Winter Wonderland (N.H)

4. The Niall Horan

"Holy shit! Nikki you met Niall Horan!"

Angie practically yells making my phone's speaker sounded like it was broken. Niall Horan? The name sounds familiar, but why is she making such a big deal out of it? Who is Niall Horan? Am I missing something?

"Ange why are you freaking out? Who is Niall Horan?"

Her mouth opened so wide it could probably trap a fly. Her eyes look like they were about to bulge out of her eye sockets. 

"Nikki tell me you're kidding. Please tell me you're joking." Angie gives me this blank stare.

"I'm serious I have never heard of him. The name sounds kinda familiar, but it's not name I'm very aware of. I mean if this is obviously the Niall I met, then yeah I met him. But what is the big deal? Is he some big superstar or something?"

"Maybe not a superstar but he isn't a no name. I can't believe you don't know who he is?! I need to ask you something first. Does the name Tide Publishing sound familiar to you? Please tell me you know what Tide Publishing is." 

She practically begs me to say yes. Yes, I'm aware of it. I'm not dumb. It's in the news all this time about how it is up and coming. I may have no idea who Niall Horan is, but I'm educated enough to know what Tide Publishing is. Publishing companies normally don't get much news, but Tide has managed to be on E! News, Hollywood Access, any of those pop culture talk shows. Every author wants to have them as their publisher. Everyone who has a magazine dreams of having Tide be their publisher. Does Niall work there? I've heard that the CEO is a younger guy and most of his employees are young. 

"Yes, Ange I know what Tide is. I'm not dumb. I've seen the news coverage on them." I roll my eyes slightly. We have had conversations about Tide before so why is she even asking.

"Do you know who the CEO is?" 

"Uh.... no. I just know he is young. In his 30's like us." I take a swig of wine. Why must she drag this conversation on? Can't she just get to the point. 

"Oh my God Nikki!! Hello!! Niall Horan is the CEO!! AKA the Niall Horan who is taking you out for coffee tomorrow." I practically almost spat out my wine.

"I'm sorry... what?! Did you just say the CEO? Like he's the young owner?"

"Uh yeah. This is him right?" 

She turns her computer towards the screen. Displayed was in fact Niall dressed in a black suit with a white under shirt and deep red tie. He was standing in front of a desk that to the left had a desk name plate that in white bold letter stated "Niall Horan" on the top line and "CEO" on the bottom. No wonder why he could afford that car. He's a CEO for crying out loud. That car was probably like spending $100 to him. 

"T-that's him. That's Niall. What is he doing here in Evergreen? Isn't that office located in New York City?" I practically stumble on my words still in shocked.

"Well this article says the main office is still in NYC, but they wanted to open an office in a smaller town to get more exposure to smaller authors and magazines. They appear to still be taking big deals, but want to help bring more exposure to smaller authors and artists. There is no reason why they specifically picked Evergreen out of every other place they could have picked. We are only like two hours away so maybe that has to do with it. Hmm interesting." 

"Yeah interesting."

This makes so much sense now why Niall said he didn't know many people here. He literally just, not only moved himself, but some of his company here. Why me out of everyone? Am I really that interesting of a person? 

"Angie, it's getting late. I should probably get ready for bed. I guess you could say I have a big day tomorrow." I tried to add some humor while my mind is all over the place. 

"Girl I expect a call the second you get home from Tom's. My ass will be coming over and we are going to discuss everything that happens. I'm so excited for you." 

Don't get me wrong Niall is a very good looking man, but we are just going to become friends. Poor guy is probably lonely here and wants to find someone to talk to about things other than work. For all I know, I could've been the first person he met here and that's why. 

"Yes, I will. You better bring some wine. You owe me for the last time you came over to have a tea talk and you drank a whole bottle. My bottle to be exact." I raise my eyebrows up. 

"My bad. Don't worry I gotchu. Alright bye!"

Disconnection from the phone a let out a big sigh, pushing my har back and falling into the couch even more. Does it ever just cross your mind on why someone wants to get to know you more? Someone's first impression can just make them want to get to know you a little more, even if it doesn't work out. It's crazy.

Looking over I see Marie's playbook she gave me. I guess it doesn't help to start properly looking over everything. I open the thick binder to be met with the front page in bright red bold letters that say, "Take a deep breath. You got this. I believe in you." That is the most Marie thing I have ever seen. I do appreciate it. The following page is the index which makes some relief fall from my shoulders knowing she made this organized.

Flipping though I land on the sponsor section. Having sponsors for Winter Wonderland is the reason we can even put it on. We always want this to be a fun and free event for our town. It's a night everyone can come together and forget about anything bad happening. The kids always seem to love it and the adults seem to love it just as much. It really is an event for everyone. 

Our sponsors help provide entertainment such as singers, performers, even Santa! They also help so much with the food costs as that is the biggest cost. Some sponsors pitch in to help pay for crews to come in and decorate. Now as the committee we do most of the decorating ourselves with some help from people in the town, but tasks that involve like moving trucks electrical crews, tasks we need professionals for. Sponsors help pay and bring those needed crews in. 

Sponsors have the choice of what they want to sponsor and help out in. The two big ones are the musicians and food because those can be the most cost-effective. Normally one company steps up to pay for the musicians and also chips in for a food truck to provide more of a meal than just snack like items. 

Looking up from the binder I glance over to a shelf that held a picture of me and my mom at Winter Wonderland when I was about 5. It is my favorite picture of us. We are sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate waiting for the final singer to come on stage. That memory will forever be engraved in my mind. I wish she was here now.

"I hope I make you proud mom. I know you'll help guide me through this. I just wish you were here to witness this. I love and miss you so much."

Tears start to well in my eyes. Winter Wonderland is just a way that sometimes helps me feel like she is still here. It's like we still have a connection somehow. 

My phone lets off a ding spooking me a little. Wiping my eyes to dry the tears, I pick up my phone to see a text from my dad. Every night he sends me a text asking me how I am and to have a goodnight. I respond telling him I'm good and that I'll call him tomorrow. I hope Marie has not told him the news yet, because I want to be the one to tell him. 

Realizing how late it has gotten I make my way upstairs to go to bed. Afterall, I do have a pretty big day tomorrow. I hopefully will get to know more about Mr. Niall Horan and why he picked Evergreen.