Spaces

Chapter 1

ELLIE HORAN

"Did you pack your charger?"
"Yes."
"Passport?"
"Yep."
"Camera?"
"Niall! Stop. I know what I need to pack. Ma gave me a list."

My brother may be the sweetest person in our house, but he definitely is a big pain in my ass. I thought I needed to take this trip but I am starting to having second thoughts. He is leaning against my door with a smug smile on his face. He loves pissing me off.

"Oh, yea? Remember our trip to London?" He says with a huge smirk. The recollection of the trip made my cheeks go red. 

"Oh my god, that was one time! Go pack your own bags, I'll be done packing even before you."

"Okay! calm down, whiny ." He said, raising his hands in surrender but still having a very satisfactory expression on his face knowing he annoyed me and turning away to walk back to his own room.

My brother is a member of a one of the biggest Boy Bands of this generation. The band has four more guys. The last time I met those guys, which was around five years ago, I had braces in my teeth and terrible vision for which I had ugly black glasses. I know that Louis, Zayn, Harry and Liam are my Niall's best friends. They met at a talent show they all had applied for six years ago. They were all from different places but they met every few months. They decided to create their band three years ago.

I am really proud of how much they have succeeded. Our entire life changed the day Niall bought a Range Rover for mom. Gradually everything changed. We moved to a bigger house in Ireland. We even have a pool in the back yard. We would have considered moving to London but some how no other place than this ever suited me or Ma. Especially Ma. She can't live ten days in an other place. She loves this town so much. So Niall decided to buy a house in Mullinger itself. It couldn't have been possible without all the efforts he put for us. None of this would have.

I decided to join my brother on tour. I thought I could really use sometime outside with my brother, after everything that happened in the past few months. I am packing my backpack when I see my phone screen light up with a call from Olivia, my best friend.

"Hey, El. How's the packing goin'?" She asks with a huge grin on her face.

"Almost done. Just packing my backpack and then I guess I'm all set for tomorrow."

"Wow you seem excited for this trip, don't you?" 

Olivia and I have been friends since fifth grade. We were in the same school before. It was my first day in my new school and I was really nervous. Olivia was my first friend there. It turned out we were in the same class and since then we have been inseparable.

"Hey, my mother made you your favourite blueberry cheesecake as a farewell present so you need to come by and collect it in the evening."

She is so sweet!

"Oh my, she really didn't have to do that. I'll come by 6 in the evening to pick it up. I wanna say thank you to her, will she be home?"

"Yes. Come by 6" She says

"Alright"

"You need help with packing?" 

"No, I am almost done. But thanks though." I am so grateful to have a friend like her.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, El. I can't imagine how boring these 3 months are going to be without you." I can't be sure but I think I see tears in her eyes. Hell, there are tears in my own.

"I'm gonna miss you too. Let's rehearse our routine. I'll start. Video calls every Tuesdays and Saturdays."

"Daily update at 7 in the evening everyday." She says next, like it is by-heart.

" And incase of emergency a text with the bell emoji."

We remain silent for a few seconds, just staring at each other. I just realised how much we need each other, how strong our friendship is for the past eight years. All the memories come flooding back and I realise how much I am going to miss this girl.

"Hey, by the way" She says breaking the silence. "Do me a favour and get me all the boys' autograph. Maybe even give them a peck on cheek if you get the chance."

Since Niall got into the band Olivia has been obsessed with the guys. It is like she has a crush on each and every one of them. I remember how she started squealing and jumping in excitement whenever we saw their live shows together. When I told her that I was going on tour with my brother for the next three months I'd expected her first reaction to be sad that we won't see each other for a long time. Instead she got all excited and started making imaginary situations of me hooking up with them.

As if...

"That will be your birthday gift then." I say jokingly. Of course I was going to get her more than that. Her birthday is around the same time I'll return, but I already have planned so much for her.

"I gotta go run some errands but I'll see you at 6, right?"

"Yep"

As soon as we hang up, I resume my packing. My vision gets carried to the picture on my night stand. The picture of Ma, Niall and me when I was four years old. Niall was seven. We were at the beach. Niall and I were making a huge sand castle while mom was sitting on the sand along with us. I was told Aunt Anne had taken that picture. We looked so happy. So care-free.

Niall and I were told that our father had left us when when we were children. I was two and Niall was five. That's all we know. We haven't spoken about him in years. We don't even know the reason he left. But mom once said that we are better off without him and that we wouldn't be half as happy if he were with us.

Niall still remembers him but all I know how he looked like is through pictures.
I pick up the picture and look at it closely. This picture is how it's been my entire life. Just the three of us. And I don't want it another way. Ever.
I look at Ma. She has grown very old since then. Her face has changed. There are more wrinkles now. The only two things that are the same are the shine in her eyes and her precious smile.

As it was fate, Ma calls out my name from down stairs. I pack the picture carefully in my suite case along with my clothes so it doesn't break during the journey, and head to the kitchen . 

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"Did you pack your passport, sweetie?"

A snort comes from Niall who was sitting on the kitchen island, with a split banana in his hand. My mother is packing us snacks to take with us on the flight tomorrow.

Well, like mother, like son. 

"Yes, Ma. I packed everything according to the list." I reply, smiling.
God, I am going to miss her so much.

"By the way, Ma, I gotta go to Olivia's house in the evening. Her mother made blueberry cheesecake for me as a farewell present. I'll be back in an hour."

"Oh that's wonderful! Let her know I said hello too." Ma says.

"Woah! You're gonna have to share half of that cheesecake with me too" Niall sais, looking annoyed.

"Why would I share a cheesecake made specially for me, by my best friend's mother with you? Did you share your pack of Cheetos yesterday with me?" I fire back, highly satisfied because I know I successfully pissed him off. 

Ellie, one. Niall, zero.
score!

He first looks at Ma, hoping she would defend him while she is struggling to hold in her own giggle. He gives me an annoyed stare while I stick my tongue out at him teasingly for his defeat. Then he hops down the island, mumbling something under his breath. As soon as he's out of an earshot, Ma and I start laughing out loud. This moment is so precious.

I look at her again
"Ma? Are you going to be okay?" I ask. I am concerned about her. This whole trip is her idea. She wanted me to take a break from writing and everything else...

She smiles at me and says,
"Of course I will, Ellie. You need this trip. I'll be fine."

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Thank you for reading this chapter. I really hoped you liked it. Do let me know your suggestion or thoughts about the first chapter in the comments. Also, there might be a few typos which I will rectify as soon as I spot them so please forgive me if you see any. You can also let me know about the typos in the comments and I'll rectify them right away.