Adulation

Skyler and I were walking around the calm and happy streets. Finally it was Saturday and we had nothing to do since we did all that we needed to this past week. We were very fortunate to be able to get flats near our old neighborhood because it meant we knew the streets, the places, and some of the people. We walked to and from many familiar places this Saturday morning, but it was still early. I had one place in mind that I wanted to go to before lunch and before the two of us went to the amusements park. This place I wanted to go to was the only place that mattered to Skyler and I.

"Where should we go now?" Skyler asked as if she knew I had something in mind.

"I was thinking about-"

All of a sudden a guy ran between the two of us as we walked.

"Sorry," he yelled back as he continued running.

I looked to Skyler. "What the-"

Again I was interrupted with another guy running past.

What the hell was going on? Was there like a murderer in the area that we should know about?

The two were still seen running ahead of us as I shook my head.

Skyler didn’t do well in hiding her small laugh. “Just keep going.”

"I was saying that I was thinking we should go-"

"Excuse me. Sorry," said a third guy running. "Hey guys! Guys, wait! Wait for me!"

"Does anyone else want to interrupt me?!"

Skyler just laughed.

I sighed allowing me to speak fast and use only one breath as I did so. "I was thinking that we-"

“Excuse me miss!”

I swung my arm out pointing. “What now? They went that way! Is there anyone else? I would really like to know because I’m trying to have a decent conversation with my best friend, but I keep getting interrupted!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m here because you forgot your drink,” he confessed holding the drink up as proof.

My jaw dropped before I face palmed. “Oh my gosh, I feel so stupid. You probably think I’m a jerk. I am so sorry for raising my voice at you. I am a complete villain. I am so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re actually a decent person and I know what it’s like to be frustrated. Here’s you drink.”

I retrieved my drink. “Thank you so much! I’m really sorry!”

“It’s okay. I won’t keep you any longer. Have a good day now!”

“You too!” I said and we parted ways.

Skyler and I made eye contact. She looked like she was going to explode.

I rolled my eyes. “Let it out already.”

She complied and let loose her laughter. I shook my head.

“Nicely done Jay!” Skyler managed to get out through her laughs.

“Shut up.”

“Whoo, that was good,” she spoke composing herself. “So what was it you were saying?”

“I don't even want to talk about it anymore, but I guess I have to now," I muttered. "I was just saying that we should go to our tree before we go to the amusement park.”

"Yeah, definitely!"

After some walking, we had finally arrived to the park where the sound of kids laughter could be heard floating around in the summer air. It was the kind of atmosphere where you couldn’t help, but want to skip around and balter. That’s exactly what I did as we made our way over to our tree. I’m surprised no one was out on the grass area kicking around a football or having a picnic.

“Hey Skyler, wanna climb the tree?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

We climbed up effortlessly. When Skyler and I climb a tree we don’t just stop and sit after the first few branches. We always wanted to push the limits and see how far we could go. Skyler sat one branch below me and leaned against the trunk of the tree. I found two branches, one higher than the other. The two easily let me be able to sit back. I rested my head back and looked through the small opening in the leaves to see a couple clouds taking a stroll on the bright blue sky.

“Remember that time where you almost died out here?” Skyler asked.

“How could I forget? I about had a heart attack!”

“Wasn’t it during your junior year?”

“Yeah, it was the weekend after spring break. I can’t believe we actually got our parent’s to let us camp out here.”

Skyler gave me an opposing look. “We didn’t, we went behind their backs.”

“Oh yeah! I remember now! Smarty-pants, bringing a rope.”

“I’m just saying, I’m glad I brought that rope.”

“Yeah, we got Ms. Katniss Everdeen over here, tying herself to a tree.”

“Your fault for not bringing one. It’s not my fault you ended up hanging by your foot.”

My jaw dropped. “It was your fault! If your stupid excess rope wasn’t hanging down tickling my nose, I wouldn’t have shifted around! Sleeping in this tree was a bit of a stupid thing to do.”

We both laughed our heads off as we reflected, drinking. These memories the tree held ranged from very emotional ones to extremely stupid ones. As the time passed, three guys came to kick around the football. Couples held hands as they strolled around, stopping for a kiss here and there. Two girls that reminded me of Skyler and I, came running around below us playing tag. Sights like this made me just want to smile and just stay here forever.

Thump!

Something hit me on the back, instantly making me regret not holding on as I sat. I hit a few branches as I tumbled down the tree. I didn't notice that someone was standing beneath me until I took them down with me. We both hit the ground with a thud and began to roll, due to the slight slant of the terrain. Subsequently, I found myself on my back pinned to the ground by a guy; face, inches from mine. His brown hair messy and ardent blue eyes widened. I also took note that he was one of the three guys passing the football.

"Hi," he said cheerful.

I giggled a little at the awkward situation. "Uh… Hi."

He tilted his head to the side. "You have a really pretty smile."

