It's been two days since I last saw Niall, and this break is rather refreshing.

I've spent these last two days, studying more for my SAT's, leaving no time for movies or books or anything else. It actually has turned out nice, for when my brain is filled with studying and learning, it's not being filled with a certain rude Irish boy across the street. However, I can't help but think about the last time I saw him. He was intent on apologizing to me for his behavior, but who says he needed forgiveness? He doesn't strike me as the type to apologize and change his attitude. More like apologize so he can become even ruder. 

"Crystal!" My mom calls from the kitchen as I sit up in my bed and close my books.

"Yeah?" I reply, before getting off of my bed and emerging into the living room.

"You're wanted on the phone," she tells me as she walks over and extends the phone to me.

"Makayla?" I mouth, only for her to shake her head no. "Hmm," I wonder aloud, before taking the phone from her outstretched hand. "Hello?"

"Crystal!" Maura greets in a chipper tone. "How are you, dear? I haven't seen you for a few days."

"Oh, I'm just fine," I assure her, hoping she's not calling me so I can somehow entertain her son. Maybe she knows I didn't accept his apology. "Just been studying for my SAT's."

"This early?" She remarks. "I'm impressed. It's like pulling teeth just to get Niall to even look over his schoolbooks. And I don't even make him read them. I can tell this fall is going to be a handful with trying to homeschool him," she sighs.

"Doesn't he want to go to the public school?" I ask, wondering who's idea it was for him to be homeschooled.

"No. My Niall isn't a very personable boy, but I'm sure you've figured that out." Despite her being through the phone, I can almost hear the amusement she no doubtedly has in her voice and probably on her on face too. Of course she knows I knows this, and I can't help but think she finds that alone to be amusing.

"He's something," I mutter under my breath, hoping it doesn't offend her.

"That he is. Anyway, I was calling to ask you if you would like to stop by for a visit? I've made a few mini cakes, and they're in dire need of a taste test. What do you say?" She asks. I want to tell her no, that I don't want to be anywhere near Niall, but I don't even know if he's home. Even if he is, why should I have to pass up the opportunity to enjoy a cake just because he's an ass? My tastebuds deserve to be blessed, and I won't have the Irish devil ruin it for me.

"I would love to!" I tell her as I try to ignore my inner screaming self. 

"Great! I'll see you in a few minutes then?" She cheerily questions.

"Sounds good to me." I tell her goodbye, before hanging up and texting Makayla what's going on.

"What'd she want?" Mom asks as I make my way over to the front door.

"She invited me over for cake. I couldn't pass that up," I half laugh as I slip on my shoes.

"You could've," Mom shrugs. "But if you passed up cake, that means you'd pass up the Irish creme on the side."

"Mom!" I groan as I quickly leave the house, trying to get out of there before she says anything else embarrassing.

As I'm trying to shake away my mother's words, my phone begins to ring just as I make it to the curb and am about to cross the street.

"Hello?" I answer without even checking the number.

"THIS WOMAN IS TRYING TO HOOK YOU UP WITH HER SON, I CAN JUST SEE IT RIGHT NOW!" Makayla shouts through the phone, almost rupturing my eardrum.

"She is not," I scoff. "She only invited me over to taste test her cakes."

"More like taste test her son," she cackles.

"Kay!"

"Crystal!" She mocks. "Don't even play this game. You know she's trying to hook you two up. Why else would she have you sit right next to him during your dinner the other night? Not only just sitting next to each other, I can mention all the looks and smiles and other stuff she concocted. Need I go on?" She challenges me.

"Ugh!" I groan as I dig the toe of my sneakers into the soft grass.

"You know I'm right," she sing-songs, and I can bet that she's looking rather amusing through this all too.

"I have a hunch you're right, a hunch," I admit.

"A hunch is better than nothing. When you jump his bones, I had better be the first to know it," she informs me.

"Good Lord," I laugh. "You entertain me."

"I'm here all week," she giggles. "Let me know how said afternoon goes. Especially let me know if the Irish prick is a dick." She pauses as she giggles even more. "I made a rhyme."

"Goodbye," I shake my head, trying to act annoyed instead of amused. "You need Jesus."

"Touche, baby. But seriously, have fun! Eat some cake for me! Kick some Irish ass for me! Make me proud!"

"Always. Love you!"

"Love you too!"

I hang up the phone and shove it into my pocket, before I finally cross the street. I was a little on edge at the thought of walking over here and seeing Niall, but that all melted away after my phone call with Makayla. She really has the perfect timing. Timing and humor.

Walking up to the familiar red house, I'm just about to knock on the front door when it opens. Thankfully it's Maura and not her spon.

"My favorite neighbor!" Maura smiles before pulling me into a hug. "I'm so glad you came over!"

"Me too," I smile in return. "I would have been here sooner, but my best friend called."

"Oh, you're fine! You could've invited her over too!" She informs me, and I suddenly get excited.

"Really?" I ask.

