All These Little Things
Chapter 24: It's Only Fun When You're Winning
“Alright!” Niall said while patting the ball on the open side.
“Let’s get started.” He said and put the ball on the ground.
Now, don’t go and think I’m stupid. I know how to kick a ball I just didn’t understand who I was supposed to kick it to or the rules.
“I’m assuming you know how to kick a ball?” Niall asked while putting his hands behind his back. I looked at him and gave him a sarcastic smile. I walked towards the ball and gave it a hard kick.
“Oh, that was so hard!” I said while flailing my arms around.
“I don’t think I could handle it!” I said sarcastically. I giggled when Niall rolled his eyes and jogged over to the ball. He kicked it back to me and I stopped it with my foot.
“Really, all you have to do is run around with the ball and kick it to an open player.” He said while walking a little bit further from me.
“Kick it to me!” Niall said a bit louder so I could hear him from where he was at.
I kicked the ball but not hard, purposely. I kicked it just a bit ahead of me so I could kick the ball farther.
I took a few steps back from the ball and walked quickly back to it, making sure that my foot would meet up with the ball so it would go straight to Niall. After I kicked it, it went straight to Niall, just like I wanted it to. I smiled at my small achievement. Maybe I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was.
“Good!” Niall said while he stopped the ball with his foot.
“Just keep kicking it to me and follow the ball where it goes!” Niall shouted and then kicked the ball back to me. It didn’t really go straight to me but veered to the right of me. I moved myself over more and kicked the ball back to him. This went on for a few minutes before he stopped the ball and put his foot on top of it.
“Lads!” Niall shouted over to the boys who weren’t playing as aggressively as earlier.
“Yea?” Louis shouted back.
“I think she’s ready!” Niall shouted and then looked over at me. He winked before he threw the ball towards the house.
Louis walked over to us with the ball between his hip and right arm.
“Teams?” He asked while looking at Niall.
“Sure!” Niall said before he grabbed my arm.
“I call her!” He said which made me giggle.
“Alright, Zayn, Liam, and Harry, you’re on a team. I’m joining Niall and Tina because they need some professional help.” Louis said while patting Niall on the shoulder, like the news he said was major.
I laughed which caused a chuckle out of the boys.
“Wait, Tina?” I asked, I have never been called this before.
“Yea, Cristina sounds too formal and Cristy reminds me of a school girl but Tina just suits the whole ‘look’ better.” He said while shrugging it off.
“The ‘look’?” I said looking at him confused.
“Yea, you and Niall. ‘Niall and Tina’ sounds better than ‘Niall and Cristina’. Well, maybe Cristy would work better too. I don’t know!” Louis shouted while throwing his hands up in the air.
“I’m just going to call you Tina, one: Because I like to say it. Two: Because I’m too lazy to say the rest of your name.” He said and nodded.
“Alright, whatever floats your boat.” I said and giggled slightly.
“We’ll still call you Cristy.” Harry said while Zayn and Liam nodded in agreement.
“Well, I guess it’s just going to be a Louis thing.” I said while laughing. I didn’t really know why it was so funny but he just seemed so frustrated.
“Yea, I’m just going to stick with Cristy.” Niall said and rubbed my shoulder. I looked up at him and smiled.
“Hey, lovebirds! Are we going to start?” Louis said with both hands on his hips.
“Yep!” Niall and I said at the same time.
Louis walked with me and Niall towards the middle of the field. Zayn, Liam, and Harry joined but were right across from us, like there was an imaginary line between us.
Louis huddled Niall and I into a little circle and the other group did the same.
“Alright, Tina, you’re our secret weapon. Niall, you’re going to kick it to Tina when I say ‘3’ ok?” Louis said while looking at Niall. I was confused why he chose the number three but I didn’t mind. All I knew at this point is that when Louis said three, I better be prepared and look for Niall.
“Tina, when you get the ball, I want you to run the fastest you can towards that goal.” He said and pointed to the goal that was behind Zayn, Liam, and Harry.
