She's Not Afraid

Chapter 17: Meeting My Parents

Maggie: The next day I awoke to my alarm, reminding me my parents were due to fly in in less than an hour. I groaned, covering my head with a pillow before giving in and jumping through a shower.

I was waiting at the gate, Niall next to me. He had repeatedly insisted on meeting my parents, although I still had yet to figure out why. He and I both held cups of coffee made from my new coffee maker. My parent's came off the plane, matching Samsonite luggage, smiling, and looking around. "If you dart you can still leave and not have to go through with this," I said to Niall through the gritted teeth of my smile.

"You're funny," Niall said as my parent's started our way. They had a way of walking that made them seem like they were Army sargents, tough and uniform. Niall didn't seem to notice.

"Maggie!" my mom said, hugging me, "How is the movie going. Are we thinking another few million?"

"Nice to see you too mom," I said, hugging her. Then I turned to my dad.

"Nice to see you, Mags," he said. He turned to face Niall, "Niall. Hows she been treatin' yah?"

"Good sir," Niall said, shaking my father's hand.

"Oh please. Sir is for people in the military. I work at a high school. Which is much harder. Nah, I'm just messin with yah," my dad said. It was obvious he approved of Niall.

"Of course," Niall laughed. Nearly flawless acting on his part.

"Niall, don't listen to a word he says," my mom said, "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Ma'me," Niall said. My mother looked taken aback.

"Please, just call me Sally," she said.

"Okay," Niall said. Wow, he was good. Maybe I'd recommend him for the next movie.

"Well, what do we have planned on this spectacular day?" my dad asked.

"Um, I was thinking we could drop your stuff off at my place, then we could go grab some brunch?" I asked.

"Sounds good," my mom said. We got in the car and headed to my place.

After brunch was over, my parents decided to go site seeing. We were walking down the street, little shops lining the sides of the brick street. Niall and I had fallen back, letting my parents do what they wanted.

"Sorry about my parents," I said under my breath.

"What's to be sorry about?" Niall asked.

"Um, I don't know. Your parents were just so... different," I said, shrugging.

"You think my family is any better than yours?" Niall asked.

"No. I just feel like I should appologize," I said.

"Well, that's just silly," he said.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"In fact, your parents actually know how to have fun. My parents gave that up ages ago," Niall said, laughing a little.

"You haven't seen my parents when we're home," I said.

"Why do I think your lying?" Niall asked.

"Um," I thought for a second then ran to catch up to my parents. Maybe today wasn't so bad.