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Cheers to the Teenage Years

Chapter Four

It was a message from Hollie, she was asking if I wanted to go with her and Liam to this “hangout spot”. I knew that I still had some homework to do but I decided that I shouldn’t turn down the invitation. I typed out my reply and headed to my closet to get ready.

Hollie was very vague as to where we were going but she didn’t say anything about it being formal. Needless to say, was pacing my room wearing a white, lacy bandeau and Victoria Secret underwear. I decided to wear my go-to ripped, denim shorts, and a slouchy, grey shirt. I addd a couple of chunky brackets and a pendant necklace. I tied my hair up in a messy, french braid and adorned my feet with and adorable pair of aztec printed sandals. ( http://www.polyvore.com/boho_x4/set?id=125725038 ) I spritzed my favorite Lily Pulitzer perfume on my wrists and took a final look at myself in the mirror.

Five minutes later i was sitting on a rockingchiar on my front porch, waiting for Hollie to pull up. I checked my phone, she said that she’s arrive in five minutes. I tucked my phone into my satchel styled purse and turned my attention to the road. I heard a girl laugh in a very high pitch tone, i turned around to see where it was coming from. I shouldn’t have been surprised, the girl was leaving Harry’s house while Harry stood by his front door. She gave him a sloppy kiss before heading to her own car, I watched as she tried to fix her messy hair. It was obvious as to what they had been doing. As soon as her car turned the corner, Harry walked over to me.

“Hey Avalynn.” He waved goofily and hoped over the railing on the porch. He leaned across the railing in front of my and smirked while fixing his hair.

“Hi!” I waved and looked at his long sleeved, flannel shirt. “It’s so nice out, why are you wearing long sleeves?” I joked, he looked at me funny before staring at his shirt.

“It’s quite chilly in my house, but if that’s your way of telling me to take off my clothes then I’d be happy to.” He cheekily replied and started to slowly pull at the buttons. His failed attempt at being sexy flew right by me when I slapped his hand away from his shirt and fixed his undone buttons.

“Harry, my mother is right there and she’s going to think that we’re up to something.” I scolded him while putting thee last button through the corresponding hole. My cat, Gertrude, decided that it was a nice time to rub against my leg which sent me falling into Harry’s arms. In the short two seconds that I was fallen against his chest I felt a mix of emotions. His chest was very muscular, I could tell that he was quite toned. I could also smell the faint scent of cologne mixed with clean laundry. I awkwardly stood back up and turned around to find Gertrude.

“You silly kitty,” I picked her up and cradled her in my arms like a baby. “Sorry about that, she made me fall.” I laughed while apologizing to Harry. I looked over at him and his eyes met mine.

“I’m not complaining.” He remarked while leaning over to pet Gertrude. Suddenly a car horn beeped which sent the cat running out of my arms for her dear life. Harry and I laughed as she scampered into the bushes yowling.

“AVALYNN!!!!!!!” Hollie shouted while waving one hand in the air. She paused when she noticed Harry with me. “And, hey Harry!”

“Mate, you should come with us!” Liam shouted from the passenger seat. Harry agreed even though we had no clue where Hollie was taking us. Nonetheless, we hopped into the backseat of her Chevrolet convertible. The whole ride Harry kept pestering me and when I was talking to Liam, he stole my phone and threatened to lock me out unless I told him my passcode. I disagreed and he proceeded to lock my phone for an entire hour.

“Here,” he smiled and handed it me. I just snatched it and glared. Hollie and Liam laughed at my misery, amazing friends, huh? Soon we arrived at our destination, the hangout spot turned out to be a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. We were the only people there except for one other who came running to the car as soon as we parked. It was Niall.

“Hey Avalynn!” He waved and extended his arm, gesturing me to formal exit the vehicle. I laughed and took his arm, instead of being a gentleman he hoisted me up on his shoulder and ran toward the lake, “You’re going in unless you admit that I’m the hottest person ever!” He joked and hovered my body over the water. I squealed and tried to get away but his grip on me was too strong.

“Have you seen Zac Efron?” Hollie called from the car, Liam was helping her unload the trunk. Harry was sulking near them while pretending to help. Why? I have no idea.

“Harry, save me!!” I shouted as he passed by. He seemed to glare at Niall but his gaze softened at my helplessness. He charged at Niall and went for his knees sending him toppling over with me onto of him.

“I’m liking the view,” He joked while poking my backside. I shot up, glared at him and ran to Hollie laughing. She smirked and we both rolled our eyes at the dumb boys trying to push each other into the water. Liam had joined them so it was just us girls.

“Did everyone but me bring a bathing suit?” I asked while looking at my own outfit. Hollie raised her eyebrows and looked down at her own outfit. (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=125822983) She shrugged and then laughed, “I didn’t expect to be going to the lake. Liam forced me to.”