“What if they come at me?” I asked, scared that the other boys might hurt me if I wouldn’t give up the ball.
“Just try to get either Niall’s attention or mine and kick the ball to either one of us okay?” Louis said while putting his arm on my shoulder.
“Alright!” I said and stood up straight from our huddled position.
“Goal: Don’t let them get the girl!” Louis shouted purposely so the other boys could hear.
“Goal: Get the girl!” Zayn, Harry, and Liam shouted right back and looked at me. I gulped. Oh, GOD!
The ball was placed in the middle, Niall told me to stay by the ball while Louis and him walked towards the other team’s goal.
“Alright! Give it a good kick!” Louis shouted.
I looked down at the ball. Alright, let’s do this.
I took a few steps back, and this time, I ran to the ball. I kicked it with all the force inside me. I was shocked with how far it went. It went all the way past Louis and Niall, almost at the entrance of the goal.
Louis was clearly taken by surprise, he mouth was agape before him and Niall ran after the ball. Niall gestured for me to run towards them. Harry got there before Niall or Louis could, he kicked the ball with extreme force, sending it to the other side of the backyard. Liam was first to react and started to kick the ball towards our goal. Louis and Niall rushed past me and I automatically followed but stayed farther behind, just in case the ball came back my way.
Liam, Niall, Harry, and Zayn all fought over the ball before Niall had full possession over it.
“Three!” Louis shouted. I knew that was my cue and before I knew it, the ball was coming at me.
It past me and I ran as fast as I could to get to the ball. I reached it and continued to kick the ball towards the goal. Liam and Louis were close behind me but I was now running with fear, I was scared that I was going to get hurt if I slowed down the least bit. I kept kicking the ball and closed in towards the goal. I saw Liam creep up on me and tried to take the ball from me. I turned my back to him so his chest was on my back and kicked the ball at the goal, hoping it would make it in.
“YEA!” Louis shouted as the ball went into the goal. I was shocked, the first goal of the game! Louis and Niall came running towards me. Louis patted me on the back and Niall kissed me on the cheek.
“Good job! You were meant for this!” Louis said and beamed, obviously glad that he chose to be on my team.
“See! You’re good!” Niall said before walking towards the middle of the yard again.
I heard a few grumbles coming from Liam, saying he should’ve seen that coming and he was just going easy on me.
This time, Niall was positioned to kick. I was by the goal with Louis, waiting for the ball to come at us. When it did, the game began.
The game was pretty rough and we were all sweating like crazy. Niall, Louis, and I won the game. With each goal being three points (maybe that’s why), we scored a total of 12 points. Four goals and two of them were me! I was so proud of myself! I have never really pictured myself being the sporty kind.
“Great game!” We all said as we shook each other’s hands, showing good sportsmanship.
“You were surprisingly good.” Louis said as he shook my hand, even though we were on the same team.
The other boys nodded at me in agreement. I blushed slightly before Niall walked up to me and places small kiss on my cheek.
“Did you have fun?” He asked.
“Yes!” I said excitingly. “I never thought sports could be so fun!” I said while smiling brightly.
“It’s only fun when you’re winning.” Harry mumbled.
“Now now!” Louis said while moving his pointer finger up and down.
“Let’s not get hasty.” He said which caused everyone except Harry to laugh.
We all walked back into the house. I checked the time on the clock. It was only 8:30 am. I still had a few hours until Niall got to meet my mom.
I yawned which caused Niall to look at me.
“You tired?” He asked as he draped his arm around my shoulder.
“Exhausted.” I said and sighed. He chuckled but I really was tired but I didn’t really know it until I got done playing soccer (football).
“Want to take a nap here?” He asked. I thought about it.
“If you don’t mind.” I said. I kind of wanted to go back to my house and sleep but I also didn’t want to leave Niall. I hadn’t seen him and missed him a lot.
He smiled at my response.
“Let’s go.” He said while he led me up the stairs.
“Keep it down now, Tina!” Louis shouted as Niall and I walked up the stairs.
