Dear Patience (n.j.h.)

chapter twenty-four,

As soon as Eva left the classroom she called Niall.

All through her test, she was worried about Niall and wondered if he was calling to tell her something important or just argue with her. Not to mention the fact that she almost was barred from taking her test which pissed her off.

"Hello?"

"Do you have any idea what you almost cost me? Do you not check the time, Niall? I was about to take my final and the professor almost prevented me from taking my fucking final!"

"Niall, you want to talk that's fine. I miss you like hell but I came back from work yesterday and I texted you. You didn't answer which is perfectly fine-I get it, babe! You're busy, but then you carelessly call me at 3 in the morning... the night before my final! Seriously, Niall?" 

"Not to mention, you were fucking drunk and you weren't even talking to me," She huffed pushing her curls back. "You were entertaining your buddies and the whole damn bar, it seemed like."

She paused and didn't hear a response from Niall. She was sitting on the steps in front of the main building. She closed her eyes before ending her rant.

"Niall, I understand if you can't talk. If you want to go out and have fun that's fine by me but don't treat me rudely and get mad when I won't stand for it." She finished with a sigh.

"I miss you," Niall said simply and Eva chuckled. "I miss you so damn much, Eva." Niall repeated.

"I don't know what possessed me yesterday that made me call you like a lunatic. I wanted to apologize for everything because...well, I was just a dick, wasn't I?" He scoffed.

"I'm sorry for calling so late and waking you up the night before a big exam and I'm sorry that I almost cost you your exam. Which I know you've been busting your ass off to ace." Niall said shaking his head.

He was embarrassed at how childish he acted and felt even more guilty about causing so much trouble for Eva.

Eva's eyes began to water at his apology. Not because it was necessarily emotionally provoking but because Niall recognizing his faults instead of trying to blame her made her feel so relieved.

Being the pessimist she is, she expected to have a full-blown argument.  

But Niall was different.

"I know my being away can't be easy because I'm damn near insanity without you. But I never want to be a hindrance to your peace or success, Eva. Never." He said and Eva smiled.

"I love you so much," She said and he chuckled.

"Such a big mood change in such a short time," He joked.

"It's just... I've been so stressed, Ni. So overwhelmed and just like, frustrated. And it's all pent up. So when you did that last night and today it just pissed me off," She said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"Now I'm crying from relief because you realize that our situation isn't ideal and your actions were not the best." She laughed.

"I wish I could give you a hug, my love." Niall said as he sighed.

"I miss you, Niall." She replied sincerely as she looked at her engagement ring.

"Enough sapping, we've made it this far like fucking champs, let's not ruin our streak," Niall said hoping to lighten the mood.

"You're right," She smiled.

"How was the final that I almost prevented you from taking?" He joked and Eva laughed.

"Not too bad actually. I wasn't entirely focused due to prior events, of course," She said shading him. "But as you said, I've really been working hard to get a good grade and I hope I did that," She said simply.

"Uh uh, I said busting your ass off." He corrected and she laughed.

"Mm, Ni?" She said and he hummed in response.

"Who was the woman who asked you to buy her a drink?" She asked biting her lip. She hated feeling jealous.

Niall chuckled, "Baby, that was someone Lewis brought back from the concert. No worries. They ended up going... to bed together." He said scrunching his face at the thought of them together.

"Mm," She responded.

"Do you not believe me?" Niall asked and she immediately denied it.

"It's just... I know that a lot of women want to be with you. It's something I've come to terms with... you being famous and all. But I've never heard it or seen it in person so it definitely hurt a little knowing someone was hitting on you and there was nothing I could do." She confessed and Niall smiled.

"And you won't have to do anything because I am only yours, Eves. We're getting married for fucks sake."

"Mm, yea. I suppose so. We haven't even talked about it though. Have you told your parents?" She asked curiously

Niall felt embarrassment as his answer, "No," He replied shortly.

Eva nodded. "I told mine a few days ago. They're on board for the most part. They'd like to meet you. Ni, I have no problem with waiting until after your tour to start planning but,"

"We should at least set a date," Niall said finishing her sentence and she nodded.

"Exactly." 

"A month after I get back from tour," Niall stated and she laughed.

"You want to plan our wedding in a month? Please remember we are having two weddings. Catholic and Muslim. Religious and civil." She said and Niall gasped.

"You are going to break my bank account, lady."

"What can I say? I am an expensive woman." She laughed and Niall smiled as her accent became more prominent due to her tiredness. 

"Babe, your tired aren't you?" Niall pointed out.

She hummed in agreement, "Fucking exhausted."

"I can tell. Your accent really comes out when you tired. It's cute. I miss it."

"And I miss you."

"Oh! Niall! Have you talked to Richard about coming to my graduation?" She asked hoping he'd have good news to share. Niall bit his lip before sighing.

"Yea, love. It's not going to be possible, I'm sorry." He admitted and she leaned her head on her hand.

"Can't say I'm surprised. I kind of expected it, but it's okay." She said and silence fell between them.

There were a lot of things they hadn't discussed... yet they were engaged. A lot of uncertainties yet they were supposed to spend their lives together.

Eva wondered if Niall noticing things like her accent becoming more noticeable when she's tired would be enough to carry them through his tour but more importantly their marriage.