"Really," she confirms. With this, I make a mental note to invite Makayla next time. I know she'll drop all of her plans just for this. There's something about Makayla and the way she enjoys getting information out of me. Especially information involving men in my life. This thought alone makes me want to laugh.

"I'll be sure to tell her," I promise.

"Good. Any friend of yours, dear, is welcome here. Is she doing anything right now? There's plenty of cake she's more then welcome to try. More then you and I are willing to eat in one afternoon."

"I'll ask her," I shrug, trying to pretend this didn't make me as happy as is did. I can just imagine the look on Makayla's face when I inform her that she's invited over here. She's going to spaz.

"That was quick," Makayla answers immediately. "Done already? What're the details? Spill, my child."

"I just got here," I laugh. "I only called because Maura wanted to know if you would like to join us for cake? There's plenty here, and we could use another mouth."

"You're kidding!" Makayla whines.

"No, why?"

"I promised Dad I'd go down to the station today," she groans. "We've been planning this for weeks. He's been telling me he'd give me the tour on his new office, but we haven't had time. Everything's seemed to come up when we were about to leave, and I feel like I can't blow him off again. It's just an office, but I know how important sharing his work with me is. Besides, I told him I didn't have anything today, and he was so excited."

"It's okay," I assure her. I know how much she enjoys hanging out with her dad. However, with him being the sheriff and all, it's not often they get to spend time together. "Enjoy the office, I know how much it means to him, too. Both of you, actually."

"This sucks, though, I could meet Satan. Instead, I have to check out an office," she whines.

"If it's an office with a swivel chair," I begin. "It's an office worth visiting."

"I thought you were going to say something about it being an office with Christian Grey in it," she laughs. "But, yes, swivel chairs are awesome."

"Okay, I'd rather sit on him instead of a chair, too, but that will just have to work for now." I forget Maura is right next to me and can probably hear this whole conversation. That doesn't make me feel all that great considering Makayla referred to Niall as Satan.

"Yeah, Mama!" Makayla calls. "I have to go, sadly. Dad's waiting. I'll talk to you later, let me know how everything goes!"

We say our goodbyes, and once we hang up I'm unsure if Maura is going to comment on our conversation. Maybe she didn't hear it after all.

However, the amusement dancing in her eyes once I return my phone to my pocket, tells me other wise.

"Christian Grey, huh?" She smiles.

"Uh, yeah. Makayla's crazy," I laugh nervously.

"She sounds like a pretty good time," Maura comments.

"The best," I agree. "She can't come over today. Her dad is the sheriff and he's been meaning to show her his new office. Everything's been coming up lately, so she hasn't been able to do it. It's just an office and all, but it's really important for her dad. He wants her to become his secretary after high school, the force means a lot to him. To their whole family," I inform her.

"Her dad's the sheriff?" Maura hums. "That's impressive. I imagine she's very structured from her dad's strictness."

"That's one way to put it," I half laugh, realizing how little Maura knows about my best friend and her family. Makayla is anything but structured, more like wild and insane. Her dad is far from strict too, more like a big old teddy bear. The thought of Scott even thinking about yelling at Makayla makes me want to laugh. No way in hell. Now if her mother were to yell . . . that'd be another story.

"Well, how about that cake I promised you?" Maura suggest, as she leads me into her kitchen. "I've made lemon, chocolate, strawberry, and white. They're little mini things as you can see," she points to the small square cakes that are evenly placed on fancy plates.

"Wow, only you could make cake arrangements look beautiful," I comment, as I pick up a chocolate cake.

"You're too sweet," Maura smiles.

Taking a bite, I try not to moan in approval. I've never had a chocolate cake that tasted this good, ever.

"Wow!" I sigh. "This is delicious!"

"Really? My chocolate cake was always my worse creation," she sighs.

"Are you kidding? What's your best creation?" I ask her, wanting to try what she considers to be the best. 

"Strawberry," she winks. "My own recipe. Well, they're all my own recipe, but there's more in the strawberry one."

"You make all of these by scratch?" I half laugh. "That's amazing."

"I like to bake," she shrugs. "The gardening is all done, and there isn't much else to do. The laundry is done, the house is cleaned, the lawn is mowed, all that was left was the baking."

"Are you having a party?" I ask, commenting on how much she had made.

"No," she grins. "I was just in the mood to bake. Here," she begins as she gets up and retrieves a plastic bag. "Take some to your friend when you leave. From the way she was talking, I think she'd be curious to know how this visit went when it's all said and done."

"Oh, um, you heard that?" I mutter, and I can feel my cheeks heat up from embarrassment.

"Oh, dear," Maura laughs. "No need to be embarrassed," she assures me as she puts every kind of cake in the bag, plus a few more. "I know my son can be rather rude. He's been through a lot, though. It doesn't excuse his behavior, for you've never done anything to him." Except crush his pasta, I tell myself. "But," she continues. "He's a good boy. Under all those layers, he really is."

