Forget Me Not

002

"Where are we going Mae?" Niall asks as I weave through out each street.

"General store." I roll my eyes and he sighs.

"How much linger until we get there?"

I shrug in response, which only gains another exasperated sigh from the blonde boy.

"You really don't like me, do you?" he questions.

"Jeez, what is this? Twenty Questions?" I huff.

"No, why? Do you want to play?"

"With you? No thanks."

"There it is again!" Niall exclaims.

"What?"

"You're attitude. You act as though you can't stand me, but you don't even know me." he says thoughtfully.

I don't respond, I mean, why should I have to? I don't owe this boy an explanation. Instead, I take out my pack of cancer sticks and light it up.

"Smoking isn't good for your health." The blonde informs.

"Thanks for the mini lecture Blondie." I smirk and then catch him stifle a laugh.

"Are you laughing at me?" I ask in shock.

"N-no. I just thought of something funny."

"Oh really? Like what?"

"Doesn't matter." He looks away and I nod.

Only a few minutes later do we actually arrive at the store. I saunter in and grab a twelve pack of beer.

"You're buying that?" Niall asks, eyes bulging at me.

"Yes." I snap and move to the check out counter.

"Your dad send you?" The boy behind the counter asks.

"Yeah, thanks Luke." I say as he rings me up.

"No prob." he replies before sliding a pack of cigs onto the counter in front of me.

I pocket the cigarettes and pay him.

"Keep the change." I say and he gaps at me.

"Thats like $80 Mae!" Luke pleads.

"I don't give a fuck. Go buy a fancy lip ring or something." I scowl motioning to his pierced bottom lip.

"Mae..." He mumbles and looks away which I take as my cue to leave.

"C'mon Blondie." I call to Niall who stands a few feet away from me.

He follows in silence.

"What? No snappy comment?" I glare at him.

"....your dad drinks?"

I'm caught off guard by his question. He seems to notice because he begins to speak up.

"It's okay Mae. I understand." he says and I turn my head to the side.

"Let me show you something." I offer and Niall shrugs.

"No where for me to be." he laughs and I feel a smile creeping its way onto my mouth, but I cut it short.

I begin a journey away from the houses and light filled streets. I don't even really think about where I'm going until I've reached my destination. The park. A small run down park.

"Mae? Where are we?"

"I..."

"Are you okay?" he asks, putting a hand on my shoulder but I pull away.

I walk slowly towards the swings and take a seat, dropping the beers on the grass beside me.

"What is this place?" Niall mumbles to himself.

"It's a park." I snap and he jumps.

He stares at me for a while before taking a seat on the swing next to me.

"You want to play now?" he asks.

I mull over the options, "You first." I give in.

"Okay, ask away."

"Why did you move here?"

"Cali was a reasonable place considering I fought my Mum on everywhere else."

"Thats not a real answer."

"Who said it had to be?"

I squint at him in the lime light.

"Where's your dad?" I ask.

"Gone." he answers swiftly and coughs.

"Do you still want to play?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"I suppose I was just looking for something to do." he says and I nod in agreement.

We sit in silence for a while longer.

"I bet you, that I can swing higher than you." Niall smirks after a moment.

"No way. I can swing higher than anyone." I scoff and he laughs.

"Is that a challenge?"

"I think it is."

I kick up from the ground and hear the blonde follow in pursuit.

We swing for what feels like hours before he stops and I take a breath.

"Tired?" He asks and I nod with a laugh.

He smiles at me and gawks.

"What?" I ask feeling self conscious.

"I like that sound." he informs, "you should laugh more often."

"Give me a reason to." I mutter under my breath, almost inaudible.

Niall whispers something but I can't hear him. I contemplate asking him to repeat it, but then he's on his feet.

"Seems as though I've won!" He smiles in triumph.

"No way!" I counter.

"Did you see how high my legs were?" he jokes and I frown.

"That's only because your legs are longer." I protest and he shakes his head.

"Rematch, race me to the light down there." he points out a street light about a block away.

"Challenge accepted." I grin.

"On the count of three," he begins, "One. Two-"

And Im off and running.

"Cheater!" He shouts running after me.

I throw my head back in a fit of laughter and race into the night.