closed minded; blake gray

26; the irish guy

Since Blake's house was only a few down from mine, I decided to walk home around 10 am. I was supposed to be having lunch with my family, and then a few friends were going to be coming over later for dinner.

When I walked through the door, my parents instantly bombarded me with hugs and kisses, "Happy birthday Bails!"

I smiled and hugged them back happily, or at least I tried to look happy. I couldn't help but think about how upset Blake looked when I didn't tell him I loved him back.

The worst part about it was that I did love him back.... I just couldn't say it.

After conversing with my family for a little bit, I went upstairs to get dressed and ready for the day.

I took a warm shower, trying to relax myself a little bit, but of course that didn't really work. When I got out, I had tears in my eyes that I refused to let out.

This shouldn't have been such a big deal. The next time I see Blake, which is for dinner, I tell him I love him, end of story.

But the thought of telling him that I loved him made my stomach burn up in flames. I knew that he loved me back, so why was I really scared?

I got dressed in the outfit above and headed back downstairs to my parents already having a full meal spread out on the table.

Lunch went by slow, but not terribly slow. I felt really out of it and my mind could only focus on Blake. I was starting to hate myself for not telling him how I truly felt. Could I even tell him now? Would he think I'm just saying it back because I felt bad?

As if the world could hear me, Blake came through the door at around 2 pm, just as we were finishing our meal.

Before he said anything to me, my mom instantly grinned, "Is it time?"

Blake nodded his head with a sheepish grin, still not sparing a look at me. Was this going to be good or bad?

I looked between the two of them, "Time for what?"

Blake smiled and came over to me, grabbing my hand and connecting it with his, "The rest of your gift."

He began pulling me towards my moms office, him walking in front of me as the rest of my family followed behind me.

"Blake, you already got me a beautiful necklace, I really don't need anymore," I said with a pout as he lightly guided me to sit down in the chair.

He shook his head and reached for the computer, slighting leaning on me to use the mouse. He clicked the 'zoom' icon and began typing in the meeting ID, making me utterly confused.

He was getting me onto a zoom?

He noticed the confusion on my face and just grinned, "You'll see in a minute, just sit back and relax."

My nerves slowly rose as I began to wonder who the hell was on this zoom meeting. I mean, the only time I've ever use zoom was for school, so what could it possibly be.

The screen then said connecting, making my heart race. Blake noticed my nerves and grabbed my hand comfortingly, sitting right on the arm of my chair.

I hated that he was still being so loving towards me after everything that happened this morning,

The screen finally connected, my eyes meeting a VERY familiar face, one that I never thought I'd ever see.

"You're fucking kidding me!" I said before my brain could even process what my mouth was saying. My hand flew over my mouth as the Irish person laughed at my reaction.

"Well, that's a warm welcome," Niall FCUKIING Horan laughed as he waved and flashed me his perfect smile.

My hands trembled as I let out a breath, "There's no way this is real, is this a recording?"

Niall shook his head and laughed, "No, it's not, I promise. Happy Birthday, Bailey!"

I felt the tears forming in my eyes as I looked up at Blake, "Oh my god, you're literally the best ever," I said as I reached up towards him and hugged him tight.

He smiled and placed a short kiss on my head, allowing me to talk to my literal idol.

"I can't even explain how much I look up to you," I began, fidgeting with my fingers on the table, "You're literally my favorite idol ever."

Niall smiled brightly through the camera, "Thank you so much for supporting me, Bailey. Fans like you really motivate me to keep doing what I'm doing. And I've heard your voice, it's really amazing."

My eyes watered like crazy, "You've listened to my music?"

Niall nodded, "Hell yeah, you're gonna be a rockstar with that voice."

I literally almost passed out right then and there.

———

After my hour long zoom with Niall FRICKEN Horan, my friends began fluttering in for the little get together I was having in my backyard.

I wouldn't stop thanking Blake because that present really was a dream come true and he didn't have to do that to me.

I needed to tell him I loved him. Asap.

I grabbed Blake's hand and squeezed it as our friends began chatting away around us, and I whispered in his ear, "Can I talk to you?"

He looked down at me and nodded, already knowing what this was going to be about.

I stood up and led him all the way up to my room, and I closed the door so no one would interrupt us.

Blake sat down on the bed and nervously fumbled with his fingers, looking directly at me.

I stood in front of him and took a breath, "Okay, stick with me cause you know I suck at expressing how I feel, so this might come out weird. When you told me you loved me this morning, every single bone in my body literally bursted with excitement and I was literally about to say it back. But I just suddenly felt so scared and I chickened out. I mean, saying I love you is such a serious and slightly permanent thing, and that really scared me, you know?"

Blake nodded his head, "I know, and I-"

I cut him off, grabbing his hands, "No, but you don't know. I am so in love with you Blake Gray, that sometimes I get scared. I start feeling upset when you're not around and I start getting super happy when you are. It's just so scary for me to think that I can't even breathe without you around when I used to be so independent and against love."

Blake narrowed his eyes, trying to truly understand me, , but didn't say a word, just listening to me vent.

"I can't function without you Blake. I mean, I would literally never even think of being social if it weren't for you being with me every single step of the way. Hell, I don't even think I'd have friends without you. Blake, you literally mean the world to me, and not saying that I love you this morning hurt me even more than it did you, because I do. I really do love you."

The warm smile on Blake's face made my heart absolutely burst with happiness, knowing that I said the right thing.

Blake stood up and came closer to me, placing one hand on my cheek softly. He looked down at me with a smile before leaning in and kissing me passionately.

The both of us smiled into the kiss, happiness coursing through both of our veins.