They Don't Know About Us

*Justice's P.O.V*
“Look at this fridge. It's stalked!” Niall excitedly announced with a wide smile.
“All for you buddy.” I joked while plopping myself down on the couch. We had just arrived from the airport.
Katie's eyes widened, “She doesn't actually mean that. Do not eat all of our food dude or I swear One Direction will be down to four members.” She threatened. Granted I had kept her in the grocery store for two hours, but when I shop for groceries alone she always complains because I didn't get what she wanted.
Harry chuckled taking a seat beside me. “Don't test her Niall. I think she's serious.”
Niall shrugged his shoulders walking back to the living room. “I rather like my life lad.” We all laughed. “Okay, where's my room? I need a nap.”
“Come on I'll show you.” I stood leading the way to the hall. “Katie try not to scare my boyfriend off.” I gave her a pointed look before pushing Niall forward.
“It's alright that I'm staying here?” The blond Irishman questioned.
I nodded, “Duh, I wouldn't dream of sticking you in some hotel all alone.”
He chuckled. “Thanks Justice.” We stopped at the last door.
“Here you are. I even cleaned it myself...so don't look under the bed.” I laughed lightly before turning and walking to my room.
~~*~~
*Harry's P.O.V*
I waited until Justice was gone before turning to Katie. “I need to tell you something.”
She looked up in bewilderment. “Whoa there Haz. You're dating my best friend.” The red head held up her hands.
I shook my head ignoring her comment. “No, listen, I think I'm going to propose to Justice.”
Katie gasped tossing her mobile across the room. “Dammit I lost the bet.” I stared at her curiously. “Well, when are you going to ask her, today, tomorrow?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I need to talk to her parents first and find a ring.” I listed off and Katie nodded along. “But I just think I might do it. Nothing is for certain.”
She gave me a look of disbelief. “Yeah you keep saying that buddy. Just let me know when you're ready to go ring shopping.” Katie stood walking over to retrieve her mobile off of the floor.
I stood up rubbing my hands on my jeans. “Don't tell anyone.”
“What do you think I am? I'm not a blabber mouth. I can keep a secret.” She rolled her eyes shooing me away. I shrugged walking out of the living room. I found Justice in her bedroom sat on the bed with a black laptop resting on her lap.
“What are you doing?” I asked leaning over her to look at the screen in curiosity.
“Oh, I emailed my professor about my policy proposal paper and was hoping that he finally responded.” She answered shutting down the laptop and setting it aside. “He didn't,” she pouted. “What do you want to do?” Justice asked looking up at me.
My hand went to my arm scratching absentmindedly. “Sleep,” I answered honestly.
She nodded standing up. “I figured you would.” She kissed my cheek. “Have a nice nap.”
Instinctively I reached for her hand stopping her from walking out of the room. “Stay,” I frowned hoping it would be enough to change her mind.
Justice sighed, “I can't say no when you look at me like that.” She fussed.
I laughed pulling her towards me. “You can leave as soon as I'm sleep.”
“As if, your grip is iron tight.” Justice moved out of my embrace to the bed. “No funny business either mister. You need sleep badly.”
Holding up my hands I nodded. “Promise.” She rolled her eyes causing a grin to break out on my face. Could I live the rest of my life like this?
~~*~~
*Justice's P.O.V*
I glanced at Katie with a suspicious frown. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked her while sending a message to my brother.
“Like what?” She asked in mock innocence.
“Like you know something that I don't know.” I responded even more suspicious.
Katie shrugged her shoulders. “I always know something you don't know.” She responded before grabbing the remote and flipping through channels.
“You're hiding something.” I accused folding my legs underneath me and sitting up on the couch. Katie ignored me as if I wasn't even there. “I don't know why you're trying. I'll figure it out.” I threatened.
“You're the most oblivious person in the world Jay. I doubt you've even figured out Harry's in love with you.” Katie responded not sounding worried.
