One In A Million

xxxii

Apparently the only good way to wake me up is with an air horn.

I shot up, screaming and plugging my ears, and kicking my legs until it stopped.

Breathless, I stood up and glanced around, noting that I was back in our house. I froze.

"Nice that you could join us, Miss Hickey." Harry smiled as he walked into the kitchen.

Honestly, I don't know how I ended up in our living room.

"M-Miss what? You're kidding me, right?" I slapped my hand to my neck and cringed at the numb pain.

"Heck no, he's not!" Louis joined in, "Vincent went all out last night! Poor boy put you to sleep!"

"So-Wait, what?" I screamed as Niall walked out of the bathroom.

"He was kidding! You fell asleep like, ten minutes after he gave you the ninth one." he shrugged and charged into the kitchen with Harry.

I charged into the bathroom and gasped when I dropped my hand. Dark bruises peppered my neck. Niall lied, there was only one, but it was big.

I moaned and dialed Vincent, but he didn't pick up.

Listening to his voicemail, I knew he changed it, especially when I got to the end.

"......And if this is Lily, sorry about the bruises." I heard him chuckle, "Believe me when I say this: I was as surprised as you."

"Told you, James!" Harry screamed, then ran away from the bathroom door.

"I'm not married! I'm not even dating! Was I drunk? What am I missing here?"

I sighed and trudged out into the kitchen, sitting at the table.

"Now, who blew the air horn?" I asked, laying my head on the table.

Louis trolled into the room with a superior smirk and an air horn, "It was Liam."

"Somehow, I don't think she believes that." Liam said, staring at Louis with a tired expression.

I snatched the air horn from Louis and blared it in his ears. He screamed and fell to the ground, and I kicked his side, all while still half-asleep.

Liam high-fived me and got up, setting his cup in the sink and walking out.

"You have Show-Up tonight, get ready." he called.

A straight line overtook my lips. I nodded, looking down at my hands before running to my room.

_____________

My dad's smiling face lit up my computer screen around noon. He logged on even though it was dinner time there.

We had been talking for over three hours and we came to the matter of him flying up for the night.

"Don't worry, daddy. I have work tonight, so we can't go." I gave him a brave smile, resting my chin on the palm of my hand.

"Lily, you've been looking foreword to this dance from the second you found out! Are you sure?"

"Daddy, I'm sorry, but work comes first now. I'll find a way to see you guys soon." I nodded, fiddling with my fingers around the keyboard.

He sighed, "If that's what you want."

I nodded again, looking up at the screen, "Ye-yeah, it's what I want. I'm sorry dad, it's what I need."

He nodded, "Alright, Tiger Lily. I love you."

I blew a kiss and waved, "I love you too! Bye."

"Bye, princess." he logged off and I sat in silence, tapping my fingers against the island.