chapter nine.
POV: Elaine
My alarm blared from the bedside table and I reach over to turn it off, my eyes half-open but not long before they land above the ceiling—balloons of different sizes hung faintly then along the bed were various of cards scattered. It was only then when it hit me; today is my birthday.
Birthdays for a twenty year old isn't as fun as that of for an eight year old. You don't get to have palatable cakes and mouthwatering dishes being served, you don't get to receive uncountable presents, you don't throw a party and have everyone invited, when you're already twenty.
I sighed as I pull my hair into a loose ponytail. This sure is just an ordinary day for me.
I got down the stairs, the sight of mom holding a fairly lit cake with El and dad holding party-poppers unraveled before my eyes. I gaped.
The moment they saw me, they twisted the party-poppers and mom hoisted the cake up, confetti came falling down to the ground.
"You planned all these?" I asked as I approach each of them with a hug. "Thank you."
They all had grins on their faces as they hug me back, making it obvious that their plan aced.
———
El asked me to come meet him up at his studio before lunch and I agreed to do so. My brother works as one of the production officers of artists in the music industry and so he manages a studio where aspiring singers or singers already can record their music.
I arrive there at around ten in the morning, knocking softly on the glass and pushing it open with my body. El was neither in the lobby nor in any of the recording rooms. I slumped back down on the couch just a few minutes before the door to the main office opened and El came striding towards me.
"So, what's up?" I say casually.
"Follow me inside." He orders and I stood.
The hallway to the main office was sort of antique yet modern at the same time. And although the corners were being filled with fairly large cobwebs, the area was still considerably pleasing.
He opens the door which lead to a spacious room with nothing but a circular desk and a number chairs. El asked me to sit down as he pulls his laptop out of the drawer, turning it on and opening Skype.
Was it still a thing? I ask him silently. I sat there patiently waiting for the application to respond. El then dialed a number. It rang and rang and rang.
"Who's that?" I stitch my brows, trying to at least decipher the familiarity of the number. It doesn't ring any bells. I looked up from the screen to El who had a cocky smile on his lips as he leans back on a chair across mine.
The call was already answered and so the screen is now showing the face of the person—"Oh my god!" My hands immediately went to my mouth as I shake my head in disbelief. "No, no. This can't be real." I look back at El and he was filming my reaction, a grin plastered onto his face. "You have got to be kidding me."
"I'm not." He shook his head, watching me from his phone. "Your facial expression is unreal." He laughs, and I almost swat him.
I felt hot tears stream down my cheeks and I quickly wipe them away, not wanting Niall to see me as a huge embarrassment. I can't barely look at him without actually having to resist crying.
"I'm s-so sorry. I can't—I can't stop crying." I murmur against the palms of my hand.
His laugh echoes from the laptop and I caught a glance of his ever-endearing laugh. "S'alright." He says. "Hey, happy birthday!" He then exclaims.
"Thank you so much." I say in between sobs. "This is unbelievable, I can't—is this really happening? Am I really on Skype with you?"
"Of course, yes." He answers lightly. "What are you up to at lunch? Have you eaten yet?"
"Nothing, to be honest. No, I haven't." I shake my head, finally stable enough to start a conversation normally. I sniff as I reach for the box of tissue sitting on the desk.
"D'you wanna go out for lunch with me?"
I froze, diverting my eyes to El. "Is it just me or did Niall really asked me out for lunch?"
"I think he just did." He grins.