"Thank you," I tell her, as I take the bag of cakes from her, thinking of how excited Makayla is going to be to try them. I can just see her now, commenting how she's never had cakes made my Satan's mother. The thought alone makes me laugh.

Maura comes and invites me into the living room after she gives me a plate to get more cake. I happily oblige, and put a strawberry and lemon cake onto the place, before following her into the room.

"Make yourself comfortable," she tells me as she sits on her sofa. "Would you like something to drink? Milk? Tea? Water"

"Milk please?" I request. 

"Of course," she happily obliges, as she gets up to get me my drink.

"Mom!" I hear from upstairs, only for the color to drain my face. Not now, I groan to myself. "Where are my new boxers?!" 

With this question, he obviously doesn't know his mother has company. 

"There in the laundry, dear!" She calls back, as she returns with a cup of milk for me.

"Thank you," I tell her, trying not to focus too much on the fact that Niall is above me somewhere with no underwear on.

"You're welcome. My son apparently doesn't know you're here," she winks. "I'm sure he'd love to know he was asking about his under garments when there is a pretty girl sitting on my sofa."

"Oh," I blush, unsure of what to say. "Let's not tell him, please?" I suggest.

"Of course, not," she laughs. "He really is a lovely boy," she sighs, her voice turning serious.

"He has a lovely voice," I comment, trying to lighten the mood.

"You've heard him?" Maura perks up.

"Yes. The other night at dinner when I went to use the restroom," I admit.

"I knew that bathroom visit was too long for just the bathroom alone," she smiles.

"Yeah," I blush. Gosh, my face just wants to be red this visit. You're not helping, body. "He was really good."

"I'm so glad to hear that," Maura replies, only for her to look away. I wonder what's wrong, but I don't have to wonder for too long as I watch her lift her hand to wipe away fresh tears. "I'm sorry, dear," she sighs, as she turns back toward me. "It's just, I've sacrificed so much for him, you know? Just so he could have a chance. He has a better chance in America for his dreams, and the fact that it's not just me that thinks he's wonderful," she takes a moment to breathe. "You're special, dear," she tells me as she reaches across and grips my hand with her own. "There's something about you. I don't know what it is, but I can tell you're going to become a big part of our lives."

"Bullshit," I hear, interrupting this kind moment with Maura.

Turning our heads, we see Niall standing in the doorway. His body is leaning against the frame, while his arms are crossed over his chest. At least he found his boxers.

Maura doesn't make a comment, but I'm not going to let this slide. I don't care if I'm in his house, he doesn't need to disrespect his mother. We don't do shit like that where I come from, and I'm not at all for it. Especially since she sacrificed so much for him. What spoiled brat.

"Excuse me?" I scoff.

"You heard me," he snaps. "That's bullshit. You may become a big part of my mother's life, but you won't be part of mine."

Setting my cakes and milk down onto the coffee table in front of me, I stand up and face him. If he wants to do this right here right now, we can do this.

"Do you know what's bullshit?" I ask, only for him to shrug in return. "Is your attitude. Your mother moved how far away, sacrificed how much, and you tell her she's full of bullshit? How dare you," I shake my head. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat, pissed at me because I crushed your damned pasta the other day. Want to know something? Screw you," I spit, wanting to say something stronger, but not wanting to offend Maura.

"Want to know something, American Brat?" He begins as he uncrosses his arms and takes a step toward me. "You don't know anything about us, so butt the hell out. You don't know what we've been through, you've just been given everything on a silver platter, right? Isn't that how all Americans live? By getting everything given to them?" He looks me up and down, before scoffing. "Ha, that's exactly what we're dealing with now. An American Brat, that has everything she's ever wanted."

Before I even know what's happening, my palm connects with his cheek. I don't care about what he says, I don't care about what Maura says, I don't care about anything right now. He's hurt me, and that's the only way I can think of hurting him back.

"You don't know anything about me, so get your head out of your Irish ass. Silver platter? What the hell even is that? You think you're so much better than me, but you don't even know. You know nothing whatsoever. The only brat here, is you." I try my best not to cry as I walk over and pick up the bag of cakes for Makayla, before turning and walking back toward Maura. "I'm so sorry," I choke out, trying my best not to cry. "I shouldn't have struck him, and I shouldn't have insulted him in your home. I feel terrible." Swallowing the hard lump in my throat, I try my best not to cry. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologize, dear," she smiles at me apologetically. "He deserved everything you did and said," she spits as she sends Niall a death glare. "Take your cakes to your friend, okay? I'm sorry, love," she sighs as she stands to hug me. "Don't be sorry," she whispers in my ear, before I tell her goodbye and leave before I break down.

As I walk outside, I take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, before I hurry home. It's going to be a long time before I'm able to go back there. This is all so much, and I choke down the tears as I cross the street and pray Makayla is done looking at the office soon.

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woo it's been a while. and it's a long one ;) almost 3200 words wowow. this one's for you bae :D