Take Me Back

2 - Niall

Running into Jenna unlocked a whole set of memories that I had tucked into the back of my head. Including one that we made more than ten years ago. I had asked if we would get together if we were both single after college. Judging on her reaction to me, I don't think she remembers. I doubt she even thought about me after she left. Although, she was excited to see me and wanted to hang out some more. When I got on my break, I texted her number.

Niall: hey petal! like my contact name in your phone?

Jenna: "nialls ass looks gr8 in spanx"? sure i love it x

Niall: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 (a/n: pretty sure this emoji is his religion he uses it unironically way too often)

Niall: are you busy this weekend?

Jenna: nope

Niall: awesome! wanna come over and spend a few nights?

Jenna: sure! ill pack and then ill be right over

Niall: ok the address is (address)

Around twenty minutes later there was a knock. I opened my door to the flat to a big toothy grin. I welcomed her in and sat next to her on the couch.

"Nice place! I think it may be weird having a movie night here instead of your house back home though".

"Well, let me grab my keys and we can drive the seven hours it takes to go back to Juniper". I chuckled, signifying that it was a joke, but I really would go there for her. I would go anywhere for her, actually. 

"Ooh, tempting offer, but no thanks. I'd rather not spend my weekend trapped in a car listening to you shout along to songs. There's this thing called singing, which I recall you being quite good at. Maybe that would be a better option for the sake of your voice and my ears". We both cackled over her joke until tears started forming. Perhaps my favorite thing about her was her sense of humor. It didn't always make sense, but it was always a good laugh. She used to say that the only thing noticeable about her was her jokes. I, on the other hand, notice a lot more about her.

Her.

Even thinking of Jenna made me feel things I never have had before for anybody else. Her smile, her eyes, her voice, her body...oh god, her body. She looked like an angel turned bad. She had black hair and piercing brown eyes, but something about it was soft, like a baby. Her style was basic but with a twist, so she always stood out from the other girls. And of course, her most amazing trait to me was her figure. She had always been insecure about her stomach and thighs, but I thought she looked perfect. The way her skin was naturally tanned all year round, her curves, her everything. I felt a sensation and knew what was happening. Jenna obviously knew it was too, for she blushed. Have I mentioned her face when she blushes? She does it often, and her cheeks light up to this shade of pink while her eyes get a spark. Those eyes met with mine for a brief second, until she looked away and broke the silence.

"Okay, so what are we watching?"

I snapped back into reality and answered her. "Whatever you want. I'll let you choose tonight and tomorrow I will".

"How about we both pick our favorite movies? I'm curious to see how your taste has changed. Hopefully it's better than Shrek. I remember you always chose to watch it". She was right, for the longest time my favorite movie was Shrek. Not my proudest moment.

"I'll have you know I haven't watched that in years. Although, maybe for teasing me about it, I should punish you by making you watch it!" I tickled her sides and she rolled over to avoid my touch. 

"Whatever, Horan. Your tickles can do nothing to me. Let's just watch a movie". She turned on Lady Bird, and it was actually kind of good. I saw a little bit of Jenna in the main character. They both had their spunk and charisma. "Did you know that I actually got the same hairstyle as Lady Bird since I loved that movie so much?"

"No". Of course I wouldn't, she never talked to me.

"Well, I thought it was cute for about a week and then realized my pink looked a little more orange. Then I dyed it black like it is now. It isn't that far from my natural color, but it's different".

"I like it. Pretty badass if you ask me. Sort of like a ninja".

"Did you really just call me a ninja?" She giggled and put her head on my shoulder. In that moment, I knew that I was in the right place.

In the morning, I was awoken by a pillow to the face. The night before, I had shown Jenna her room right across from mine. She had slept there, but clearly I wasn't allowed to sleep here.

"Wake up, would you? It's almost 11:00 and I'm bored. Plus I'm hungry and don't want to eat by myself". She made a puppydog face at me and I gave in.

"Fine, but you're making pancakes. You still make the best ones I know". 

"Do you treat all your guests like this?" She chuckled. "No wonder you didn't get a girlfriend!" That one hurt a little bit, but I knew it was all in good fun.

Once Jenna had whipped up the batter, she started to pour it into the pan. I scooped up a little bit with my finger and wiped it on her nose. "What was that for?"

"For waking me up. Plus forgetting to call me for four years. Can't let you forget that one".

"Two can play this game", she said as she wiped warpaint on my cheeks. "That's for putting it on me and that's for making me cook breakfast for you", she explained while pointing to my right and left cheek. She was so cute, the way she tried to intimidate me. We were 26, but she still acted like a 12-year-old sometimes.

"Okay, we're even. Now can you get back to the pancakes? I think that one's burning..."

"Shit!" She looked over to the stove where a completely burnt 'pancake' sat in a pan. "Rock paper scissors, loser has to eat it?" Like I said, childish.

"You're on. But prepare to eat pure charcoal". Spoke too soon. Her palm covered my fist.

"Ha! Put some syrup on that baby and eat up. I prepared it with love just for you", she said with a cheeky grin.

"Wow, thanks a lot petal. I really appreciate it". I grimaced and took a bite of the pancake. "Ugh, why does it taste like that?"

"Because somebody decided to distract me by putting batter on my face, duh". She gave me a silly look and I stuck my tongue out at her.

Later, we were lounging around on the couch. "So where are you living now? I guess I never asked before".

"Just a small place I'm renting. Terrible quality, but it'll do. I'm not some bigshot like you". It was pretty ironic actually. I went to a tiny school and own a company, while she got a scholarship to a great school and is a struggling writer.

"Move in with me". The words slipped out of my mouth. Although, this time I didn't regret it.

"Niall, I wouldn't want to be a bother-" I stopped her before she could finish.

"Are you joking? You're my best friend. Besides, I'd be the one doing the bothering. You can just sit back and enjoy the show". I winked at her and she chuckled. 

"Fine, but only for a little bit". 

"We'll see about that part. Now let's go, I'm hungry again and want a burger".

a/n: hey! hope you liked this chapter! quick question: do you want me to add pictures of their outfits? i only ask because a) niall is a style icon and b) jenna is based off me and i think it would be cool to show her style aka my dream style im too broke to afford :p new chapter coming soon! love you!