I watched everyone. Silently. The dynamic was so fascinating that it needed to be observed before I joined in. All the girls would look up protectively to their boys every few moments, and it seemed like the boys only thought off their girls. Cecily and Niall I couldn't figure out. It was like they were together, but also weren't. Sometimes they'd scowl at each other, while others they would smile with goo goo eyes.
The conversations continued effortlessly to swell out to me, but I contented myself with just watching from afar. I sat by El, and watched how she interacted with everyone. No denying it, the girl was a sweet heart. She was always shooting me glances and rubbing my hand.
"Is Flora still shy?" Louis asked Eleanor.
"Louis!" Eleanor gasped, "Flora is not shy, she's watching! Look at her, she is trying to figure us out!"
"I still think she's weird," Louis mumbled. I shot El a smirk, which she returned with a wink.
"I rather like her," Harry cut in.
"I think we all like her," Liam added. Everyone, but Louis, nodded in agreement.
"I didn't say I didn't like you," Louis was directing his words at me, "I just was saying that your quietness weirds me out."
"I just like watching you, not throwing myself out all at once. It will all work out, and you'll soon be begging for me to shut my trap," I said quietly, patting Louis's head. He smiled at me, a sparkle in his eyes.
"I like you better already!" He declared, trying to hug me. I let out a yelp, cringing away from him. He gasped. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's not your fault," I said, regaining control over myself. I smiled at him to let him know it was okay.
****
"Do you all want to go out tonight?" Zayn suggested, playing with Perrie's hair.
"Not particularly," I said quietly, my voice muffled by my knees.
"I'll stay with Flora if you all want to go out," Eleanor volunteered.
"You don't have to do that Eleanor!" I said, although I was beyond happy that she would volunteer to do that for me.
"I want to!" She sang. I giggled softly at her before slipping the calm mask back into place.
"I'll stay too," Harry said quietly, taking the whole room by shock.
"You want to stay... instead of going clubbing?" Louis asked, completely shocked.
"Flora needs company, and it seems only right that I stay," Harry defended himself, meeting every pair of shocked eyes. His eyes lingered on mine for a moment before everyone nodded.
"If you want to," Louis conceded. Everyone stood to get ready, aside from me, Harry, and El.
"Thank you, Harry," I whispered at him. The one question on my mind was: why does he like me? Why not someone worthy?