“Shut up,” I mumbled turning to face the TV and folding my arms across my chest. Katie laughed but continued flipping through the channels. We had been passing time for about two hours while the guys napped. “I'm thinking pizza for dinner. I doubt they'll wake up anytime soon.”
Katie shrugged, “I'm going to Jonah's. I'll probably stay there tonight.” She announced standing to her feet. “I'll be back tomorrow for the game night.” She promised before going to her room. I was left in the living room alone.
After a few minutes being bored started to get the best of me and I turned to social media. I scrolled down the Twitter feed not finding anything interesting before turning to Facebook and tumblr. Eventually an idea sparked in my head and I quietly tip-toed my way to my room. Harry was sprawled across the bed holding onto one of my pillows in a tight grip while sleeping peacefully. I smiled at the sight hesitating in my plans. Then he let out a nice snore that help me continue to snap a picture. I was about to share it with the world when I remembered Niall in the spare room. Two for the price of one. After taking his picture I took one of myself with my face propped on my palm, lips slightly pursed, looking bored as ever while sitting in the empty living room. I put the three pictures in a collage and uploaded it to my Instagram.
@xlivelovemusic: My day is always a riot with these two... (-___-) #BORED
I did the honorable thing of tagging Niall and Harry in the post. It took maybe two minutes for the likes and comments to come in. I was slowly learning to ignore most comments on any of my profiles. Yet curiosity always won out and I scrolled down. Everything so far was just surprise at me being around the guys. Some asked where I was (as if I would actually tell them). And of course you had your fair share of inappropriate comments. I stopped scrolling before I got to the mean stuff. Going back to Twitter seemed like an ideal way to past some time.
@jayquin94: I'm so bored and things one and two are knocked out.
@jayquin94: Plus @katiejatiebatie left me. Katherine you're a traitor!
@jayquin94: Anyone want to ask me some questions?
I expected maybe twenty people to respond. Yet one hundred answered questions later, three hundred new followers, and I don't how many tweets, “#AskJay” was trending. I sat amazed. All I was capable of was staring at my cell phone as if it was an alien. My twitter notification was sounding nonstop.
@ishipjarry: What's it like dating Harry? #AskJay
@94directioner_1: How long are you going to be with him? #AskJay
@AAA_holly: Can you get the guys to follow me? #AskJay
They went on and on. Scratching my eyebrow I tried to think of rather I should get out now or answer a few more questions. I was starting to drift out of my element. I wasn't used to this. What happened to the measly two hundred followers I had. Now it was over ten thousand all because I was dating Harry Styles. What the hell had I gotten myself into?
~~*~~
*Harry's P.O.V*
Justice was quiet as the three of us sat around eating pizza and chatting. She looked far away like she was lost in thought. I glanced over at Niall who had asked her a question and was waiting on an answer.
“Babe?” I called while lightly nudging her shoulder to get her attention.
She shook her head as if clearing it and tuned back into the conversation. “Yeah?” She asked first looking to me and then to Niall.
He chuckled, “I asked if I would finally get to see your cooking skills?” He repeated.
She laughed, but I could tell she was distracted. “I guess so Niall. But I must warn you, I'm an awesome cook.”
“Do you have anyone to vouch?” Niall asked as if he was interrogating her. Both their head turned to me.
“I don't have any complaints.” I held up my hands and smiled. Justice smirked and nodded her head once. A few minutes later we were done eating. Justice got up to take the plates to the kitchen and I followed after her. “What's wrong?” I asked.
She glanced back at me while placing the dishes in the dishwasher. “Nothing.” She answered shortly.
My arms crossed over my chest as I leaned against the counter. “You're lying. What's going on?”
She sighed closing the dishwasher and slowly turning to face me. “I've just got a lot on my mind.” I stared at her with an expectant look. She was hiding something. “I promise Haz. I'm fine. Everything is fine. No need for you to worry.” No need for you to worry. Those same words I'd heard her say before. It just confirmed that she was keeping something from me in hopes of not making me worry.
