Niall woke up in the early Sunday morning as he usually did. After 5 years in prison, he was used to waking up early. It was only his second day as free man, but it had already been eventful. He didn't start work till tomorrow, so he still had another day do as he pleased. He just had no idea what that would be. He'd lived half a decade on a set schedule, now his time was more flexible. It was a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Slipping on his hoodie, he made a trip to a nearby shop to gather some toiletries. He'd yet to have a proper shower, and he figured he was smelling ripe. The stuff used in the prison shower may have gotten you clean, but it smelled awful. He looked at the various labels, unsure of how to choose.
"Need any assistance?" the female shopkeep asked with a smile.
She looked to be in her 40s, blonde hair, blue eyes, not exactly slender, but not what you'd call heavyset either.
"Aye," Niall replied. "Just tryin' to find some new soap and shampoo. Not exactly familiar with brands.
"First time buyin' yer own, I see," she replied. "Lemme guess, livin' on yer own now? Yer Ma usually did this sort o' shoppin' for ye?"
"Aye... that's what it is," he replied.
This wasn't technically a lie, he was living on his own (well sharing sharing a place, but they weren't related), and he had never bought his own toiletries before. His Ma had taken care of all that when he still lived at home.
"How would you describe yer hair?" she asked.
"Pardon?" he asked, not understanding.
"Can't really tell with that hoodie pulled over ye," she explained. "Is it curly, wavy, straight?"
"I s'pose I would say it's wavy," he answered.
"Have any allergies?" she asked.
"None that I know of," he answered.
"Sensitive skin?" she asked.
"Not... really," he managed to answer. His scarring really didn't cause any irritation that he could think of.
After a few more questions, the shopkeep picked out a brand of shampoo and soap for Niall. He got himself a couple towels, a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and a razor in case he decided he wanted to shave at some point.
Bliss! That was the word on Niall's mind as he let the hot water pour over him. Absolute fucking bliss! The pressure was just right, and the warmth enveloped his whole body. The shampoo and soap smelled brilliant. There was of course the luxury of being completely alone in the shower, something he'd longed ages for.
This also meant he got to take care of something else that he couldn't do in the prison showers (not unless he wanted some unwanted attention). He felt a bit of shame from this (raised Catholic after all), but he was still a healthy young man, and men get their urges. His cell was the only place he could ever get that release, but that also meant not always being able to clean up properly. That wasn't an issue now.
The subject of these rather sinful thoughts also made him feel a bit guilty. Niall's experience with women had been limited due to him being imprisoned at a young age. Even in his early teens, he was a bit shy, so he didn't talk to girls much. His fantasies were typically reserved for actresses, models, singers, etc.; but today was the first time these thoughts were aimed at someone he knew in person.
Niall was thankful he had a spare change of clothes, he'd need to wash his hoodie before heading out. Today was a good day to buy some extra clothing. His destination was the Foyleside Shopping Centre, a regular hangout spot in his early teens. Walking there from where he was now was close to half an hour.
The Girls themselves were at the shopping centre, looking to get dresses at Primark for a dance next Saturday. Jenny Joyce had made the announcement on Friday, a celebration for the graduating class. They were all excited as this would be the first time they had guaranteed dates to a school dance. Speaking of which, Fin and Laurie had also joined them, although the plan was to keep it secret what everyone would pick.
"Sure ye're ok goin' to a high school dance, Laurie?" Michelle asked as they made their way to the store.
"It's not like Laurie is much older than us, Michelle," Clare retorted. "An' 'sides that, Orla took Joe that one time, an' he's significantly older!"
"That who ye're takin' again, Orla?" Michelle asked.
"I s'pose so," Orla shrugged.
"Well, who the fuck else would ye be considerin'?" Michelle asked with a chuckle.
"Maybe that Champion o' hers she met at Brooke Park yesterday," Erin smirked, causing Orla to blush. "He's not much older than the rest of us."
"Aye, she seemed quite taken with that fella," agreed Clare.
Orla was now covering her face with her lapel.
"Hold the fuck up," said Michelle. "Expand n' explain that shit!"
"Orla ran into a new fella who works at the park yesterday," explained Erin.
"Quite literally," Clare chimed in. "Stopped her from colliding with the pavement, he did."
"Orla tell you two this?" James asked.
"Aye, along with Aunt Sarah," answered Erin.
"Sarah met this fella?" Michelle asked.
"Aye, she did," answered Clare.
"He walked Orla home after scarin' off these two feckers that were harassin' her," said Erin.
"Well, fuck-a-doodle-do, Orla!" Michelle exclaimed. "Sounds like this fella fancies ye! Ye should go back to the park n' invite 'em to the dance!"
"I've only known him 'bout a day, I have," Orla replied shyly.
"Sounds like fate or some shit," retorted Michelle. "Sounds like ye fancy 'em too! Christ, ye even referred to him as yer Champion! Worse case scenario ye get rejected an' just take Joe again."
