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Holly's POV
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I wake up early and with a smile on my face. Today is JJ's birthday. June 19th. My god, I can't believe he's twenty-seven! So close to thirty!
I get out of bed and get cozy in leggings and a Sidemen hoodie before walking to the kitchen. No one's up and I'm not surprised. For one, it's 8 am and second, Simon and Talia have just gone to bed two hours ago due to streaming.
I get out a pan and grab some eggs from the fridge. JJ's favourite breakfast is chicken and waffles but I don't know how to make them so I decide to go for his second favourite breakfast. A ham and cheese omelette, hashbrowns and white gravy.
I get started on the gravy first. I put a generous slab of butter into the pan and watch as it melts. When it's completely melted, I whisk in the flour and milk making a roux. I let the gravy sit with a lid on as I carry on with the omelette and hashbrowns.
I butter some toast as a finishing touch and compile the whole breakfast onto a plate and tray with coffee and orange juice. I hope he's hungry.
I jog to my room and grab the card I made for JJ, almost forgetting. I slip the card under the plate and walk to JJ's door. I don't know if he's awake or not so I knock softly.
"Come in!"
I open the door and JJ smiles when he sees me. He starts chuckling when he sees the tray.
"Happy birthday!" I smile, setting the tray on his bed.
He smiles and shakes his head, extending an arm. He moves over so I can sit on the bed too and he kisses my temple.
"Thank you, sweetheart!"
We hug and he turns to his breakfast. He lifts the tray and places it on his lap.
"What abomination have you created today?"
"JJ!" I laugh, shocked. "I'm offended"
JJ rolls his eyes. "Hmm"
He cuts a piece of omelette with his fork and lifts it to his mouth.
"Mmmm, surprisingly good" he comments.
I roll my eyes and fold my arms, glaring at him. He laughs and ruffles my hair but I don't crack.
"It's delicious, Holly. Thank you"
"That's better," I mutter, mock being offended.
JJ looks at me and does his scooby doo laugh. I can't help but laugh with him.
"In all seriousness, thank you, Holly," he says, pulling me in for a cuddle.
I rest my head on his chest. "You're welcome"
JJ frowns when he picks up the card I made. I sit up, keen to see his reaction.
He opens the card and I hold my breath as his eyes trickle down the page.
"Oh, Holly! You're adorable!" He smiles, bringing me into another hug.
"I mean it too," I sniff, feeling a little emotional. "I do think you're the greatest dad"
JJ kisses my hair and rubs my back. "I'm glad you think so. Holly, this card has made my day and even possibly my week. There's no one else I'd rather be a father to"
"Oi, you're going to make me cry," I laugh, hitting JJ's shoulder gently.
"Okay, well let's not do that," JJ smiles, standing up and offering me a hand. "Let's go wake up Simon and Talia and force them to party with us"
***
During the day, JJ has meetings about music and a business meeting with his manager, Liam. For lunch, Simon orders everyone black cod and JJ looks like the happiest man when he tucks into his.
***
"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own tonight?"
I roll my eyes at JJ as he buttons up his shirt in his bathroom. I sprawl out on his bed and nod.
"I'll be fine JJ. I'm fifteen"
He raises an eyebrow. "I could always ask-"
"I'll be fine," I repeat.
JJ ties his hair back and adjusts his bandana.
"If you're sure," he sighs. "I just don't like the idea of you being home alone and something happening to you"
"Jide, go enjoy your birthday dinner! Drink and enjoy yourself. I'll be fine. I'll call if I have a problem, okay? I promise"
"Good," he smiles ruffling my hair. "There's leftover pizza in the fridge for dinner and make sure you don't go to bed too late, yeah?"
"Okay," I reply.
"And remember, no opening doors to strangers, no going out and no boys!"
"Got it," I giggle, rolling onto my stomach and hugging bearus, his toy stuffed bear, to my chest.
