Prince Charming

**

After I had finally given myself some time from my near death, I figured it was time to go back to normal things. It was currently summer so I didn’t have school but I did have to report myself back to work. Back to keeping inventory and dealing with rude customers. Thankfully my time at work was short. Although I hated people pitying me, that same pity cut me some slack at work. My manager had never been so nice to me before and he let me 3 hours before it was time for me to clock out. It was a very hot day so I figured I’d pass by the smoothie place and pick something up for Niall and me. I returned to Niall not watching soccer for once. Instead he was on the phone. He hung up when he heard me come again. “Hey, how was your first day back?” he asked clearly worried and eyeing the smoothies. “It was good, Manager cut me some slack. Brought us some mango smoothies,” I said handing him the smoothie and setting my purse down on the couch. I walked around the couch with smoothie in hand and sat down, stretching my legs and popping my toes, a habit my mother absolutely hated. My mother. I haven’t talked to her in a long time. She must really be enjoying herself. I’ll make sure to add that to my list of to-do’s. Niall interrupted my mental planning by sitting next to me and laying his hand on my knee. “Andrea, are you sure it’s not too early..” “Niall,” I interrupted sternly. “Right,” he replied, “No pitying/babying.” I give a small smile and he returned the gesture with a small peck to the forehead. “So some of my high school friends happen to be in town and they invited me to a party. I would like for you to come with, if you’d like to of course.” “Yeah, of course.” “Sweet,” he replied, picking up his phone to send a text. I assumed it was to confirm his attendance. “I don’t have to buy a skirt and heels do I,” I asked dreading the idea of having to literally be on my toes that whole night. “Of course not, you’re usual jeans and t-shirt will do. It’s just a casual get together. They call it a party because they will have food and drinks.” I nodded my head and went back to finishing my smoothie enjoying the moment of silence. The idea of meeting Niall’s friends was terrifying. More or so because I didn’t know if I wanted people thinking we were a couple, or thinking we aren’t a couple. How is he going to introduce me? As a friend? As his girlfriend? I wanted to know what we were but at the same time I didn’t want to pressure him or ask too much and then ruin everything. Plus, I don’t drink and I don’t plan to. I know Niall will respect my decision but I don’t want his friends giving him so much crap about it and embarrassing him for bringing me along. What if I see Niall’s exes? What if they try to humiliate me? Not knowing where we stand leaves me confused as to what my role in this relationship is. I don’t know what I’m allowed to say or not say. Do or not do. Okay, I need to give myself a break. I’m overthinking everything. I need to relax, although that is not in my nature.

