"Ah!"

I opened my eyes as soon as I heard the earsplitting scream coming from downstairs. Hesitantly, I stood up and changed my PJ with a black loose shirt and shorts. I already washed my face and brushed my teeth when I came running downstairs and headed to the kitchen.

"Morning sugar bunch, what do you want for breakfast?" my mother asked as she rummaged through our refrigerator.

"Bacon and egg would be awesome, Mom. Erm, whose scream woke me up?" I replied as I sat on one of the stool at the kitchen counter.

"Oh, it's Charlie. She just screamed when she heard something on the TV," she answered while giggling a bit.

"God, what now?" I murmured to myself. "Mom, I'm just... going to the living room. Call me when breakfast is ready, please?" I asked her while she cracked the eggs.

"Sure thing, darling," she told me as I walked my way into the living room.

When I came, I saw Charlie sitting on the couch watching... News?! This girl never watched the news unless there was something interesting. And as I looked over her shoulder, I noticed five familiar British lads waving. That was when I got over my shock.

"Hey, Charley!" I greeted her enthusiastically and sat down on the couch beside her. "What's that your watching and you've been screaming for almost five minutes?" I asked even though I was already aware that it was her favourite band.

I swear I saw her eyes shone as she opened her mouth before rambling, "It's a news about One Direction! It said that they are already here for their upcoming concert this weekend!" After a minute, I tuned her out. I knew I have an incredulous look on my face but I could not be bothered.

After some time, she stopped talking. I calmly sighed and smirked. "And so? That shitty band doesn't give you a legitimate reason to wake me up!" My voice rose after every word. Don't get me wrong. I really liked Charlie but we clashed harder than the iceberg hit the Titanic.

With a screech, she said, "WHAT?! I did not do that!"

"Yeah, sure. And I'm not my mom's daughter."

Her face changed into one of incredulity and her voice was laced with sarcasm I could not help but gape. "Really? That comparison?"

"Whatever," I answered and waved my hands off.

Her eyes sparkled for a moment and she stood abruptly. "Oh! Wait here!" she shouted then ran off. I shrugged nonchalantly and turned to the TV, hoping to watch some good news, however.

"...and One Direction will hold a press conference this Friday. And to all the Directioners out there, I have a good news! The first fifty people that will arrive at the Princeton Hall will be allowed to go inside for a special meet and greet. Plus! The boys themselves have an announcement for you in the person. Well, that's all for today, I'm Bridget Farr, reporting for the latest news about our beloved One Direction!" The reporter ended it all with a wink.

Do I, or don't I tell Charlie about it? Think Cav!

I let out a loud groan as I contemplated the possible consequences of my actions.

"Cavy!" Charlie yelled and jump on me from who knows where.

With another groan, I pushed her off me. "What the hell, Carlotta? Get off of me!" I said. This girl weighs like a ten-wheeler truck! Okay, a bit exaggerated but all the same point-- she was heavy.

She got up and sit up straight looking intently at me with those... what the actual fuck? Why was the fucking hell she putting those puppy-eyes on me? I felt my hands got clammy and the cold air was sending shivers down my spine. If I hate something in this world, it was that look. I cannot say no to her.

Squinting my eyes, I asked, "Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?"

"My favorite cousin, can I ask a favor?" she asked with the sweetest voice she could muster. This is so not good.

I backed away a little as I blinked repeatedly. "Uh, I guess?"

"Can you accompany me somewhere?"

"Where is this somewhere?" I replied with so much suspicion. 

"To this," she answered as she raised her right hand in front of me. Now I noticed that there were two glinting papers that were almost as big as her palm. Tilting my head, I silently asked her what it was. "Read it!"

I took one of the tickets from her hand and looked at it; turning it side to side before settling on the front and reading the big bold letters.

June 21, 2015 (Sunday) 6:30pm

On The Road Again Tour: One Direction

Crest Coliseum

My eyes almost bulged out of their socket as I've read the part One Direction. A mocking laugh escaped my lips as I handed it back to her whilst shaking my head vigorously.

"There's no way in hell that I'll go. Never, Carlotta. Never," I told her sternly.

"But who'll drive me there? Oh please, Cav! I need to come badly!" she exclaimed and grabbed my hand.

I slapped her hand away as I shrieked. "NO! You know how much I hate those guys!"

"Oh c'mon. You'll love them, promise." She squeezed my hand as she gazed up at me, puppy eyes still on her pretty face.

Frowning, I warned her, "Don't make me do something that I don't want to," I said firmly in a serious tone.

"So you'll let me go at the venue. By myself. Driving on my own. In the dark. With who knows what bad elements are out there. Really, Cav?" Her eyebrow was raised as she crossed her arms. Shaking her head, she continued. "Well, fine. But if something bad happens to me, you'll have a lot of explaining to do with Dad," she said and got up from the couch.

Oh fuck, she's fucking right. What if something happened? What if she'll get kidnapped? Or she might get harassed. Or she might be raped. A lot of bad possibilities entered my mind but one thing stood out.