JJ smiles at me and walks back into the bathroom to put his watch and rings on.
I would've gone to the birthday dinner tonight but the boys wanted to go clubbing so I decided to stay home and let them do that without having to worry about my age and all that mess.
Besides, I have a headache and would rather stay home with pizza and my bed.
***
I wrap my fluffy blanket around my body and feel my eyelids grow heavy as the show playing on my laptop drones on.
The sound fades as I weave in and out of sleep. I force myself to stay awake long enough to see JJ, Talia and Simon back, but my brain has different plans.
***
Talia's POV
1 am
***
I fit my key into the lock belonging to JJ and Simon's flat and twist it. Hearing the click, I push the door open and quietly tip toe towards the kitchen . The lights are all off so I assume Holly's gone to bed.
I've come home early because I'm tired and frankly, couldn't take anymore of the boys drunken personality. Thankfully, Tobi doesn't drink so he's everyone's Uber home lol.
I take my heels off, hang up my coat and put my phone on silent as I scroll through it and walk to Simon's bedroom.
I take off my short shimmery dress and replace it with pj shorts and a white sleeveless top.
Simon's bed looks inviting so I gravitate towards it and end up sprawling all over the cool sheets. I shut my eyes and groan when o realize I need to take my makeup off. Rah, I can't be bothered.
"STOP! Please, stop! I'll do anything, I promise!"
I sit up quickly and frown at the sound of Holly's voice. She sounds quite panicked so I rush to her door and knock quickly. When there's no reply, I open her door and whisper her name.
Holly's dark figure tosses and turns in her bed and I stand in her doorway, unsure of what to do.
"Holly," I whisper again.
"It hurts! Leave me alone!"
Holly scares me as she sits bolt upright in bed, crying and shaking.
This time I move towards her.
"Hey, hey, shhh, Holly, it's okay"
I put an arm around Holly's shaking shoulders and she looks up at me. The fear in her eyes makes me feel sick. I have no doubt that this is about the orphanage and the abuse she suffered as a young child.
"It's me, Talia," I say softly, rubbing her back. "Are you okay, hon?"
Holly shakes her head and wipes her eyes with the back of her hands.
"Holly, babes, breathe, yeah? I'll call JJ"
Holly stops me as I fish my phone out of my back pocket. She looks tired and upset.
"No," she sighs. "Please don't. I'm fine, really"
"Are you sure?" I sigh, dithering whether to call JJ or not. "Because I don't want you to feel scared or stressed"
"I'm fine," Holly assures me. "At least I am now. I've had these panic moments before so it's not a big deal"
I watch as she walks to her closet and changes her shirt.
"Panic attacks?" I ask.
Holly shakes her head. "More like...very intense nightmares. I'm okay though"
I sigh. "Holly, how long have they been going on for?"
"A few months," she admits, tying her hair up in a bun. "If I'm being honest, this has been the worst one so far but the shock will pass and I'll be fine. I've found that it takes about fifteen minutes for me to compose myself"
It makes me feel sad at the fact that Holly has already calculated her nightmares and the time. It's weird. No kid should go through what she has gone through and I really want to help her.
"Please don't tell JJ or Simon," Holly sighs. "I'm truly truly okay. I'm happy and I'm healthy, that's all I could ask for. I'm so thankful and I don't need the boys to worry about me or think me ungrateful for everything they've done. They've got enough on their plates already"
"Honey, I think you should tell them," I say, crossing my legs on her bed. "Just because you're having nightmares doesn't mean you're ungrateful!"
"No," Holly says firmly. "Talia, please. Promise me you won't say anything"
"Okay," I nod, pulling the covers above Holly's shoulders and pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I promise. I won't say anything until you're ready"
Holly turns over and shuts her eyes as I stroke her hair. My acrylics trace her roots up into her bun and soon enough, Holly's snoring softly,
When I'm sure she's asleep, I kiss her forehead and leave, shutting the door behind me quietly.
***