Sorry that I took the story down before. But I've edited it and revised, and fixed some of the stuff that was bothering me before with the story.
I have changed the names of the boys and the band, for my protection, but I think that you'll find what I changed the song titles to is funny, hopefully; my sister and I came up with them together.
Thank You for all of the interest in this story before. It really means so much to me that so many people had read it. Please, pass this story on to your friends or anyone else you know.
Please leave me some reviews on how you like the story, it's greatly appreciated.
Oh, my gosh, Nile Borran said that he loves me!
I screamed again to myself, turning red but from the sheer joy that I felt. I'd caused Reyghan and Mallory to come back into the guest room to check on my well-being.
"You're going to have to stop doing that," Reyghan said.
"What happened now?" Mallory asked.
"He said that he loves me too!"
All three of us looked at each other as it took a second to sink in, then we all squealed.
"How'd he say it?!" Mallory asked.
"It was in a 'by the way' manner…Like it was an 'oh, by the way, I love you, too,' to my 'love you, bye,' from earlier."
"I told you he'd be cool about it!" Reyghan said like it was obvious.
"You didn't say that," I pointed out with a laugh.
"Not in so many words," she laughed.
"Well, now that everyone had that little pick-me-up, let's go to bed. We have a mid-morning flight back to Mullingar," Mallory said.
I woke up at seven to pack up all of my crap into my bags. Mallory and Reyghan were bustling around the flat trying to find their stuff to take with them back to Ireland. I texted Nile telling him that we had a flight back to Mullingar at 10:41 and that I'd call him when we landed. He texted me back saying that he looked forward to hearing my voice and it made me beam.
I took a shower, sprayed myself, and got dressed. I did my make-up and my hair and as I carried my bags out of the bedroom, Rey was finishing doing her make-up; everything else on her was finished.
"Mallory picked up some food for us at a bistro; I told her what you like."
I went to the kitchen counter and looked at the white bag sitting there next to a cup of coffee. I picked up the cup and tasted it to find out that it was a mixture of vanilla coffee and hazelnut creamer- my favorite. Inside the bag were two muffins, blueberry and banana nut- also my favorites. I took another sip of my coffee before I sat down to eat, Rey just zipping up her bags. Mallory came out of her room with her suitcase a few minutes later.
"You girls ready to leave?" Mallory asked.
"I'm ready," I told her.
We pulled our bags out of the flat and Mallory locked the door behind us. We hailed a cab to take us to the airport and got a flight back to Mullingar.
When we arrived, back at the manor, mom, Bill, and GAP were waiting for our return.
We were told how much we were missed and given hugs and kisses and told to run along. That was it.
"So tell us everything," Ness said as I was on three-way with her and Carsen.
I told them everything from my first date, to going to London, to the first time we made out, to Fabric, to Nile and me saying "I love you".
"You said it already?!" Ness asked.
"Yeah," I said.
"I think it's sweet," Carsen said.
"Thank you, Carsen," I said then laughed.
"No, I mean it is sweet, but isn't it kinda early?" Ness asked.
"It is early," I admitted, "but I really do feel it."
"Then…I guess it's okay," Ness said, I knew she was reluctantly nodding her head.
That's why Ness and Carsen are my best friends; we all have the same range of goofiness and scattered attention and the same level of awkwardness. But I'm in the middle of Carsen's heightened emotions and Ness's heightened sensibility. I go to them when I need two different outlooks on an issue I'm having when my feelings are just constantly in the middle of their two perspectives. They keep me grounded on both sides.
"So, he's coming back today?" Carsen asked.
"Yeah; his flight lands at 3:17," I told them.
"Are you going to meet him at the airport?" Ness asked.
"No, that's cliché, I'm going over to his house; I thought I'd surprise him."
"Don't do that, let him come to you or meet him in the airport," Ness told me.
"She's right, don't go over to his house," Carsen agreed.
"So, what do I do if I meet him at the airport?" I asked, frustrated.
"I don't know," Ness admitted. "But do something romantic."
I sighed and told them that I love them and hung up the phone. I sunk to the floor next to my bed and began racking my head for ideas that would be nice.
It dawned on me that he had showed me something the third day we were together: he loves to eat. Then I had the most brilliant idea: I'd cook for him! Not just any food, though- southern homestyle food.
I checked my clock and saw that it was 12:30. I hopped up to get dressed and make-up ready to go to the market to pick up the supplies I'd need and look hot while cooking them.
