Chasing Ari (a 1D Fanfic )

Chapter 10

***Niall's POV***

I wound up at Arianna's house a little after one. I recognized Harry's Nissan in the drive way. Ah, at least I won't be alone. Harry would be there for me if I needed him. Unless, he was sucking face with Sydney. Then, he is as usless and a fish out of water. I wasn't sure what car Sydney was drving. Hopefully, I could pull Harry away for a minute. 

I've decided not to go after Ari today. I'm gonna wait it out and just see how she reacts. Last night, i could her sneaking looks at Zayn. I think she might fancy him. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, but I want to ask Harry his opinion.

I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. I ran my finger over the screen of the phone in my hand while waiting for the door to open. I heard a couple of laughs coming from inside the house.

Finally, the door opened. I held my breath, expecting Ari. Plot twist: it was Harry who opened the door.

"Mate! I didn't know you we're going to be here. The lads were having a laugh, they thought Sydney was knocking. " a shirtless Harry said with a chuckle.

"Sorry to disapoint. But you still think I'm pretty, right, Haz?"  I joked, fluttering my eyelashes.

"Of course, you're beautiful." Harry said pulling me inside and closing the door.

"Oh, poo!" A voice called from the back patio. "Its not Syd, guys. Calm down." the guy shouted at some people at the other end of the pool. There was some snickering, and a groan. 

I guess they were planning on something for when she came.

Harry led me past a kitchen and a dining room to the back patio. the patio had wood flooring, that also made up the pool deck. Beyond the pool deck was grass green lawn with a trampoline in one corner, and a  fire pit somewhat in the middle. 

"Hey there! Everyone, this is Niall! He's the thief that nicked my phone." Ari yelled from her spot in the pool corner. Her hair was wet and stuck to her shoulders and cheek as she spoke. and  Random people waved and chirped a greeting, I just smiled and waved.

"Ah,  your phone is on the table." Ari stated. "And both of you need to get in to the water, like pronto." she smiled at us. "Lets get a game going you guys!" She clapped to get everones attention. Her guests cheered a bit, and started to embark towards the pool. 

Harry cheered a bit, too. I peeled my shirt off and put it on the table, covering my phone. 

I made my way to the end of the pool, skimming my toe on the water to test the tempterature.

"Oh, don't be a baby!" Harry said, pushing me in. At the last second, I grabbed his wrist, pulling him down with me. We both smacked against the water. The impact stinging my skin for an instant. I rushed up for a gulp of air, only for Harry to push my head back under just for moment. 

I broke the waters surface for a second time. This time laughing. "Oh, did I do that mate? That was really all my fault." Harry mocked apologized, a smirk on his face the whole time.

I fake laughed. He opened his mouth to make another slick comment, but a large purple bouncy ball plopped him in the back of the head. That I actually laughed at. The crowd that had gathered in the pool also exploded in laughter. 

"Game, we're starting one, Har. Guys against girls.Get on the deep side. Its on like donkey kong."  Ari swam after the ball that ricocheted off Harry's head.

Girls and guys sepreated forming teams. Girls outnumbered the guys by two or three, and were on the shallow end of the pool. The guys spread out, covering open spaces, and a pale lad even got on the edge near the very end of the pool. 

"Whoa. Hold on!" I called. "What are we even playing?" 

"Volley ball. Well, kinda. Without the net, hit it to the other side, don't let it touch the water, or get out of the pool. Easy-peasey." A blonde girl I recognized from last night explained. I believe her name was Brittany. 

"Ready, Set, GO!' The pale boy shouted, casuing Ari to throw the ball up in the air and Brittany to spike the ball to the boy's side of the pool.  We rallied the ball back and forth for a while. Each of us jumping left and right to save the ball from touching the water. 

Just as we all got serious, there was a screaming coming from inside the house. Just as we truned to look some barrel out of the house and vaulted into the pool. Water splashed and we were all stunned. Finally, a blonde head emerged from the water, full of laughter and smiling.

"The queen has arrived." Arianna called. The girls gave a bogus bow, some guys laughed. Harry swiftly swam over and thats when I realised it was Sydney who leaped into the water. 

Harry wrapped his arms around her and snuggled his face into her neck. He whispered into her ear, and she giggled. They were adorable together, no one could deny that.

"Hey, guys! Looks like we lost a player!" the pale lad chuckled, hopping off the ledge he was perched at.

"Cross, you're just jealous you don't have anyone to cuddle!" a girl teased the pale boy.

"Well, come over here and I will!" Cross called back, spreading his arms out and making his way over to the girl. She laughed and nudged him off.  He then, moved to an adjecent girl, who agreed to give him a hug.

"See, Jen. Kaylie is my cuddle buddie." Cross sticked his tounge out at the girl who rejected his hug, Jen. JEn just rolled her eyes.

During this time, Sydney and Harry had found thier way to the ledge where Cross was previously perched. They were sitting side by side just watching over us, laughing like the rest of the group. Sydney had her arm on Harry's chest and Harry had his arm around her waist.

Someone threw the ball at them, it only skimmed Sydney's shoulder.

"You can not make an entrence like that, and then not even join in the game!" Kaylie called with her hands on her hips.

"Oh, c'mon. I'll play next game, promise." Sydney responded kicking her feet in the water.

'Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, you little love bird. Just throw the ball back." Ari bantered, shaking her head and sticking her tounge out.