Bliss

26 - Ingrid

When I knock on the door, I find it odd that I am hoping that Niall will answer it. Usually, it's a different person who opens the door every time I mail. I haven't seen him since Sky was at the hospital, and for the past few days at work, the soldiers actually didn't need mail. But now they do, and I'm counting on Niall to open the door.

I look to the sky as the wind blows. The clouds are moving surprisingly fast being blown by the wind. Today is a dark day. Dark clouds loom over the sky and cover the horizon. It is a bit windy, leaves rustle against the concrete everytime the wind blows. I rest my hand on my hip, I feel exhausted today for some reason.

After 5 seconds of waiting, someone opens the door. I can't help hiding the smile that grows on my face when he opens it.

"Hey!" he says, greeting me with a wave. He wears a blue t-shirt that matches his blue eyes with jeans and his hair.

"Hi," I say, handing him the mail.

"Thanks," he says, he points to inside. "Do you want to come in?"

"I can't," I say, sadly. "They're watching so um . . . I'd better not."

"Okay," Niall says with a nod, understanding. "But maybe we could hang out?"

I didn't hesitate to answer. "That'd be nice." Niall smiles and walks a step closer to me.

"Ingrid," he says breathlessly. I'm not really sure if he's asking me something or just saying my name.

"Yeah?" I ask, moving the hair out of my face with my hand.

"I just wanted to say--"

"Yeah?" I ask again. Suddenly I feel bad for interrupting his sentence.

He extends his arm, and his palm lightly cups my cheek. I let out a slight gasp. "Niall--" I say, but I don't move. Feeling awkward, I try to move my face from his hand.

"No wait," he says. "You have an eyelash."

"Oh," is all I can say. I feel his thumb brush my cheekbone, and then I feel my face get hot even though it's a warm, comforting feeling. His hand moves away from my face, I stare at the long black eyelash at the tip of his thumb.

"Make a wish," he says.

I look at him strangely."What?"

Niall looks back at me and then holds his thumb out to me. "You make a wish, and then you blow on it." I look at him oddly, I've never heard of that before.

"Okay," I say, chuckling. "Let me think." I don't know what to wish for. It's such a strange concept. I think of a 'wish' and then I blow swiftly on his thumb. The eyelash is quickly swept away from his thumb and Niall and I both give a little laugh.

"What did you wish for?" Niall asks.

"Not telling," I tease him and Niall chuckles. I look into his eyes and I feel him touch my hand.

"Bye, Ingrid." I frown and knit my eyebrows together.

"Goodbye?" I say. "You-you sound like you're saying goodbye for good. I mean that's not true . . . are you?"

Niall purses his lips and looks down. "Um, no it's not like that." I don't believe him. The sound of his voice makes him seem like he's lying.

I stare at him. "Are you?" I want the truth. Is Niall out of my life or not? I have to know.

Niall looks at me with reassurance. "No. Of course not. Why would I be saying goodbye for good?" I shrug.

"Well, I hope not," the words that I was thinking escape from my mouth and I close it instantly. What did I just do? "I mean um--"