Darling Harbor (Niall Horan)

Chapter 15: Lost Hope Now Found

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2013

BREE’s POV

I felt light-hearted when we left the waterfall. It was an amazing experience to jump off that high to the water, especially with Niall. I would not trade it for the world. Going back to our campsite, Louis carried me on his back, making other lads laugh at his thoughtfulness, because I don’t want to wet my favourite shoes and end up it smelling terrible. Niall grabs the shoes for me while I was in Louis’ back. I sure as heck wanted to be in Niall’s instead though. I want to feel his warm body against me, the same way he hugged me so tight after being frantic from looking all over the falls for me. I felt nothing but guilt the whole time he was hugging me and I could only hug him back to comfort him. It was a bad joke.

It’s almost dark when I step out of the RV after changing to my dry clothes. I begin to trot towards the other guys gathered in circles eating, the bonfire in the middle. All of them dart their sight to me as I make my way over, making me feel self-conscious than ever.

“What?” I ask in an annoyed manner. I sit next to Harry in a log; all of them still staring at me in somewhat disbelief, not saying a single word.

“Nothing.” Louis finally speaks up, wiggling his head; glancing to me then to Niall. “So Niall, what was running through your mind when you couldn’t find Bree?”

I snicker at his question. So that’s why they were looking at me weirdly the whole time. I then gaze at Niall, anticipating his answer. Not being sadistic but I just really want to know.

I trail his gaze to Harry for a second, and then he gazes back to me.

“Nothing. I was just so worried. Weren’t you all worried as I was? Anyone will be worried if you were in my position. Right?” was his answer. Very passive but I know there’s something more than these words; he just could not spill it out.

“Well anyway, I prepared you something.” Harry takes my attention and hands over a plate of sausage, broccoli and mashed potato; cutting off the subject. So this is how they define camping? Pre-cooked meals? I definitely have a different concept of camping in mind; hunting for something to eat, cook it under fire, and then eat it fresh from the nature. Yuck!

“So, I guess I have another plate for myself.” Niall chuckles, making me realize that he also saved a plate for me but he began eating it anyway. The rest laugh with him as well, except Harry who is smirking at me as I devour on the food that he prepared for me.

Paul finally joins us with more twigs in his hand for the fire.

After dinner, Niall grabs his guitar from the RV and returns to his previous seat. He starts a familiar song and the rest of the boys join in, entertaining me. I end up singing along with a meek voice. The whole time, I just could not avoid Niall’s gaze, our eyes meet every once in a while.

He then lends his guitar to Liam and he strums the instrument to start another song. I recognize the song to be one of their own, Little Things I guess is the title. Yeah right, that’s it.

I hum with them as I don’t know the lyrics until Niall’s part. I could only listen to him, looking at his mouth as the words leave his lips. It’s mesmerizing, as if each word speaks to me.

“So Bree…” Liam speaks up, breaking my thoughts upon realizing that the song is finished.

“Huh?” I shrug off; I straighten my back as my eyes flutter.

“Do you know any instrument?” He asks while slightly strumming the guitar. Everyone’s staring at me again. Great.

“Uhm…” I stutter. “…yeah, I guess I still can play guitar. Just a little.”