I walked into my house returning from dinner with Seth and our grandfathers. I dragged my feet up the stairs. I was having second thoughts about this whole deal, but it was too late to back out now. It's not like I had a choice to begin with. I got to my room and quickly stripped from the uncomfortable dress. I found the sweatshirt I had been wearing practically every night, and put it on. I breathed in against the collar out of habit and frowned. The smell was gone and replaced with my mothers boring detergent. I childishly sent daggers in the direction of her room even though she couldn't see. I put on some pajama shorts and laid in my bed when there was a knock on my door. Before I could say anything Bella trudged in happily sitting indian style on my bed.

"Is there a point in knocking if your going to barge in anyway?"

"Oh shush, I cant believe I met One Direction!" She squealed. "Holy shit, they were amazing, better than in my dreams! Zayn and Harry totally want me."

I rolled my eyes, "Zayn's engaged Bell. Plus you have a boyfriend."

She ignored me, "And Niall! Oh my! He's such a cutie and gorgeous and so nice! I don't know whats wrong with you!"

"Seriously? Your really doing this right now?" I groaned and rolled facing away from her.

"Come on Emma, he was like begging me to help him win you back."

"Whatever, I'm going to bed."

"Fine but I know that you miss him. Your still wearing his flipping sweatshirt, which you said you were giving to me by the way!" She called as she walked out of my room shutting the door behind her.

---

The next day, around noon, I found myself in the car with Jen, Kylie and Andie on our way to Tara's. We were in our swim suits since Tar called inviting us for a pool day. I wasn't dumb. I knew Niall and the rest of the guys were there. I could just tell by her voice that she was planning something, she's not very subtle. I don't know why she wouldn't just tell me the truth I would have come anyway. I'm done being childish.

We pulled into her large circle driveway, the kind with the fountain in the middle. I hopped out of the car and we walked into the house without knocking and went straight towards the backyard. Like I had assumed they were all sitting on the large deck around the fancy patio table set. They were all there, except one, the guy I actually found myself excited to see again. Our presence was noticed and Louis charged at me spinning me around, making me laugh playfully. The rest of them greeted us and I curiously looked around the large backyard for Niall but he wasn't anywhere insight.

"Kitchen," Louis smirked at me. I should have guessed. Tara's kitchen is always fully stocked, and their personal chef has probably been at work all morning since the guys were coming. I debated on going to find him but decided I would. I really missed him and just needed to see his face again. I hurried back into the house and through the many rooms until I reached the swinging doors of the kitchen. I took a deep breath before walking through. A smile immediately took over my face at the sight in front of me. Niall shoving his face with the fancy tea like cookies as Lorenzo the chef irritatedly watched out of the corner of his eye. He was just so adorable. No, stop Emma. I coughed slightly making him turn around. His eyes widened for a second before he flashed the brightest smile, still with a mouth full of cookie.

"Emma!" He called as he swallowed and tackled me in a huge hug. I stiffened in shock for just a moment then wrapped my arms around him almost as tight. His embrace felt way too good. He pulled back slightly and placed his lips on my forehead leaving them there as we held each other. It was like if we let go the other would slip away. I remembered Lorenzo's presence and broke apart from Niall who seemed a bit upset at the lack of contact until I grabbed his hand.

"Come on, let's go swim!" I pulled him with me through the house, and swung our arms playfully. We almost made it outside but I heard footsteps and stopped in my tracks as we reached the living room. "Oh my god! Spencer?!" I shouted and absentmindedly pulled my hand from Niall's, charging at Tara's older brother. I flung my arms around him and he lifted me so easily.

"Hey Kiddo! How've you been?" He cooed. Spencer is like the older brother I never had, always teasing me and Tara growing up. He's two years older than us and has been over seas in the military the past few years. He got in a lot of trouble his senior year in high school, obviously his family name got him out of it but he made the voluntary choice to enroll in the army. I always admired his decision to get his life back on track.

"Good! What about you!? It's been way too long, I cant believe your hear right now!" I spoke, my chin against his shoulder as he held me up.

"I know, Tara didn't tell you? I'm home for good. My four years are up." He spoke proudly and placed me down.

"That's amazing, so what have you been doing?"

"Well I only got in a few days ago but I plan on heading into the business with my father. Finally learn the ropes and hopefully get my own place soon." Their father is like CEO of some large company, leaving them loaded.

"I'm happy for you Spence. We'll catch up soon, I have to go."

"Yeah, I'll definitely see you around. I'm supposed to be upstairs anyway. Tara doesn't want me to try and scare off her new little boyfriend." I laughed and gave him another quick hug before turning back to Niall, only to find the room empty. I guess he felt awkward standing there, I didn't mean to just ditch him but the surprise of seeing Spencer again just overwhelmed me. I went back outside and found Niall sitting at the table so I took the empty seat next to him. I tried to make eye contact with him but it was pretty obvious he was avoiding looking at me. Was he seriously mad?

