Babysitting with Niall Horan (Niall Horan)

Chapter Fourteen: Small World (Literally)

FOURTEEN
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Noelle

"Elle, honey..."

My eyes slowly opened with bright sunlight blocking my view as my mother's voice echoed from the distance.

"Hmm?"

"It's past noon. Are you planning on waking up anytime soon? You had me worried for a second." My mother finally entered my room, "Also, are we going to talk about how late you've been getting home now?" She crossed her arms.

I rubbed my eyes and crawled my way upwards in my bed, sitting up and yawning.

"Mom, I work now. I can sleep in on my days off! And uh...about my timings, sorry about that. The Horan's just keep me busy, I guess." I admitted.

"Oh," My mom said a bit more relief. "Oh then, okay. I made you breakfast, by the way. I got called in for a short shift, so I'm leaving soon."

I just sat there, eyes half-opened and gave a nod. "O-Okay. Thanks mom."

After my morning-well, now, afternoon routine, I lazily made my way towards the kitchen, but before I can reach, my phone in hand vibrated.

iMessage
Niall H 🎸
Can you believe the birthday cake is gone already ? Fam really liked it , where did ya get it from ?

I almost choked on my own saliva and I can feel myself fully wake up at seeing Niall's message for the very first time on the screen. It was something I never truly expected, unless it was a kids emergency, but he seemed to just be so normal about it.

"Oh, man..." I breathed, trying to control the adrenaline.

"Got called in too?" My mom said jokingly at my expressions.

Laughing nervously, I shook my head and sat on the stool near the counter that held my breakfast.

"N-No...it's just, Niall just sent me a message. Something I never really had coming, you know?"

My mother rose her brows, "Oh! I keep forgetting he's a Horan...wow. I don't know how to react to that either. You went from obsessing over the man to...meeting him. Look at you, he's texting you already." She said in concern.

"I don't know how to feel about that either." I stood frozen.

"Does he know?"

I looked back up at my mother and pretended I had no clue what she was referring to.

"K-Know about what?"

"That you idolized him years back? How big of a fan you were! How did he take all that?" She rested her elbows against the counter, expecting the same energy back.

My mother didn't really know the truth either. I've gotten so caught up with babysitting the kids, I haven't really had the time to speak to her about what's actually been happening.

"Actually...he didn't." I spoke bluntly, looking down at my hands. "He doesn't know, yet."

Her eyes widened at my truth and she slowly brought her body back to posture.

"O-Oh? You're lying to him then?"

"W-What, no! Of course not, mom." I scoffed. "I-I just haven't really found the right time to tell him and he hasn't really asked. I don't think he actually cares about all that" I lied.