Be My Mascot

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Bailey's POV

"Push it out a little further," I say, gripping on to the back of the kayak.

"There, it's in," Niall replies, letting go and stepping back.

The kayak floats in the water and I grab my life jacket from the side. It's strapped on around my chest. I turn back to Niall whose holding his out in front of his body.

"This thing is stupid, I'm twenty one, I don't need a life jacket. I'm pretty sure I won't drown," he complains.

"Kyle has his on." I point over to him and Aubrey.

I can hear Niall mumble something under his breath, but I don't ask him to repeat it any louder.

"Everyone ready?" Aubrey asks as they both walk over to us.

"Mister Stubborn here won't put his jacket on."

Niall rolls his eyes.

"I'm not going to drown!" He repeats.

"It doesn't matter, Niall. Just put it on," Kyle demands while tightening one of Aubrey's straps.

"I will not ride with you if you don't put it on," I insist, hiding a small smile.

He huffs very loudly, giving in to us. The life jacket is slung over his shoulders and buckled. I help him tighten the velco straps.

"So now that the baby is taken care of, let's kayak!" Kyle teases.

Niall glares at him before taking my hand and leading me to our double kayak.

"Ready?"

I nod in response. Niall gives our boat a heavy push before quickly jumping in. The kayak rocks back and forth for a couple of seconds. It finally steadies and we take our paddles.

Niall is sat in the back while I'm in the front. The ends of his feet are resting by my sides. Aubrey and Kyle are both in one together. I dunk my paddle into the river, beginning to push. Niall does the same and soon we have our own rhythm. Kyle and Aubrey's boat is a little further down the river than ours.

"Shall we bump them?" Niall says from behind me. I can tell that he has a smirk plastered on his face.

"Let's do it," I laugh.

We paddle a little a little harder and faster. Our gained speed is making us advance towards their boat.

"Left," I advise, switching our oars to the other side of the kayak.

Soon, we're headed straight to them. With a single jolt, our kayak rams into the back of theirs. Kyle and Aubrey shriek, rocking back and forth unevenly.

Niall and I burst into laughter. They both turn around, staring at us. We quickly move away from them before they can seek revenge. Once we get far enough, we decide to take a break. Our paddles are laid down in the boat, and I move out of my chair. Niall guides my waist down to sit on his lap. We watch the nature around us in silence.

"I have a game tonight," I begin. "It's the first one of the season. Do you want to come?"

Niall kisses the back of my head.

"Of course I want to come." He pauses for a moment before continuing. "I get to see you in those spandex shorts."

I yelp as he sqeezes my hips. My hand whacks his arm.

******

After spending the whole morning on the river, we all return to the dorms. Niall comes back to my room with me.