Never Leave My Side (A Niall Horan Story)

Never Leave My Side (Chapter Twenty Two)

*Sapphire's POV*

We arrived at the camp grounds a few hours ago, and set up tents. Well, everyone else did, I just sat and watched them. Tents aren't my thing. So, I just sat and told them what a wonderful job they were doing.

"You coming kid?" Da asked, reaching down to help me up.

I looked up confused, "where are we going?" I asked, taking his hand to stand up.

"Did you already forget about the lake not far from here, on the other side of the woods? He chuckled.

Da, dad, and I used to camp here a lot. This is the first time we've been here without him. It feels so weird, but we needed a get away.

"Of course not." I said smiling at him. "But you go ahead and lead the way. I may walk with Tori." 

"Alright. Don't get far behind, I still remember how easily you get lost." He  said with a grin on his face.

I playfully hit his arm. "That was one time. Thank you very much. Now, get going. The people are waiting, Your Majesty." I said, pushing him to everyone waiting.

I looked around while he walked away. One thing catching my attention. One thing in particular. The tree. No. Not just ANY tree. It's THE tree. Our tree.

"Hey, you okay?" Tori asked. "What are you looking at? Are you in love with the tree over there? Does Niall know about this?" She asked, chuckling at the last question.

I smiled, still looking at the tree. "You go ahead. I'll catch up with you guys in a while." I said.

"Uh... okay?"

I know it sounds weird, but there really is something special about this tree.

As I approached the tree, I reached up to the familiar branch, and pulling myself up. "God, I forgot how difficult it was to get into this thing." I mumbled to myself.

"If you keep talking to yourself, people will think you're crazy." I heard someone say above me.

I tilted my head to see a guy, about my age, sitting about half way up. "Wouldn't make a difference. People already think I'm crazy." I told him as I made my way up the tree.

He chuckled in response, waiting for me to get close. "Looking or something? Or just trying to memorize the tree?" He asked curiously.

"What?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Well, you have been looking around the entire tree since you got in it."

I have? "Oh. I'm just looking for names carved in it." I shrugged.

"There are two names written up a little way more, and something else under it." He said pointing above himself.

"Thanks." I said, stopping to take a break.

He flashed me a brilliant smile. "I'm Ashton, by the way. Me and my mates are on vacation here." He said, holding his hand out.

"Sapphire. Here with my da, and some of my best mates." I shook his hand.

"Nice name." He said smiling at me. "I do believe that was a name carved up there."

"Oh yeah." I said, starting up the tree again.

I smiled as I reached the carved spot. I placed my hand over it and closed my eyes. 

*Flashback*

"This seems like a good spot. Don't you think so, love?" Dad asked.

I smiled bright. "Yes daddy. This is perfect."