Summer Love

Chapter 8

July 2011

Carter's POV*

I sat on my bed and stared at the picture of Niall and the girl. Who is she and what could she have possibly done to anger Niall so much?

My thoughts were interrupted by a small tap on the screen door of my cabin. I quickly slipped the photo underneath my leg before the person entered the cabin.

"Hey, I know it's late but can we talk?" Zayn asked while stepping into my cabin. I nodded and he took a seat on the end of my bed.

"It's working. He's changing, I can see it. Whatever you're doing, keep it up because I can see the old Niall coming out." Zayn smiled as he spoke.

I honestly didn't even know what I was doing with Niall. I was being kind I guess and he somewhat trusted me I think.

"Can I ask you something?" I hesitated to ask.

"Anything." Zayn replied. I pulled the photo out from under my leg and handed it to Zayn.

"Who is she?" I asked Zayn as he studied the photo, eyes going wide.

"Where did you get this?" He seemed shocked that it even existed.

"It was in a shattered frame in the mess that Niall caused when he had his tantrum this morning. Why?" I replied. Zayn rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and sighed.

"I didn't know he still had this photo. That girl is Cassidy. Niall and her met before X Factor and as far as I know he fell head over heels for her. She disappeared after X Factor and he hasn't seen her since."

"Oh my god. That's horrible."

So he has a broken heart. Maybe that's why he's become so bitter. He wants to put himself up on this pedestal where he is better then everyone else just so he can't get hurt again. He fears being crushed by someone else.

"I wouldn't let him see that though, or else I would run." Zayn said, standing up and leaving my cabin.

I tucked the photo into my jean shorts and peered outside for Niall. I spotted a figure sitting on the edge of the dock, guitar in hand and I immediately knew it was Niall.

Slipping on my flip flops, I jogged over to the dock and sat down next to him, feet dangling over the water.

"Is the man on the moon real?" Niall spoke while strumming a few chords. I looked at the reflection of the moon cast over the water ahead of us.

"Not sure." I replied.

"Then why do people believe in that. It's a load of bull if you ask me." Niall spoke. I let out a breathy laugh and tugged my lip between my teeth.

"I don't know. For some people, believing in myths is sort of like a sign of hope or something constant they can count on. You know? Like if you're ever lost, the man on the moon will guide you home or something like that." I explained.

Niall paused his strumming movements and turned to face me. He let out a small laugh and smiled.

"What?" I asked laughing along with him.

"You know, you're quite beautiful when you ramble on about bullshit." He answered causing me to turn a deep shade of red. I pushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear and smiled.

"Well to some people it's not bullshit. To some people it's hope." I countered.

"So you believe in the man in the moon then?" Niall asked, placing his guitar next to him on the dock.

"In a way yes. For me it's a sign of hope I guess. Or a remembrance of someone I loved." I avoided eye contact while speaking those words. I barely talked about him to anyone.

"And who was this ever so lucky man that got to be loved by you?" Niall laid flat on his back and stared up at the stars. I avoided his question and decided not to respond, leaving us in an awkward silence.

"What? Did your boyfriend leave you or something?" Niall asked in a sarcastic tone. I swallowed hard and decided to answer.

"No, he was my dad." I replied awkwardly. Niall slowly sat up and looked at me.

"What do you mean was?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"My dad was in the U.S. army. He was stationed in Afghanistan. His unit was going out on a mission when they drove over a land mine. He died instantly." I choked back tears but took a huge breath of relief for finally opening up and letting it out.

"Carter-"

"No, it's fine. I just wish I could have said goodbye, you know? The reason why I believe in the man in the moon is because when I did have contact with my dad we would always end our calls or letters with 'I know when I look to the moon we are both looking at the same thing'. It kind of kept us connected." I finished and took a big breath.

Niall's hand found my back and began rubbing it to soothe me. I smiled at him and shook my head.

"Enough about me. Now that I've shared something with you, you should do the same." I replied, wiping my tears.

"Sure, anything." He answered. I slipped the photo out of my pocket and handed it to him.

"Who is she?"