{Do you remember} Summer '09

Prologue: I used to think that I was better alone

July 2009:  "Ouch! I stepped on another shell," I said with a laugh. I was sitting on the shore of the Atlantic ocean. Pretty far from home. My friends were packing up their things and getting ready to  head home.     We had been out here since after lunch time, and in my mind, the party was only about to begin, even though everyone was leaving except Niall and I. He was my best friend besides Meara of course, but Niall and I were very close.

"See you, Aibhilin'', Meara called to me, running up the sandy hill to the big van they came in. Her blonde hair flipped as she turned around to wave to me. Her gray/blue eyes smiled the color of the ocean itself. 

''Bye!'' I waved excitedly. Niall said goodbye to some other kids and after the van with everyone had driven away, Niall kept strumming. I sat down on the orange blanket next to him. Niall was mumbling an old Irish song.

"Well that was fun," I said, tucking a stray brown hair away from my freckled face. Niall didn't reply, instead he sang louder and then we both laughed.

"So talented, so very talented," I said sarcastically.  And I clapped my hands half-mockingly.

"Thank you, thank you," Niall said, pretending to bow to a crowd. His joking spirit was always noticeable.

"Oh yeah, and it was fun," said Niall, finally replying to what I said a minute ago. He set his guitar next to him. I watched another wave crash to shore and I shivered in the evening breeze, even in my sweatshirt.

"Cold?" Niall asked me, his blue eyes looking at me.

"A little, not too bad," I replied staring at his eyes, then the sea. Niall put an arm over me and pulled me a little closer. I set my cheek on his shoulder.

"Lets talk," He said, looking at the sky. We often had deep talks or shared our thoughts with eachother, apparently, now was the time.

"Anything you wanna say?" Niall asked, looking at me again.

"No, you go first," I said, breathing in ocean air.

Niall nodded, ''Well, let me see... I've been wanting to tell you this,'' He looked at me and I nodded for him to go on, ''Its crazy, but I want to audition for the X-factor... for sure'' Niall looked away, seeming ashamed of what he had told me.

''Really??' I said, ''Thats great!! Do it!''

''Do you think I can?'' Niall raised his eyebrows, surprised.

''Phhht...yeah!!!' I assured him.

He smiled, ''Thanks, Aibh. I'm gonna do it. I just wasn't sure what you thought.'' He looked down at the blanket.

I grinned at him.

''Ya know, Niall, I really can see you getting big... all over the world! And why would you need my opinion. You got this.'' I assured him once again.

Niall laughed at what I said, ''I'll do my best.''

Niall pulled me even closer to him.

''If I make it...I'll be leaving...'' Niall said quietly.

There was a silence between us.

''I know... I'll miss you, but if you're happy, thats what matters.'' I replied, meaning my words.

''I'll miss you too,'' Niall said, almost a whisper. Niall would be leaving a lot behind. A lot of people. He was quite popular and friendly with everyone but the world should have the privilege of seeing his voice and hearing his voice.

Then we sat there and just stared out into the big, cold, dark and mysterious sea. Niall took his guitar and strummed and sang so quietly, even being right next to him I could not make out what he was singing except the words, 'rock me'. He stopped singing after a minute or so and he just took my hand and we kept on watching those big, dark waves. I watched the foam roll over and under and splash and then drag back into the sea. He gripped my hand tightly.

"You okay, Niall?" I asked him, concerned for my friend.

"Just nervous... what if I don't make it and just make a fool of myself," Niall said back in a disappointed tone, hiding his beautiful voice.

"You can do it. I... I don't know... I believe in you. Yeah... I believe you can make it. I don't think so, I know so," I said and hoped he'd believe me.

"I don't know Aibh..." Niall looked at me again for an answer.

"Trust me," I looked deep into his eyes.

A wave rolled up.

"Okay. I trust you. I will always believe what you said," Niall drew his face closer to mine and I could feel his breath.

"Good," I said, looking down and then back at him.

"Niall... I love you..." I whispered and then looked away. It was strange telling him that, but I meant it.

"I love you too, Aibhilin. I will always believe," Niall said slowly and came just a bit closer and our lips touched and we stopped there. The space between us was deadly close. I curved my mouth into a smile and neither of us could help but laugh. When we ceased our laughter, Niall went nearer and soon, it was a real kiss. Our lips stayed together for a bit. It was real, between Niall and I. Unexpected, yes, disappointing, absolutely not. So much for being 'just friends' I guess. Oh well.

"Sorry," Niall apologized as he pulled away unexpectedly.

"Why sorry?" I asked him. It was wonderful.

"Well I just never thought we'd do that," He said confused at his action.

"Neither did I, but I sure liked it!" I said back, enthusiastically.

Niall looked away, "Haha, good. So did I."

"Ya know Niall, I feel sometimes like I don't even want to be in a relationship," I told him, truthfully.

He turned to me, "Same. It seems... I don't know... complicated. I'd rather be friends with you Aibh,"

"Same to you. Though that kiss was pretty great," I smiled.

Niall laughed and agreed. Then he put his arms back around me and we talked about what was on our minds. It was perfect being there just Niall and I on the beach, dreaming and figuring things out. I wanted it to stay that way forever. I never wanted to leave and be without Niall. And he said he felt the same way. But also, neither of us wanted to commit to a relationship and that seemed just fine.

It was the most perfect and wonderful night, and before long, We lied down on a blanket on the sand and fell asleep. I replayed Niall's words in my head, "I will always believe".

Not so far in the future, Niall auditioned for the X-factor and we hugged goodbye tightly and added a quick kiss. He was hardly nervous and I knew he would make it and become something big. I told him again, "I will always believe." And he replied with the same words.

I had no doubt he would make it and I turned out to be right.