**
The weekend has arrived and so has the date of the get-together. I am very nervous. More like terrified. I don’t know why, it’s not like I’m meeting his parents. I decide to try to take my mind off things by looking for an outfit to wear. Jeans and tshirt. I want to look better without looking like I actually tried. I figured I would go with tighter ripped jeans than the regular solid blue denim jeans. I pulled over a college t-shirt that’s sleeves stopped at my forearms and I pulled out my trusty white converse. My hair was up in a pony tail like it always was(not good for my hair) and so I let it down pulling into a very loose half-up half-down releasing some small curls to frame the sides of my face. I applied concealer under my eyes and around my nose, hiding all the redness and tiredness. I natural filled in my eyebrows and applied mascara. I didn’t look cakey. I looked alive and healthy. Pretty maybe. After I was finished, I realized I was starving. I hurried out to make myself a sandwich and leave Niall the room so he could get ready. When I walked into the kitchen, he looked up at me and smiled. “Wow, I think that smoothie yesterday was magical. Let’s see if it has the same effect on me,” he said walking over and gently squeezing my hand before disappearing into the bedroom.
**
We arrived at the party and to my relief, it did not look hectic. I walked behind him. I expected for him to hold my hand considering I didn’t know anyone and I was about to become upset and I whispered to myself, “Babysteps,” remembering how being fingered wasn’t exactly a baby step but I shook the thought out of my head. A green eyed guy with stubble beard and a wide smile opened the door, pulling Niall into a hug. “Hey Louis,” Niall said in short gasps. Louis’s embrace was clearly suffocating him. “Hey man, I haven’t you seen you in such a long time. Wait, who is she?” he said smiling and gesturing over to me. “This is Andrea, a really close friend of mine,” Niall said placing his hand on my back edging me forward. “Real close friend eh?” he smirked and then grabbed my hand pulling me as well into a hug. “Well, nice to meet you. I’m Louis,” he let go and rested his hands on my shoulder, “You must really be a special friend for Niall to bring you along,” he said while giving me a wink. Niall gave Louis a small artificial smile before pulling me in with him into the house. He still didn’t hold my hand. I met all four of his friends. There was Zayn. Beautiful guy, with caramel brown eyes, and silky black hair. He was intriguing. There was also Liam. Much less intimidating than Zayn. He had nice short hair, and his slight bangs curled up back to meet his head. He had nice warm smile as well as inviting eyes. The last one was Harry. He was very tall. Very. He didn’t smile at me. He only raised a cup at me as Niall was introducing me. He had curly brown hair that every now and then he would push back. He had green eyes that I swore became darker when he was irritated. I had to stop myself from staring. Not necessarily because he was really attractive but because he wasn’t readable. I also met all of their girlfriends. Except for Harry’s. Maybe she couldn’t come. Niall and his friends disappeared and I was left in really good company. The girls were nice but soon enough they were getting tired like myself. They began to leave and I figured the party had ended but to my horror they had all brought their own cars and I was stuck until Niall wanted to leave. I was about to send him a text message when Harry sat beside me. “So you’re Nialls girl,” he asked in his raspy voice. “No,” I said, “just a friend.” I smiled politely at him but received the same cold stare in return. “You might want to get Niall. He’s really drunk,” and he disappeared once again. I had never seen Niall drunk. I was a little scared. When I followed Harry, Niall was in a circle with his friends. They were all laughing but they were all sober except for Niall. Louis walked over to me. “Hey, it’s getting pretty late and as much as I enjoy partying we all have work tomorrow. Could you take him home,” he asked. “Of course.” “He’s a little hard to take home, so I was hoping maybe drunk Niall would listen to you.” Oh no. Niall looked over the circle and spotted me. “There she is. The girl who makes me the happiest. Come here babe.” I could feel the heat rush to my face. “Err, hey, let’s go okay,” I asked. “Let’s go? But we just got here,” he said slurring his face. “I know but we all have to go to work tomorrow, including you,” I said trying to whisper. Everyone had left us alone, except for Harry. He was staring at us from the entry to the kitchen, his body leaning on the door frame. “But that means you have to go home,” he whined. “I live with you,” I reminded him again, trying to keep it low especially since we had a stalker. “That’s right. How could I forget when we…” I quickly placed my palm over his mouth and hushed him. “Oh that’s right, it’s intimate. I forgot,” he said attempting his best to whisper. I grabbed his arm and placed my hand over his back edging him to follow me back to the car. I was finally able to seat him in the car and place his seatbelt over him. I closed the door and turned around bumping into Harry, startling myself. “Are you sure you want to be with him like this. He can sometimes get uhh- aggressive.” I was a little surprised by his words and worry but I told him it was alright. “Niall is incapable of hurting me,” I replied smiling back at him and thanking him.
**
The whole car ride to Niall’s consisted of Niall snoring loudly and occasionally waking up to complain about his friends. I tried my best to not laugh, but he was incredibly funny in this state. When we got to Niall’s, he was still drunk but sober enough to be able to walk himself to his apartment. I helped him walk to his room and undress. I pulled off his shirt and tried my best to not stare. “Do you like this,” he asked surprising. I looked up to see a huge smirk plastered on his face. I tried not to laugh, but Niall attempting to be seductive was hilarious.
“I’ll leave you to sleep,” I said walking away but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into bed with him , my back to him. He nuzzled his face in my neck.
“Stay,” he whispered. I nodded my head and he tightened his grip around my waist.
“I want to love you Andrea. You’re so loving and incredibly sexy believe it or not. Do you want to love me,” he asked. I hesitated but I figured drunk Niall wouldn’t remember.
“I already do,” I replied and I received snores in response. I turned around to face him and he was fast asleep.

Notes

Hey again. I'm trying to update as much as possible considering the idea that once I go back to school I will be too busy to post as often if not at all. Thanks for being patient.