"Don't tell her she could get rejected, Michelle!" Fin exclaimed.
"Ach! I just don't want her gettin' her hopes up," Michelle shrugged. "Sure, he may fancy her, but they did just meet an' it's a short notice invitation so he might have to work that Saturday. We at least know Joe's retired an' has nowhere to be."
"That is a fair point," agreed Laurie.
"Aye! But I still say fuckin' go for it, Orla!" Michelle exclaimed. "Find yerself a mother fuckin' cracker of a dress first, then go look for this Champion fella of yers at the park an' ask him to the dance! It'll be absolutely class!"
"Aye! I will!" Orla exclaimed with a big smile.
They soon arrived at Primark and began looking for their ideal dresses.
"Remember that we wanna surprise our dates," said Michelle. "So that means Erin, Orla, Clare, an' me pick out a bunch of different dresses, an' give each other feedback in the dressin' rooms. The rest ye need to look away when we make our final purchases."
"Who's gonna help me pick out somethin'?" Laurie asked.
"Shit, right, forgot," sighed Michelle. "No worries there, just gotta leave Clare out of that discussion."
Everyone seemed to like that plan, so they went about choosing. Orla was more interested in a proper dress this time around, especially with the prospect of Niall agreeing to be her date. Looking through the racks, she smiled ear to ear as she spotted a dress that looked absolutely cracker to her!
Orla immediately grabbed the frock and made her way to the changing rooms.
"Find somethin' already, Orla?" Michelle asked, not getting a look at the dress.
"Aye! It's absolutely cracker!" Orla exclaimed from inside the changing room.
"It's not another skiing outfit, is it?" Erin asked in a mostly joking manner.
"It's even better, hi!" Orla exclaimed, still behind the door. "Can ye help me zip up, Erin?"
"It zips from behind?" Erin asked, arching an eyebrow. "Like a real dress?"
Orla opened the door ever so slightly, enough for her cousin to slip in, but also keep things a surprise. Everyone was indeed surprised with the secrecy. As Erin stepped into the changing room, her eyes widened at what Orla chose.
"Wow, Orla!" Erin exclaimed. "That dress is... grand!"
"Aye, it is!" Orla beamed brightly. "But I can't zip it all the way."
"Oi! What the fuck did you know pick Orla!?" Michelle shouted.
"Christ's sake, Michelle, give us a moment!" Erin shouted back. "Orla needed help zippin' the rest of her dress up from behind!"
"It zips up from behind?" Clare asked. Like a real dress?"
"Definitely gotta see this shit, we do," chuckled Michelle.
Erin stepped out first, similar to the way Orla did on her first date with James, complete with a large smile on her face.
"I am proud to present Orla McCool, I am!" Erin exclaimed, which got a chuckle out of Clare, Michelle, and James. "Don't be shy now!"
Orla slowly stepped out of the changing room, dress fully zipped up. She was looking down at the floor and fidgeting with her hands. Everyone stood there in awe, eyes wide and mouths open.
"Fuck me, Orla," Michelle was the first to talk, but in an usually quieter tone. "That dress is absolutely class!"
"Ye really think so?" Orla asked, shyly tucking sons hair behind her ear.
"Aye! It's beautiful, it is!" Clare chimed in.
"Absolutely brilliant!" James exclaimed next.
"Suits ye extremely well!" Laurie joined in the praise.
"That fell o' yers is gonna be gobsmacked, he is!" Fin exclaimed.
"Thank ye all very much," Orla replied blushing brightly and biting her lower lip. Everyone decided to join in a group hug.
As Orla had her dress bagged up (the others still making choices), she noticed a hooded figure in her peripherals. She could immediately tell who it was because of the slight limp, and her eyes lit up. Niall was in the men section of the Primark, looking to get some extra clothes he desperately needed. He didn't notice Orla following him, getting a surprise hug from behind.
"Didn't think I'd see ye again so soon!" Orla exclaimed, still embracing him.
It was definitely a shock, but once he heard her voice, he had that immediate feeling of comfort surround him. But then he also remembered his earlier shower and felt slightly embarrassed.
"It's... quite the surprise, it is," Niall chuckled. "I needed some new clothes."
Orla let go of Niall so they could face each other. The immediate eye contact made them both blush.
"The Girls an' I are pickin' out dresses for a school dance on Saturday," Orla said with a warm smile, trying to get up the courage to ask him to go.
"A dance, eh? Sounds cracker," replied Niall. "Never had a chance to go to one myself."
"Really!?" Orla's eyes went wide with excitement. "Then... how would ye... like to come to ours... with me!?"
Niall was thrown for yet another loop! Two days out of prison and a girl was asking him out! To a school dance no less! The look in her eyes were so full of hope! His emotions were extremely conflicting right now! Part of him desperately wanted to say yes! Absofeckinlutely! But... there was so much shit to consider!
