What Makes You Beautiful

Chapter Thirty Eight

My eyes scanned the room. It was pitch black, except for the light of my charger plugged into my laptop. My face was soaking, and I realized that it was from tears. I wiped them away with my sleeve and grabbed my phone from the bedside table. 

I pushed my warm back against the cold tiles and pressed the phone to my ear. Soon Niall's voice echoed through. 

'This is so hard..' I cried to him. 

'Babe...' I heard him sigh. 'It's okay. There is nothing you can do.'

'Niall, there is. But you won't let me.'

'Are you blaming me for wanting to keep you safe?'

There was a silence. Then Niall's soft voice broke it. Like a peice of glass being thrown against the wall. 

'You need a distraction from it.'

'How do I get one? I can't stand it anymore. It's too much.' 

'I'll take you out.' I stopped for a second.

'A dinner won't work, Niall.' I sighed.

'No. Maybe. The beach or something. You need to relax. I don't want you, and can't have you worrying yourself like this. It's an inset day tomorrow, right? Well, get your swimsuit. I'll be round at twelve o clock. Now go to sleep. I love you so much.' I sighed before smiling, even though he couldn't see. He hung up the phone and I climbed back to my bedroom. I dropped my phone on to my bedside table and crawled underneath the covers. 

_

I dug my face into my pillow, hitting my alarm clock fiercly. When the annoying tune wouldn't quieten, I turned my face towards it. The time said half eleven. Then it clicked.

I rolled out of the warmth of my duvet, and fell to the ground with a thud. I grabbed a pink waterproof bag and shoved my towel, and spare underwear in the bag, before pulling on my bikini underneath shorts and a crop top. I looked out the window, and saw the sun beating down on to the quiet road, birds flying and creating dark shadows. I'm not sure how Niall knew it would be nice weather for the beach, but he chose a good day. 

By the time I was ready, there were stones hitting my window. Small stones, but still hard enough to make a hole through the window. I ran to it, and opened it just as a stone went flying at my head. It missed me by a few centremetres. I stared at Niall who was looking guilty.

'Come on!' He yelled. I pushed my hair behind my ear and closed the window before tearing down the stairs. I fell out the door, turning the key, and then climbing next to Niall in his new car. His old one was broken beyond repair, but he was in a band. So it wasn't all that hard to get a new one. 

'Tired?' He smiled, leaning in and kissing me on my cheek. I expected more of a snog, but he pulled away and pushed his foot on the gas.

'A bit. I got up half an hour ago though, so it's not like I lost any sleep.' 

'I'm glad. Well you clean up good for somebody who's only just woken up. I'm looking forward to spending the day with you. We've hardly seen each other since you started school. I miss you.' He smiled, and I smiled back. 

It was ten to one when we finally got to the beach. It was pretty empty as this end of Manchester didn't provide much entertainment, except for the beach and a small pizza stand that sat up at the top. We made our way to the back, and Niall dug a parasol into the warm sand, and squashed a towel next to it, before pulling off his shirt and lying back. I could see the veins in his arms, as he stretched them up over his head, to lie back. He took a look at me, sat on my towel, nibbling my lip and staring at the ocean. It was a bright blue, and I could see the sun beating down, waves rolling around like they were being controlled. 

'Babe. It's sunny and hot.' I turned to him, and smiled. 

'I know. So stick your sunglasses and a cap on.' I grabbed them, and pushed them on to his face, as he squinted. 

'I mean, get your bikini on. There's a small toilet if you need to get changed. Or I can do it for you..' He sat up and started tugging at my top. 

'Oh shut up. I'll do it.' I pulled off my top, and wriggled out my shorts, before shoving my feet back into my flip flops, and lying back. My tummy stuck out, and my thighs were wide and chubby. 

'Your perfect.' He mumbled as if reading my mind. I turned my head, shoving my sunglasses round my fat head. He turned to face me, and smiled, revealing his sparkly braces. 

'So are you.' We lay there for a few seconds, before Niall finally jumped up, and yanked at my arms.

'To the ocean.' He smiled. I stumbled upwards and stood, face to face with Niall. He wrapped his hands in mine, and pulled me slowly towards the beautiful blue sea. 

'I used to think that your eyes matched the sea.'

'Used to?'

'Before I met you in person.' 

'I understand. Come on. The water is really warm.' He waded in, and stretched out his arms as I stayed by the sea, the water rushing past my feet. I toddled in, looking like a penguin, and lifted up my arms, getting my bearings. I took the bobble from my wrist and tied my hair up in a bobble. 

'I don't want to get it wet' I giggled. 

'You'll be fine. Now. If you manage to catch me, i'll buy you an ice cream.' He splashed me, my hair fell down, soaking wet. It covered my face, and I pulled it apart like curtains. I pulled the bobble out, frowning, and splashed him back. 

'You owe me an ice cream now.' 

'Not until you catch me.' He swam away, quickly, his arms flying about like a dog. I laughed loudly and chased him. I chased him until I could no longer see the beach anymore. But I could also no longer find Niall. I screamed out his name, bobbing under the water, water entering my mouth. I spat it out, and screamed again. Just as a hand grabbed my ankle. I was pulled under the water, and opened to my eyes, to see Niall. His hands snaked themselves round my waist. My hair flew round my face. Then he kissed me. 

Niall's lips pressed hard to mine, his hands sliding themselves up, and through my hair. We floated around in the water. I felt weightless, but protected in Niall's arms. Then I felt a large force. It pushed me, and I spun under the water. I heard the ocean rush past my ears. I lost my breath. I started swimming, and swimming but I didn't know which way was up, and which way was down. I pushed up my arm, running out of breath. I felt myself kick the ocean bed several times, but how did I know which way to swim? I grabbed my throat, and kicked up, just as an arm shot through the water, and grabbed under my arms. I broke the surface, breathing heavily. My nose crashed against  Niall's as he stared at me. 

'Carrie.' He slapped me. My eyes shot open, then slowly closed. He brushed all my hair back, and pushed his lips against mine, as we still floated out, far into the sea. I felt his breath inside my mouth, and I felt water rise up my throat. I pushed him away and coughed violently. He swam towards me, and wrapped one arm around my waist, the other swam towards the shore. 

I fell with my back against the warm sand, it sticking to me. I saw him fall next to him, he breathed hard as well. His cap was soggy, but his hand clutched it hard. His sunglasses were long gone. I breathed and sat up coughing. He reached out a hand and held mine. I saw his chest rise up and down quickly, as he struggled for breath. 

'You..okay..?' He wheezed. I nodded, falling back again. The people who were on the beach had gone, and the sky was getting darker. Not pitch black, but the sun wasn't as strong as it was. I shivered a bit, too out of breath and tired to walk back to the towel, right at the top of the beach. I wrapped my arms round myself, and squashed my knees to my chest, closing my eyes. I heard shuffling and I felt a warm body push itself against me. Niall's arm wrapped round my body, and he kissed my neck.