Opposites ~ n.h (rewriting)

Chapter 24: Christmas Time.

* If you haven't read the edited version of chapter 23, you should. It's much better now. I think*

We're a month further and currently I'm on my way to Cheshire. My car is loaded with Christmas presents for my family and Harry's. The weather is a disaster. It's basically a mixture between snow and rain and the roads are very slippery. Motorways are completely jammed because of all the accidents that happen. 

"Mum?" I speak into the phone as I pick up the call that just came in. "Yeah, darling. Where are you?" Worry is written all over her voice as she speaks. "I'm on my way. I've been in the car for two hours and I've almost reached the exit to Cheshire. Traffic is horrible with the slippery roads right now." I tell her. "Okay, I was worried something might've happened." She admits. I smile, mum is so worried all the time. "I'm fine, mum. Go continue to get the dinner ready with dad. " I tell her. We end the call and soon I can see the exit coming in sight. 

I take the exit without any problems. As soon as I drive into town someone in front of me makes a sudden stop. I slam on my brakes but slip. I manage to avoid hitting the car in front of me and end up on the lane beside me. I sigh in relief as I notice I didn't hit anything and I'm alright. A woman comes walking up to my car. I open the window. "I am so sorry, there was a little kid crossing the street I had to stop. Are you alright?" She asks me. "Yeah, I'm fine. And don't worry about it. I'd rather have me getting off the road than a little kid getting hit." I smile at her. "Okay, well have a nice Christmas Eve." She tells me. "You too." I smile. 

I start up the engine again and continue to drive home. I park my car near the house and carry the presents in, careful so no children will see them. My mum opens the door even before I walked up the drive way and sends Harry to help me with all my stuff. "Gentleman Styles, everybody." I say rolling my eyes. Harry smiles proudly as he carries my bags inside. 

"Dinner's almost done!" I can hear my mum call from the kitchen. Harry walks back outside to get the rest of my stuff as I greet Anne, Gemma and Robin. "Long time no see, Luna. How are you?" Gemma asks me as I sit down. "Well, I'm studying." I laugh. "I can imagine that! I'm happy I'm done there." She tells me. "Yeah. I get that." I smile. "Have you found a lucky guy yet?" Gemma asks, raising her eyebrows as my cheeks turn red. "Yes." I smile. I hear mum and dad drop everything in the kitchen. They rush into the living room.

"You have a boyfriend?" Mum gapes at me. "Yeah. I'm actually a little offended that all of you are so surprised." I tell them. "Doesn't matter. What's his name?" My dad asks me, "Niall Horan, he's 20 years old and he's studying Sound Engineering at Manchester University. He's got a younger sister and he's from Ireland." I tell them all I know about Niall. They nod. "Any criminal records?" My dad narrows his eyes at me. I swallow hard. They can't know about him being and addict so I convincingly shake my head. "Nope." I say. My dad nods approvingly and soon everyone is engaged in their own conversation. I'm glad they let the subject of Niall behind them. 

I look at the old pictures on the wall in the hallway. My mum and dad's wedding. A photo of mum pregnant with me. A family picture of the three of us. I slowly walk down the hall, step by step, taking in every detail of every framed picture that is on the wall. Suddenly I stumble across a photo of Liam. He's about 10 years old, I think and widely smiling. I can't believe my parents lied about him. Why didn't they raise him? Why did they lie to me about it? I want to confront them with it but I don't want to ruin this Christmas. Plus, Liam told me strictly not to. 

"This is like your youth on a wall." I jump at the sudden voice. When I look to the left Harry is standing next to me. He's staring up at the wall, his hands behind his back. "Yeah." I sigh. My head is still full with all these questions about Liam. "What are you thinking?" Harry asks. When I look at him, he's no longer looking at the wall, but at me. "That time flew by." I lie. He doesn't have to know about my worries and problems with Liam. "It certainly did." I hear Harry sigh. We stand in silence. You can hear muffled voices from the living room.