Niall sat on a bench at Brooke park, occasionally reaching into his bag of Pick n Mix. It was close to 5pm now, he was already feeling worn out from his walk. He figured he'd need to take walks often to build up stamina for work, might also help with his limp. Despite the chill, there was a decent amount of people in the park, mostly parents and their wains. One person in particular had caught his attention.

Some young girl was dancing about the park with a Walkman and headset on. She was wearing a zipped up blue jumper, black shorts, some colorful leggings, and a pair of black trainers, with her frizzy hair tied into a pony tail. Her movements were at times strange, yet also very elegant. She moved passed others with incredible ease, didn't seem to have a care in the world. Niall wished he could have that feeling. Feeling a twinge in his leg, he stretched it out and tilted his head back and let out a long sigh.

Orla McCool was in her own little world as usual. The quirky, free spirited Derry Girl was out and about practicing her dancing to the mixed tape on her Walkman. She loved letting the music consume her every being, tapping to the beats, her movements as natural to her as breathing. Michelle was at work (but she knew Fin Fin would visit her like always), Erin and James decided to do a double date with Clare and Lorie, so that left the young McCool to wander about town by herself.

She often ended up in Brooke Park, which was one of her favorite places ever. It wasn't overly crowded today, so she was able more freely hop, skip, jump, and twirl about. She was so caught up in her dancing, she didn't notice the fella sitting on the bench with his leg stretched out. As she was about to perform another leap, she tripped over something. Fearing she was about to hit the ground, she shut her eyes tightly as she braced for inevitable impact.

Orla was panting heavily, suddenly still, but it didn't feel like she had collided with the ground.

"Fuck, I'm really sorry!" she heard a gruff but concerned voice exclaim. "I was relaxin' my leg and I didn't notice ye! Are ye alright!?"

As her breathing steadied, she slowly opened her eyes to see who was talking to her. Her amber eyes locked with a set of bright blue eyes peeking just below a black hoodie. Focusing a bit more, she saw it was a fella with rather striking feelings, and black beard. It stirred feelings in her she'd never felt before, making her blush brightly.

"Ye alright?" he asked again, his face showing concern.

Orla couldn't speak in that moment for some reason. She just nodded slowly to indicate she was ok. Her rescuer realized he was still holding her, so he slowly sat her on the bench, the two not breaking eye contact.

"I'm really sorry 'bout that," sighed Niall.

"It's alright, it is," Orla softly replied, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "I could've been payin' better attention to my surroundin's. I just got caught up in my music and dancin', so I did."

"Yeah... I noticed," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It was pretty incredible."

"Oh," she blushed. "Thank ye very much."

The two sat there a moment in awkward silence.

"I'm not sure I've seen ye before," Orla finally broke the silence. "Are ye new to Derry?"

"Uh... no," Niall fumbled a bit. "I was born here. But... I've been away for a few years now. Just came back today actually. In fact I'll be workin' at this park startin' Monday."

"Aye, that's cracker, it is!" she exclaimed. "So we'll end seein' plenty of each other from now on, we will! What's yer name?"

"It's... Niall," he answered, hoping she wouldn't ask for last name.

"Orla McCool," she enthusiastically replied, stretching out her hand for a shake, which he reciprocated.

Niall recognized that name. Michelle had mentioned it in her letters. He didn't expect her to be so... lovely.

"That's a beautiful name," Niall said without really thinking, blushing in the process.

"Oh... thank ye," Orla replied, also blushing. "Mammy told me it means Golden Princess. Said it came to her when she first saw my eyes, she did."

"It's a very apt description," he smirked, which made her blush some more.

He didn't remember ever being this smooth. Not that he had much experience. Fuck he wasted his teens.

The two forgot they were holding hands, when Orla finally noticed Niall's hand. Her eyes widened slightly, which he took noticed and finally realized. He pulled his hand back quickly and tucked it into his hoodie pocket. He usually shook with his left hand, but was distracted with everything that happened.

Orla felt bad for how she reacted. She'd been told on many occasions not to stare.

"I'm really sorry for starin'," she shyly said.