“Shut-up Louis!” Niall shouted back at Louis. Louis is such a perv but I love the boys either way! When I say love, I mean like a friend way. I love and care about Niall but, for now, only in a friend way. A relationship type of love, for me, was something quite different.
I giggled at the awkward situation Louis had just created.
Once we reached the top of the stairs, there was a long hallway that head at least three different rooms and maybe a bathroom.
We walked to the first door. Niall opened it to reveal a decent size room. The bed was made, to my surprise. I walked over to it and plopped down. Niall sat down next to me.
“I like your room.” I said as I looked around the room, observing all the details. There was an Ireland flag on the wall and some posters of different bands.
“I do too.” He said while looking around with me.
He crawled to the other side of the bed, farthest from me and laid down.
“I’m not tired but I will lay with you until you fall asleep.” Niall said while he opened up his arms for me to come lay with him. I took my shoes off and crawled closer to him.
I rested my head on his chest and listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat. It made me smile.
He chuckled as I rested one arm across his stomach. I could feel him breathing which made me feel very calm.
“You played good today.” He said and I could hear the vibration in his chest.
“Thanks.” I said very sleepily.
He started to hum a song that I couldn’t recognize but I liked the vibrations on his chest when he did hum. It made me feel very tired and peaceful.
“Sorry.” He said while he abruptly stopped humming. I didn’t like feeling of the vibrations disappearing.
“It’s a song stuck in my head.” He said while letting out a deep sigh.
“No, I like it when you hum. It makes me tired and peaceful.” I said as I drew circles on his stomach with my hand that used to lay across his stomach.
“Ok, so you don’t mind?” He asked as one of his hands started to play with my hair.
“No, please continue.” I said. He chuckled before he started humming the song again.
I snuggled closer to him as he hummed the song. Before I knew it, my eyelids started to close. I fell asleep on Niall but even though I was asleep, I could still hear him humming the song and it made me smile.
“Let’s get started.” He said and put the ball on the ground.
Now, don’t go and think I’m stupid. I know how to kick a ball I just didn’t understand who I was supposed to kick it to or the rules.
“I’m assuming you know how to kick a ball?” Niall asked while putting his hands behind his back. I looked at him and gave him a sarcastic smile. I walked towards the ball and gave it a hard kick.
“Oh, that was so hard!” I said while flailing my arms around.
“I don’t think I could handle it!” I said sarcastically. I giggled when Niall rolled his eyes and jogged over to the ball. He kicked it back to me and I stopped it with my foot.
“Really, all you have to do is run around with the ball and kick it to an open player.” He said while walking a little bit further from me.
“Kick it to me!” Niall said a bit louder so I could hear him from where he was at.
I kicked the ball but not hard, purposely. I kicked it just a bit ahead of me so I could kick the ball farther.
I took a few steps back from the ball and walked quickly back to it, making sure that my foot would meet up with the ball so it would go straight to Niall. After I kicked it, it went straight to Niall, just like I wanted it to. I smiled at my small achievement. Maybe I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was.
“Good!” Niall said while he stopped the ball with his foot.
“Just keep kicking it to me and follow the ball where it goes!” Niall shouted and then kicked the ball back to me. It didn’t really go straight to me but veered to the right of me. I moved myself over more and kicked the ball back to him. This went on for a few minutes before he stopped the ball and put his foot on top of it.
“Lads!” Niall shouted over to the boys who weren’t playing as aggressively as earlier.
“Yea?” Louis shouted back.
“I think she’s ready!” Niall shouted and then looked over at me. He winked before he threw the ball towards the house.
Louis walked over to us with the ball between his hip and right arm.
“Teams?” He asked while looking at Niall.
“Sure!” Niall said before he grabbed my arm.
“I call her!” He said which made me giggle.
“Alright, Zayn, Liam, and Harry, you’re on a team. I’m joining Niall and Tina because they need some professional help.” Louis said while patting Niall on the shoulder, like the news he said was major.
I laughed which caused a chuckle out of the boys.
“Wait, Tina?” I asked, I have never been called this before.