I fish-tail braided my hair to go from the top left side of my head and to curve to the bottom right side and down over my right shoulder. I put on a cute little cornflower blue dress that looked like it came from the sixties- kind of looks like the type of dress that Taylor Swift or Rachel Berry would wear. I had this pair of yellow flats that went with the yellow embroidering on the dress. I did light colored make-up on my eyes, making me look innocent and sweet, and just a touch of frosty pink lip gloss to pull the whole look together.
I put one of my checking books, one credit card, and some money into my purse with my phone. I ran to tell Rey and Mallory that I wouldn't be home until later that evening and then I rushed out of the manor.
I went to the market to pick up chicken, grease, potatoes, a potato masher, green beans, butter, cheese, milk, and macaroni noodles.
By the time I had found all of the ingredients that I needed and got to Nile's house, it was two.
I knocked on the door and his father answered, "Hello, Khyri."
"Hello, Mr. Borran," I beamed.
"How may I help you? You have so many bags."
"I was hoping to surprise Nile with a welcome home meal."
His dad smiled at me and let me inside. I walked in and he showed me around the kitchen, letting me know where everything was and saying that I could use anything in there that I wanted.
"So what kind of meal are you making him?" Mr. Borran asked.
"I was going to make him a southern meal. Fried chicken, sautéed green beans, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese," I said as I started the pans going and setting the ingredients out in front of me.
"That sounds delicious," his father said. "He's very lucky to have met you."
I smiled at that, "Thank you, sir."
"So, tell me about yourself."
I told him my story as I prepared the food. I had just put the macaroni in the oven when I finished telling him about myself.
"Your story is so tragic, all that you've had to live through in your young life, but you've come out so strong and courageous and joyful."
"I learned how to be joyous in the hardest of times long ago."
"How do you do it?"
"I don't know, really. When everything in my life falls apart, I hold on to the fact that I don't have to crumble with it. I hold on to my faith and I know that eventually, everything will be alright."
I took the last batch of fried chicken out and put it on a paper towel on a plate full of fried chicken. I began stirring the mashed potatoes that were just about finished. I checked the macaroni that was just about perfectly done. I started bringing down saucers and serving plates and began to set the table.
"Would you like to join us?" I asked Nile's father.
"No, I'll let you two have your alone time."
"Are you sure? There's plenty of food here," I smiled.
Mr. Borran broke out in a laugh, "You obviously haven't seen Nile eat when he's very hungry."
"Is it really that bad?" I laughed.
"You should take your portion of the food now, before he has a chance to get at it," he chuckled. "Oh, would you like to have some wine for your meal?"
"That would be perfect!"
Nile's dad left the dining room where I was setting everything up and brought back a nice bottle of wine.
"Thank you so much," I said as I walked back into the kitchen to grab two wine glasses to set out.
Everything was set out on the table, and the table was all set, I'd even put out a candelabra and just had it lit when I heard the door open and shut.
"What's that amazin' smell?"
Nile found his way into the dining room and he saw the spread that I had put out.
"I'll leave you two alone," Mr. Borran said as he began to walk out of the room. He clamped a hand on Nile's shoulder and gave him a smile before he left us alone.
Nile looked at me with a content smile on his face.
"You did all of this?" Nile asked.
I laughed, "I did."
Nile walked up to me and wrapped strong arms around me. He leaned down to kiss me passionately. The kiss was so deep that I found eternity in it and back again.
I buried my head in his chest.
"You're brilliant," Nile breathed. "You actually made me food, a full meal."
"I didn't know if you'd ever had southern food before, but I wanted to show you a piece of me. Southern food is a piece of me."
"I can't wait to eat it," Nile said as we broke apart to sit down across from each other at the table.
We both piled food on our plates and dug in. Every bite of the new food he tried, Nile sighed in contentment. He and I tore through the food, and talked and laughed the whole time. By the end of it, both he and I were a bit tipsy off the wine and I was feeling amazing.
"That was incredible!" Nile said as we finished eating.
"I'm glad you liked it," I said as I began clearing the dishes to take them to the kitchen.
As I put the dishes in the sink, Nile came up behind me and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I giggled when I felt his lips gently kiss my ear.
His Irish accent bombarded my mind, "So…what you told me the other night…"
I knew exactly what he was referring to, "I meant it," I told him.
He kissed my ear again, "So did I."
I turned around to face him and he stepped even closer to me, my back pressed against the sink.
I wrapped my hands around both of his and he held onto them. "I missed you," he told me.
"I missed you, too. I don't just go around making huge meals for just anyone," I chuckled.
"I'm glad you did that for me. It was the best thing to come home to."
"I thought it would be. I wanted you to be happy," I told him.
