come closer || nh au

thirty-one

"We should go to meet Mr Melroy", he says, nodding towards the clock.

I let my eyes skim over to the clock, seeing lunch is over in fifteen minutes. I nod at Niall and start packing my things. Niall also packs up his things and throws his backpack on his back before standing up.

"See you later, guys", I speak up.

"See you", some of them reply.

I take my backpack and follow Niall to Mr Melroy's room. We knock on the door once before a "Come in" echos from inside of the room. Niall opens the door and lets me step in first. Mr Melroy is currently sorting some papers on his desk while sipping on his coffee, I assume. He looks up, as we step inside.

"Ah, Violet, Niall, please have a seat!", he exclaims, setting his coffee down and getting something from his desk drawer.

Niall and I quickly sit down on some desks in front of Mr Melroy's huge desk. He looks up at us, smiling a bit.

"Well, if it isn't the perfect photography duo", he smiles, handing over our portfolio to our project, "I've graded yours first. Congratulations, I haven't given out an A+ in quite some time and that's why I have decided to ask you two, if you two want to participate in a statewide photography competition against other students of your age group."

I look over at Niall. He just shrugs lightly.

"We'll have to think about it. We also need to ask our friends and family, if they want to be seen statewide by judges", Niall answers, "But I think we'll do it. But we'll tell you soon."

"The entry due date is next Wednesday, so I need your permission until Tuesday, so I can sign you up that evening", Mr Melroy speaks, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you, Mr Melroy. It's very nice of you to ask us", I smile, looking at the portfolio in my hands.

I open it and look through it. He put post-its on every photograph and put a small comment on it. I hand Niall the portfolio, seeing him just skim through it quickly before giving it back to Mr Melroy.

"Well, I'd be glad to hear a positive reply from you", our teacher speaks.

*****

"So, we have this last practice and that's it. You should play all songs and see how it is. I think you can do this and you're an amazing band anyway, so let's do this. Did you all get the setlist I talked through with the student council by e-mail?", Mr Fitz asks.

"Yes", we all speak in unison.

"Good, did you print it out?", he asks, giving us a suspicious look before one of us answers.

Well, I was too lazy to turn on my printer yesterday and print it out, so I shake my head. Mr Fitz groans, getting some pages from his bag and handing one page to everyone. Well, we have some happy and party-ish songs for the beginning and the slow ones for the end. Niall and I are singing three slow songs, so actually just him and I won't be able to slow-dance then unlike Mere and Justin. But I really don't want to slow-dance with Niall when everyone is watching. I'm not quite comfortable with the whole school knowing that we're getting closer.

"Then let's go, guys", Mr Fitz speaks up.

Niall counts down for us and we start playing "Kill the Director" by The Wombats.

"I've met someone that makes me feel seasick. Oh, what a skill to have, oh, what a skill to have. So, many skills that make her distinctive. But they're not mine to have, no, they're not mine", Niall sings, hitting every tone.

I bob my head while playing my chords and going through the complete songs without a mistake. We've practiced these songs so many times that it seems impossible for us to mess up at Homecoming. Justin really beats his drums, making me smile in happiness. Mere also seems to get way better at guitar everytime we play. Soon enough, Niall finishes off the song. Mr Fitz seems pretty statisfied with our work. The next song is "I'm just a Kid" by Simple Plan. I decided that we should do this one because I know quite a few people besides me that actually enjoy this style of music.

After a few more songs, we decide to quit. Niall and I will practice one last time at the soundcheck in the gym. Mr Fitz said that the tech-club will help us build up everything and some of the football players will come to build up everything with the Homecoming committee, which Riley and Mia are actually part of.

"I'll be back in a few to lock up. Just make sure you take everything with you. See you on Friday", Mr Fitz says, standing up and leaving while we pack up our guitars and our equipment.

The auditorium doors close with a loud bang and we just stay silent. There is somewhat of a awkward tension in the room, as we all finish packing our things. I didn't come with my motorcycle but Wesley dropped me off earlier. He said I should call him to pick me up. I hope he even answers his phone. We said he should definitely be here by 4:45pm and it's currently 4:30pm.

"I'm leaving", Justin says, having Meredith close on his heels.

"Same for me, see ya", she shouts, leaving the auditorium.

Now it's just Niall and I, as usual. He is completely silent, just like I am.

"So, do you have a lift home?", he asks, kind of an awkward tone in his deep voice.

"Yeah, I'm supposed to call Wesley but he said he'd pick me up by 4:45pm", I answer him.

"Do you want me to wait with you?", he questions, scratching the back of his neck while giving me a sheepish smile.

He seems like he's wanting for me to say yes with his smile so shy and his eyes kind of looking at a spot on the floor. He looks up, taking his guitar. I smile back and just nod lightly. He seems to relax a little, as I react so positive to his plead. We leave the auditorium in silence, no words being exchanged. Niall plays around on his keychain while we walk to the tree where I'm supposed to wait on Wesley. We sit down on the bench beneath it, having some distance between us. I set my guitar between my feet, so I can lean my head against it. I'm really exhausted from today.

"So, about the game on Friday, can you pick me up at 5:30pm? My car's going to be at the workshop for that night. I'll pick it up Saturday morning", Niall requests.

"Sure, but I'll be coming with my mother's car because she's off of work that say and since Wesley always has our shared car", I explain.

"Sounds good to me. And then on Saturday, I'll
be at your place to pick you up for pictures at the lake and bridge at around 3:30pm. We'll eat at that fancy Italian place in downtown Tuscaloosa, Meredith already told me. After that we'll be at Homecoming by 6:45pm. We have to be onstage at about 7:30pm and we finish at, I think, 8:30pm. Then we'll have until 11:00pm to be there and dance and shit. After all of that we'll drive to my place and watch some movies, if you like", he suggests a time plan for Saturday.

He actually planned this all through. Then I suddenly remember. Did he buy tickets? And I still have to order a boutonnière and a corsage, if he didn't do that already. And I have to pick up my dress from alterations tomorrow. And then we, aka Mia, Mere, Riley and I, are getting our nails done tomorrow around 4:30pm. That means I have to pick up my dress before the nail appointment. Oh sheesh, these are some first world problems though. I'm not complaining, it's my fault that I planned this so shortly.

"Did you get tickets? Did you order a boutonnière and a matching corsage?", I ask.

"I did all of that", he says, smiling in a mocking way, "I know how much you hate Homecoming and dances but I thought I'd make this one more special."

I smile and thank him. What is wrong with me and why is my heart pounding so fast in my chest? It's just Niall.