancement, I was standing directly next to Zayn Malik.

"Savs!" Zayn smiled throwing his arms around me. I let myself look at Niall. He was avoiding eye contact with me as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Hi, Z," I smiled softly, "um... I... could I talk to-"

"Let's give the two kids some space, Malik, come on," Liam said pulling both Zayn and Harry away from Niall and I.

I took a deep breath looking up at Niall's face again. For the first time in what felt like forever, my eyes met his. His normally serene blue eyes were confused, hurt. I instinctively frowned at the boy's expression.