Chapter 10:

**Brooklyn POV***

"We're going on a boat." I said, eyeing the bobbing thing warily. 

"Yeah, it's gonna be awesome." Lou winked. I rolled my eyes at him.

"What if we sink and we die?" I worried as Niall started pushing me towards the dock. I crossed my arms and pouted childishly.

"We won't, love. Niall will jump in and save you if you go overboard." Liam winked. It seemed like everyone was a little more comfortable with me, thank god, since I found out I was dating Niall. I just wish it could have been like this from the beginning. That I didn't have to find out on my own. I still firmly believed they should have informed me, but I didn't want to start any quirrels so we all just left it alone. 

"Let's go!" Paul said and so we all trekked onto the boat. I wheeled myself over to one side, Niall following along and planting himself on the couch. The other boys all went to the other side of the boat, leaving Niall and I alone. Oh god, I'm stuck with my boyfriend. What do I do?

"Here." Niall smiled at me, passing a beer into my hands. I thanked him, popping the top. I took this time to inspect my.. Boyfriend. He seemed carefree and happy. He had soft looking hair and I felt like petting it. Crystal blue eyes twinkled as our eyes met. My breath caught. He was absolutely beautiful. It was totally cliche to say, but his eyes were as blue as the ocean and I swear I could get lost in them. He licked his lips, eyes never leaving mine. It was like a staring contest, but it wasn't a competition. I felt like if I looked away, everything would snap. Niall's eyes literally kept me captive. I'm not entirely sure who leaned in first, I just knew our eyes never left each others and I could feel his breath tickling my lips. It was a trance and I wasn't sure if I wanted out. 

"I wish I could remember, I truly, truly do." I whispered, our lips getting closer and closer. I was torn between two options. I could either continue to stare into his gorgeous eyes or I could close my own and let our lips touch. My heart chose for me and my eyes started to flutter shut. My heart was racing.

"Brook! Nialler! You want a sandwich?" A voice called out, snapping me out of my dream reverie. I pulled away quickly, blinking and staring at Niall. Did that just happen? Did I seriously almost kiss a boy I just met? Well, kind of just met? Oh god I don't know what the hell what I'm thinking.

"Yeah, mate, I'll be right there." Niall called back to Louis, eyes still locked on mine. We sat in silence for a couple of seconds and I wish I could have read his expression. It was like he was suddenly analyzing me, it was a different type of stare then before. This one was full of questions.

"I'm sorry." I don't know why I felt the need to apologize, but I did. As I said those words, I looked away. I looked out into the Australian waters and sipped at the bitter tasting beer.

"You want a sandwich?" Niall questioned and my eyes reluctantly made their way back to him. He was standing up now, ready to go grab the food from the inside of the boat. I nodded once with a smile before letting my gaze slide back to the waters.

So many thoughts were swimming around my head. It's like my entire life was now just a question. I had a total of one memory from the last three years and it was completely insignificant. I could remember every detail of my school years, from Mrs Crayn's nasally voice to my best friend's last hair cut. That led to another question. Where were all my girl friends? The entire tour crew seemed to consist of men and all I heard stories about were men. Did I have any girl friends? 

"Here." Niall handed the turkey sub to me.

"Thank you." I replied quietly, placing it on my lap.

"The lads are going swimming. You're invited if you want to go." Niall informed me, neither of us looking at each other.

"Nah, it'd be too hard to figure out with my prison." I motioned to my wheelchair, a small smile making its way to Niall's lips.

"Liam's fishing if you want to do that." Niall offered after a few moments of silence.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" I teased, half-joking.

"Never. I just.. Uh, I thought it might be awkward for yah." Niall shrugged, seeming embarrassed. A tint of pink flushed his cheeks.

"The last month of my life has been awkward," I reminded him with a laugh. 

"Yeah, sorry bout that. I just.. I didn't want you to react negatively to it.. I thought I'd rather you not know at all.. You know?" He awkwardly tried to explain.

"No, I don't, but it's over with now. I know. It's just.. So weird.. Having a boyfriend and not knowing him. I'm sorry, I really wish I knew you completely and not just bits and pieces.. I just.. I wish you weren't sad. You don't know I see it, but I do. I don't know you but I know that it hurts me when you're sad." I tried awkwardly to explain. 

"Well, how about we try this." Niall stuck his hand out at me, a smile wide across his face and a twinkle in his eye. I raised an eyebrow at him but took his hand. He shook it. "Hi, I'm Niall Horan. I'm Irish. I absolutely love me beer, I love food, I slept with a teddy bear until I was seven, I ate dirt when I was five, I was the dorkiest kid in school. My hair is not naturally blonde. I'm left-handed. The X Factor changed my life. I have four absolutely crazy best mates. And I'm in completely in love with a girl by the name of Brooklyn Tomlinson." 

"It's very nice to meet you, Niall Horan." I giggled slightly at his goofy smile. A swarm of butterflies gathered in my stomach at his last words. It brought a warm sensation to me, as well as a small side of 'I don't know him, why does he say he love me.'

"C'mon, we're going swimming!" A booming voice interrupted our conversation. My eyes looked up to see the curly haired boy with a cheeky smile lit across his face. I wanted to laugh, he was wearing short, bright orange and pink swimming trousers. Totally stylish.

"For god's sake, Styles." Niall groaned with an affectionate smile. They bickered back and forth for a few moments.

I took that time to realize how close they were, considering they had only known each other for about two years. Harry swiped at Niall, but Niall dodged it perfectly and stuck his tongue at him. Good to know my boyfriend was mature.

"Entertaining to watch, ay?" Josh smirked and I started, glancing around me quickly. "Sorry, love, didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's fine. Just didn't realize you were behind me." I grinned at the boy. He settled himself onto the seat next to mine and together we continued to watch the two bandmates quirrel.

"It was mine!"

"You said you didn't want it."

"Yeah, didn't give you permission to eat it!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"It was a bloody sandwich, guys. You can have mine, Niall." I finally ended the argument, Josh laughing next to me. Both boys turned to me before sharing a grin with each other. "What?" I asked warily.

"Nothing, just that's exactly what you would have said before." Harry said happily. I rolled my eyes but let the smile on my face stay. I finally felt like everything was fitting together.

"You don't have anything on you, do you Brook?" Josh randomly asked.

"No.." I answered, worried about what was going to happen. Josh simply nodded and yanked off his tshirt. I looked on in appreciation. The boy had a nice body, don't judge. Before I knew what was happening, I was getting lifted out of my wheelchair. Bare arms were holding me tight and I glowered at Josh. He simply grinned his perfect smile and made his way to the edge of the boat. 

"What about her cast?" Niall asked, following along.

"It's able to get wet, I checked." Josh laughed evilly once before diving into the chilly water. I felt myself get submerged before popping above the water line. I couldn't hide the fact that I was laughing.

"How am I supposed to stay afloat, though?" I questioned, feeling the weight of my cast pull me down.

"Guess I'll have to carry you." Josh teased. I pulled my completely soaked tank top off, leaving me in a polka dot bikini. I threw the tanktop onto the boat and felt a hand snake around my naked waist. I turned to scold Josh but his face was too adorable so I let him hold onto me while we swam around. 

I glanced up to the boat and saw Niall watching on with a scowl upon his face.