On My Own

Chapter 3

We headed downstairs to the main room in the lobby to meet with the rest of our group. Looking around at the twenty strangers surrounding me, I felt nervous yet excited to embrace this journey. I smiled at the few familiar faces. Our program leader, Mrs. Myers' began by welcoming us to London, quickly explaining rules and requirements throughout the next few months. She concluded by letting us have the rest of the day to enjoy ourselves, look around the town, and rest, which is something I definitely needed to try to get used to the time difference.

"I really want to go exploring, but I'm exhausted," Liv said as the rest of the group began leaving the small room.

"You're right, we should probably get some rest," I said as we began walking back to our rooms.

"How's your roommate?" Liv asked me as we got into the small elevator.

"She's okay," I said pressing the number 5 on the panel inside the elevator. "She brought her entire closet with her," I said laughing.

Liv joined in laughing with me. "Not everyone lives as simple as you," She said as the elevator reached our floor.

We said our goodbyes and I headed into my room for the night. Lauren was not in our room when I opened the door. I figured she probably went out, looking at the town with her friends or something. Taking advantage of the time to myself I called my mom quickly to tell her about the events of my day. Losing track of time, I told my mom I was heading to bed and I would call her tomorrow. I changed into pajama shorts and a t-shirt before brushing my teeth and laying down.

The bed was not nearly as comfortable as my bed at home. It wasn't comfortable at all really. I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before I finally out of bed and threw on some yoga pants. I knew I was not going to be able to sleep, so I decided to go for a small walk. I left the hotel lobby and began walking down the street. I wasn't planning on going far, I stayed on the same street as the hotel and just continued walking.

The town was amazing, even for it being late every building and monument insight was still lit up, and people were still out enjoying their night. Not far into my walk, I spotted a small cafe and decided to go in to get something. I ended up ordering a small cup of tea. Thinking it would help me sleep once I got back to the hotel. It was getting late and I decided to head back to the hotel.

I was admiring the beautiful city when all of a sudden I heard a car horn blasting and the tires screeching. When I turned my head towards the noise, I noticed a small grey car inches from me. Before I had time to process what was happening, I jumped backward, falling to the ground spilling the overpriced hot tea all over me.

I felt tears forming in the corner of my eyes as I picked myself off the ground along with my purse and an empty cup. As I heard the car door opening and footsteps coming near me.

"Oh my god! Are you alright?" I heard a panicked accented voice ask me as I brushed the dirt off myself.

"I'm fine," I said as brushed the hair out of my eyes. "I know I wasn't paying attention but you really shouldn't be driving that," I began to say as I finally picked my head up to look at the driver.

Standing in front of me was Niall Horan. Thinking back to 16-year-old me, I would have fainted by now. I must be delirious. I thought to myself.

"Let me buy you another coffee." The Irish accented man said to me putting a hand on my shoulder.

"You're Niall Horan," I said taking a step back from him, trying to contain my mouth from dropping.

The blonde boy let out a small smile before nodding his head. "I am truly sorry, I am still not used to driving here." He said

"No, it's fine," I said trying to wrap my mind around what was truly happening. "I wasn't paying attention."

"I feel terrible." He said running a hand through his hair. "Let me buy you another drink to make up for it."

"Don't feel bad," I said feeling as if I was going to get sick to my stomach. Was I seriously turning down a chance to be with my childhood idol? It was taking everything in me not to freak out. "It's getting late,"

"Oh right, of course," He said running his tongue over his bottom lip. "Here um," he said seeming a bit nervous, "Let me have your number and you can let me know when you're free. Yeah?"

I began looking around my surroundings. This was not seriously happening. This must be some kind of joke. Any moment now someone will jump out with a camera or something.

"If you want to of course," he added after I accidentally did not acknowledge his original question.

"No," I quickly said shaking my head. "Um, I mean yes of course," I added probably seeming like an idiot.

I gave him my number, not that there was a chance I would actually ever hear from him.

"I never got your name." He said putting his phone back into the pocket of his jeans, walking back towards the small grey car that was still running.

"Adrianna," I said letting out a smile that I didn't know I was holding in.

"Well Adrianna, it was great meeting you." He smiled as he climbed back into the car.

I continued my walk back to the hotel. At the same time, he began moving the car back down the small street. The memories of the past few minutes replaying in my mind. Before I knew it I was back to the hotel. When I entered the room, I found Lauren sprawled out on the small couch in the living room. I thought about waking her up, thinking she accidentally fell asleep there and would want to sleep in the bed, but decided against it. 

After changing and laying down I realize why Lauren chose the couch over these beds. I could feel every spring throughout the cheap thin mattress. After spending hours tossing and turning, staring at every square inch of the room, I finally drifted off to sleep. 

It wasn't long until my terrible nightmare came to me. I saw 12-year-old me, my clothes soaked from the rain, my mom screaming at me to go inside, my dad lying on the cold concrete outside the hotel.