“Are you going to swim?” I asked because going skinny dipping was not something that I planned on doing. “I mean unless you’re going to strip or something.”

“I have a bandeau on so I guess I could just wear that and my shorts.” Hollie adjusted her sunglasses and looked at me for a response.

“I was thinking the same thing, maybe we are twins.” I laughed while taking a sip of my Arizona green tea. Hollie and I talked about life in London, it was peaceful but it didn’t last, not with three crazy boys on the loose. They had decided that they weren’t going to stop nagging us unless we joined them in the water. Hollie and I rolled our eyes but we stripped to our bandeaus and stared expectably at Harry, Liam, and Niall.

“Well…” I put my hands on my hips and cocked an eyebrow, I hoped the look threatening. Hollie joined me and she tried to look equally as intimidating.

“Aren’t you two adorable.” Harry cooed sarcastically earning a chuckle from Liam and Niall. I scrunched my forehead and turned away from them.

“I’m suddenly not feeling the water.” I said very seriously to Hollie. She nodded while the boys groaned in frustration.

“What is that annoying buzzing noise?” She asked while referring to the annoyed group of guys. I quietly laughed and kept up the “let’s ignore the boys” game. After we riled them up, Hollie and I began to walk towards the car. Suddenly I was attacked and pulled to the ground, luckily I landed onto of my attacker while still wrapped in his arms. It was just Niall but he was persistent and wouldn’t let go. Liam carried Hollie over while putting his hand over her mouth to muffle her squeals.

“Gross, you licked me!” He shouted and rubbed his infected hand over Hollie’s arm “Okay boys, ready?” He asked and let go of Hollie’s hands but moved to her feet, Niall did the same. In a moment of confusion I tried to use my arms to get away but Harry quickly jumped in and grabbed one and took one of Hollie’s as well.

“Looks like these ladies need a dip.” He joked and we were carried to the edge of the lake, our loud screams did nothing.

“One…Two…THREE!!” They shouted in unison before we were tossed like rag dolls into the calm water. When we surfaced we were facing three boys laughing so hard I thought that they may actually fall over. Eventually they all splashed into the water trying to get us even more wet, if that was possible. Niall dove under theater without me noticing, I realized that he had disappeared after he grabbed my foot and practically making me jump out of the water.

“Hey Avalynn, you haven’t tried the rope yet!” He exclaimed while pointing to a fierily dangerous rope swing hanging over a waterfall on a tree branch. It looked quite precarious, there was no way that I was going to do that.

———

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Niall whispered from behind me. Somehow he had convinced me to grab the rope, I was a push away from plummeting to my death. He sensed my nerves and wrapped an arm around my waist, the other was used to grip the rope.

“Hang onto me.” He said and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Without warning I felt the ground shift under my feet and then I was in the air. A second later I was falling, I had a millisecond to prepare for impact by shielding myself with Niall. SPLASH! I was submerged.

“See, it wasn’t that bad.” Niall laughed when we surfaced. I still hadn’t let go of him, I didn’t loosen my grip until he set me on a ledge under the waterfall. He pulled himself out of the water and sat next to me. We were secluded in our own private cave with the rush of a thousand tons of water rushing over our heads.

“Thanks for going with me, I wouldn’t have done it unless you forced me to.” I joked and lightly punched his arm. When he didn’t reply I turned my head to look at him he made no move to divert his stare. He was attractive, bright blue eyes that lit up when he smile. His laugh was contagious as well as his limitless personality. His blonde hair was usually in a neat quiff but the water had forced it down into a shaggy style. Water dripped down his toned biceps and abs. I brought my eyes up to meet his but I felt like we weren’t the only ones staring.

Through the distortion of the waterfall i could make out a figure standing grimly near the shore. Even from the distance I could tell that they were upset, envious, jealous. I tugged on Niall’s arm and we emerged from the cave, Harry’s demanding eyes never left me.

After getting out of the water, Niall and I were laughing about some dumb joke. Soon Hollie and Liam joined in and we were all laughing except Harry. He was sulking near a tree, every minute or so he’d glance at his phone and then at me. I pretended not to notice.

A fit of girly giggles erupted from the treeline, three teenage girls pranced to a picnic table on the other side of the lake. I noticed Harry send me an impish grin and waltzed over to the girls. His attempt to make me jealous went unnoticed and I turned my attention back to my group of newfound friends. The next time I looked up Harry and one of the girls was gone.

By the time it was time to go Harry had still not shown up. Liam being the responsible one pulled out his phone to send him a quick text. At the same time he strode to the car and hopped in the passenger seat while fixing his obviously disheveled hair. The rest of us sent each other uneasy looks but we still proceeded to enter the vehicle. Niall stopped me and turned me around.

“Hey, what’s your number?” He asked and handed me his iPhone.