When I got off the phone with Niall I smiled in relief and fell back on to my bed. I’m just happy that we got past our little argument from yesterday. Okay, maybe it wasn’t so little, but it’s in the past now. I really didn’t need to be upset over a fight with Niall, on top of my post vacation depression. You know when you get home from a vacation and the only thing you want to do is mope around and pray that you will wake up in paradise again. Well that always happens to me. It feels so weird being home and not with Niall. I can’t wait to see him again. I just have to last three weeks. Three weeks, and then I can show him around my campus and my apartment. I can’t wait to cook for him! It is my favorite thing to do, and I know he loves food so it just works out. I’m a little nervous to go to that event in the city with him though. I know I have already been in the public eye, but this time it’s different. It just seems more official. I’m also nervous about what my grandparents (my dad’s parents) will say, specifically grandfather. They are very picky about what kind of press the family receives. Especially since my 34 year old uncle (my dad’s younger brother) William is running for Senate. We are all expected to be on our ‘best behavior’ so I’m positive I will be getting a lot of shit for the Niall thing.

I have yet to go down stairs and face my family. I’m not going to lie I’m extremely nervous. I know my dad is probably at work so I won’t have to deal with that awkwardness. I mean what daughter wants their father seeing pictures of them full on making out with guys in Mexico? Not me, that’s for sure.

I reluctantly put on some sweats. I found Niall’s sweatshirt in my bag and decided to put it on. It still smelt like him since I hadn’t washed it. I definitely wont wash it until I can see him again and take a new one. I sighed at the familiarity and a small lump formed in my throat. I really missed him and it hadn’t even been a day. This is going to be harder than I thought.

I went down stairs and found my mom and Bella in the kitchen. Mrs. Danby, our housekeeper was cooking breakfast, it smelt like pancakes and my stomach rumbled in desire. Mrs. Danby was probably the best cook that I know besides my grandmother (my mothers mom), she basically taught me everything I know. Most girls grow up cooking with their mother but I wasn’t fortunate enough. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother and we have a great relationship, but she’s a bit lacking in the housewife department. Grandma and I used to make fun of her when she attempted to cook.

“Em!” Bella squealed and ran up to me, engulfing me in a tight hug.

“Hey Bells,” I managed to croak since she was squeezing me so tight.

“Oh my god! This is Niall’s jacket! Holy Fuck!! Let me wear it please!”

“Language!” My mother warned walking over to me. “Hello darling, how was your trip?”

“Amazing,” I sighed memories flooding back. We all sat down at the table and Mrs. Danby gave us each a plate. I greeted her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“I am so jealous of you. Bonnie and me have been following up on every gossip sight! Your such a lucky bitch!” She covered her mouth and looked at my mother who gave her a disapproving look. My mom hates when we use bad language, she’s just conservative I guess. “Well anyway, I am expecting to meet them, I hope you know. And I shotty maid of honor at your wedding, so you better break it to Jen now.”

“Okay, okay.” I patted her back. I’ve learned it’s best to go along with her crazy antics, and not disagree with her.

“So who is this boy exactly?” My mom asked.

“Mom! He’s Niall Horan! From One Direction.” Bella shouted. I rolled my eyes at her.

“Isabella you better watch your tone and your mouth.” She glared before turning back to me. “I know he’s a famous boy, believe me I saw the pictures. What is your relation with him, I can tell it’s more than friendly.”

My face was bright red, I hate having these conversations, but at least I was getting it over with without my dad being present. “He’s my boyfriend.” I said quietly and Bella’s ear piercing scream almost blew out my eardrums.

“Please Isabella!” My mom yelled. “So Emma, your boyfriend, at least that will be better press, rather than just some fling. Your grandfather almost had a heart attack.”

I groaned thinking about him seeing those pictures. “You should have heard him and dad!” Bella said laughing. “They were so pissed off.”

“What I can’t have a boyfriend? Why do they think they can comment about everything in my life?” I said getting angry.

“Emma darling, you know grandfather is only worried about Williams campaign. Our family cannot afford bad press right now. At least the articles did not connect you to him, but it is only a matter of time.”

“No one of them actually did,” Bella said nervously. I glared at her and she shot me an apologetic look. “It just said something about Niall’s mystery girl being the niece of the William Sarrentina running for New York Senate.” She shrugged. How do they find this shit out? It's a bit creepy.

“Well they were to find out soon any way.” My mother sighed.

Bella continued to drill me with Niall questions and I avoided too much detail, especially in front of my mom. When we were done eating, mom went to some book club and Bella went off on her phone I could tell it was Bonnie by the way she was fangirling and filling her in on the Niall news. I stayed in the kitchen and helped Mr. Danby clean up. She insisted that I go enjoy my time at home but there wasn’t much for me to do anyway. I got a call from Niall about two hours after we last spoke. He said they were getting ready to take off and he just wanted to tell me he loved me. I smiled like an idiot and said it back. I could get used to this. They were going to London, where he shares a flat with Liam and Zayn. Harry and Louis have the one next door he told me. They were going to be there for the three weeks before they came to New York. Apparently they’re singing on the today show Sunday morning, after whatever event it is they have to go to. Niall hadn’t told me the details of it. Their tour starts a week later and they wont be back in New York until June for a few concerts.

