Guarded

||twenty||

I sit at the airport, waiting for the plane to start boarding. I can't believe Niall talked me into this.

"I really don't want to see my dad, Niall. Let alone ask him for money." I slouch down in the uncomfortable waiting chair and rest my head in my palm.

"It'll be a good thing, Cassie." Niall smiles and places a hand on my thigh. I force a tired smile and take my hand in his. I gently rub the back of his hand in circles with my thumb.

A muffled "Flight 37 to Burbank boarding now," announces through the airport.

We grab all our things, which isn't a lot since we only plan on staying there for a night. I know. You travel to Burbank, California from New York and only stay a single night. What a waste of money, am I right? Well, I guess we did use Mrs. Horan's airline points.

We find our seats on the plane and sit, Niall getting the window seat. We lock hands as I rest my head on his shoulder.

A few minutes later, a tall, blonde woman takes a seat next to us. She looks as if she's a model. She sure is dressed like one.

The woman smiles at me and extends her hand to shake. "Alexis," she says. "Alexis Walters. Nice to meet you."

Alexis Walters. Where have I heard that name before?

"Cassidy Billoway," I reply with a forced smile. "Good to meet you, too."

"And you are?" She asks, motioning her head towards Niall.

"I'm Niall, Niall Horan. Cassie's boyfriend." He flashes an award-winning smile. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Alexis and I talk for a while and I tell her why Niall and I are going to Burbank. I soon find out that Alexis is co-editor in chief of Fad Magazine, one of the biggest fashion magazines in America. That's why I recognize the name. Fad is my favorite magazine, even if I'm not one for fashion.

"If you're so successful, why are you riding in coach? If you don't mind my asking." I look at Alexis expectantly.

"Paparazzi." She nods. "They always hide out in the bathrooms on first class and strike you when you're about to go. They'd never expect Alexis Walters to ride coach."

Just then, a chubby man with a camera runs up to Alexis. "You're Alexis Walters, right?! I heard she was going to be on this flight," the bald man says frantically. Alexis shakes her head no. "Really? I think you're lying. You look exactly like her."

"I don't know who Alexis Walters is." She shrugs.

"You're lying. You are Alexis."

I get an idea to save my new acquaintance from the paps. "Aunt Topanga, how much longer until we land in Burbank? I would like to see my father," I whine in Alexis's direction.

She catches my drift and plays along. "I'm not sure, Cassidy. We'll be there soon enough. Go ahead and take a nap with your brother. You'll see daddy in no time." I rest my head on Niall's shoulder and pretend to fall asleep.

The paparazzi guy takes a step back, obviously ashamed. "I'm terribly sorry, Ms., um, Ms. Topanga. I'll be on my way." And with that, he was gone.

Alexis sighs and leans back in her seat. "Thank you for that. I owe you one, big time." She smiles. "Topanga? Really?"

I chuckle slightly. "I'm not good under pressure and I was watching Boy Meets World before we came to the airport. Sorry."

-

"Call me if you ever need anything, Cassidy," Alexis says, handing me her business card. "I'd be happy to help. Especially with your mother."

"Thank you, Ms. Walters." I smile widely.

She returns the gesture. "Please, call me Alexis. I'll see you around?" I nod. "Great." She waves us off as she goes to get her luggage.

I turn to Niall. "Babe," I say.

"I know," Niall replies, nodding his head, wide eyed.

I think we just became friends with one of the most successful people in the country. And she offered to help me with my mother. Of course, I'm not going to take her help. That'd be rude. This is a family issue and the medical bills should be paid by the family.

Niall calls a taxi and soon enough, it arrives in the airport parking lot.

"2435 Beachwood Drive in Burbank, please," Niall says to the taxi driver. The driver is a small, chubby Mexican man with a thick, gray mustache. He nods and seems kind of annoyed, obviously not liking drives over 20 minutes. He mumbles something in Spanish, but I don't understand a lick of what he says.

"I'm so nervous," I say to Niall, halfway through the trip.

"Why? Everything will be fine." He kisses my temple. "You're such a worry wort. Take a chill pill."

"Drugs aren't gonna help me now, honey." I sigh. "Did you know I haven't seen him in four years? Yeah. He left us right after my eight grade graduation. He said, 'Congrats, Cassidy. I'm moving to Burbank to be with Christina and the kids.'" A small tear falls my eye. "That's it. No 'goodbye' or 'I'm sorry for hurting you like this.' Not even a fake 'I love you.' He just left." As more tears start to fall, I bury my face in Niall's chest, ruining his shirt with my salty tears.

Out of nowhere, the car starts to make an odd noise and slows down until it comes to a complete stop.

The driver gets out of the car mumbling what sounds like, "Este maldito taxi. Siempre decomponerse. Odio mi trabajo y mi vida." The little Mexican man lifts the hood of the car and fiddles with a few things. He shakes his head. "No good, señor," he says to Niall with a thick accent. "You either walk or find a new taxi."

"Well, shit," Niall mutters under his breath. "It's 94 degrees out here, we can't walk. I'll die of heat stroke." The cab driver shrugs.

"Sorry, señor. There's nothing I can do." He walks off in the direction of the nearest donut shop.

"Yeah, thanks anyway, burrito," Niall calls after him.

I playfully slap his arm and shake my head, even though I'm grinning like a fool.

After about two hours of waiting and calling different taxis, we finally got a cab to drive us to my father's house.

"That's it. That's my father's house," I say, gazing at the large mansion standing in front of me. I hesitantly walk up the front steps and almost knock on the door. I pull my hand away before it can make contact with the metal door knocker.

"You do it, Niall." I shake my head frantically.

Niall takes my hand and puts it on the knocker, placing his large hand over mine. "We can do it together," he says with a comforting smile. Together we knock three times and hear muffling inside the house. The door swings open and I let out a small gasp.

"Dad."

~

The Spanish said by the taxi driver roughly translates to "this damn taxi. Always breaking down. I hate my job and my life.

I used google translate, so if you see an error please tell me so I can fix it. Thank you :-)

I have my brother's graduation party today I'm so excited yay :-))

Comment & vote?

-Anna xo