Through The Dark (Niall Horan Fanfic)

Chapter 5

Aubree's POV

Christmas used to be my favorite time of year. Not because of the presents, but because of the snow, and the romantic movies, and the food.

But this year my mum claimed I was too old to have a Christmas tree when I asked her when we were getting one. (My dad snuck over to the store and bought me a miniature one that could sit on my desk after that conversation.)

In attempt to be friendly with her, I asked her if I could help her make her big breakfast on Christmas morning: our family tradition. But she just shook her head and told me that she didn't do that anymore. Then I was told to go find a job.

Christmas morning rolled around, and I was lonely. No chocolate croissants or eggs or thick waffles or sausage or cinnamon muffins. Not that I had the appetite or wanted to add any more fat to my body.

I just wanted to go home.

But I didn't know where home was.

So I sat on the couch in the back of the house and waited for my sister Alyssa to come over and celebrate the day.

Around noon, she came in the front door, one arm covered in presents, and the other arm holding onto Jasper, her boyfriend of three years.

Her life was so put together, and I was just a mess. No wonder they liked her more and kept me caged inside, embarrassed.

While the happy couple hung out with my parents in the kitchen and helped prepare dinner, I returned to my spot on the couch, buried in my black crew neck, grey leggings, mismatching fuzzy socks and the blanket from the back of the couch.

I just wished Niall was here. But he hadn't talked to me in almost a week. I don't know what I did wrong.

Two movies later, I was called to the dining room to eat a goose. No thanks.

I trudged my way over to the opposite side of the large house and sat down, Mum and Dad on opposite ends of the table, and Jasper and Alyssa stationed across from me.

I nibbled on my dinner, Alyssa eyeballing me the whole time.

I clenched my fist in my lap and tried to keep my head down, trying not to be noticed or called out about anything. They could always find something I was doing wrong.

"No elbows on the table." My mother shot me with her words, and I quickly rested my forearm on the edge of the table instead, tapping at my meat with my fork while my other hand laid in my lap. I tapped my foot repeatedly under the table, a nervous habit.

I was told to stop that too, and she rolled her eyes as she scolded me that time.

Before my dad cleared the table after he announced dessert, I spoke up and smiled at mom, "Good dinner, mum."

Alyssa huffed loud enough under her breath for everyone to hear, "Not like you ate any of it."

I felt blood rushing to my cheeks, and I scratched at my wrist beneath the table, wanting to go to my room and feel numb and never talk to people again.

I passed on dessert, which was ice cream and apple pie.

My mother seemed surprised, "What? You love ice cream! And pie! You used to sneak downstairs and eat it all!"

Everyone laughed at that, but not me. I wanted to scream. Yes, I know I'm fat, thanks for pointing it out again, I thought.

I scratched at my wrist some more, and my foot tapped rapidly. I didn't answer mum's comment.

I wanted Niall.

He was all I could think about.

I pressed my nails into my palm, trying to think about the sharp pain in my hand instead of the fact that he didn't talk to me anymore.