Bend The Rules• njh

24⌝ Old Friend

Song of the Chapter- sHe by Zayn Malik
***Not the best song of the chapter but like I tried

Bright morning light peaks through my curtains, causing my eyes to slowly flutter open. Rolling over, I grab my phone and check the time.

11:17

Damn. I slept in later than I thought I would. I huff out a sigh as I pull myself out of bed, slipping on some slippers before I head out of my room. Putting my phone in the pocket of my shorts, I make my way through the living room and to the kitchen. Coffee had already been brewed so I grab a cup and pour it out, trying to blink away my sleepiness. Chuckles can be heard from outside and I peep through a nearby window, noticing that my mom, Angie, and Niall are all outside.

Grabbing my cup, I head outside to where they've congregated around the outside table. "Morning sunshine," my mother calls out to me, "how'd you sleep?"

I pull out a chair next to Niall and slump down in it. "Like a rock. I was exhausted, still am a little tired," I sigh out as I take a sip from my coffee.

"I wonder why," my sister teases at me from across the table, a huge smirk spread across her face. My mom turns to look at me, her face written in confusion.

"I was exhausted from the constant stress of this weekend and my anxiety attacks, you dense cube," I hiss at her, narrowing my eyes to tell her to knock her shit off. Niall and my mother give a small chuckle at my horrible comeback, my sister still eyeing me.

Angie rolls her eyes at me as my mom speaks up, changing the subject, "So Toni do you still plan on heading out today? Because you can stay longer if you need, Niall too." Thank god she didn't catch on, I'd be dead for sure.

"Yeah I got to," I swirl my cup around, the dark liquid sloshing within it, "I've got a major appointment with a client on Monday. He seems very urgent to get out of the situation, his wife is emotionally abusive and he wants to leave as quick as he can." It's situations like these that I don't really look forward to in my job. I hate seeing people in pain and suffering, especially children involved in messy divorces. But I'm a helper, and what I love is when I can get others out of these toxic relationships. Safely and where they get what they deserve. I know it sounds bad but for putting up with an abuser that long, you shouldn't have to worry if they're going to pay child support or not.

My mother nods her head in agreement, "I totally understand. He needs your full attention and help. And I'm so glad that you can give that to him and your clients." She taps her fingers along the side of her coffee cup and gives me her gentle and warm smile, "I'm so proud of you. You've accomplished so much at such a young age and have been through so much." Placing my hand over hers, I thank her.

"Well, if you plan on heading out today," Angie chimes in, sitting forward in the chair, "better get on the road soon. Traffic is going to be crazy today."

"You're, right." Niall says from beside me. "It's gunna be utter chaos. Madmen on the road."

I Scott my chair back and hold my cup close to me. Niall Soon follows and before I leave I reassure my mom, "and before you ask. Yes I'll be back soon I promise. We can have lunch or brunch like you did with your girl friends."

She agrees and smiles, "definitely. When y'all are done packing up and ready to leave we'll all say bye."

As Niall and I make our way into the house, he speaks up, "As long as that model guy doesn't show up and your mother doesn't set you up with him I'll be good for brunch."

"Wait hold on, you remember her talking about that?" I ask as I head towards my room after we set our cups in the sink.

"Yeah of course I do. There's no way in hell im gonna let some mysterious model boy steal my girlfriend." He over exaggerates the 'model boy' part while rollin this eyes. I giggle at his jealousy, finding it amusing before he continues on. "Model boy's got nothing on me. I'm the Niall Horan. Singer, songwriter, musician, golfer, and I could model too."