"Nah, don't worry about it," replied Niall.

"Been told it's rude to stare," she said.

"It's really fine," he assured her. "Been used to it for a while now."

"Were ye attacked by a polar bear?" she asked.

Niall immediately laughed at the question. Best laugh he'd had in a long while. It also occurred to him she was most likely thinking back to the Belfast concert adventure from a few years back. Orla thought it was a cracker laugh.

"No... it wasn't a polar bear," he finally said. "Let's just say... there was a fire."

"That why yer voice sounds that way?" she asked.

"Aye, it definitely factored into it," he replied. "Ye must think I'm an old man, but I'm only 22."

"Catch yerself on!" she exclaimed.

"Hand to God," he smirked, holding up his right hand to show some good humor.

"Guess it's a little hard to tell with that hoodie pulled over ye," she pointed out.

"Uh... yeah," he sighed. "But o' damage done there as well."

"Mind showin' me?" she asked.

Niall wasn't sure what it was about this girl, but he felt oddly at ease, even though he'd just met her. Well, he'd actually met Orla on a couple occasions years ago, but he never talked to her. He let out a slight gulp and pulled back his hoodie, showing his prominent facial scarring. The strange but sweet girl sitting next to him smiled brightly.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"That all, eh?" He chuckled. "Been known to scare a good few people, it has."

"That's silly," she chuckled back. "Ye're still a very handsome fella!"

Orla surprised herself there. She'd never complimented a fella on his looks before. Niall could sense her sincerity, he knew she wasn't lying or taking pity on him. She was just a genuinely good hearted person. He couldn't help feeling a bit bold now.

"Well, that's a cracker compliment, it is," he replied with a warm smile. "Most 'specially comin' from such a beauty as yerself."

Now that definitely threw Orla for a loop, it did. She'd never been complimented on her looks by a fella outside Granda Joe and Uncle Gerry. She honestly never gave it much thought. But it felt extremely cracker when Niall complimented her. She was feeling unusually nervous now, but didn't understand why.

"I think I best be gettin' home now," she declared, standing up quickly. "It was real cracker meetin' ye, Niall, so it was! Hope we see each outer again real soon!"

"That would be grand," he smiled, standing up to shake her hand again. "Have a lovely rest of yer day, Orla."

"And to ye as well," she replied, accepting the handshake.

Niall watched as Orla walked out of the park, a smile still on his face. But a frown soon formed as he noticed two fellas began following her.

Orla walked briskly down the footpath, feeling grand about the new friend she made. She was feeling so grand that she didn't notice she was being followed by two unfamiliar fellas.

"OI!" one of them shouted in her direction.

She turned around to see two fellas, slightly taller than herself, not looking particularly friendly. The one that called out to her had a cigarette dangling at the side of his mouth. Both were giving her odd stares.

"My mate an' I were thinkin' ye're quite the ride, we were," he said with a smirk.

Orla didn't reply. It was the second time a fella called her attractive today, not something she expected. But this time didn't feel nice like it had with Niall. She wasn't always good at picking up on things, but she could definitely tell when someone was making her feel uncomfortable.

"We was just wonderin' if ye wanted to go have some fun?" he chuckled.

"I'm needin' to get home, I am," she answered, her voice slightly shaky.

"Aw come on, it's still early, it is," he continued to push. "Just be for a bit."

"No thank ye," she replied more sternly.

She turned around to keep walking, only for the suspicion fella grab her hand.

"Why ye bein' such a rude bitch?" he scowled.

"Let go," she said, her eyes already welling up.

"What's yer feckin' problem?" he tightened his grip.

Orla was beginning to tremble. She remembered hearing in school about these things happening. She was feeling scared, which rarely happened to her. But that fear began to leave, when she saw a familiar face. Her face lit up into a thankful smile. The two suspicious fellas turned around to see Niall standing very close to them. He wasn't much taller, but he was wider (prison provided plenty of exercise), plus he easily gave off an intimidating aura and intense stare.

"Oi," he began, making his voice more gravely than it already was. "The young lady said she had to get home, she did. It's not very polite to hold people up."

"What feckin' business is it of yers?" the instigator asked.

