Telling The World (Book #2 - Liam Payne Trilogy)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

"Brooklyn," I suddenly heard Ann's voice from somewhere in my dream, "Brooklyn, wake up!" I sat up straight in my bed and blinked a few times to find Ann standing by my bed with my parents looking around my room. My eyes were wide, "Mom! Dad! You're early!" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet to give them hugs. "No, sweetie," my mother said, squeezing me tight, "You slept in." "Oh," I mumbled and awkwardly hugged my dad. "You're lovely roommate, Ann here, let us in," my mother said. "Thanks," I told Ann. She smiled, "Your welcome! Now your parents are aware that I had made plans pervious to my knowledge of them coming. So they have kindly agreed to accompany us on our little outing." I looked at Ann wide eyed, when had she become so sophisticated? "Yes, so sweetie, get dressed so we can go!"

We all piled into my parent's rental car. But Ann and I had been in London longer than my parents and were used to driving on the other side of the road and having the steering wheel on the other side of the car, so one of us had to drive. Since Ann had made the plans, she was to drive. My mother wanted to get to know her better, so she sat up front with her. I was left in the back seat with my father. We didn't talk at all, we just listened intently to Ann and my mother conversing. "So, Ann, have you found an amazing British boyfriend, yet? According to Brooklyn they're as good as it gets," my mother said. I would have expected Ann to become uncomfortable, but she just smiled, "Yes, I do have a boyfriend here now, but he's Irish, not British." However, if Ann did not become uncomfortable, my father sure did. And it was evident with Ann's next words, "He's actually in the same band as Liam, Brooklyn's boyfriend!" He tensed up at the words 'Liam' and 'Boyfriend' being in the same sentence. "You're not still dating that boy are you?" My father suddenly snapped. I saw Ann look back at me in the rear view mirror. "Yes," I said quietly, looking into Ann's eyes. She turned her focus back to the road. "I thought I told you to stay focused on school!" His voice was rising. "I am focused, dad!" I said, "He's not taking me away from school!" "Has he been to the dorm?" My father questioned. "Yes," I answered cautiously. "Then he is a distraction," my father said, jumping to conclusions. "A distraction from what? The homework that I don't have? Dad he only comes over when Ann and I are both free!" "You should only see him once a week," my father said, not budging. "Why, dad?" "Because I said so," he snapped. "You can't stop me!" "Oh, yes I can," he said slyly. "You can't pull me out of school! Liam won't let you, he said if you did, he would pay for my re-entry and tuition!" "What? He can't do that! He's a minor! You're a minor!" "The age is the same here as it is back home dad," I said, "18 means you're legal. And he's 19 so he's been legal for over a year!" "Why would he spend that much of his money on you?" My father sneered. I tried not to cringe at the way he said that. I felt like he had made it seem useless to spend that much money on 'someone like me'. "Why? You want to know why, dad?" I shouted, "Because he loves me." "You don't know what its like to be in love. He doesn't know what love is! Teenagers these days just throw that word around like it's nothing!" "Ugh!" I said, throwing my hands up in defeat. I felt the car stop, "We're here," Ann said quietly.

Ann led us into a very large building. I had no idea where I was, all I knew was that there was a lot of people, everywhere I looked. We came to some doors with security guards blocking any unauthorized entrance. "Wait here, ill be right back," she said. I stood off to the side with my parents. Ann walked over to the security guard and they shared a hello. I saw them exchange a few words, then he spoke into his walkie talkie. Ann waited patiently, and then the security guard smiled at her and held the large doors open for her. Ann turned around and motioned for us to follow her. I was quick to take the first step. My parents were hesitant, but I didn't care. As I got to Ann, she covered my eyes with her hands. "Ann, what are you doing?" I asked her as she began to walk me forward. "It's a surprise," she said. I could tell she was smiling at her own masterminded plan. Suddenly I heard the sound of people talking. Then I heard a count down and everyone became quiet. Then the sound of a British woman filled my ears, "Welcome back! Today we are pleased to have One Direction with us in the studio today!" Ann uncovered my eyes and I almost screamed at the sight of the live studio set and camera crew. But we were on a live set, I can't make noises. "Surprise," Ann whispered, "The boys don't even know we're here!" I looked at her with wide eyes and a beaming smile. She was smiling too, this was the best surprise anyone could give me. She led me over to the stage and we stood off to the side, making sure not be in anyone's way. "They're here to talk about music, fans and," the woman paused for effect, "Relationships. Lets welcome these handsome boys to the stage!" Before I knew it, I saw the five guys come barrelling onto the stage. They all shared a hug with the woman and took a seat on the couch. They all squished together, layered over each other. "Would you like us to get another chair?" The woman asked. The five boys shared a glance, "Nah, we're good!" Liam and Niall's band mate Louis said. I smiled at the way they were so closely nit, they were truly like brothers.