I blushed. "Thanks, I'm really sorry for tackling you to the ground. I was just sitting in the tree and something hit me.”

"It's fine, love. My mate over there should be the one who's sorry since he kicked the football that hit you," he said getting up into a crouch. I sat up.

“I'm sensing a cute American accent, am I right?”

I smiled and blushed a bit more. “Well kind of. My parents are British and I was born on a trip out to see family over in the states. It's just a long story.”

“Promise I'll get to hear that story?”

“Maybe.”

He nodded his head. I began to get up myself when I saw a hand stretched towards me. I gladly took it placing my small hand in his larger one. From the tree that stood behind me came the sound of rustling leaves.

"Hey, here's your football!" Skyler yelled.

Thump!

The ball hit the back of my head sending it forward to come into contact with his. We both kind just gave up on getting up and sat back down.

"Oh wow that hurt! I'm really sorry! Ow!" I exclaimed holding my head.

He held his head too. "That actually did hurt a little. Let's hope we don't get headaches."

"Agreed and I'm really sorry about that!"

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault," He explained.

"Yeah, it was my friend Skyler’s fault. Well I feel really bad though because in the past like five seconds I've hurt you."

"Just give me a name and we'll call it even," he said helping me to my feet.

I smiled and tilted my head to the side. "I'm Jay."

"Well Jay, my name would be Louis. We can now call it even, okay?"

With a smile beforehand, I nodded my head, but I couldn't figure out something. "I'm sorry, but you look really familiar and your name is familiar as well. Have we met before?"

He smiled and looked to the ground where he gave a small chuckle. "I don't think so, but I am kind of well-known."

C'mon Jay, this was going to bug. Who was he? Louis, Louis, Louis. Why was that so familiar? The only Louis I can think of is the one my sister talks about, Louis To-

"I may be crazy, but you wouldn't happen to be Louis Tomlinson from that boy band One Direction, would you?"

His smile got even larger. "That would be correct. Are you a fan?"

"Sort of, I guess. I mean, I like the music, but I don't know much about the guys behind the music. I only know names and faces because my sister is a major fan."

"Oh that's cool."

Two guys walked up beside Louis; one with curly brown hair that peeked out from his beanie and the other had blond hair underneath a red and white snapback.

Louis went between the two and placed a hand on their shoulders. "Jay, these are my mates, Niall and Harry. Niall, Harry, this is Jay. Niall is the one that hit you."

Niall scrunched his nose. "Sorry about that."

"It’s okay."

Skyler finally decided to join and stood by my side. "Skyler, this is Louis, Harry, and Niall. They're in that boyband my sister's into right now."

Skyler nodded her head and mouthed an 'oh.'

I turned to the guys. "Guys this is my friend Skyler."

They said hi and Skyler's eyes widened when she looked at me. "Jay you're bleeding."

Harry walked over and held my arm to look at the injury. “How did that manage to happen from just falling out of a tree on to my friend?”

“I hit a couple branches on the way down.”

“Now, I’m really sorry,” Niall said repeating Harry’s actions.

“It’s fine. I’m tough.”

Skyler spoke up, “It’s really bleeding, Jay.”

"I think I might actually have-”

“Louis we got trouble,” Niall interrupted pointing to some girl who was walking down the street wearing a shirt that had 1D written big on it, but she was also meeting up with more girls and they started pointing.

“Lou, we need to leave,” Harry stated.

Louis looked to me. “Come with me- with us.”

I guess I couldn’t really say no. I mean my sister after all would end up killing me if she found out I said no to one of the members of the biggest boy band in the world. Most people would probably say I had something wrong with me if I said no.

“Um… Sure.”

***

What started as a casual walk away from the park, soon turned into a full on sprint.

“Louis, how far is your car?” I shouted over the screams as we ran.

“Well…”

“That doesn’t sound good,” inputted Skyler.

Louis just nodded his head.

“Why are none of the shops open at this time?I mean it’s not like it’s five in the morning.” Niall questioned.

“There are a lot of them. We have to lose them somehow. What are we going to do?” Harry added.

I looked to Skyler who I’m pretty sure had the same thought as I did. “Should we go to Minnie Mouse?”

“We have no other option. Let’s go to Minnie Mouse!”

All three of the boys stared at us and shot confused expressions our way, Niall especially. “What are you guys talking about?”

Louis gave his input. “Why are you guys talking about Minnie Mouse?”

Giving no time to reply, Harry contributed. “You two are making no sense.”

“Well it’ll make sense in a minute. Just follow me,” I explained.

We ran and the others followed my instructions. Although the shouting behind us was loud, no one was insight behind us, but we had no intentions on finding out just how far behind the mob was. I decided to be prepared and dig through my brown messenger bag.

Where are they, Jay?

