"Can you guess why I'm excited?" Lauren spoke to Niall as he helped her load her bags into the back of their rental car. Niall grinned. It was around 5:00 in the morning and once Lauren's bags were loaded they would head on over to Elyse's house to pick up Zayn and Elyse and say their last round of goodbye's and then they would be off to the airport.
"No, why?" Niall answered playfully, even though he knew that it was because pretty soon they would be on a plane back to Los Angeles.
"Because in less than 12 hours we will be in Los Angeles!" Lauren said excitedly as she clapped her hands together. Niall giggled.
"Well, you want to know why I'm excited?" Niall asked as he shut the trunk.
"Why?" Lauren answered in the same tone.
"Because last night I had the best date with the most incredible girl." Lauren blushed. "Don't forget beautiful."
"Niall," she giggled. "Quite making me blush. I hate it."
"You love it." Niall cheekily grinned. Lauren sighed.
"Alright, I do." Niall smiled in victory and stepped closer to her. The condensation of their breaths mixed in the lamp light of the cold January air. Before anything could be done they were interrupted by Lauren's mother clearing her throat. Lauren turned her head to see her mother standing on the front porch in her robe. Her arms were clutched around her to hold in the warmth. She was trying to smile, but it was difficult. She knew that it was going to be a while before she saw her daughter again and that made it hard. But she had to accept it, Lauren had her own life now. A life that wasn't Texas anymore, in fact it was far from it.
"Oh mom," Lauren saw how upset her mom looked and quickly made her way up to the porch. She wrapped her arms around her mom for a tight hug. Her mom did her best to hold in her tears, but it was a failed effort. "Please don't cry mom."
"I'm sorry," they pulled away. "I know I look like a blubbering idiot." She slightly giggled as Lauren wiped a few stray tears from the corner of her eyes. "It's just you're really all grown up now. And I am so proud of you."
"I know, mom. I know you are." Lauren nodded with a smile.
"Alright, well I guess I should be letting you go then. I know we already said goodbye last night, but I was awake so I figured I might as well see you off." Lauren looked down and nodded with a smile. She didn't really think it would be this hard saying goodbye, but it was. She didn't really realize until now how much of a role she had in her mom's life.
"I'm going to be back, mom." Lauren tried to make it better, even though she really had no idea when she would be home next. "And you can come to LA anytime. We have room for guests now." She giggled. "You'd love it there, we could have wonderful time."
"I know, baby." Her mom pulled her in for one last hug before lightly pushing her towards the car where Niall was standing waiting for her with a grin on his face. Lauren went down the steps and towards the car, glancing back multiple times to smile at her mom. Niall held open the door for his girlfriend and she got in the warm car. He shut the door once she was fully in and then went around to the drivers side, waving to Mrs. Champion as he did so. She offered a wave in return, and then she watched as the car disappeared down the dark street. She knew Lauren would be back, but not as the little girl she used to be. Suddenly she was this gorgeous young woman and Mrs. Champion wondered how it happened so fast.
Niall glanced over at Lauren as he drove down the quiet street. "You okay, babe?" Lauren sniffed and nodded.
"Yeah, I just didn't think saying goodbye to my mom would be that hard." Lauren half laughed.
YOU ARE READING
That Smile (A Niall Horan Fan Fiction)
FanfictionLauren had no idea what to expect upon arriving in LA with her best friend Elyse. All she knew was that she was just glad to be there. The biggest concern for her was if her and Elyse's roommate liked One Direction or not. However, she had no idea t...