This was one of his sister's best friends! He hadn't told her who he really was! He hadn't let his family know he was out of prison! Another major issue! He was an ex con! Not just some everyday ex con either, one that committed domestic terrorism and accidental murder! No doubt everyone at Our Lady Immaculate College knew this! No way they'd want an convicted murderer at their dance, even if it was an accident!
"Orla that's really flatterin'," Niall began, his voice was low and somber. "It's easily the best thing I've heard in a long time." His mouth began trembling. "But... I don't think it's such a good idea."
The disappointment in that young girl's face worse than any shrapnel that had lodged itself in his body.
"Aye, I understand," Orla replied, her eyes staring to well up. "We did just meet, we did. I shouldn't just assume ye'd be interested in me."
"That's not it at all!" Niall exclaimed desperately. "I think ye're fuckin' incredible! Easily the most incredible girl I've ever met!"
This declaration made Orla smile slightly, but she still didn't understand.
"Then... why don't ye wanna go with me?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.
"I'd love to go with you!" he exclaimed, his voice also cracking slightly. "More than anythin' in this fuckin' world! But... I haven't been completely honest with who I am..."
"What do ye mean?" she asked. "Ye can tell me anythin' an' I won't care what it is."
Niall desperately wanted to believe his Golden Princess. His? They weren't even together!
"Even if it was that I killed someone?" he finally let it out.
Orla's expression was definitely one of shock, but it didn't give off judgment or hate. She grabbed his right hand with her left and began stroking it with her thumb.
"Is that... how this happened?" she asked, then she gently touched the scarred side of his face with her free hand.
Niall replied with a simple nod, tears forming.
"Was it an accident?" she asked.
"Aye... but it doesn't make much difference," he said somberly. "Someone's dead because of me. Someone that had a family."
Orla wrapped her arms around Niall again, and he couldn't help but embrace her too.
"Ye still didn't mean to do it!" she exclaimed, looking up at him with tearful eyes. "That ye feel awful 'bout it, means ye're not a bad person! A bad person wouldn't care! A bad person wouldn't have stopped a girl from smashin' into the pavement! A bad person wouldn't have stopped two awful fellas from harassin' a girl, then walk her home! Ye're a good person, Niall! Ye're... My Champion, ye are!"
Those words broke Niall down, he let his tears flow freely as the River Foyle.
"Thank ye," he said softly.
"That mean ye'll come along to the dance with me?" Orla asked warmly.
"Not sure how yer school would feel about that," he chuckled.
"I say feck em!" she exclaimed.
Niall could yell having never used that word, at least not very often. It was strangely flattering that she'd say it for him.
"All that matters is us," she said as she looked into his bright blue eyes.
Looking into Orla's big, round, hazel eyes made Niall feel more at ease than he could ever imagine.
"Alright, then, I'll go with you to yer dance," he said with a chuckle.
"Ye will?" she asked just to make sure, he nodded with a warm smile. "Aye, that's cracker it is!"
Orla gave Niall another big hug, which he immediately reciprocated.
"Will ye meet my friends now?" she asked while still embracing him. "They're still in the store."
Niall let out a long sigh. He didn't expect this to all happen so soon. He knew it was gonna cause some major drama, and Michelle would have a massive cack attack. But, with this Golden Princess at his side, he really felt like a Champion.
"Aye, introduce me to 'em," he replied with a warm smile.
Back in the women's section of Primark, the rest of the Girls were making their final choices. Laurie made her purchase first, so Clare wouldn't see and vice versa. James and Finn followed her outside to wait for the rest so they could also be surprised later.
"Oi! Where the fuck did Orla shift off to?" Michelle asked as they approached the register.
"She probably went to look around the rest o' the shop," shrugged Clare. "Seein' as she found her dress early on."
"Probably checkin' out some toys," said Erin, sometimes envious of her cousin's childlike wonderment.
"Oi! Girls!" Orla exclaimed, waving a few feet away next to a pillar.
"Where the fuck ye been, Orla?" Michelle asked.
"I ran into My Champion, I did!" Orla exclaimed with the biggest smile possible. "He said yes to the dance! Wants to meet ye all, he does!"
"He invisible or something'?" Michelle chuckled.
"Don't be rude, Michelle!" Clare squeaked.
"Come on out now!" Orla exclaimed, looking at the pillar and making a motioning signal with her hand.
Her Champion walked out from behind the pillar, his hoodie pulled over the top half of his face, hands in his pockets, which gave off a slight intimidation. A strange feeling came over Michelle. This fella felt familiar. Was he the same one she talked to at Dennis's Wee Shop yesterday? Small world if it was!
"Heard ye helped out Orla a couple times yesterday," said Michelle. "Mighty class of ye, it is. What's with the hoodie? Ye shy or someyhin'?"
He let out a long sigh and pulled back his hoodie to finally show who he was. Orla continued smiling, Erin and Clare noticed the scars immediately and felt a bit bad for staring, but Michelle's reaction was very different than what everyone (save for one) expected.
"What the fuck!?" Michelle exclaimed, eyes fully open. "Niall!?"