"Just bein' a concerned citizen, I am," Niall retorted. "I see two fellas harassin' someone, not takin' no for an answer, well, that don't sit to well with me, it doesn't. I suggest ye apologize to her and fuck off."

"Or what, dick face?" the harasser asked, albeit with clear fear in his voice.

Niall then began laughing in a very menacing way. It was definitely intimidating these young would be thugs.

"Let's just say, I got some experience in takin' on fuckers like yerself," Niall chuckled, pulling back his hoodie to show off his scars. He widened his eyes for extra effect, then stroked his face, showing off his mangled hand. "Ye should see what happened to other fella. Not so lucky, he wasn't."

The two thugs were now sheet white.

"Very sorry," they said to Orla in unison.

"That's very polite of ye," chuckled Niall. "Now FUCK OFF!"

The two thugs didn't have to be told twice, running past Niall and off to who knows where.

"Fuckin' eejits," he scoffed. "Ye ok, Orla?

He was caught off guard when Orla wrapped her arms around him, hugging tightly. He could hear her sniffling some. At first frozen in place, Niall soon began rubbing her back.

"No need to worry now," he said in as soothing a tone as he.could.

"Thank ye," said Orla, her voice muffled slightly. She then looked up and smiled softly. "Ye saved me."

"I wouldn't exactly say that," he said awkwardly. "Just doin' what was right."

"I don't know what woulda happened had ye not shown up," she replied shaking her head. "Ye're a hero, ye are!"

"It's really nothin'," he replied, not used to these kind of compliments.

"Can ye please walk me home?" she pleaded. "It's not much further."

Niall was nervous about being recognized this soon. But he could tell Orla was still shook up over what happened. He gave a simple nod, then Orla broke away from the hug, only to grab his right hand. Niall accepted the gesture, flipping his hoodie back up.

Sarah McCool was standing outside her front door, having a cigarette, when she noticed Orla walking hand in hand with an unfamiliar person. She looked concerned very briefly, until she saw her daughter smiling ear to ear. This was clearly someone trustworthy. When Orla got to the front of her house, she ran to Sarah and gave her a warm hug.

"Hello, Mammy!" Orla exclaimed, still smiling broadly.

"Evenin', Orla love," Sarah hugged her back. "In a good mood, so ye are? Who's yer new friend here?"

"This is Niall," replied Orla, pulling away from the hug. "We met at Brooke Park, we did. He's gonna be workin' there."

"Is he now?" Sarah asked. "How come he's walkin' ye home, love?"

"Couple fellas started fallowin' Orla as she left the park," Niall chimed in. "Didn't like the looks of 'em."

"He protected me, Mammy!" exclaimed Orla, her smile never fading. "Scared 'em off, he did! It was class!"

"Did he now?" Sarah asked with surprise. "I'm very grateful that you kept my Orla safe, so I am."

"Just doin' what's right," Niall shrugged.

"Would ye like to have dinner with us and the rest of our family, Niall?" Sarah asked. "Seems only fair after what ye did."

That definitely sounded like an amazing invitation for Niall. But he knew it was far too soon for that.

"As grand as that sounds, I must decline," he replied somberly. "There's some important things I gotta take care of. Hopefully another time."

"Aye," replied Sarah. "Ye're always welcome 'round here as far as Orla or myself is concerned."

"Too kind of ye," he smiled. "Best be goin' now."

Niall turned to walk back towards Brooke Park, when he got surprise hug from behind by Orla.

"Hope to see ye 'round real soon, I do," she said softly.

"Aye," he replied.

Orla broke from the hug and ran back to her Ma, having goodbye to Niall with much enthusiasm. He waved back and headed back to his flat.

"He certainly seems like a nice fella, so he does," Sarah commented.

"Aye, he's real cracker, he is," replied Orla. "Said my name was beautiful."

"Did he now?" Sarah asked.

"Aye," replied Orla. "I think Niall is a beautiful name! Do ye know what it means, Mammy?"

"I believe I heard it means Champion, it does," answered Sarah.

"That suits him, it does," smiled Orla. "He's my Champion!"