“Yea, Cristina sounds too formal and Cristy reminds me of a school girl but Tina just suits the whole ‘look’ better.” He said while shrugging it off.
“The ‘look’?” I said looking at him confused.
“Yea, you and Niall. ‘Niall and Tina’ sounds better than ‘Niall and Cristina’. Well, maybe Cristy would work better too. I don’t know!” Louis shouted while throwing his hands up in the air.
“I’m just going to call you Tina, one: Because I like to say it. Two: Because I’m too lazy to say the rest of your name.” He said and nodded.
“Alright, whatever floats your boat.” I said and giggled slightly.
“We’ll still call you Cristy.” Harry said while Zayn and Liam nodded in agreement.
“Well, I guess it’s just going to be a Louis thing.” I said while laughing. I didn’t really know why it was so funny but he just seemed so frustrated.
“Yea, I’m just going to stick with Cristy.” Niall said and rubbed my shoulder. I looked up at him and smiled.
“Hey, lovebirds! Are we going to start?” Louis said with both hands on his hips.
“Yep!” Niall and I said at the same time.
Louis walked with me and Niall towards the middle of the field. Zayn, Liam, and Harry joined but were right across from us, like there was an imaginary line between us.
Louis huddled Niall and I into a little circle and the other group did the same.
“Alright, Tina, you’re our secret weapon. Niall, you’re going to kick it to Tina when I say ‘3’ ok?” Louis said while looking at Niall. I was confused why he chose the number three but I didn’t mind. All I knew at this point is that when Louis said three, I better be prepared and look for Niall.
“Tina, when you get the ball, I want you to run the fastest you can towards that goal.” He said and pointed to the goal that was behind Zayn, Liam, and Harry.
“What if they come at me?” I asked, scared that the other boys might hurt me if I wouldn’t give up the ball.
“Just try to get either Niall’s attention or mine and kick the ball to either one of us okay?” Louis said while putting his arm on my shoulder.
“Alright!” I said and stood up straight from our huddled position.
“Goal: Don’t let them get the girl!” Louis shouted purposely so the other boys could hear.
“Goal: Get the girl!” Zayn, Harry, and Liam shouted right back and looked at me. I gulped. Oh, GOD!
The ball was placed in the middle, Niall told me to stay by the ball while Louis and him walked towards the other team’s goal.
“Alright! Give it a good kick!” Louis shouted.
I looked down at the ball. Alright, let’s do this.
I took a few steps back, and this time, I ran to the ball. I kicked it with all the force inside me. I was shocked with how far it went. It went all the way past Louis and Niall, almost at the entrance of the goal.
Louis was clearly taken by surprise, he mouth was agape before him and Niall ran after the ball. Niall gestured for me to run towards them. Harry got there before Niall or Louis could, he kicked the ball with extreme force, sending it to the other side of the backyard. Liam was first to react and started to kick the ball towards our goal. Louis and Niall rushed past me and I automatically followed but stayed farther behind, just in case the ball came back my way.
Liam, Niall, Harry, and Zayn all fought over the ball before Niall had full possession over it.
“Three!” Louis shouted. I knew that was my cue and before I knew it, the ball was coming at me.
It past me and I ran as fast as I could to get to the ball. I reached it and continued to kick the ball towards the goal. Liam and Louis were close behind me but I was now running with fear, I was scared that I was going to get hurt if I slowed down the least bit. I kept kicking the ball and closed in towards the goal. I saw Liam creep up on me and tried to take the ball from me. I turned my back to him so his chest was on my back and kicked the ball at the goal, hoping it would make it in.
“YEA!” Louis shouted as the ball went into the goal. I was shocked, the first goal of the game! Louis and Niall came running towards me. Louis patted me on the back and Niall kissed me on the cheek.
“Good job! You were meant for this!” Louis said and beamed, obviously glad that he chose to be on my team.
“See! You’re good!” Niall said before walking towards the middle of the yard again.
I heard a few grumbles coming from Liam, saying he should’ve seen that coming and he was just going easy on me.
