Killing Time | N.H. AU

Part 8

Before we even got to where we were going, I could tell by the disappearing lights how far out on the outskirts of the city we had gone. It was so much darker out here, the only light was coming off the headlights of Jake's car and the other one that had followed us up here. I stepped out of the jeep, squinting my eyes through the dark in hopes of seeing anything that would give away where we were, but I had no such luck.

"Ow!"

I turned at the sound of Avery's voice before I reached out and took her hands in hopes of steadying her as Mel kept trying to push her out of the car. I've come to understand that all of Avery's friends seem to be a bit out of their heads most of the time, drunk or not. Avery smiled up at me sweetly as she kept our hands clasped together, leading me over to the other car. Jake, Kevin and a few people I didn't know stood around the trunk of the car in search of flashlights.

Eventually, after much difficulty, enough flashlights were found and we headed across the gravel road toward a trail that you would never have known was there unless you already knew about it. People laughed and joked all the way up the almost mountain, some tripping and falling over each other as we tried to make it up the tiny dirt path. I took a second to turn back and look out over the immense city that was Los Angeles. It really was an amazing sight from this altitude.

My eyebrows rose with curiosity as we finally made it to our destination. The mountain had plateaued off into a large clearing with brush and rocks popping up across the dirt-covered ground. The only thing illuminating the area was the large tree almost dead center, Christmas lights and assorted accessories hanging down from its branches. Now I finally understood why Kevin had called it 'the tree'. My lips parted in awe, as I had never seen anything like it before, but was so happy to be able to experience it on my last night.

Avery had made her way over to the guy who was throwing the party, Matt, and had begun talking to him about something that didn't particularly interest me. Instead, I turned away from them and found myself gravitating toward the guy with the guitar and furry hat atop his head. A smile grew on my face as the lyrics he sang made absolutely no sense, a few others in the same vicinity dancing around and laughing. Jake threw his arm over my shoulders as he joined into the gibberish that was being yelled into the night sky.

Honestly, I don't think I've had this much fun in months. Even before my diagnosis, I would go out with my friends and we'd drink and have a good laugh, but nothing seemed to compare to this feeling. Sure I didn't know anyone here, but they all took me in and treated me like we had been friends for years. Or maybe it was because they were all drunk, either way, it felt good to be around happy people, because I haven't been happy in a month and five days. Six days now.

My eyes searched around the clearing as I looked for the pretty girl who had made my night one I would never forget. I moved around a few people as I finally found Avery on the opposite side of the party. She was standing just on the edge of where the glow from the tree dissipated into darkness. Before I even made it to her, I reached out and took her hand, her body tensing for a moment before she looked up at me with that smile I just couldn't seem to get enough of.

"What are you doing all the way over here?" I tilted my head in amusement.

She grinned, bouncing on her toes. It was obvious that she was a bit intoxicated, but definitely not as much as the other people around us.

"Waiting for you to come over," She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.

Avery beamed up at me as she took a step closer before she looked out over the city's lights in the distance. "I bet you would never have thought you'd end up on top of a mountain tonight."

I chuckled before speaking in a joking manner. "Oh no, I totally thought it was a possibility."

But I found it funny that she was indeed correct, even though she had no idea about the dark humor behind it all. She was beyond right. I didn't think I'd be up here. I didn't think that I'd be craving a smoothie earlier today either. And I most definitely didn't think about how I'd meet the girl that I was craving now.

None of this should have happened. I should be asleep right now. I should have been relaxing tonight and trying my best to keep my mind off the impending surgery that was now only a few hours away. Who would have guessed that doing the exact opposite would bring just the slightest bit of comfort to the situation. I didn't know what was going to happen tomorrow. Either I was going to wake up... or I wasn't. But in this moment it really didn't matter to me. There was only one thing on my mind.

Avery's laugh sounded out through the night as she took yet another step toward me. I hadn't noticed how close she had gotten in the few moments I was lost in thought. But it was good because it meant she was thinking the same thing that I was.

Without hesitation I leaned down, cupping her cheek and bring her lips up to meet mine. Avery sighed happily into the kiss as she pressed herself against me. Our lips parted simultaneously before the met once again in a more heated manner. Her fingers ran through my messy hair as I wrapped both my arms tightly around her waist in hopes of getting her closer than she already was. My body was on fire by the time our lips finally parted.

"Oh geez, Niall," Avery let out a shaky breath as she stared up at me through the dark.

A grin broke out on my face and I wanted to jump for joy over the fact that she undoubtedly felt the same way I did. One night. That's how easy it was for me to become infatuated with the pretty girl who stood in front of me.

"I like your eyes," Avery's voice came out almost inaudibly, lightening the mood.

"What?" I chuckled at the randomness of her statement.

"And your face," She cracked a tipsy smile and I finally let out the laugh that I had been holding in.

"Oh, you like this?" I took a hand from her waist, gesturing toward myself. "It's a little banged up at the moment, but I guess it's alright."

She wriggled a little in my arms. "Well look who can be cocky when he wants to!"

"Who me?" I sent her a cheeky grin. "No way! I stay humble."

She shook her head at me slightly, an amused look on her face before it turned to something a bit more serious. "But really, you're absolutely gorgeous."

I felt my cheeks redden and was pleased that the darkest around us was keeping her from seeing it. I leaned down once again, pressing my lips to hers for a brief moment before Jake came out of nowhere. I laughed yet again as Avery jumped, leaving my grasp to hit her brother for scaring her. It was quite obvious that Jake was even drunker than the last time I checked and it became even more apparent as the seconds ticked by in silence. I glanced toward Avery to see her staring at her brother trying her best not to laugh at his awkwardness.

Jake sighed loudly as he shoved his hands in his pockets and I finally decided to break the silence. "So apparently, I have a nice face."

"Oh my god," Avery spoke under her breath as she rolled her eyes playfully.

Jake took a step in my direction and I leaned back slightly as he took a long moment to study me before nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah. Yup! It's a pretty good one."

Avery let out a cute squeak as she covered her mouth to hold in the laugh trying to escape. Before I could respond, Jake turned on his heels and stumbled back the way he came. I had never met anyone more random than that guy. I howled with laughter as Avery leaned against me, finally letting herself laugh as well. This was definitely a night I would never forget.