Taking The Chance [A Niall Horan Fanfiction]

// Chapter Six //

I stared into the rearview mirror of the car as we distanced ourselves from the train station, watching the building disappear from sight. Trying to prevent any tears from streaming down my face, I blinked quickly and sighed. I knew the reality of our situation—different schools and schedules, meaning little to no time of seeing each other outside of school or talking through electronic means—but I didn’t want to believe it. Fate has helped us this far in our newfound friendship… could it possibly help us more?

“Mullingchire is only about forty-five minutes from here; without traffic and lame tourists it would only take half an hour.” He snorted. “How are we going to pass the time?” Louis chattered, breaking the silence.

I looked up and met his eye in the rearview mirror. After a couple of seconds of awkward eye contact and a glance of the smirk on his face, I opted to look out the window. “Well, you guys drive on the wrong side of the road,” I commented stupidly.

“Just because we drive on the left side, doesn’t mean it’s not right.” He laughed. “Get it? Not right, as in wrong.”

I tried to ignore the bad joke; however, it was just too funny to ignore. A short, loud laugh escaped my lips. “Okay, that was funny. I’ll give that one to you.”

He smirked, proud that he was able to admit to his humor. “Just give me the rest too while you’re at it. I’ll be able to make you laugh plenty more times as long as we know each other with each other.”

I rolled my eyes and smirked back. “We’ll see about that.” I continued to look outside my window, watching historic London buildings and crowds of tourists pass by. We passed Big Ben and the London Eye and watched tons of the red double-decker busses drive alongside us on the street. I imagined how expensive properties were in this downtown area, silently wishing I could afford one. Maybe when I’m older. “How far is your house—flat, I mean—from here?”

“It’s right by Mullingchire, actually. I’m a student there too.” He replied casually, keeping his eyes concentrated on the road.

My eyes bugged out of my head. I stared at his reflection. “But you’re a driver… chauffeuring people around…”

He shook his head, chuckling in disbelief. “You think everyone at that school can just afford the bloody expensive tuition rates?”

“N-no,” I stammered, “I don’t think—”

“Ever since my parents got a divorce, it’s been so much harder to afford tuition,” he interrupted. The car swerved, cutting other people off. Cars honked relentlessly at him; he furrowed his eyebrows as he pushed on the gas. “No one here knows how to drive!” I stayed quiet, letting him vent out his anger. He lifted the middle finger at the driver next to him and continued to drive recklessly. “And my dad isn’t doing anything to help. He left me and it’s just been my mum and me ever since. And it’s even more bullock since I’m living all the way here for nine months of the year, and she’s still in Doncaster alone. So life has been hard for my mum and me. I guess it’s more convenient to have a student driver transport teenagers from the station to the school, right? Someone who knows how to get around and receives money for it at the same time. I’ll be the best driver London has ever seen if that means I can attend Mullingchire and afford its insane tuition and keep the burden off my mum.”

Silence lingered in the air for a handful of moments as Louis calmed down and the car met speed limit. I waited until his grip on the steering wheel loosened to speak. “I’m sorry… for bringing it up and everything,” I apologized quietly.

Neither Louis nor I uttered a word for a couple of minutes; only the occasional honk of the horn was heard. Breaking the tension with a small smile, he finally replied, “It’s okay. I’m sorry for blowing up on you… and risking your life with my reckless driving. But hey, we’ll be going to the same school! I could possibly see you around and scream at you some more. Except you’ll be in the 11th year and I’ll be in the 12th year. And you’re the new girl, ew.”