{Do you remember} Summer '09

Pt. 1 of 3: Do you remember

I was on my way to visit Chris and Maura, family friends. My mom told me to invite them to dinner tomorrow night.

I approached the short driveway of their little house. I raised my hand to the doorbell, but Maura Horan\Gallagher opened the door before I pressed the button.

"Hello, Aibhilin!" She smiled warmly, "Come right in," She let me into the living room of the house.

"How are you?" I asked her as I sat on the white and floral sofa.

"Very good! I'll be right back..." she said walking into the kitchen. The little house smelled homey and I enjoyed it.

I looked around the living room at the framed pictures of familiar and not familiar faces.

I heard a loud laugh from the kitchen and tried to recognize the voice. Maura came back in with a young man about my age, 20 or so with blonde hair and brown roots and amazing blue eyes. The moment I looked up from picking my nails I knew that face. 

"Niall!!!" I hugged him. I hadn't seen my old best friend in YEARS. My stomach was stirring and my eyes were stinging with tears.

"Aibh! How are you?"he asked me, his face brushed against my hair as we slipped out of the tight hug.

"I'm just fine! What about you? No one told me you were coming home! I can't believe it! Its been what, 4 years?!" I said excitedly,practically jumping in the small room. I was nervous and excited. Like a whole field of butterflies let loose in my stomach.

Niall laughed, "I'm good.And yeah, a nice break from tour at home. Wanna go outside and talk?" Niall asked casually. So far, he seemed the same, just more experience in his voice. It was thrilling and calming all at once...

"Yeah, of course," I replied, walking out to the back patio with him.

We sat on two cushioned chairs and looked at each other and laughed.

"Its been too long, Aibh!" Niall said, smiling. His smile comforted me, knowing he was genuinely happy to be here and to see me.

"It has... so what have you been up to? I mean, not that I don't know you've been on three tours and made 4 albums and this and that. Honestly, I'm a huge fan," I smiled, rambling off my words excitedly. My cheeks were hot with the pressure of deciding if I sounded stupid.

Niall laughed, "Glad to hear it. Well there is so much to say I don't know where to start... so many people and places." He seemed very relaxed, I liked it.

'I'm so happy for you guys," I said, so many questions inside of me, yet I was unsure of what to say.

"Thanks," Niall said, "But what's up with you these days?" Seeing his face again was incredibly wonderful. Each time he visited I was busy.

"Not much at all... Meara and I hang out, I work two part time jobs and I'm taking a few classes at the community college." I replied, realizing how boring my life was.

"That sounds nice, just being around here," Niall said optimistically.

"It's alright, I just wish there was more." I said looking at Niall's face amd then the withering grass, wondering how it had been so long since we'd seen each other.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Niall asked casually.

"No, I don't. I haven't had one since I was 17 and that didn't last long. And dates have been few." I replied, placing my hands on my lap.

"Oh, yeah. I haven't had much luck finding someone for long. I've seen a few girls here and there... none really appealed to me." Niall said kind of sadly. He turned and looked around his old backyard. I couldn't help but smile.