This weekend, I was away for a conference. Basically, aspiring authors can go and present their ideas to publishers and fellow writers. They have one every year, and I always go to try and get my ideas going. Niall wasn't too excited to be left alone, but he knew it was important to me.
"Besides, you can invite your friends over anytime. There are other fish in the sea, you know". He chuckled at me.
"I know. Just promise to text me when you board, okay?" I nodded, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and left. Once I got on the plane, I took a nap for the whole trip. When I woke up, we were in Dublin. I turned my phone off of airplane mode and saw plenty of texts from Niall.
Niall: have you landed yet??
Niall: please reply to me, i miss you alreadyyy
Niall: petal i know you're scared of planes i wish i could be there to comfort you
Niall: still can't believe you're going to my home country without me 😡😡
Niall: jk i could never be mad at you
Niall: but please tell me you're ok
I smiled like a fool when I saw his messages. Of course he would do that. Only Niall Horan would be so worried about a two-hour plane ride. I quickly replied to his messages.
Jenna: ope sorry we crashed into the ocean bc the plane caught on fire
Niall: wait what
Jenna: nialler im joking obviously
Niall: oh ok 🤣🤣🤣
Jenna: in an uber omw to the hotel rn
Niall: ok!!! have fun and get published this weekend!! x
Jenna: i'll try my best x
I locked my phone and looked out the window. Ireland really was a gorgeous place. A rainstorm had just ended, so the grass was tinged with dew. I tipped my driver and got out of the car. My hotel was a cheap one in the country, so it was really far from the venue. I still had the rest of today until the expo, so I went to the tiny desk in my room to check over my work. This story was my baby, and I was going to show her to the world for the first time. I paced through the room with nerves. I only knew one thing that could calm them, so I pulled my phone out of my pocket and FaceTimed Niall.
"Who's the clingy one now?" He joked at me and I laughed. Just hearing his voice made me calm down.
"At least I didn't call you a thousand times. I'm nervous to show my book off tomorrow. I know it's my best work, but what if it's not good enough?" His face fell into a frown. He hated it when I was upset or doubted myself, because he cared so much.
"Who cares what they think? You know you rock. Even if it doesn't work out, there will always be a second chance. With talent like yours, somebody has got to recognize it". Niall always knew what to say to make me feel better.
"Thanks, Nialler. Wish me luck tomorrow, I'll need it". I waved goodbye and hung up on the call. I decided to go to bed early, since I had to wake up earlier than usual.
6:00 AM came quick, and I silenced my phone alarm. I stretched my arms out and embraced the sunrise. I showered and got dressed in nicer clothes than usual, as to make a good impression. I straightened my hair and put on a deep red lipstick. By the time I was finished getting ready, I was running late. I slipped on my heels and rushed out the door with a bagel in my hand. I checked the time on my dashboard. I still had about forty-five minutes until I had to be there. I sighed a breath of relief, and stepped on the gas.
Once I got to the venue, I set up my small station. All I was given was a desk, so I just put a few hard copies of the book up and the poster I had made. In a matter of minutes, the publishers came flooding into the room. They all looked so professional and smart. Wedged between them, I felt like some nobody. A woman with a kind smile walked up to me, and I decided to make a move.
"Hello, my name is Genevieve, and I am a writer". So far, so good. Now, just don't choke. "Would you be interested in reading an excerpt from my novel?"
"No, thank you. I prefer to read about more realistic characters". She had some nerve, didn't she? The woman shifted her glasses and walked away. Clearly, she was either a Karen or just a phobe. My book was a coming-of-age story of a girl finding herself and her sexuality out. She comes out as bisexual, and something tells me that lady didn't validate that. I felt my cheeks go hot, so I walked to the exit and to the restrooms. I pulled out my phone and dialed Niall. After the fourth ring, he picked up.
"Hey, what's happening? I thought you were supposed to be showing off your book?" He seemed pretty concerned.
"I am, but I think I should leave. I don't belong here". A single tear formed as I cradled my head in my hands.
"Of course you do! All you've done for the past two years is write this book. I've read it, and everybody else should too. It's great, and you of all people should know that". I smiled at his words.
"You read it?"
"Why wouldn't I have? I'd do anything to support you. Now, go out there and kick ass. Just like you always have".
"I will. Love ya Nialler".
"Love you too, petal". He hung up on the call, and I stood up and straightened my skirt. I felt more confident as I walked back over to my station. There was a tall man there, seeming to be awaiting my arrival.
"Hello, is this your book?" He signaled to the copy that I had set out, and I grinned.
"Yes, it is. How can I help you?"
"I read the first few chapters while you were away, and I think your story is something people need to see". A million thoughts flew through my brain. Was this it? Did somebody believe in me? Could I make it?
"Really? I mean, thank you!" I saw a little pride pin on his jacket, and knew that he would support me.
"If you don't mind, I would love to meet with you again tomorrow after I finish the book. Your work has potential, and it would be an honor for me to publish that". In my mind, I squealed like a little kid seeing a puppy. I kept my cool on the outside, so I would still be seen as a professional.
"I would love that! I'm free all of tomorrow, but I leave Monday morning to go back to London".
"Amazing. Here's my card. Shoot me an email, and I'll give you a time and place. I look forward to working with you". He reached his arm out to shake my hand, and I did so with pride. The rest of the afternoon, I sat at my table with a whole new world ahead of me.
I paid my taxi driver and grabbed my luggage from the trunk. As the yellow car drove off, I skipped up the steps of our flat. I opened the front door to a grinning Irish boy with a bottle of champagne in his hands. "There she is! The new best-selling author, standing right in my living room! Can I please get your autograph?" I smiled and wrapped him in a hug. I had missed him, even if I was only gone for the weekend.
"We're still working out the fine print, but...yeah! I did it!" I jumped and wrapped my legs around his waist. He set the champagne down on the table and put me on the island. Niall grabbed a couple of glasses and poured the drinks.
"Well, here's a toast. To Jenna, my best friend, being a successful author. I'm too proud to put into words". We clinked our glasses together and took a sip.
"Come on, let's celebrate! Invite over your friends, have a mini party. Even though it's Monday. And it's only 11:30. I'm no day drinker, but it's a special occasion". He opened his mouth to protest, but stopped and smiled.
"You know what? Okay. I'll call up the boys and have them over. This calls for celebration". He texted their group chat, and they were all here about an hour later. We drank and laughed, and it was a great time.
a/n: im so sorry, this chapter is terrible lolz. i made it for a filler, and it took so long to get up because ive had major writers block. something sweet is happening next chapter, then we have a filler, then a suprise! don't worry, it's about to get real interesting. thanks for reading!
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Take Me Back
Fanfiction"Jenna, promise me that if by the time we both graduate college and are still single, you'll come back to me?" When you agreed to your best friend Niall's charming request at the age of fifteen, you never expected it to come true. But when you run i...
