If I Let You Know... [N.H.]

45. Epilogue

3 months later...

"... That is why it's important that you assume your role in the prevention and protection from diseases, injuries or accidents, but also the maintenance and health promotion at both individual and community level."

I hear the teacher's voice in the distance, but I'm too busy staring at my laptop, scrolling down Tumblr and writing some silly story.

Seriously? Who has class the day before Christmas' Eve? And not just any class, but Laboratory of Methodology in Research.

"I can't stand this" Merche mumbles holding her head on her hands; "I should have gone home, like Teresa"

"Well, you..."

My phone buzzing interrupts me.

"Hang on" I say taking it out of my bag.

"Be careful, you know this teacher hates mobile phones in class" Ana warns me.

"I know" I nod, unlocking the screen and placing my mobile on the laptop so the teacher can't see it.

Merche chuckles.

"What is it?" Carmina asks.

Merche shows her the messages.

"Why don't you want to Skype with him?"

"Because I'm in class!" I answer laughing.

Things have been great the past months: Niall has come over a couple of times and I went to London once and to Mullingar for a weekend. I miss him everyday but I've got used to it.

Besides, he calls me every chance he gets and we Skype practically every day.

It's not at all the kind of relationship I've had so far, but I think that is what it's all about: each story has something that makes it special. And I've found the little things that make Nictoria special. And I love it. And I love Niall.

The last half hour of the class goes by really slowly, and we all sigh relieved when the teacher tells us we can go home.

"Happy holidays" he smiles.

Yeah, holidays; or free days to study if that's what you meant. Exams on January are definitely not the best idea.

"I don't like Christmas" Carmina says, "I'll probably end the holidays weighing a couple of kilos more"

"I thought you were going to say you didn't like Christmas because you had to study"

"Yeah, that too" she pouts.

"Studying burns calories" I say chuckling.

"It's true!" Maria corroborates, "when you study your brain needs glucose and you..."

"Well, you know what to do" Merche interrupts opening the front door; "study a lot"

We laugh and exit the building.

"Vic..." Merche says her eyes nailed somewhere in the crowd; "isn't that...?"

I turn around looking to where she's pointing.

Can't be.

But he is.

He is there; with his white t-shirt, his grey sweatshirt, his black trousers and black jacket, his grey beanie, his steel grayish blue eyes and his cheeky smile.

I squeal, running to him and hugging him tight. He spins me around and kisses my cheek.

"What on Earth are you doing here?" I laugh.

I look behind him and smile.

"What is all this?" I ask giggling.

"Well, Greg and Denise are spending Christmas at Denise's parents' house, so me dad and I were alone. And we decided to spend Christmas in a warmer place like Spain" he smiles.

I feel happy tears in my eyes and I hug him once more, his strong arms surrounding me as well.

"Hi, Mr. Horan" I greet Niall's dad with a hug.

"Nice surprise, huh?" he smiles.

I nod, smiling back.

"And what are you doing here?" I say turning to the other boy who is with them.

He hugs me and smiles.

"Since Gemma is abroad, my mum and Robin didn't want to spend Christmas at home. I'm meeting them in Madrid tomorrow. I needed to show Niall where your university was"

"Oh, Valeria is in Madrid too" I exclaim, "she got the part and now she's shooting for this famous TV series"

"He knows" Niall cuts with a smirk.

"What? Why?" I say turning to Harry.

"I spoke to her" he answers with a smile.

"Wait, I'm gonna say hi" Niall says walking to my friends and greeting them.

"You really should stop surprising me, Harry." I say, "The university is going to know me as the girl who squeals all the time"

Harry and Mr. Horan laugh and I excuse myself, walking to Niall and my friends.

I find the Irish boy laughing with them and some of the other students staring.

"What are you up to?" I smile.

"Nothing" he answers "they were just telling me about you"

"Good things, I hope" I say looking at my friends.

"You'll never know" Niall replies raising his eyebrows and smiling cheekily.

We say goodbye to my friends, I wish them all happy holidays and we agree that we will keep in touch through the group chat.

"Till when are you staying?" I ask Niall once they've left.

"Just for Christmas" he smiles surrounding my shoulders with his arm; "but you're invited to England for New Year's"

"Will you be in London?"

"Yep"

"I'll think about it, but I can't promise anything" I answer giving him a small smile; "I have a lot to study, and I really want to pass all my finals on the first call"

"I'm sure you will" Niall smiles, walking to where his dad and Harry are; "And I know you have to study and that you don't want to lose any time. But I thought this'd be a nice Christmas surprise"

"It is" I smile back, "you're the best Christmas present ever. You should've worn a bow or something on your head" I chuckle.

Niall laughs and brings me closer to him.

"Well, now I'm here I can say it to your face" he says.

"Say what?"

"You're boring" he grins.

I roll my eyes and playfully push him a bit.

"But you love me" I reply in a childish tone, hiding myself under his arm again.

"You bet I do" he smiles, placing a kiss on my forehead; "and I'll make sure by the end of each day that I've let you know how much I do".