"Are you okay?" I whispered, nudging him slightly so he would look at me. He finally did and nodded with a blank expression before turning back to the conversation. I sighed, we were just doing so great and now he's being an asshole. I decided to just ignore him and not ruin my time with my friends.
"Tara you didn't tell me Spencer was back!" I scolded her. The rest of the girls faces turned to excited shock and looked at Tara expectantly.
"He's supposed to be upstairs! I'm gonna kill him!" She looked back at the house with a scowl. "And I was going to surprise you guys later." She shrugged.

"Get him down here! I haven't seen him in forever!" Kalie complained.

"No freaking way," Tara shook her head. "Do you not remember what he would do to my boyfriends in high school. Sorry but not happening, you'll see him later."

"Hey, I can handle it." Liam puffed his chest out slightly, trying to seem macho. Tara just rolled her eyes and patted him on the back. I tried not to giggle, they were really cute. I was honestly jealous of them. Why does every other relationship seem to work out other than mine?

We continued to talk and catch up with everyone. The boys talked a bit about their tour and what they've been doing. All the while Niall just ignored me. It was really pissing me off. Why was he being such a dick? I hugged a guy whose practically my brother, not to mention that I hadn't seen him in four years. Sorry if Niall wasn't my top concern in that moment. I was getting way too aggravated and couldn't handle sitting next to him any longer.

"I'm going to go lay out." I got up from the table and walked over to the lounge chairs by the pool.
I took off my sundress and applied some lotion, just on my shoulders since I don't burn easily. Perks of having Italian skin. I took a glance back at the table across the yard, catching Niall starring at me. Oh so now he can look, when I'm half naked. Of course. I rolled my eyes and laid on my back, soaking up the sun.

After a few minutes I was abruptly lifted in the air, pulling me out of my deep relaxation.
"Put me down!" I screamed as whoever it was ran towards the water. I shut my eyes tightly as we landed in the pool, thankfully it was heated so it was a nice temperature. After surfacing and opening my eyes wide, I was face to face with a smirking Niall. What is he like bipolar? We were the only ones in the pool, everyone else was still around the table. "What the hell?" I scolded him swimming towards edge so I wouldn't have to tread. He followed leaning against the edge next to me. I tried not to stare at the way his muscles tightened from bending his elbows back.

"What? You looked hot, like you could use a dip." He smiled cockily. Ugh, he's so annoying.

"Oh so your going to talk to me now?" I raised an eyebrow and his smile faded.

"I wasn't not talking to you."

"Okay sure,"I scoffed sarcastically.

"Look, I was just pissed off. You practically straddled him right in front of me. And the way he looked at you. It just, I don't know." He shook his head. I chuckled slightly at his jealousy, but mostly by what he implied between Spencer and I. "It's not funny."

"Yes it is! Ew you think theres something with me and Spencer?" I laughed more. "He's like my brother. He's been in Iraq for four years. So it was a bit of a shocker to see him. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable and jealous." I cooed pinching his cheek. He rolled his eyes and swatted my hand away.

"Maybe it's like that for you, but to him it's definitely something more." He assured.

"It is not, I'm just a kid to him. Please Niall stop obsessing over this. Nothing will ever happen with Spencer. Tara would kill me anyway and it would be beyond weird for multiple reasons." If he was freaking over this what would he think if he saw Seth and I out together. He huffed and pushed off the wall so he was facing me. He trapped me with his arms against the pool edge as he gripped it on either side of my body.

"Sorry," he sighed. "Can we forget that happened, that I overreacted." He gave me a crooked smile and I couldn't fight back my small one. I nodded. "Good, because I really missed you." His voice got huskier as he moved closer. Our chests were just touching when their was a loud splash in the pool, than another and another.

"Canon ball!" Louis shouted jumping in as well. All of the guys surfaced smirking at us from their obvious cock blocking. Niall groaned and pulled away, freeing me.

"Aw, angry Nialler," Zayn fake pouted and jumped on him, dunking his head. They playfully water wrestled a bit, and I shamelessly watched. It was really hot. I looked away and jumped on Louis' back and he swam around giving me piggy back rides. We all played around in the water, it was like de ja vu back to Cancun. A little while later the guys had to leave to get ready for their concert. I promised I would be there, looking at Niall who gave me a bright happy smile.

I went home about an hour after they left. I showered and changed for the night. After the concert we were going to Andie's boyfriend David's for a huge party. He always threw the best in high school, his house is amazing and right on the water. Andie invited Niall and the other guys. I was excited to show them what our high school parties were like but at the same time I was nervous to have Niall there. You never know who you could run into at these things.

I dressed quickly, making sure to wear something suitable for afterwards. I snuck into Bella's room and stole a black One Direction shirt, that she cut up so it was almost a crop top. I through it on and it looked good with my skirt. I laughed at how creepy it was to see my friends on a shirt, let alone wear the shirt. They look so young in the picture, it must have been from when they first started out. I couldn't get over how cute Niall looked with crooked teeth.

I went back to my room and finished getting ready. I wore black converse to the show but packed heels just in case for the party. I most likely wouldn't wear them I never liked wearing heels at house parties, it just didn't feel right.

The guys sent a car to pick us up, it was only Tara and I going to the show. She wouldn't shut up the whole thirty minute drive to Jones Beach about Niall and I. I can't have a conversation these days about him coming up. I just prayed I wouldn't make a drunk fool of myself that night, like last time.

Notes