This time, Niall was positioned to kick. I was by the goal with Louis, waiting for the ball to come at us. When it did, the game began.
The game was pretty rough and we were all sweating like crazy. Niall, Louis, and I won the game. With each goal being three points (maybe that’s why), we scored a total of 12 points. Four goals and two of them were me! I was so proud of myself! I have never really pictured myself being the sporty kind.
“Great game!” We all said as we shook each other’s hands, showing good sportsmanship.
“You were surprisingly good.” Louis said as he shook my hand, even though we were on the same team.
The other boys nodded at me in agreement. I blushed slightly before Niall walked up to me and places small kiss on my cheek.
“Did you have fun?” He asked.
“Yes!” I said excitingly. “I never thought sports could be so fun!” I said while smiling brightly.
“It’s only fun when you’re winning.” Harry mumbled.
“Now now!” Louis said while moving his pointer finger up and down.
“Let’s not get hasty.” He said which caused everyone except Harry to laugh.
We all walked back into the house. I checked the time on the clock. It was only 8:30 am. I still had a few hours until Niall got to meet my mom.
I yawned which caused Niall to look at me.
“You tired?” He asked as he draped his arm around my shoulder.
“Exhausted.” I said and sighed. He chuckled but I really was tired but I didn’t really know it until I got done playing soccer (football).
“Want to take a nap here?” He asked. I thought about it.
“If you don’t mind.” I said. I kind of wanted to go back to my house and sleep but I also didn’t want to leave Niall. I hadn’t seen him and missed him a lot.
He smiled at my response.
“Let’s go.” He said while he led me up the stairs.
“Keep it down now, Tina!” Louis shouted as Niall and I walked up the stairs.
“Shut-up Louis!” Niall shouted back at Louis. Louis is such a perv but I love the boys either way! When I say love, I mean like a friend way. I love and care about Niall but, for now, only in a friend way. A relationship type of love, for me, was something quite different.
I giggled at the awkward situation Louis had just created.
Once we reached the top of the stairs, there was a long hallway that head at least three different rooms and maybe a bathroom.
We walked to the first door. Niall opened it to reveal a decent size room. The bed was made, to my surprise. I walked over to it and plopped down. Niall sat down next to me.
“I like your room.” I said as I looked around the room, observing all the details. There was an Ireland flag on the wall and some posters of different bands.
“I do too.” He said while looking around with me.
He crawled to the other side of the bed, farthest from me and laid down.
“I’m not tired but I will lay with you until you fall asleep.” Niall said while he opened up his arms for me to come lay with him. I took my shoes off and crawled closer to him.
I rested my head on his chest and listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat. It made me smile.
He chuckled as I rested one arm across his stomach. I could feel him breathing which made me feel very calm.
“You played good today.” He said and I could hear the vibration in his chest.
“Thanks.” I said very sleepily.
He started to hum a song that I couldn’t recognize but I liked the vibrations on his chest when he did hum. It made me feel very tired and peaceful.
“Sorry.” He said while he abruptly stopped humming. I didn’t like feeling of the vibrations disappearing.
“It’s a song stuck in my head.” He said while letting out a deep sigh.
“No, I like it when you hum. It makes me tired and peaceful.” I said as I drew circles on his stomach with my hand that used to lay across his stomach.
“Ok, so you don’t mind?” He asked as one of his hands started to play with my hair.
“No, please continue.” I said. He chuckled before he started humming the song again.
I snuggled closer to him as he hummed the song. Before I knew it, my eyelids started to close. I fell asleep on Niall but even though I was asleep, I could still hear him humming the song and it made me smile.
Notes
Hope you like it! The next chapter is going to be about Niall meeting Cristy's mom. But not everything goes as planned!Feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Updating tomorrow if at least one of you vote!
@pennyiswildforniall
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed the story and I hope it made you feel some what better about yourself. that's all I wanted with the outcome of this story: to let girls know that appearance has nothing to do with the beauty you hold inside. :)
12/8/13