Foreign Exchange (A Nouis Story)

Chapter 7: Car Wash and Almost-Kiss

"Niallll, wake up." I whispered, gently shaking the blonde's hip underneath the cover. The light from the window cast a shadow on his pale, freckled skin.

"Why Louu.. It's Saturday morninggg," Niall's slurred, still half asleep. He turned over in his bed towards the wall and covered his face with his pillow. Typical.

"More like Saturday afternoon," I smirked. "It's 1pm. We've got to wash my car before the sun goes down. Get dressed. I'll meet you outside."

* 

Out in the garage, Niall stumbled sleepily behind me as I grabbed some old towels and sponges. I really did feel like an arse for dragging him out here with me, but I planned to make it up to him by stopping at McDonalds afterwards, especially since he slept right through breakfast and lunch.

So far Niall hadn't brought up anything about the "incident" last night. I highly doubt he forgot; he probably just didn't want to bring it up, which made me feel even more guilty. I owed him an explanation. By not showing up at Liam's last night I basically ruined any chance he had at a social life here because of my selfish reasons. I owed him an apology. So far I've been a shit host. I should be the one showing him the ropes, not vice versa. In just a week here, Niall's made more friends than I've made in 3 years. Before he came, I was a biology-obsessed loser on the lacrosse team. I mean, I still am those things, but if it wasn't for my anxiety attack I would've been going to a high school party.

My eyes still stung from last night. I tossed and turned for a bit and ended up reading articles until 2am about hosting an exchange student. Apparently the first step to making a stranger feel comfortable in your home is to treat them like part of the family; enforcing discipline, responsibility, chores. That's why Niall was out here with me.

Out in the driveway, I plopped down my washing supplies and started filling up a bucket with soap and water from the garden hose when I realized that Niall was just standing behind me.

"You'll probably think I'm an idiot for this but I have absolutely no idea how to wash a car," Niall scratched his forehead, not looking at me. "In Ireland we always just went through the automatic one."

"Me neither," I admitted sheepishly. "I guess this is gonna be a learning experience for both of us; some bonding time.. since we're.. brothers and all."

"..right," he replied staring straight ahead.

I turned on the hose and started to rinse down the Jeep before we started scrubbing. I've been busy with lacrosse for a few months so it was pretty dirty. About 15 minutes later I was lathering away at a some bird poop on the trunk when I felt a cold stream of water hit the back of my neck. I shivered at the unexpected flash of cold and goosebumps rose on my arms. I turned to see Niall behind me, smirking like a little boy, his blue eyes shining with mischief.

"Sorry, I kinda lost control there." He said nonchalantly, but the smile that threatened his face told me otherwise.

"Sure you did." I nodded. I bent over the bucket and dipped my sponge in the sudsy water until it was submerged, and I walked back over to Niall slowly, water dripping all over the driveway.

I approached him and turned on my game face, ready for war.

"Please, Lou, don't! I'm sorry!" Niall backed up slowly, eyes wide and hose in hand, urging me to stop. But I wouldn't. This Irish boy was gonna get it.

He backed away from me until he hit the car window. Nowhere to run. I took the chance and reached up, squeezing every last drip of soapy water on Niall's head.

"Oh no you didn't!" Niall's hair dripped onto his forehead as he blasted me with the hose again, this time across my stomach. I flinched as the cold water hit me. I grabbed the bucket from the driveway and ran after Niall, who was headed towards the backyard to hide. I ran as fast as could with a heavy bucket sloshing around the whole way. I had an extreme disadvantage. Aside from how fast I could run, I didn't see why he was hiding. Apparently it didn't register in his brain that he was the one with the hose.

I focused on not letting any water spill out of my bucket as I looked for Niall. I allowed myself to smile since no one was watching. I secretly hoped that this would end up happening.

"Boo!" Niall jumped out from behind the wall as I came around the corner. I jumped and half of the water fell out of my bucket and onto my shoes. I cursed myself for not paying attention.

"That's it, Horan!" I dropped my bucket in the grass and lunged at him, reaching for the hose. He held it tight in his hands and I tried to pry his long fingers off the weapon.

"Gimme. That. Hose." I struggled as his arms wrapped around me tightly, holding onto that hose like his life depended on it.

"Not a chance, Tommo," he smirked. Then I noticed his smile falter into more of a curious gaze. His arms relaxed suddenly around me as he stared intently at our entertwined fingers.

"Your hands... they're so tiny." He breathed, his voice soft now.

I turned my head the slightest bit and looked at him. We were literally centimeters apart. If I leaned forward, our lips would be touching. And that's exactly what I did..

"Boys!"