My eyes narrowed. “Justice-”
“It's really weird.” She cut me off. “I've known you for six months and I'm still not used to the attention.” She continued.
“Oh.” Was all I could say as understanding dawned on me. Justice scratched behind her ear nervously. “You can stop some of it. Just make your profile private and-”
She shook her head. “It's not a big deal Harry. I kind of brought today's episode on myself. It's just really weird.” She laughed.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
Her eyes widened as she inhaled a deep breath. “Yes! Now get out of the kitchen so I can clean it. Go bother Niall or something.” She shooed me away.
I unfolded my arms and pushed off of the counter. “I'll help.”
Justice shook her head. “You don't have to do that.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I know.” I caught a glimpse of her brown eyes rolling as she turned her back to me and continued cleaning. I chuckled lifting a towel from the counter.
Justice bit her bottom lip hiding a smile. “I missed you.” She whispered.
Instinctively my arms wrapped around her waist as I pulled her into my chest. “I missed you too.” Placing a soft kiss on top of head we both let out a content sigh.
~~*~~
*Justice's P.O.V*
It was officially game night. I had prepared thoroughly for the next twelve hours. I was dressed in a gray fitted sweats romper, with black Vans, and my hair in a messy bun on the top of my head. The kitchen was stalked and the games were sat on the kitchen table with several chairs surround it. At least ten people were expected to show up. Harry and Niall had been warned that this would be an intense night. We took these games seriously.
The first person to arrive was my older brother (by nine months) Darien. He arrived with a deck of cards and a taco box. “Am I the first person?” He asked looking around the clean apartment. I nodded my head. “I get a good chair!” He exclaimed running to the kitchen as there was another knock on the door.
I opened it to realize a light skinned girl with purple-red hair and a dark skinned guy dressed in black gym shorts and a white t-shirt. They were better known as Alicia and Jared. “Hey guys. Darien's going for a good chair.” I greeted them while stepping aside.
“Not today.” Jared's Bahamian accent called as he quickly went to the kitchen.
Alicia shook her head. “That boy.” She entered the apartment. I took the moment to introduced Harry and Niall to the players who had arrived. Minutes later our nursing major Hannah showed up (someone always got hurt) as well as our loud mouth Celeste and the resident peacekeeper Lisa.
“Can we get started?” Jared asked sitting in the only arm chair pulled up to the table. He and Darien fought for it.
“No,” Katie answered while dumping a bag of chips into a bowl. She was dressed in comfortable jeans and a green graphic tee. Her hair was pulled back as well.
“Who's missing?” Alicia asked looking around at the nine people who were present.
“Eric isn't here.” Darien spoke up.
“Marcus said he would be here with Brayden after they left football practice.” I announced.
“Well they need to hurry the fuck up.” Celeste spoke while messing with her wild curly hair. A collective hiss was heard as we all felt the blow of her words.
“I apologize now, because this girl's swearing can give Niall a run for his money.” Katie spoke up shaking her head. I nodded in agreement.
Niall's face lit up. “I'm sticking by you.” He decided pointing to Celeste.
She nodded, “Come on then. I like white boys.” Alicia face palmed while I blinked rapidly trying to change the scene I was seeing.
“Please don't let my friends scare you off.” I turned to Harry with a pout.
He simply chuckled. “I'm sure it'll be fine.”
Ten minutes later everyone who was coming was present. We were all seated discussing what game to start off with. Eventually we settled on competition UNO. We explained the rules to the newcomers, but it wasn't that hard to play. It was simple; everyone was dealt five cards, each side of the table got a deck, and you played until you're out of the game, the last person remaining doesn't move on to the next round. That always took an hour at the least to play because there were so many people. Then some would like to while others made alliances.