A couple seconds later I had finally found them and kept them in hand. Taking a deep breathe, I sprinted forward and took lead of the others. All we had was two more streets, but of course with my luck, conflict had to strike.

“Crap!” was all I managed to get out as my left foot fell into some random unseen hole the width of a tomato.

"Jay!" Exclaimed the other four, but it was Niall and Louis who ran over to me.

***

"Okay, now that makes sense. I see why you have an accent," Louis stated with such focus on cleaning my cut.

Sitting in the driver's seat, I looked to my feet dangling out the side of my car parked next to the curb. Harry, Niall, and Skyler sat in the back arguing about something random. I was lucky I still had my mini first aid kit in the glove compartment. I would have easily put the band aids on myself if Louis didn't insist. My mind wandered and I found myself gazing at Louis. His blue eyes were soft and ardent and never left my arm. The hands that worked on my injuries were big and strong, but were also gentle and warm. His pink lips were slightly parted. He really was good looking, but I guess all guys in a boy band were that way. I mean the other two were also easy on the eyes; Harry and his curly brown hair and amazing emerald eyes, then Niall with his blond hair and deep blue eyes. I caught Louis biting his lip when he carefully placed the band aids upon my cuts. Going unnoticed, was him staring back at me until his phone vibrated on the middle console behind me. He checked to see what it was, but as soon as he did he looked to Harry and shot him a glare. Harry had a smug look on his face. The other two were too busy to notice as Niall was showing Skyler something on his phone, headphones connecting between the two.

After texting back, Louis turned his attention to me. "Well Jay, you're all fixed up!"

"Thank you! You know, you could be a professional. You have such a steady hand," I informed him.

"My mum was a nurse. I only learn from the best."

"Ah, I see."

Using my peripheral vision, I saw Harry motioning something behind me.

Louis looked at me and scrunched his nose, not breaking eye contact. "Harry, just come out and say it already. I'm pretty sure she's seen you, Skyler too!"

"Yeah, I did. I don't know about Jay though." I looked back and saw Skyler and Niall now involved.

Turning to Harry I nodded. "Yeah, it was kind it hard not to see."

A sigh was let out. "I was telling Lou that we still owe you two and should take you to get ice cream. There's an ice cream place across the street," Harry said.

"I'm up for ice cream. Lou, you up to taking these two for ice cream?"

"No really isn't an option, but that's if these to want to go?"

"Sure," I herd Skyler say.

All eyes were now on me. "I guess it wouldn't hurt."

Given that the mob of girls was gone, the five of us crossed the street and entered the ice cream store. Inside the store, I got a chill from the coolness that was held captive by the black tile floor. The walls were as white as snow, but were stained by the decorative black and red dots. No matter where you stood in the store, you would smell that sweetness that would make your mouth water.

While trying to figure out what I wanted, I took notice of Harry trying to talk to Skyler, but she would answer with short sweet answers and would avoid having to look at him. Poor Harry. I mean it wasn't him personally and it wasn't his fault. I wouldn't blame Skyler either because those green eyes were all too familiar.

"What kind are you going to get, love?" asked Louis grabbing my attention.

"I have no clue. I'm torn," I replied while scrunching my nose in frustration.

Niall walked over to us. "What's the matter?"

"Jay, can't decide what kind of ice cream she wants."

"What are your options?"

Looking at the two I shared my thoughts. "Well I don't know if I want cookie dough or cake batter."

"Go with cookie dough," Louis told me.

"No, I'm pretty sure she wants cake batter," Niall stated.

"Why is that Niall? Is it because that's the flavor you got?" I smirked lifting an eyebrow.

"Pssh, no. What are you talking about?"

"Bias opinion!" Louis exclaimed.

A decision was finally made and we ordered getting our ice cream in mi time. There we sat talking and eating ice cream. We were all laughing and having a blast. These guys were extremely down to earth and knew how to have a good laugh. Our conversations ranged from colouring Harry's face purple to the guys' family.

"Did you know you're a really slow eater?" Louis asked.

Looking away from my ice cream I saw that everyone was done.

"Yeah, she's terrible about that," Skyler agreed.

"Well I like savoring it," I said defending myself.

"Skyler, Jay, we were wondering if you wanted to spend the day with us? I mean were already out and it's not even lunch time yet so why don't we make a day of it?" Skyler and I looked over to each other.

"What did you guys have in mind?"

Niall spoke up. "Nothing really, we just hoped we could tag along with you guys."

"That would be cool, but our original plans were to go to an amusement park," I replied.

"That's perfect!"

Skyler went off on her own conversation with Harry. "I thought you said you don't like rides?"

"So Jay, since you're going to be spending the day with us can I do one thing?" Louis inquired.

"And what would that be?"

He smiled. "Just to ask you to look down."

"What?" I said and looked.

Next thing I know my nose has ice cream all over it. Everyone giggled including me. Louis was sweet enough though to grab a napkin and clean the mess he made on my face.

Notes