Beep beep beep

My alarm clock wakes me from my peaceful slumber. As quickly as my eyes open, the smile returns to my face. I look around my dorm room and notice Michelle is still sleeping. But wait, was it all just a dream? Did I imagine being in Niall's apartment, the kisses, the music video...? I scramble to my feet and find my phone inside my bag. I click on my messages and open up Niall's thread.

Niall: Goodnight beautiful .
Zoe: Goodnight. :)
Niall: I wish I could give you a goodnight kiss .
Zoe: You already did. :D
Niall: Ok then another goodnight kiss .

Reading our text messages from last night after he dropped me off made me smile even bigger and sigh in relief. It's true, it wasn't a dream. We kissed. More than once. I sit on my bed and bite my lip as I think. I bet Leah would have a stroke if I told her. Good thing I can't call her on impulse since it's the middle of the night where she is. Would Niall even want me to tell her or anyone for that matter?

I thought I sat there thinking for only 5 minutes but when I looked at my phone, 20 minutes had passed. I needed to get to class. I brush my teeth, step into my jeans and throw on a sweater over a tank top. I'll do something with my hair as I walk to class. I might be a little late but nothing can dampen my mood today.

I'm almost to the building when my phone vibrates and I already know who it is.

Niall: Good morning love . Have a good day in school .
Zoe: Good morning and thank you. :)

I put my phone back in my pocket while I wear the biggest smile on my face. Yeah, today is already a good day.

-.-.-

Classes went by incredibly slow today. It sucks being stuck on campus until 3 in the afternoon on days I have school. I am starving as I didn't get to grab breakfast nor lunch so I decide to walk to a pizzeria a couple of blocks away.

The place isn't busy and I'm glad as lunch hour must have been chaos. I order a personal with pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives, my favorite. As I'm filling my cup with soda my phone starts going off. I'm surprised it isn't dead since I forgot to plug it in last night. I see it's my dad and answer while making my way to a table by the large window.

"Hey dad." I start, wondering what this is about.

'Hey Zoe! Is this a good time? I always forget what time it is over there.'

"It's like 3 in the afternoon, it's fine." I try to calculate what time it is back home but quickly give up.

'Oh, great. You know the reason why I'm calling. Have you thought about coming back here?' I sigh upon his words. I was hoping I had more time.

"I have thought about it, dad, and I really just don't have the money to fly right now. My job isn't all that well paying." I hate to admit this to my dad afraid he'd mention that if I stayed closer I wouldn't struggle with money.

'Zoe, if you agree to come I will pay for your ticket. You know that.' he just made this a given.

"Fine, dad. I will go visit you and... Martha." I say defeated. There's no point in arguing.

'Zoe, you don't know how happy this makes me! Will you be able to fly out the weekend after next?' My eyes widen and my jaw drops at how soon that is. It's in just over a week. The guy dropping off my pizza gave me a questioning look but I brush him off.

"Oh, wow, that's soon. I will have to ask at work."

'Well let me know as soon as possible. I'm planning something.'

"Ok, dad, I will. I'll talk to you later."

There's no running from it, I have to meet Martha at some point. I just didn't know it would be this soon. I get an empty feeling deep in my stomach and I'm not sure if it's hunger or the nerves. Hoping it's hunger, I take a tiny slice of pizza and devour it.

With my belly full and my mind even fuller with a thousand thoughts, I make my way to the halls. I have homework to do that I've been slacking off on. I step inside the communal area located in the first floor and see Michelle on one of the sofas. She must have sensed my gaze as she looks back at me through her glasses. To my surprise she closes her book and walks towards me.

"This is for you." she points a white envelope at me.
"Thanks?" I say taking it from her.
"Some blonde guy gave it to me. I don't know how he knew I'm your roommate." she sounds annoyed but I know exactly who's she's talking about. I should tell Niall she's a grumpy bookworm and not to bother her.
"Well, thanks again. Sorry about that."

I run up the stairs to be in the comfort of my room to open the envelope. I know Michelle will stay down in the communal area so I will have privacy. I frantically open my door and drop all my belongings by the foot of the bed. The only thing I cared about was the rectangular item in my hand.

I sit on my bed indian style and take a big breath. I haven't even opened the thing and my cheeks are already hurting from how big I'm smiling. I bite my lip as I tear away at the white paper and widen my eyes at the content. It's two tickets to the Manchester City vs. Manchester United game this weekend. I drop my hands on my lap and wonder if this was a coincidence or if Niall knew my favorite team. With the tickets came a folded piece of paper. I opened it and in messy handwriting read;

Zoe,
I noticed you carry a Manchester City key ring on your purse. I got you these tickets to the Manchester Derby as a gift for being so special to me. You don't have to take me but I'd be honored if you do. See you soon.
Niall

I fold the paper back up and I'm not sure how I haven't ripped my face in two with this smile. Niall is so thoughtful with me, I can't believe he noticed that key ring. Tom, Leah's cousin, gave it to me a couple of years back after he came to England. He knew I was fan and would love it. Now I'm going to see the Manchester Derby live! Of course I'm taking Niall. He's crazy for even thinking I'd take anyone else. The weekend can't come soon enough.

Notes

So, I thought I'd be able to update Friday. I had this update all ready to go and just needed to get on my laptop to edit and post. (I typed it on my phone) Then my husband came home from work early so I didn't get on. I had never told him I write for this fandom and I was honestly a bit nervous. Yesterday I ended up confessing my hobby and he was totally cool with it. He told me it's good that I have something that I love to do and trust me I love writing for this fandom. I feel so relieved to know I can do my updates at any time without running risk of him asking why One Direction is on my laptop screen. :p

Anyway, sorry for the long author's note. I hope ya'll enjoy this update and I can't wait to write the next which would focus on the Manchester Derby and then we're flying them back home. Love you, gals!