A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

Coffee

"I forgot to tell my parents." I explain. "They should probably find out before they see my face plastered all over the internet." I laugh, Niall joining me after relief comes back over his face.

I move into the living room and open my laptop to FaceTime my mom. She answers straight away and is just as excited as she always is to talk with me.

"Is dad around?" I ask, after our initial 'hello's.

"Yes, he's here too." She says, my dad coming into view to sit next to her.

"How are you sweetheart? You must be busy this weekend —with the festival and all. We didn't expect to hear from you until next week." My dad says with his usually cheerful smile.

"I am quite busy but luckily i've had time to enjoy the festival and have a little fun too." I say, inwardly laughing at myself. "I wanted to tell you something though, which is why I called." I smile.

"Is everything ok?" My mom asks, brows furrowed with concern.

"Oh yeah! Everything's fine! Um...I've met someone." I say, my face finally able to let go of the smile i've been hiding.

I can see my dad clench his jaw, but smiles encouragingly as my mom begins to ask questions.

"Really? Is this serious?" My mom asks.

"Yes i'd say so..." I smile, glancing up as Niall walks into the room with both of our coffee cups in hand, keeping himself out of the view of the camera.

"You know how things have been..." I pause. "But, he's made me really really happy. I didn't think I would ever feel this again." I admit.

"Well dear, we'd love to meet him for ourselves." My mom says, encouragingly.

"We just want you to be happy, Evie." My dad adds.

"You'll get to meet him soon." I nod. "I should tell you though that this is a bit of a unique situation..." I start to explain when suddenly the sound of my younger sister shrieking in the background interrupts our conversation.

"Emma! What on earth has gotten into you?!" My mom scolds in her ever-present motherly tone.

I forgot today is Saturday, which means Emma is out of school and at home. Judging from the shriek I just heard, I know that she knows the reason i'm on the phone and I could practically bet money that she's about to rat me out.

Awww, what the heck. I'll let her have this one. It's not every day your older sister dates one of the members of the biggest boy band in the world.

"I'll tell you what's gotten into me! My sister is dating Niall Horan!" She screams excitedly. "MY sister, and one of the members of the biggest boyband to ever exist —dating!!!" She blurts out and I can visibly see the color drain from my mother's face.