"I'm very happy," he smiled.
"There's still enough for leftovers for you and your dad to share."
"You sound like you're leaving…"
"I have to- family dinner. I'm already going to be late for it."
"You can't miss it?"
I hesitantly said, "I can't."
Nile pulled me in for a hug. I pulled away from him and turned on the water in the sink and wet a rag and put dish detergent on it.
"I'm not leaving yet. I have to wash the dishes first." I said, picking up a plate to begin scrubbing it.
"I'll take care of that, you made the meal."
"Exactly, so, I should be the one to clear up the mess."
"Nope, I'm not letting you do it," Nile said, snatching the rag out of my hand.
I laughed as I tossed a handful of bubbles at him. He laughed with me as he hit at me with the soapy rag. We had a huge play fight right there in the kitchen, getting dish water and soap everywhere around the kitchen.
Nile had gone to get us some towels to clean everything up, leaving the kitchen spotless. We both had our own towels to clean ourselves up with but he mostly used his to help me dry off. I was beaming the whole time, happy beyond belief that I had a boyfriend like him.
His blue eyes gazed at me and I shied away from his stare, just a bit. He lifted my chin back up to look at him and this time, I didn't shy. I ran my fingers down the length of his torso and just under his shirt; I didn't break my hold on his eyes. He tapped the spot on my neck where he had left a small hickey or "love bite". I smiled, knowing that the look I gave him was sexy. His eyes smoldered beneath his lashes. My heartbeat raced in my ears, and from my hand placed over his heart, I felt through my fingertips that his heartbeat matched mine. I gasped at the realization.
"What is it?" Nile asked.
"Our heartbeats match," I said as I stared at where his heart should be, puzzled at that fact. I looked up at him and he was beaming down at me.
"Do you think that you can come back later?" Nile asked, his hand coming up to rest on top of the hand that I had, still placed over his heart.
"I'll come by when I'm on my jog," I told him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow pass by, heading back toward the living room. I guess his dad had seen Nile and me together.
Nile saw what I had seen because we both separated from each other just a bit. I moved to get my purse and Nile followed me out to the car that mom and Bill had rented.
"I'll be back soon," I told Nile. It was splattering rain, but that wasn't going to keep me from my jog, from going to see him.
Nile and I hugged each other and shared a kiss before I got into the car and drove back to the manor.
I walked into the dining room, my family already sitting down and almost finished with dinner. I took my seat and took a sip of the water glass set out for me.
"Why do you look like a wet cat and why are you late to supper?" GAP asked.
"Nile got back from the interviews he had to do with his band today. I cooked for him to welcome him back home."
"What did you cook for the boy?"
"I made him some southern food. I cooked him green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken."
"Why do you look like a wet cat?" she raised an eyebrow.
"It was pouring rain outside. I didn't have a jacket or an umbrella with me. I got soaked out there."
"Hmm," GAP gruffled. "It was a sweet thing that you did, you seem to be making a wonderful woman of yourself with this suitor, but you will be punished for breaking the rule of being late to supper."
"Are you serious?! I'm being grounded?! I never get grounded!"
Mom looked at me from across the table, too afraid to go against GAP's punishment. I would be, too, if I was her, but I didn't like it.
Mom never grounded me because I never really did anything worth being grounded for in her eyes. With her, I would fess up everything I did, right after I did it, she'd say that I had to make my own decisions but that she was glad that I usually made the right or safe ones, and then she'd send me on my way. I never did anything grounding worthy! Honestly, I didn't even know how to be grounded. I think I'd only ever been grounded once and that was back when my daddy was still alive; so long ago that I didn't have anything to do with myself anyway, the grounding was just a formality.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked GAP.
"You are not allowed to leave this house for one week unless it is a family event. You are not allowed to see this suitor of yours within this week. He is not allowed to come over to the Manor within this week," GAP said with power in her frail voice.
I almost cried; my bottom lip quivered. She was telling me that I couldn't have Nile for this whole week. I just got him back!
I excused myself from the table, my family staring at me as I left the room and I ran up the staircase to the east to climb into bed. I screamed into a pillow as tears ran down my face. I cried twice within a week…that was more than I had cried in the last three years! What the hell is that?! I hate crying, yet I was doing it and didn't give a damn in that moment.
I dialed Nile, tears still streaming steadily down my cheeks. I told him what happened and that I wasn't allowed back out that night. He sounded genuinely sad that he wouldn't be able to see me this week. He told me that we'd find a way to see each other this week. When I got off the phone with him, I rolled over and cried myself to sleep, just as I was.