Chapter 25         Charlotte POV                    Day 30 of Tour: Austin

I rolled over in bed and reached an arm out to the left side. My arm felt cold sheets where I expected to find a cuddly Niall.

I sat up in the early morning light. A note was taped to his pillow:

Hey sweet darling! We left pretty early; didn’t want to wake you. Don’t make any plans tonight!

Love you princess,

Niall

Plans? Did we have an actual date?

My heart fluttered.

We’d been going out for a little while now, but with his crazy schedule we never actually went out… besides prom. And really that didn’t count.

I flopped out of the tall four post bed. The Austin hotel room was relatively nice. It had creamy walls and hardwood floors. We didn’t get kitchens, but at least it had AC. I couldn’t complain much.

I wandered over to the microwave and stifled a yawn. I went to open the mini fridge when another note caught my eye.

Liam went and bought you some McDonalds.

Excitedly I opened the door. A breakfast sandwich and a chocolate milk stood waiting for me. I grinned and plopped the food into the microwave; punching in some random numbers.

As my breakfast cooked I went over to text Niall and tell him I was awake. It was about nine a.m., and I figured he was busy signing right about then. I set the phone back down on the bed and walked to the mike just as the timer rang.

I burnt my fingers on the boiling cheese. I cursed the thing and stuck my thumb in my chocolate milk.

“Never Say Never!”

With a mouth full of steaming biscuit I read my new text from Niall. My brow crinkled and I reread it again. Then again.

I was in trouble.

Good morning to you too! Miss you! Oh… Liam wants you to call him… like, right now. He’s not happy. Sorry sweets.

-Niall

“Shit.” I mumbled. “What did I do now?”

I threw myself on the bed and stared at my keypad. I knew I had to do it… but did I really?

“Yes. Do it.” I scolded myself.

With a deep sigh I pressed Liam’s speed dial.

Only half a ring in he had answered.

He was REALLY mad.

“Andy!” I said perkily. “Good morning! I love you!”

“Hello Charlotte.”

He used my full name. In a sarcastic tone.

Aww shit. I was doomed.

“Thanks for the breakfast,” I smiled, hoping he could hear it.

“Oh yeah. No big deal.” He took a pause. “But you know what is a big deal? Ignoring your mother and then lying about it.”

I gulped.

“Well, technically we’re both ignoring each other so…”

“Charlotte she called me up practically in tears.” Liam kept his cool. “She’s getting married today and hasn’t talked to you in weeks.”

I felt like I was going to throw up.

“You’re being a bit ridiculous if you ask me. Your mom needs you right now.”

“Oh she needs me?” I laughed. “I’ve needed her plenty of times. Besides, she has Matthew now. He can be there for her all he wants; I just feel bad for the poor sucker.”

“Charlotte-” Liam tried to stop my rant.

But I was just getting started.

“She doesn’t care about me, Li. That much is obvious.”

“You don’t know that! The only way you’ll know anything is if you pick up that phone and call her.”

“But-”

“Call her Charlotte.” His voice was pretty scary. “Now.”

I huffed. “Fine.”

“Good,” Liam sounded pleased with himself. “I’ll leave you to it.”

Then he hung up.

As much as I hated to admit it he had a point. But that wasn’t going to excuse the fact that my own mother was picking some rich doctor fiancée over me. I had been lying to myself long enough. I needed to confront her and fix it.

With shaking fingers I dialed her number, slipping on the wrong key and having to redial twice.

Eventually the line started to ring.

“Hello?” An unfamiliar voice squeaked. “Who’s this?”

“Charlotte. Sorry, I must have to wrong number-”

There was fumbling on the other line as the cell phone changed hands. “Charlie? Charlie baby is that you?”

I swallowed. “Yeah. Hey mom.”

“Oh sweetheart!” I closed my eyes and pictured her clutching the phone to her ear with both hands as she often did. “Baby I miss you.” Her voice shook. She had always been so strong.

“I miss you.”

“Where have you been? Why haven’t you called?”

“Why haven’t I called? Why haven’t you called, huh?”

My mom’s fingers fumbled across the speakers. “I didn’t want to pressure you. I understand you’re a little upset-”

“Umm, you could say that.”

“Do not interrupt your mother.” There was the mother I knew and loved. “Charlie baby listen to me. I made a huge mistake. I’ve kept too many secrets and I haven’t been doing things right. But I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

I didn’t say anything. I wished she would have been there to see my guilty face so I wouldn't even have to open my tired mouth.

“I’m sorry and I’m sitting here in my simple white dress in the back of the casino waiting to hear you’ll forgive me before I even step a toe down that stupid isle.”

“So it’s true. You are getting married today.”

“Yeah. It’s just the two of us and his sister Bella.”

“So you really love him then.”

“Of course I do! Honey, look. I know it might be hard for you to understand but I’m not getting any younger over here. You met these great people and started on your own adventure. I started to realize how I never had one of my own. Then I met Matthew. I told you this the very last time we talked dear. But I don’t think I stressed the fact that no matter how much I love him: I will forever and always love you more.”

The corners of my mouth turned up. “Really?” I squeaked.

“Really.”

“Mom?”

“Charlie baby…”

“I’m sorry too.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about baby girl! I’m the grown up here. I should have been the bigger person. Okay? I have made so many mistakes over these past eighteen years… I don’t want to make another.”

I wiped the water from my eyes. “You and I both know we’ll mess up again,” I joked with a sad giggle.

Mom sighed. “I miss that laugh.”

“I wish things were back to the way they used to be between us. Everything was so perfect.”

“From here on out things will start to get even more perfect. I promise.”

I smiled. “That’s good.”

“Now tell me: how’s the tour been?” Mom sounded eager.

“Mom… you know you’re supposed to be getting married right now…?”

“Oh that can wait a few more minutes. I want to hear your pretty voice.”

I giggled. That woman could be odd at times. Odd and lovable.

“The tours been awesome. I’ve met some new friends.”

“That’s great! You know I always hated those girls from your school.”

“Me too.” I smiled into the phone. “And Niall’s been… amazing.” I found myself starting to ramble, a giant grin plastered onto my face as I snuggled into his side of the bed. “I can talk to him. About anything! He just sits back and listens.”

“So you two are getting pretty serious then?”

“Yeah… yeah I guess we are. I thought we were so close before the trip; but everyday just proves me wrong. I learn so much more about him, and vice versa for his side of it all. We even talked about dad the other day.”

“I’m so happy for you. He’s a keeper; that Niall is.” She took a pause. “Tell me; do you ever feel- I don’t know- star struck to find yourself hanging out with those superstars?”

I thought about it and rocked my teeth along my bottom lip. “Sometimes. When they aren’t around and I start thinking about it too hard. But the second the five of them walk into the hotel I forget about all of that. They’re not just celebrities anymore… they’re some of the first people I’ve ever loved. I belong with them, mom.”

Mom made a happy sighing noise. “Charlie you sound so happy.”

“I guess I am.” I caught the distant sound of knocking in the background on her line. “Mom you should go now.”

“No it’s fine-”

“Mom! Go get married.”

Woah. Did I seriously say that?

She seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Charlie are you sure?”

“Yeah- as long as I’m allowed to hate him.”

Mom laughed, “After you meet him you might think differently.”

“We’ll see about that,” I sassed. God, I was starting to sound like Louis.

“Okay. Okay I’m going to go now.” She took a shaking breath. “I’m glad we’re past this now, baby. I don’t know what I would do if you hated me for the rest of your life.”

I sighed into the receiver. “Stop being dramatic and go say those vows.”

“I love you Charlie.”

A tear slid down my cheek at the sound of her voice. “I love you too mom.”