The Power of Secrecy (A Niam AU) *COMING SOON*

OMG! IT"S A NIAM STORY! AHHH! I'm not really sure when I'll start this one. Hopefully soon though.  I need to flesh out the plot a bit more before I can get going on it. Plus I have several other stories calling for my attention. Okay, I'll give you a short little snippet, and put the prologue up somewhat soonish. 

~Cat xx

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~*~ Niall ~*~

Ever heard of selective mutism? It's something I've been practicing ever since people stopped caring. 

That was a while ago, maybe 3 years? 

I don't talk at school, in public, or any social/family events. Only at home, where it's just my mum and I. The only place I feel loved anymore. 

But still, it's a rare occasion that I talk frequently to mum, she understands me though, where I'm coming from. 

Today is my 16th birthday, and mum and I were doing what we usually do for my birthday; a little party. 

She understands me so perfectly, she knows I don't want some big thing, with a whole bunch of people, something that will make me stressed. So she makes me food, anything I want, and we listen to music and watch movies. 

It goes on like any other birthday, and I'm happy for the simplicity of it. 

That is, up until the time I get to open my presents, when there's a knock on the door.

Mum stands up and heads down the hallway to our front door, I follow cautiously behind her. In the stained glass panel I can make out the distorted features of young man in the dim evening light. Twisting the door knob, mum pulls it open to fully reveal the guy.

    "Uh, hello. My name is Liam." He fidgets lightly with the hem of his jumper.

I can't help but stare at his feathery hair, the way it falls lightly across his forehead, side swept by the wind. The jumper he's wearing is slouchy, but fits his defined shoulders perfectly. 

I don't realize what I'm doing until I hear mum say cheerfully, "Well hello Liam!" 

    "Nice to meet you." He replies, and turns to me. "You must be Niall right?" 

I nod carefully. 

    "I've been told it's your birthday." He says, obviously wondering why I haven't said anything yet.

I nod again.

    "Uh, well, I just moved in next door, but I wanted to say hello, and happy birthday." Liam clearly looks like he's starting to feel very awkward, probably because of my silence.

    "Thank you." I rasp, without even thinking of it. I clamp a hand over my mouth and run back into the house, leaving mum and this Liam kid standing in the doorway with very confused looks on their faces.