When I was finished cleaning around the kitchen I realized I was supposed to meet my friends at the local coffee shop in a half an hour. I quickly showered in my ensuite bathroom and threw on a cute but simple outfit. I debated on wearing Niall’s sweatshirt but I decided I didn’t want to rub off his scent. I’m weird I know. I grabbed a jean button up instead so I wouldn’t get cold.

I decided not to bother Trevor; I know he’s off driving my mother somewhere anyway. I grabbed the keys to the Audi SUV, my favorite car to drive, and drove to meet the girls. I picked up Kalie on the way since she lives around the block from me. I could tell she was avoiding the Niall subject, and I didn’t bring it up either. I figured I would tell her with everybody.

We parked down the block from the café so that we could walk down the familiar strip of restaurants, shops, and boutiques. The town area is really adorable, and I’ll admit it’s nice being home for the short time. I haven’t been here since January. We walked in to the familiar café and Jen, Andie, and Tara were already sitting at our usual table. Kalie and I joined them and I immediately looked over my menu. I know I just ate but that was like two hours ago and I’m a hungry girl. I realized no one was talking and I looked up to see them all staring at me.

“What?” I asked. “You’re creeping me out.”

“Come on, don’t give us that crap.” Tara said. “What happened?”

“With what?” I smiled playing dumb to annoy them.

“Tell us now before I slap you. You seem to be in a good mood so it can’t be bad.” Jen observed.

“I called him this morning...” I trailed off playing with them. They all gave me death glares so I chuckled and continued. “And he answered…”

“Seriously you’re going to die in ten seconds.” Kalie warned.

“We made up okay!” I giggled at how anxious they were getting. “We both apologized and figured it was just a stupid argument and that we could move past it. And I told him something…”

“Something like what?” Tara asked. I saw Jen’s smirk knowing what I meant.

“She said she loved him!” Jen squealed. “And he told her that yesterday in the airport! So now they’re in love!”

I turned red and all of my friends shrieked in happiness.

“So what about you and Liam?” I asked Tara, taking the attention off of me.

“Were good, still taking it slow. I really like him, he’s just, he’s so different from the guys I usually go for. It’s refreshing, I’m glad that I gave it a chance.”

I’m really happy for them, Liam is so perfect for her. He’s exactly what she needed.

“What about you and Harry?” Tara asked Kalie, following my example and taking the attention off of herself.

Kalie shrugged. “We just hooked up a few times. It wasn’t anything serious and it’s not going to be. We kind of agreed to just be friends, and leave it as a vacation thing.” She said, she didn’t seem bothered at all about it. We all nodded and Tara made some joke about being lucky to fuck Harry Styles.

After we finished eating we walked around and went into a few boutiques. I bought some spring type clothes and a pair of heels. As we were walking out of a shop we were bombarded by two guys with cameras and a woman with a microphone. Shit.

“Emma!” The women called. “Is it true you and Niall are official.” I smiled slightly, while trying to move past them. My friends and I quickly began walking to my car but the three paparazzi caught up with us.

“Emma can we please have an opinion on the photos of Niall and the girl from last night!” The women shouted from behind me. What girl? I turned around confused but Andie continued to pull me along. We all hopped into my car and I drove away quickly while shaking slightly. That was scary. But what did that woman mean by girl from last night? He couldn’t have been. It probably didn’t mean anything; the press have so many ways of twisting things around.

“You guys don’t think she was right about him being with another girl do you?” I asked nervously as I drove to Andie’s first since it was closest.

“It was probably nothing, don’t worry.” Jen tried to calm me. I agreed and nodded.

I dropped them all off at home and went back to my house to get ready for the night. It was five o’clock already and I needed to be in the foyer waiting to leave by six. I saw the dress laid out on my bed in a garment bag. I pulled it out and looked at it. I cringed at the horrible dress. It was so dull and boring, I thought this was a spring party. I shouldn’t complain though, at least it wasn’t poofy and flowery like last years. She’s probably trying to make me look as proper and responsible as possible.

I curled my hair lightly in the way that my mother approves for these types of events. I decided to pin a few pieces back to go with the Blair Waldorf look. I’m convinced that Blair is my mother’s style muse when it comes to dressing Bella and I. I wouldn’t mind dressing like Serena I love her style. Blair on the other hand is just two posh for me. I put on light make up and slipped on my black pumps. I grabbed a black shall and a clutch, tossing my phone in it, and heading down stairs. The family was already waiting for me, and I mean the whole family, Mom, Dad, Bella, Grandfather, Grandmother, William, his wife Mary, and 5 year old daughter Olivia. Oh wonderful. Here comes the hounding. This is going to be a long night.

Notes