Under the Mistletoe {Niall Horan Christmas Story}

Chapter 1 -- Deck the Halls

December 21st, 2012

3:28 pm

New York, New York

"Take it easy, Niall." Liam told me through an ear-to-ear grin, scooping up his jacket in his hands and pulling up the handle on his overly-large suitcase.

"Always." I winked happily.

"Flight 71 to London is boarding now." the flight attendent's voice rang through the crowded airport and the sound of rolling suitcases and excited chatter sounded at the terminal.

"Well, I guess it's time to say goodbye.." Liam gave me a small smile, pulling me into a hug as people bustled past us to get to their flight. "Merry Christmas, Nialler."

"Merry Christmas, Liam!" I called after him as he wheeled his suitcase into the boarding line. He shot me a grin before he stepped through the doors to his plane, leaving me alone at the terminal.

And then there was one. Liam had hopped aboard the first flight back to England to spend the holidays with his family, as did Harry. Louis had already flown back to London a few days ago to catch up with Eleanor, and then meet his family for Christmas. Zayn was first going to California to surprise Perrie on tour, and then to England to meet his parents and sisters. And that left me -- single, with no girlfriend to visit, and a delayed flight back to Ireland. As much as I was enjoying the tour, nothing sounded better right now than to be back in Mullingar, eating my mum's cooking and seeing my family.

~'~'~'~

December 21st, 2012

4:29 pm

New York, New York

"What do you mean 'flight 78 to Ireland is canceled'?" I questioned frantically, my clear blue eyes skimming all the employees far from concerned faces. A middle-aged woman with slightly graying brunette hair stepped forward, a stern look on her face.

"We're sorry, sir. Can we board you on another flight of your choice?" she spoke through thin, pursed lips.

"Do you have another flight to Ireland?" I demanded, anxiously drumming my fingers on the desk.

"No," piped up a man from behind her, clad in a navy blazer decorated in golden pins. "But we can fly you to other places in Europe; Rome,Venice,Prague -- " he drawled on and on about exotic European travel destinations, but all I wanted was to hop aboard the next plane to Mulliangar.

"Nothing for Ireland?" I questioned once again. The man shook his head, and then continued droning on and on about other available flights. Clearing my throat, I spoke up, cutting off the highly decorated flight attendent. "Erm, thank you for the help... I'll be off now."

December 21st, 2012

11:37 pm

New York, New York

"I love you too, mum." I sighed into the speaker before clicking 'end call'. I shoved my phone back into my trouser pocket and exhaled deeply as I tilted my head back against my seat. I had just explained everything to my mum, which mostly consisted a lot of crying and yelling over the obnoxiously loud airport Christmas music.

Mum hadn't taken it well at all. Hearing her cry was the worst feeling in the world. My clear blue eyes searched the airport for any signs of anyone. It was almost completely desrted, as the last flight for the night had left nearly fifteen minutes ago. The only sound audible was the chorus of Deck the Halls, which was starting to get old after the hundreth time of hearing it today.