7:15 {N.H.}

Chapter 2: Early Morning Fishing

[Chapter 2: Early Morning Fishing]

{Niall}

             Every morning when I wake up to the sunrise, I think of Mary. All of the beautiful colors reminded me of her artwork. The tips of the sun shining through spaces between hills represented her out-going personality that was hidden most the time by her shyness around others.

            And once the big, golden sun had fully risen, it shone beautifully in the sky. Mary was just so beautiful, out there, for everyone to see, but for her to never know.

            It is currently Sunday morning at around 6:20 a.m. You would think I would like to sleep late during the summer, especially on  weekends, but I'd much rather be outside with nature and all its beauty.

            I watch the sunrise most mornings on my front porch. Coffee in one hand, a glass of lemonade in the other, sitting back in my grandmother's old rocking chair, was the place to be.

            You would think my phone would be with me too, right? Nope. Phones aren't important when your surrounded by nature. Out here is where you leave all that technology junk behind and just enjoy life for the way it was meant to be lived.

             My house happened to be facing in towards the lake as did most of the neighborhood. Mary and I' s dock couldn't be seen from any view around the houses. It was more on the opposite side, covered by trees and other distractions.

              It's usually dead silent at this time, but somewhere, it's very noisy. The noise continues for a while and its starting to really irritate me. I decide to go and investigate. I walk a few houses down and then hear a voice.

             "I give up. It's obviously not in here" A familiar voice says. I hear somewhat of a chest slam down and a lock click. I turn the corner of the house and see a frustrated looking Mary sitting on a wooden chest.

"Hey" I say smiling.

She turns her head and suddenly looks relieved. "Hi Niall."

"What were you doing?" I ask pointing to the chest. "It was quite the noise."

She blushes. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just, I can't find- something."

"Oh no it's fine, I've been up. But, what are looking for?"

"Um, it's nothing" she bites her lip. "I didn't think it's in here though."

"C'mon, I wanna help you look for it. What was it?"

"It's stupid...."

"Mary" I say sternly.

"Alright fine" she gives up. "I was looking for my fishing pole because I love to fish and I do it every weekend. I was trying to do it early so no one would bother me...."

"Oh. Well I'm sorry if I bothered you...But what's wrong with fishing?"

"No no, your not a bother at all" she says quickly. "But, it's just that I thought you would think it's stupid or something."

"Not at all!" I smile. "In fact, I have two fishing poles in my shed. We could fish right now if you want?"

She looks excited and says "Ok! Let's go!"

             I grab the poles and some bait and meet Mary down by our dock. Once we set everything up, there's a really long awkward silence. What should we talk about? C'mon Niall, say something.

"Uh, nice day isn't it?"

What an idiot. What kind of stupid question is that?!

"Mmhmm" she stares of into the water. "Why can't it be this nice all year long?" Good, she didn't take it as a stupid question.

"Hmm, I don't know. I don't pay very good attention in school. I think it has something to do with the sun?"

           This gets a laugh out of Mary. She then closes her eyes and rests her head on my shoulder. I loved moments like this with her. Where it's quiet and calm, not awkward, and at the perfect venue.

           We rest for a while until Mary's pole starts to move as if she had something caught on her line. She jumps up to reel in one of the biggest fish I have ever seen.

"Woah!" she looks at it in amazement. "This fish is huge!"

"No kidding" I say also shocked.

               She starts to tell me about some of her greatest fishing experiences. She looks so happy talking about it, that I can't help but be happy, too. I think it's because she is alone and free to do whatever she wants when she fishes here. I would feel the same way.

               We fish for a while more before we start to hear people waking up and bustling about outside.

"Niall" Mary looks at me.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever fished before?"

"Not really" I respond sheepishly because I think it showed throughout the morning.

"Well, did you still have fun with me this morning?"

"Oh course I did, Mary" I say truthfully.

"Well" she sounds unsure. "Do you think, if you want to of course, we could do this as a weekly thing?"

"Yes" I say smiling back at her. "That would be absolutely fine by me."

                  I check my watch as Mary starts to gather up everything laying on the dock.

7:15

The time that weekend fishing became our weekly activity.

________________________________________________________________________