That Summer

Chapter 26

We got back to the hotel around one in the morning and I felt like I was on cloud nine. "I had a great time tonight, Niall." I smiled leaning against my room door.

"I did too." He said wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me away from the wall.

"Goodnight, Niall. I'll see you bright and early for your interview tomorrow morning." I said wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing our foreheads together.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth." He said before closing the small gap between us and pressing his lips softly against mine.

I smiled through the kiss and pressed myself closer to him, not wanting to let go. Sadly, the kiss was over before it got started. I felt myself pouting and Niall laughed. "I wasn't done kissing you." I complained.

"As you pointed out we do have to be up early tomorrow so this needs to be goodnight." He quickly pecked my lips and pulled away from me. "See you in the morning, Lizzy."

I sighed, watching him walk down the hall to his room. Once he was inside, I decided to go down to the hotel pool and call Claire. “Tell me everything!” She demanded, answering her phone.

“Hello to you too!” I laughed.

“I have three huge tests to study for tonight, Liz. We don’t have time for small talk! Give me details, woman!”

“How do you already have tests to study for? School doesn’t start for you for another three weeks!”

Claire sighed, obviously tired. “Right, sorry.”

I frowned. “What’s going on, Clairebear? You seem stressed. How is that even possible when school hasn’t started yet?”

“You didn’t call to talk about me.” Claire said. “You called to talk about Niall.”

“Niall can wait, Claire. You’re way more important than a date. Now, tell me what’s wrong.” I demanded.

She sighed again. “I’m just tired and already stressing about school.”

“Why are you stressed out about school? Like I said, there’s still three weeks before you have to worry.” Claire stayed silent; and that was when it hit me. “When was the last time you talked to your mom?”

“Lizzy--”

“Answer the question, Claire.” I said sternly.

“Shortly after we talked earlier today.” She said quietly.

I sighed now. “Clairebear, I know you love your mom and I love her too but, you can’t let her get to you like that.”

“She just doesn’t want me lose focus on what’s important. My education is really important to her.”

“How would you lose focus? You never let anything distract you from school; not even me!” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

“I told her about Zayn.” I waited for her to say more. “She thinks that our relationship is a mistake and that this isn’t the right time to be in one.” She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. “And this is coming from the woman who harassed me about not having a boyfriend through high school.”

“Are you serious? Claire, you have to ignore her. You and Zayn are perfect for each other. Don’t let her change your mind about him.”

“What if she’s right though? I’m going to be busy with school all the time and he’ll be half way across the world.”

“Claire, stop it! Eleanor is still in school and her relationship with Louis is just fine! They see each other plenty. Sure, you guys won’t be able to see each other all the time but it’s not impossible.”

“You’re right,” She was clearly crying now.  I wished I could be there for her. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Clairebear. I know talking to your mom about school can be really stressful and make you question your choices but sometimes you need to not think about what would make other people happy and just do what’s right for you.”

“Thank you, Lizzy. I love you.”

I could hear the smile in her voice. “You’re welcome. I love you too.”

“Okay! Enough about me and my problems, tell me about your date with Niall!” She squealed, getting excited again.

“Simply amazing.” I smiled, thinking about it.

I finally got off the phone with Claire at three, and finally went up to my room where my dad was still waiting up for me. “Where have you been? I heard Niall drop you off two hours ago!” He said standing from the chair he had previously been waiting in.

“I went down to the pool to call Claire. I thought you would be asleep and I didn’t want to wake you up with our girl talk.” I said shocked at his anger.

His face softened. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I just don’t like not knowing where you are.”

I wrapped my arms around my dad’s neck and hugged him. “I get it, Dad. I’m not upset.”

“On a different note, how did your date with Niall go?”

I groaned. “Dad, it’s three in the morning and I’ve just spent the last hour or so talking about it. Can I just fill you in later? Like after I’ve gotten some sleep. I’m exhausted.” I moved past him and made my way to my suitcase, grabbing the clothes I borrowed from Niall the night before.

“Fine.” He sighed. “Where did you get those?” He asked referring to Niall’s clothes.

“Oh, there Niall’s. I borrowed them when I stayed in his room last night.” I said going toward the bathroom.

“Now that you two are an item I don’t think I feel comfortable with you two having sleepovers by yourselves.” My dad crossed his arms over his chest.

I turned around and looked at him confused. “We’re not an item, Dad. We went on one date and why would it matter? Do you not trust me?”

“Honey, you two are going to be official sooner or later and he’s a teenage boy I know how they think. I’m not comfortable with the idea of you two being alone like that.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dad, I’m eighteen I can handle myself. Besides, Niall isn’t like that. If you were going to worry about sleepovers with a boyfriend you should have been worried about, Harry.” My dad’s jaw dropped. “Don’t look so surprised, you couldn’t have not known I’m not a virgin. I mean, Shawn and I were together for two years and you know I’m on birth control. All the obvious signs are there.”

His face went white. “That’s all the more reason for me not to be comfortable!”

“Can we please talk about this more later? It’s late and we have to be up in a few hours for work.” I pleaded.

He only nodded and crawled into his bed, turning off the side table lamp, leaving me in darkness.

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter isn't very eventful and that it took so long to write I was just seriously stuck. Tell me what you think! :)