We Took A Chance

Even though the last time I was in this city was before my parents separated, the streets still look the same. My dad sent me his new address through text and I followed directions using the GPS installed in the car. The place wasn't far from our hotel and from the looks of it, it was a nice neighborhood. The large brick houses with shiny cars in the driveway gave it all away.

"How are you feeling?" Niall asks once we turn onto my dad's street.
"So fucking nervous. What if she's horrible? What is she tries to be my mom?" I answer pulling up to the driveway.
"Zoe, I know.. I thought the same thing when my mom remarried. It's tough but you can't control it. You will be ok" he says bringing a hand to my cheek.
"I'm really glad you're here. Thank you, Niall." I look into his bright blues and he reminds me of my life in London. I realize that no matter what happens here, my home is in London and I will be back there in a few days.

We get out of the car and approach the front steps. This house is large, but the family home was even bigger. I suddenly think about my mom and how she lives there alone while my dad lives here with this new woman. I hesitate before taking the first step and I can feel Niall's hand being placed delicately on my lower back. I look to him and his reassuring look makes me take the remaining steps. I inhale deeply before ringing the door bell. Once that bell goes off, there's not turning back.

"Zoe! Honey, I'm so glad to see you, I've missed you!" my dad exclaims as soon as he opens the door and takes me in a huge bear hug while pulling me inside the house. I wasn't going to lie, I missed him, too. We hadn't always had the best relationship, but I know he has always wanted what was best for our family and that meant a lot to me growing up.
"I've missed you, too, dad." I say back while patting his back.
"Zoe, um, is this who you were talking about?" he asks pulling away from me to see Niall standing by the staircase. I take a couple of steps back and stand closer to Niall.
"Yes, dad, this is Niall." I introduce him and see Niall walk forward to offer my dad a handshake. It seems like an eternity before my dad meets his handshake, I thought for a second there he would freak out.
"Nice to meet you, Niall, I'm David." my dad says as their hands shake.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Allen." a bright smile spread accross Niall's rosy cheeks and I breathe out in relief. This is going better than I expected.
"Please call me David." he tells Niall before turning to me, "Zoe, why didn't you tell me your friend was your boyfriend?" my dad asks and my slight smile dissappeared in an instant. I could feel my whole face becoming red and if I was swallowed by the earth at that moment, I'd be totally cool with it.
"Um, no.. Dad, he's just a friend." I manage to choke out, I can't believe my dad just called him my boyfriend. I wouldn't dare look at Niall at this moment so I avoid complete eye contact by facing slightly away from him.
"Oh. I just thought... Sorry, Zoe." my dad apologizes but the damage has already been done and I know it's not his fault but he's really not helping the situation.
"So, where's... Martha?" I ask hoping to divert the attention from the awkward moment.
"I'll go get her, sweetie. You kids take a seat in the living room, I'll be right back." he says before dissappearing into the house.

I can't avoid Niall the rest of the day, so I turn to him and his expression is not one I was expecting. His usual bright eyes weren't as bright and were looking down at the floor while his lips were tightly pressed together. Something was on his mind, he always gets serious when he has a bothersome thought but I figured right now wasn't the time to ask. When he notices that I'm looking his way, his eyes meet mine and he manages to give me a smile. I felt the urge to give him a hug but as I was about to move forward, my dad's voice echoes through the room.

"Zoe, this is Martha. Martha, this is Zoe my beautiful daughter." I turn towards him and at last meet eye to eye with his new love. My stomach is in knots and I don't like it one bit.

Notes

I can hear him without actually hearing him, is that weird? lol



How does one achieve the Niall Horan level of perfection?!