Stranded with Niall Horan || n.h.

Chapter 14 - Rose

When my shower was over and I had changed outfits, I walked back over to the cave only to find the towels and life jackets put away neatly at the other end of the cave. I looked at Niall who sat there smugly.

“I see you’re feeling better.”

“Better than ever.” he beamed. “I felt so good I decided to do the work for you.”

“You’re lucky I haven’t broken your other arm.”

“How considerate of you.” he said sourly.

I opened the suitcase and frowned at how empty it was. Our clean clothes were dwindling. I made my way around the cave, picking up any article of clothing that Niall and I wore and walked out of the cave.

“What are you doing?” Niall asked curiously, following me to a large rock that sat by the water.

“Laundry. I don’t think we have enough clean clothes to wear the next time we want to shower.”

“Can I help?”

I gave him an ‘are-you-serious?’ look and continued to walk.

“Pleaseee?” he pleaded.

I dropped everything onto the beach. “Oh no, this is no job for you mister. You need two hands.” I knelt down by the rock, dunking a shirt into the cool water. I balled it up in my hands and pounded the cloth against the rock, squishing the water out of it as I continued. It was nothing compared to a washing machine, but I couldn’t think of another way to do it.

“Oh, you’re no fun.” Niall said as he plopped down next to me, watching me work. “Can I at least do a sock or something?”

I shook my head, smiling at his persistence. When I felt I pounded out as much water as I could, I hung the shirt up in a nearby tree. After a while, Niall insisted that he hang the clothes to dry; he was evidently tired of watching me walk back and forth. I repeated the process of washing until we were down to one item of clothing: Niall’s jeans. I plunged the pants into the water and pulled them out. When I started to roll them into a ball, I felt something in the pocket. 

“Oh.” I said as I reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. I opened it to make sure I didn’t ruin anything. And that when I saw it: his driver’s license. I squinted at it and read ‘Niall Horan.’ I cocked my head to the side and pulled it out of its sleeve. Niall was walking back from hanging up a pair of boxers when I asked, “Hey Niall, did they spell your name wrong?” 

“What do you mean?” he said, as he quickened his pace.

“It’s just your driver’s license. Did the DMV spell your name wrong or something?” I said as he walked up. “It says your last name is Horan, not Horace.”

“Where did you get that?” he demanded as he snatched it out of my hands. 

Confused, I got up and stood facing him. “Your wallet which was in your pants’ pocket. But you never answered my question…” 

I saw his eyes drop to the wallet in my hand. As he reached for it, I quickly hid it behind my back.

“Give it to me, Nina.” he said, almost venomously. 

“No. Why do you want it so bad?” My eyes narrowed as the suspicion in me grew. “You don’t want me to see whatever is in this wallet, do you?”

He bit his lip and lunged for me, trying to wrap his one good arm around me; but I was too quick for him. I dashed down the beach, not sure of where I was going. All I knew is that I had to see what was in this wallet. I opened it again as I continued running.