The soft sound of today's weather forecast bid me good morning. I shut off the alarm and sat up, stretching and stepping out from under the covers. I shivered at the sudden contact of my heated skin with the chilly air, and grabbed for a sweatshirt before making my way out of the room. My usual weekend routine was along the lines of grabbing a rice cake for breakfast, and finishing any assigned homework from the previous day before going back to work later that evening. Today was no exception.

I bit down on the crispy patty and pulled out book after book from my bag when I heard a knock on my door. I combed my fingers through my hair and made sure my top and bottoms looked decent before answering.

"Hi Em. Uh, I think I got your mail again, by mistake." the blonde smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, thanks Niall. Want to come in?" I invited, opening the door a bit more. He hesitated at first, but then stepped inside gladly.

"Sure thing. How's your weekend going? The grandparents come over yet?"

"I'm sure they're on their way. They'll love to see you here." I smiled, preparing a cup of coffee for him, and a tea for me.

Niall Horan was my neighbor from across the hall, and we met the week after I moved in. He had already received my mail by accident, and upon this happening monthly, we got to know each other. He was two years older than me, working towards his Master's Degree at Uni. He was a polite gentleman who, unfortunately, was pressured by my grandparents to be in a relationship with me. He always took it lightly and assured them that we were only friends, as did I, and reminded them of his fiancee. Her name was Elsie, and she had beautiful talent with music. I'd seen videos of her absolutely breathtaking violin, piano, and flute skills. She hadn't seen Niall since 7 months ago, when she left for a trip to Spain with her music class to learn from more of the world's greatest musicians. From what I remembered Niall telling me, she arrived home just three days ago.

"Is Elsie home yet?"

"Yes! She had a great time in Spain. She learned much... and met new people." his voice lowered, and his smile suddenly ceased.

"What's that?" I questioned, setting his lightly-creamed coffee in front of him before sitting on the chair beside him.

"The day she came home, I welcomed her with open arms. I knew something wasn't right when that usual joy and bubbly personality didn't come shooting out at me. She took no time giving back the ring and telling me she met someone over in Spain and was now engaged to him." he nodded acceptingly, but it was plain to see the hurt in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. You must feel awful."

"Yeah, well, I've been trying to ignore it all. It just keeps coming back though. Haven't told anyone yet. How should I break it to my parents?" he looked desperate for advice.

"Just tell them that something came up and the wedding is no longer taking place. If they ask more, just know that they care and explain. They'll understand."

"I feel like they'd be disappointed in me. Tell me I didn't love her right or should win her back. But I know if I try, the only thing on her mind will be that other guy. I'm telling myself to move on, but it's hard, you know?"

"From what I've seen on the telly, I can imagine."

"You've never experienced heartache from another lad?"

"No."

"You're kidding me? Never met a girl more charming than you in me life!" his Irish accent rang through his complete shock.

"Well thank you, but I'm serious. I am more of a joke than a fantasy in my grade, but that's another story."

"Well, if I was in your grade, I would do everything I could to win your heart. Surely there is someone who you've got your eyes set on, and they feel the same."

"You've got the first half right." I sighed.

"Ahh... say no more. So I guess we're almost in the same boat, here."

"If you look at it like that, I suppose so."

I admired Niall's maturity. He didn't act like even the oldest boy in my grade, who was kiddish at best. Niall was smart, caring, and kind. His advice sounded as a father's and his compassion was as a brother's. Any girl would be lucky to have him, and I couldn't fathom the thought of anyone who could possibly be worth breaking off an engagement with him. If one day I was blessed with a husband, I would hope for him to have the same qualities as Niall.

"So aside from boys, how is school going?"

"Not bad. I'm doing well in my classes and guess I can look at the single life as one without distractions too." I admitted.

"You're always optimistic about the worst, aren't you?"

"It's usually the opposite. But I guess you have that positive affect. Luck of the Irish, yeah?" I smiled back at him as I took our empty mugs back to the kitchen sink.

"If you say so." he smirked, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head. As if on cue, multiple knocks on the door signalled me to answer. My grandparents were behind it, and greeted me while hurrying in from the cold outside. They set down three dishes on my counter and began to uncover them as I hung their coats up.

"Lovely seeing the both of you! We can eat as a family now." my grandmother's face brightened at the sight of Niall and I together.

"Speaking of family, when are you gonna pop our girl the question, boy?" my grandfather teased, nothing unusual.

"Sir, you wouldn't want me distracting Em from school and work, would you?"

"A little distraction here and there could do her some good. She's working her tail off and I'm sure you could help her relax." he winked, and I felt myself shudder at my grandpa's suggestive tone.

"I'm sure there's someone better than me who could do that."

"There may be, but you're the only one I trust." he pointed, then went back to helping my grandmother. The conversation was ended there but another was picked up before the food was served. We all had a good time laughing and talking about different odds and ends. Hours later, it was finally time for my grandparents to get going. Niall stayed a bit longer, but eventually he left too. I couldn't help but notice a change in his attitude today, for what reason I didn't know. I shook it off and got back onto my homework, successfully finishing before 6 that night. I watched the news for an hour and had an apple in place of my dinner.

It was then I realized I was completely and utterly bored, as I was usually already at work by now. Fortunately, my boss had Jen call and tell me that the diner was absolutely deserted today, so I wouldn't be needed. Everyone on the staff knew about my financial situations, so the old woman decided to let me have today's payment anyway, considering I was forced to stay home. I guess she wasn't completely bad, but now I owed her.

I was about to give up and just hit it early when I felt a buzz in my pocket. Nobody texted me this late, and I wondered who it was when I finally saw the name appear on screen.

Louis: Hey Em! I know you're probably busy at work tonight, but I was thinking we could hang out? The boys and I decided we needed a fourth musketeer, if you're up for it.

I bit my lip, anxious as to what my reply would be. The forced answer would be to lie, say that I am busy and working a late shift. That I would never be able to hang out because I'm a shy, unsocial person. That I wished I could be as appealing to others as he was, but everyone knew it was impossible.

Then, there was what my heart pleaded me to say.

Em: Hey, I'm actually not working tonight. I'm about to die of boredom, so I would very much enjoy being a fourth musketeer :)
Louis: Awesome! Can I pick you up in 20?
Em: Sure, where to?
Louis: We were thinking the diner whether or not you were working... Harry was right. There's something about those chips... :P

I giggled at that and gave him my address. He told me he'd be right on time and I took that as a cue to start getting ready. I pulled on one of my nicer long-sleeves, and a pair of jeans. A pair of sneakers tied up the casual apporach, and my lack of makeup had me set to go just in time. I ran the brush through my hair once more, then heard the doorbell ring.

Grabbing my bag and rushing to the door, I opened it to see a shivering Louis.

"It's about time you answered, it's bloody freezing out!" he joked, shutting the door for me and leading me down the steps out to his car.