That was the summer I met Niall

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

The party on the beach was still in full swing by the time I had left last night and Niall, being a gentleman, walked me back to ensure I was safely home. I smiled at the memories of last night as I made my way downstairs to get some breakfast. My parents were still asleep as I think they had quite a party last night. Mia had slept over at the neighbors so I had the house to myself for a few hours.

I grabbed my cereal and carried it out to the porch. Sitting down, I admired the summer weather and the rolling blue waves.

“Want to come to the beach?”

I jumped and looked around meeting Niall’s smiling face from where he stood on the ground where the stairs lead up to the porch. I carried on chewing and waved my hand, giving him permission to come up. When he reached the top he stood looking around before turning to face me. I tapped the seat next to me and waited as he sat down.

“Good morning.” I said as I put more cereal in my mouth.

“Did you have fun last night?”

“I really did, thanks for insisting I come.”

“What are your plans for today?”

“I don’t think anything important…why?”

I squinted into the sun as he finished the mouthful of cereal of mine that I had offered him.

“Do you want to go to the beach?”

My toes curled at his beautiful accent and my stomach fluttered.

“Sounds good. I’m just going to get changed.” I said, realizing I was still in my pajamas.

I ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time and leaving Niall in the lounge looking around.

I quickly put on my blue bikini and my favorite white dress on before running to the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I walked down the stairs, after stopping to get a towel out the cupboard, I heard voices.

“Yes sir, I was born and raised in Ireland.”

“And what made you come to this smalltown for a holiday?” I heard my dad ask.

“My friend has a beach house here, sir, and he invited me to spend the summer with him.”

“I see…”

“Morning Dad.” I chirped, eager to get Niall out of the awkward situation.

“Morning Sweetie-pie, I met your friend.”

“I see. Is it okay if we spend the day on the beach?”

“Sure, have fun.”

I watch my shirtless dad walk out the room and into the kitchen humming the national anthem as he walks and turn and grin at Niall.

“Let’s go!”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“I like your dad.” Niall said as he took my hand in his as our feet made contact with the warm sand.

“I’m glad.” I answer before gently squeezing his hand.

I liked the way our hands seemed to fit so perfectly together. His big one was loosely covering my small hand and my heart was racing a mile a minute.

We stopped and set our towels down side by side and I flopped down onto my back as Niall dramatically dived onto his stomach making me laugh as I turned onto my side to face him.

I watched as he drew sand patterns on my thigh and I allowed myself to get engrossed in our conversation as the day began to pass slowly.

By the time a silence fell over us it was nearly time for the sun to set and we continued to laugh again as we began putting on our clothes and picking up out towels.

My golden tan had a red burnt look to it and my hair had been bleached blonder during the course of the day. Niall was also sun burnt, a little worse than me as he was fair, but was still as gorgeous as ever.

We reached the bottom of the stairs and I turned to say goodbye to Niall. The sun was setting behind him and the beach was empty.

“I had a lot of fun today, Ava.”

“I-“

I was cut short by the screen door opening and my mom appearing in her bikini and towel. Her skin was also red and I presumed she had spent the day playing on the beach with Mia.

“You must be Niall! Tim couldn’t stop talking about you after he met you this morning!”

She smiled openly and I’m sure I saw Niall relax a little bit.

“It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Ambrose.”

“Call me Lucy, and please, Niall, we would love it if you stayed for dinner.”

I loved my mom so much!

Niall grinned at her and then me.

“I would love that Mrs. Ambro- Lucy.”