(Niall goes downstairs, grabs a slice of toast and runs towards the door.)

Mrs Smith: Niall!

Niall: Mum! I’m in a hurry!

Mrs Smith: I don’t care! Now get back here and have breakfast with us!

Niall: Mum, I’m meeting a friend. He promised to buy me breakfast. He’s only in town for one day.

Mrs Smith: Oh, brilliant! Send me his location coordinates and Maggie will go fetch him. Look at this table, full of food that’s going to go to waste.

Niall: He is shy, mother. He wants to only meet me. He made that clear. I beg you, please, let me go.

Mrs Smith: Is it a girl?

Niall: What?

Mrs Smith: The person that you’re rushing to. Is it a girl?

Niall: It’s my friend. He’s a big deal these days, and he’s here to see me and only me.

Mrs Smith: Is he worth ditching breakfast for?

Niall: He said it’s urgent. He will be seeing me before he departs on his private jet.

Mrs Smith: Why would he want to see you?

Niall: This is not going to be something that you want to hear.

Mrs Smith: And that is?

Niall: He had a crush on me throughout high school. I guess I’m guilty, because I didn’t give him closure. So, if I don’t do that now, I’ll feel horrible. Now, can I go?

Mrs Smith: No! Sit down and have breakfast. And I’m not going to repeat myself! For heaven’s sake, it’s 8am and a holiday!

Niall: That’s exactly why I have to meet him early! Who knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance to interview him.

Mrs Smith: All this time that you’ve been wasting – standing and talking there – you could have eaten at least three slices of toast!

Niall: What’s wrong with you, mother?

Mrs Smith: Oh, let me see! I woke up and rushed out? I am too excited to contain myself? My eyes are glassy? My cheeks look like ripe tomatoes? I am wearing my best clothes? I am going to see my “friend”?

Niall: You know what? He can wait. I’m sure he can wait ten more minutes.

Mrs Smith: Oh really? I thought he was waiting for you and that his “private jet” will depart soon?

Niall: Don’t worry, he can exercise patience.

Mrs Smith: That’s just the kind of man I’m hoping to find for Maggie! Is he handsome? Are his pockets deep?

Niall: No! He’s my…(mutters under his breath) boyfriend.

Mrs Smith: What was that?

Niall: Friend.

Mrs Smith: So what?

Niall: Well, it would be awkward if she dated my friend. Their union would make me look like a matchmaker.

Mrs Smith: You’re right.

Maggie: And I don’t want a boyfriend, mother.

Mrs Smith: You’re not getting any younger, my darling. You’ll die lonely if you don’t start searching for Mr Right now. You’re in college, and only left with a few years before you graduate. Your skin will be wrinkling before you know it!

Maggie: Niall, you can go. Ignore mother. She doesn’t value friendship that much.

Mrs Smith: If you leave now Niall, don’t ever come back.

Maggie: Mother!

Mrs Smith: Okay, you are excused my baby boy.

Niall: Thank you! See you very, very late!

(Niall rushes out of the house. He orders a picnic basket on the phone. He calls Ryan to meet him in the neighbourhood park. Niall walks to the park and sits on an oak bench.)

Niall: (Stands up and begins to talk to himself) What have I done? Will he like it? Maybe he doesn’t like surprises. Maybe he doesn’t like being spoilt, since he treats me like a girl. You know what? I’ll just pretend that it was a prank if he doesn’t like any of it!

(Niall sits back down on the oak bench and begins to play with his phone. A man walks in front of him with a basket hanging from his hand. Niall notices the man and stands up smiling.)

Niall: Oh hi! Thank you for bringing this at such short notice.

Man: It’s no big deal. Please sign here.

(Niall takes the pen and signs where instructed.)

Niall: Do you think it’s too much?

Man: No. It’s perfect. Good luck!

Niall: Thank you. I’ll need it!

(The man leaves. After a few minutes, Ryan arrives at the park and walks over to Niall. Niall points at the basket and then at Ryan.)

Ryan: (Squealing) Oooh!

Niall: I thought we might spend the day together? You’re okay with that, aren’t you? Did I derail your plans for the day? Is it too early? Because I can allow to bac…

Ryan: Niall, it’s okay. I’m happy that you planned this. I’m grateful. And no, you didn’t derail my plans for the day. I didn’t have any plans. But…it’s a little early.

Niall: I’m sorry. I just couldn’t wait. I’ve been thinking about you lots.

Ryan: Well, it’s nice to know that someone out there is thinking about me for a change.

Niall: Did you put me under your spell with that food we had on Friday? Because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that dinner.

Ryan: You’re head over heels in love with me, that’s clear. But guess what? It’s been happening to me too, ever since I saw you at the supermarket pushing that trolley.

Niall: If you say so. These feelings for you aren’t like anything I’ve felt for people I’ve been with in the past. They are overwhelming!

Ryan: Like I told you before, I’m a lover. You’ll feel that way.

Niall: I believe what you’re saying.

(Ryan kisses Niall passionately. From a distance, Mr Smith is watching as his son kisses another man in public. He doesn’t believe his eyes, so he wipes them, but what he is seeing is reality. Niall and Ryan are kissing.)

Ryan: Thank you. Hey, aren’t you going to twitch today?

Niall: Aaagh, I am sorry.

Ryan: It’s fine – I was just teasing you!

Niall: You! And why would I do that? You’re an inch from me. You’ll protect me.

Ryan: You’re right! Superman got nothing on me.

Niall: Let’s eat!

(They go to find a spot to eat. After they finish, they go back to the bench.)

Ryan: I was worried I’d find someone to make me fat.

Niall: You have me and I know your body is your source of confidence.

Ryan: Am I such an open book?

Niall: No, you allow me to ransack your thoughts through your eyes. You don’t put up a barricade.

Ryan: If that’s the case, don’t ransack my dirty thoughts about you.

Niall: I can’t do that. I can only allow you to fulfil them. (He winks.)

Ryan: What a guy you are!

(A guy walks near them. He sits on the bench and looks at Ryan.)

Ryan: What?

Wayne: Hello handsome! I’m Wayne, and you?

(Wayne stretches his hand out to shake Ryan’s. Niall pushes Wayne’s hand away before it reaches Ryan’s.)

Wayne: What on earth are you doing?

Niall: Hands off him! He’s my boyfriend!

(Wayne awkwardly stands up and walks away, embarrassed. Ryan looks at Niall in disbelief, smiling from ear to ear.)

Niall: Why are you looking at me like that?

Ryan: You called me your boyfriend.

Niall: (Smiling) Well, you are, aren’t you?

Ryan: I can rest in eternal peace.

Niall: You can’t! There are lots of things I want to do to you!

Ryan: Not only are you sweet, little Niall! You also have a mind of your own! Rugged Ni!

Niall: Hey, I can’t keep my hands to myself! Your body and face activate every living cell in my body. You know it too!

Ryan: Funny, that’s also what’s been giving me sleepless nights. You! I just want to do all sorts of unthinkable things with you.

Niall: I’ll be going first. It’s fair that way!

Ryan: I could never refuse you, Mr Smith!

Niall: Come here!

(Niall holds Ryan and kisses him all over his face.)

Ryan: Am I dating a puppy? You don’t lick a human!

Niall: I am not responsible for my actions.

Ryan: How do I kill the demon responsible for this then?

Niall: If you could stop being so smoking hot, I am sure the demons would migrate from me.

Ryan: You’re such a smooth talker, and your clothes are nice. I feel awful that I’m not dressed as nicely as you!

Niall: It’s my fault that I’m a fashion officer these days!

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think Mr Smith will do after having seen the kiss between Niall and Ryan?