If I'm Louder - Niall Horan Fanfic

Chapter 61 - Christmas

I got a two week break from school for the holidays. We all decorated the house. It was amazing. Sparkling lights and snow flakes everywhere. Tomorrow is Louis' birthday. We're gonna celebrate Christmas and his 22nd birthday tomorrow, then leave to spend it with our families. We've already bought all of our presents. Right now, we're putting up the tree.

"Who wants to put the star on top?!" Liam wails.

"I DO!" Louis and I yell at the same time. He quickly turns to me, giving me that ridiculous puppy dog face. "Fine, but only because tomorrow is your birthday." I pout, crossing my arms.

His eyes light up. "YAY! GIMME!" He jerks it out of Liam's hand.

He stood on a ladder to put the star on top. Zayn switched the lights on and the tree shined multiple colors.

"Hey, Z... if you're Muslim, why do you celebrate Christmas?" I ask, walking over to him.

"Well... because every year the lads give me presents and tell me I don't have to be Christian to celebrate a holiday with my family. I've learned to accept that it's true. So I give them presents." He smiles genuinely.

"Oh." I look down.

"We always spend one Christmas together, then with our families on different days." Harry informs me.

I bite my lip, holding back tears.

I don't have a family to celebrate with anymore...

"Love, we're your family." Perrie rubs my shoulder.

I said that out loud.

"Kinda." Dani says quietly.

"Yeah, but... you all go separate ways and go places to see your family and spend time with them. I don't have that." I sigh.

"Yes, you do. You have Zayn and Trisha and S-" Niall starts, rubbing my shoulders.

"That's not the same. You all see your parents. You see your mom and dad and, of course, your siblings. They're my cousins and aunt. They don't even celebrate Christmas."

"It doesn't matter what you celebrate. You're with family." Zayn starts.

I cut him off, "But I'm not Muslim. I have no idea how to celebrate whatever you celebrate. I'm use to waking up early Christmas morning and running to the livingroom to see dozens of presents and a big gingerbread house and candy in my stocking. I'm not Muslim. I'm Christian. I've never celebrated what you do."

Zayn sighs, knowing I'm absolutely right.

"You could come to Ireland with me. Mum and Dad just love you to bits." Niall offers.

I look down and nod shyly. It wasn't the same...

***

"OH MY GOD! I LOVE YOU!" Eleanor screams when she opens the present that Perrie, Dani, and I got her. It was a pair of boots she really wanted, that we filled with candy.

She tackled us in a hug.

"Okay, okay, love you, too! You just hit me in the boob!" I whine, clutching my chest. It really hurt!

They burst out laughing.

"Shut up! It hurts!" I whine.

"Course it does, babe. Alright, who's next?" Louis laughs.

Liam picks up one and reads the name. Niall and Katie.

I raise an eyebrow. It's for both of us? Niall looks at me with a confused expression.