Chapter Ten
I allowed my mind to wander as I walked slowly down to the shore. Images of the night before flashed in my head and my heart began to flutter familiarly.
“Hey kiddo.”
I looked up to see my dad, dressed in baggies and a vest that showed off his natural muscles, walking towards me with a smile.
“Hey Dad”
“What are your plans for today? Seeing Niall? You know, I really like that boy, he’s decent.”
“I like him too, Dad. And plans? Nope, got none for today.”
He sat down in the sand and I walked over to join him. He was silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
“Don’t be afraid to fall inlove this summer, Ava. I promise you it is worth it. He may live a thousand miles away but look at me and mom, we’ve been married for nearly 17 years, she lived in Australia, that’s on the other side of the world and would you look at us now.”
He half smiled before glancing at me. He was also tanned to look golden and had amazing green eyes and a confident, welcoming smile. He’s tall with natural muscles that are proof of how athletic he is. He is also young, at 32 my friends don’t believe he’s my dad and I often catch them watching him when he gets out the car at school.
“Thanks dad.”
He stood up and brushed the sand off his pants, then after kissing the top of my head he began walking slowly back up the beach.
“Oh and Ava…”
I turned away from the ocean to face him, squinting into the sun.
“Yeah dad?”
“Do you and Niall want to take Mia to the boardwalk tonight? I want to take your mom out for dinner.”
“I’d love that.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“This is it.” I said to Mia as we walked up from the beach to the big wooden house. There were towels scattered on the lawn and a few hanging on the porch but the garden was empty. I heard laughter from inside.
“I can’t wait to see Niall, Ava!” Mia said, giving an excited little jump.
My heart beat faster at the sound of his name. I hadn’t seen him since the kiss last night. We had climbed of the roof and I walked Niall down to the beach. We didn’t kiss again but he wrapped his big arms around me and whispered goodnight and the hopes of seeing me tomorrow then he kissed my cheek and waited until I was safely behind the screen door before waving and disappearing into the dark.
“…and he tells the best Barbie and Ken stories!” I tuned back in to what Mia was chatting about and smiled at what she had just said.
I knocked on the door and waited several moments before it was opened by a smiling Josh.
“Hey Ava!”
“Hey Josh, how are you?”
“I’m great thanks. Who is this little one?”
“This is Mia, my sister. Mia, this is Niall’s friend, Josh.”
She grinned, showing off a few of her missing teeth and he laughed at the little blonde girl’s cuteness.
“Is Niall in?”
“He sure is. Hold a second, I’ll get him. Do you want to come in?”
“No, No, we will wait here thanks.” I smiled as Josh nodded and jogged inside, screaming for Niall as he did.
A few minutes later Niall appeared at the door, straight out the shower, dressed in a red polo shirt and cream long pants. His face lit up when he saw me and he picked Mia up over his shoulder and spun her around once before setting the laughing child back onto her feet.
“Hey, Ava.”
I smiled in reply before greeting him too.
“So, I was wondering, do you want to come with Mia and I to the boardwalk now?”
Niall smiled a big crooked toothed smile before answering.
“Most defiantly!”
Mia squealed in delight and clapped her hands.
“Hold a second, just going to grab me shoes.” He winked before running back up the stairs and returning a minute later with them on then taking my hand in his left and Mia’s in his right we ran along the beach, the sunset behind us, to the boardwalk.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
By the time we reached the boardwalk the sun had set as we had stopped and helped Mia collect a few shells along the way, which were now weighing down Niall’s pocket.
“Niall, please go with me on the rollercoaster!” Mia begged.
I looked up at the big rollercoaster. It didn’t have any loops, therefore allowing children Mia’s age to ride, however it was thrilling and fast.
“Sure!”
I handed them both a ticket and watched as they ran excitedly to the line. I smiled to myself as Mia and Niall talked comfortably to each other. When it was their turn I watched as he took her tiny hand in his and helped her into her seat before climbing over into his and putting the safety rail over both of them.
When the ride was over I laughed as they came running back, Mia laughing hysterically and mimicking Niall’s expressions during the ride while he just laughed and pulled a tongue at her.
“Ava, that was so much fun!”
“You were so brave! More brave then Niall!” I looked at him and winked as he folded his arms and pretended to sulk.
After many rides later, Niall and I took turns riding with Mia, we decided it was time to eat as we were all starving and head to a cute restaurant decorated in red and white. ‘80’s music was playing from a jukebox and Niall spun Mia by the arm as we entered.
After sitting down and ordering 3 hamburgers I looked at Niall and admired his beautiful blue eyes that were staring right back into mine.
“You look beautiful tonight.” He whispered across the table.
I looked down at my blue jeans and loose, yellow tank top. I had on black flip-flops and my hair was tied up in a messy bun. I looked at him sarcastically and laughed.
Throughout the meal we laughed and talked with Mia, who was loving the individual attention she was getting from the two of us and received many smiles from passing elderly couple commenting on Niall’s ‘beautiful family.” He grinned and thanked them every time, causing Mia to break out into a fit of girly giggles.
“Thanks for dinner, Niall.” I said as we left the restaurant.
‘Yes, thanks, Niall” Mia chirped.
“Not a problem at all.”
“I still hate you for paying though. I have money.” I muttered, causing Niall to laugh and throw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close to him.
We watched as Mia ran over to the cotton candy machine and turned to look at us with an angelic smile.
Before I could stop him Niall had pulled his wallet and bought 3, handing them to us he grinned smugly.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He grinned and kissed my cheek.
“I did.”
YOU ARE READING
That was the summer I met Niall
Fanfic"Bonfires, blue eyes, wishing stars, these Niall, are just a few things that remind me of you." Ava Ambrose had been coming to the beach house every summer since she could remember, that was where her parents met and fell inlove. The summer that was...