What if she crashed my new truck? Oh, fucking puppy eyes. Never in a million years will that happen! Not my beautiful baby!

I do not want to be stuck for hours in a hall filled with hormonal teenagers. I would end up dead in just a few minutes. Or them. Either, really. Or both. But I need to think. Fast. A crashed car or a crowded hall?

Then it happened. You know that moment when you get an epiphany all of a sudden? Something clicked on my mind.

"Wait, Charlie!" I shouted and she turned to look at me, a smirk was plastered on her face. And I gladly returned that look at her. In your face, Carlotta!

"Yes, my beloved Cav'?" she questioned with a sickeningly sweet voice. 

"Okay, I'll come with you if and only if Mom will agree to you," I answered. A shocked look was very visible on her now pale face. I could almost see the screws turning inside her head. We both knew that Mom will never compromise my happiness, quote-unquote, for some unknown reason. "Let's play a game, shall we? Don't worry, it won't last long. The first one who will get Mom to agree with will win. Do we have a deal?" I asked, returning that annoying purr she made.

She just stood there. Lost in her own thinking. Hah! What do you say, Carlotta?

She shook her head twice, tapped her foot on the ground, and ran her hand through her hair many times. This was how she acts when she was nervous, or having a debate in her head.

"Deal," she sighed.

"Cav, honey? Your breakfast is ready!" I heard my mother shouted from the kitchen. I peered at the annoyed Charlie now standing a few feet away from me.

"Shall we?" I laughed as she let out a baffled scream and stomped her feet.

I sat back on the stool that I was sitting a while ago. Charlie took a seat next to me, and my Mom approached us and put the plates on the kitchen counter.

"Here you go," Mom said as she smiled at me.

"Thanks, Mom." I paused and paid the blonde a glance. "Oh, and by the way, I heard Charlie wanted to tell you something." I grinned as I let those words slipped out of my mouth. She let out a growl that made me chuckle.

"What's that, dear?" my Mom asked, concern was written on her face.

"Uhm, can Cav come with me to the concert this Sunday? Please, Auntie!" she pleaded. My Mom turned her eyes at me, waiting for a response.

"I just wanted to say that, no, I don't like to come with her. One Direction, or any band for that matter, is not enough for me to sacrifice hours of being with raging teens on PMS," I said and shook my head vigorously. Mom looked back apologetically at my cousin, and her face fell.

"One Direction? Charlie dear, you know that she doesn't like them, right? And you have a lot of friends-" my mom was cut off when Charlie's voice rose like a spoiled brat that she always been.

"But Auntie, they are a lot of miles away from here. And besides, would you let me leave this secured house and go by myself? You watch the news. You're probably aware of the accidents that-"

She was pulling the danger-card, and I could not let her sway my mom on this one so I butted in. "You can just stay here. In the," I paused as I made air quotes, "safe haven we call home."

"Dear, Cav is right. Why don't you just-" And again, Charlie's voice rung out through the house that compelled my mom to stop talking.

Getting up from her seat, she threw her hands up in the air. "You know how much I love the boys! Aunt Sophie, you know that I only came here for one thing, but please! Don't take away my chance of seeing them! Please!" she exclaimed.

I heard my Mom sighed and she massaged her head. Concern blanketed my being fast as I stare at my mom. Being four months pregnant, I never wanted to stress her out over some weird shits as petty as this.

"Auntie," Charlie called out. Her hand rested on my mom's shoulder as I reached out for her hand. "It's okay if I'll just stay here, you don't need to overthink about it," she said. Looks like I'm not the only one worried.

Mom blinked at Charlie. "Are you sure?" she asked, her mouth slightly open as she took deep breaths. I looked at Charlie. I didn't expect her to say that.

"Yeah, of course," she said too quickly that made my heart drop. She smiled cheekily but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

She and I may have disagreements at some point but my love for her will never waver, that was for sure. So, with most of my brain screaming for me to not do it, I made a decision. "I'll come with you," I said. I saw my Mom and Charlie's disbelieving look.

Gasping, Charlie hesitated. "Really?" she questioned. I nodded and forced myself to smile. Which turned into a genuine one as she hugged me tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you!" she repeated those two words over and over as she twirled us making me dizzy. I could feel a bile rising up from my throat and I yelled.

"P-please, put me d-down!" I screamed. With a shit-eating grin painted on her face, she let me go. 

She kept blubbering and I just continued eating my breakfast. Mom went back on washing the dishes, a fond smile settling on her lips. I looked back at my cousin and said, "You owe me big time."

"I know. And I just have the right gift for you," she replied mysteriously. With my curious heightened, she walked away.

edited: November 11, 2017

Read up, buttercups. Hope you enjoyed this.
Notes: Nicole is now Cavalier. I repeat, Nicole is now known as Cavalier. I made some changes and obviously edited this story. I suggest you all read it from the start so you won't be confused. 

Heart, V.