A Match Into Water (Neeroy Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

After school, Niall's Mum picked him up in her red convertible. He was still regretting agreeing to this dance stuff, but he didn't want to let Maura down. He knew she'd paid good money for him to attend, and maybe all of his thoughts were just stupid. He was just overthinking about worse case scenarios. Niall would have a good time and meet Liam's brother.

"Niall," Maura mumbled. "Do you definitely want to do this?"

They were driving past the school in the direction Niall was unfamiliar with. The road was muddy and deserted which surprised him since there was normally traffic after school, so Maura probably mistook his confused expression with cold feet.

"Yeah, Mum," Niall replied, giving her a little smile. "I'm sure about this. I can't wait."

"Good. Did you ever find out if Mr Leeroy Payne is Liam's relation?" Maura asked, speeding up when they turned onto the motorway.

Niall nodded. "Yep. They're brothers."

"Twins?"

"I doubt it. If they were, surely this Leeroy dude would still be in school?"

"True. Maybe they look alike," Niall's Mum suggested, grinning down at her son gently, before putting her hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Niall. You're the boy I'd always dreamt of having. Did you know gays are nicer to their Mums?"

Niall chuckled. "Thanks, Mum. You, too."

Maura smiled and kept driving until she parked next to a humungous building. It was brightly coloured white with hundreds of windows which showed there was about ten floors. Niall felt tame, and he had a giant lump in his throat. Ah, fuck.

Niall began to feel a spasm of nausea, and swallowed hard at the vast building before him. He turned to his mother who was grinning and examining it. Why couldn't he stop overthinking? He was sure it would be fine. He'd enjoy it.

"Are you ready?" Maura asked before clutching her son and giving him a warm hug. Niall hugged her back, biting his lip.

"I think so."

"Do you want me to come in with you or are you okay?" she asked gently, pulling away but suddenly feeling worried for her son. Maybe this was a mistake and he didn't want to go...

Niall shook his head. "I'm eighteen, Mum. I think I'm okay to go in alone."

Her grin reappeared and she shook away all of her previous thoughts. She was sure Niall would love it, and she was proud to be called a good mother. That's what her dream had always been; to do whatever made her son happy. "Have fun and make some more friends!"

Niall chuckled before sliding out the car and slamming the door behind him. He waved once at his Mum and ran up the couple of steps. Afterwards, he found himself standing in front of a wide glass door. He took a deep breath before opening it, and stepping inside.

In the tall and bewildering building, there was a huge desk perked just in front of him with an elderly woman with dyed hair which had faded a little bit into a gingery-brown colour. She had glasses parched up onto the bridge of her oversized nose and she was tip-tapping away at a little computer in front of her. She was slim and small, and Niall realised she seemed harmless.

In the same room as the woman was a waiting room with about ten people sitting at. Half of them were kids (mostly teengers like him) and the rest were women. Now that Niall looked at them properly, he realised all of them were women. What the-?

"Hello," Niall's head snapped towards the elderly woman who was now smiling at him with perfect rosen eyebrows. "Can I help you, honey?"

"Uh," Niall licked his lips. He fought to return the smile, before walking a few steps so he was stood at the over-the-top vast desk. "Yes, actually."