Simon's Secret (One Direction FanFiction)

Chapter 25

  I glared down at the screen of my phone, debating on whether or not to answer it. Niall watched me worriedly. I glanced at him, silently asking if I should respond to the phone call from my father. He nodded and I took a deep breath before tapping the "answer" button.

  "Dad?" I said quietly into the receiver. Niall took one last glance at me before slowly starting to back away. I nodded, agreeing that he should go. I didn't really want him to hear the conversation I was about to have. 

  "Alexandra," I heard him sigh. "You have no idea how worried I've been. My God, we haven't spoken in days." 

   I felt myself smiling, felt tears welling in my eyes. I guess I really hadn't noticed how much I missed him. I said, "I know, I know, and I'm so sorry. I should've called you earlier, I even promised the boys that I would. Dad... I'm so sorry about everything. I don't know if it's gotten out yet, but did you hear about Starbucks?" For a couple of seconds, he was quiet. Probably forcing himself not to yell as he always had to.

  Once again, he sighed. "That's not the only thing that's gotten out. You in a fight with a fan, Harry punching the paparazzi man?"

  I paused for a moment, closing my eyes and trying to think of how to respond. Apologizing again would just be pointless - I'd said "I'm sorry" so much that it was starting to sound like it wasn't a real term. Making an excuse would only make him angry,

  "Yes. Yes, it all happened and looking back, I know how stupid it was," I said. "We both got into bad situations and its going to be very bad publicity. I'm not going to bother trying to think of an excuse. I was being an idiot, there's no denying it."

  He chuckled, "Yes, you certainly were. The media will eventually get over it, though. So, moving on, we wasted eighteen years trying to hide you, didn't we? You've been very difficult, Alexandra." A smile forced it's it's way onto my lips. 

   "Alex. And yeah, we really did. To be honest, though, I'm glad the secret's out," I admitted.

  My father was silent for a moment, and I could just imagine him sitting at his desk thoughtfully. He might even be nodding, or maybe he didn't agree with what I said. Maybe he had his head in his hands, rubbing his temples. He was actually probably very stressed out. As Louis had pointed out, for the past few days my dad's only daughter has been in another country and out of contact.

  "You know," he said finally, "I'm glad too. It made me realize that I've been an idiot for the past eighteen years. You're my daughter, Alexandra, and I love you. I shouldn't have kept you hidden. The world deserves to know who you are, and... I'm sorry, honey."

  I felt tears welling in my eyes. After years of hiding, fighting, and lying, my dad finally realized that it wasn't good for me. He was finally going to accept that I had to be myself. And now, thanks to five idiot boys and a talk show, I could.

  My voice shaking, I responded, "It's okay. It's okay, Dad. Now, I hate to do this, but I really ought to get going. We have to head to the airport pretty soon. See you tomorrow morning?" 

  "Okay, Alexandra. I'll see then," he said.

  "Alex," I corrected. "Love you, Dad. Bye." I ended the phone call and slipped my phone into my pocket. I glanced around, wondering where Niall had gone. Maybe back to the boys at the parade? Where else could he have gone?

  Before I could take one step, Niall approached from somewhere to the right. I quickly wiped my tears away, hoping he hadn't noticed them. I noticed a bag in his hand. Apparently he had done a little shopping while he waited for me to get off the phone. He skipped right up to me, a bright smile on his face.