“Come on Marcus I thought we were better than that!” Brayden exclaimed after a draw four card was laid down for him. It had started with Darien who laid it down for Alicia, but Alicia had her own draw four and laid it down for Hannah. Hannah had a draw four laying it down for Marcus who then laid his own draw four card down for Brayden who now had to draw sixteen cards. So many times we had seen it happen. It was worse with the draw two.
I tensed up after glancing at Katie's hand. She had an arsenal and seeing as how I was sitting on her immediate left. I knew any the cards she played would be for me. I turned to my left looking at Harry's hand of cards. “I think Katie's about to put down a skip for me. If you play that yellow reverse I can UNO out.” I whispered to him pleadingly.
He looked at me as if I was crazy. “I would still be left in the game.” This was true, but I needed to get out now before it was too late. I gave him an innocent smile hoping it would sway him. He looked away. I frowned. When Katie's turned arrived she did just as I expected. I gave Harry a knowing look as if to say 'I told you so.' He sighed heavily laying down the reverse card. A wide smile crossed my lips as I put down my only card, a yellow two, and proclaimed that I was out of that round.
“Cheater,” Katie mumbled under her breath. My shoulders shrugged and I ignored her. The championship round ended up being between Harry and Darien.
“I'm not choosing a side.” I declared throwing my hands in the air.
“Smart choice.” Niall nodded.
After UNO we moved on to another card game, tonk, which we played for quarters. I went broke and stopped playing. That was ten dollars I just lost. That was my Starbucks fund for the next two days. After tonk came heads up, a game sort of like charades only the person has to figure out what their supposed to be while their team yells clues at them. We never played it long because someone always claimed they couldn't understand everyone talking at once. Someone else would succumb to the pressure. Around four o'clock in the morning we decided to wind down while playing signs. It was a calm game. There was music playing in the background as we all sat in a large circle.
“The game is easy,” Marcus explained. “Everyone has a sign, but only one sign can get passed on during the game. To pass the sign you have to make another person's sign. That person has to return their sign to you to show that they received the sign. The person in the middle has to figure out who has the sign.”
Harry nodded with an intense expression. “I think I got it.” He claimed.
“We'll see,” I mumbled. “Okay go around circle everyone and show your sign.” We all took turns showing our sign or signal. Mine was the peace sign which was surprisingly easy to do without being caught.
“Who's going in the middle first?” Jared asked. His sign was the middle finger. We always groaned whenever he did it, but he refused to change it. Jared was like the one friend you love to hate.
“I will.” Hannah volunteered standing to her feet and pulling down her lavender t-shirt. Her dirty blonde hair was in its usual ponytail. She placed her hands over her eyes and waited. Darien looked around at everyone before doing his finger mustache sign. We all nodded. He was the sender.
“Open your eyes.” Alicia ordered Hannah. Hannah began to slowly walk around the circle trying to catch anyone making a sign. While her back was to him, Darien threw up my peace sign. I nodded waiting until Hannah wasn't paying attention to do the sign myself. Seconds later I passed it on to Marcus with a thumbs up. The game went on like that, but it didn't truly get interesting until Niall was in the middle. Hannah tugged her ear receiving the sign from Katie and then sent it to Darien. We all laughed because Niall was looking right at her and missed it.
“What's so funny?” He asked. We all shook our heads.
“Aw yeet!” Brayden randomly cheered white tugging his shirt which was his sign to show that it received it from Darien. Those of us who were regularly apart of game night began to dance and cheer making our own music to cover up his outburst. It was what we did when we wanted to mess with the person in the middle.
“Hey guys he's new. He can't help it that's he's just not getting it.” Marcus spoke while receiving the sign and sending it back to me with Niall looking at him.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe if you looked a little harder Niall.” I spoke distracting him while I received the sign and sent it to Alicia.
“This is painful.” Harry mumbled.
“It's the best part of the game.” Katie laughed. Eventually we took mercy on the poor guy and called the game to an end. It was well after six in the morning when we had all cleaned up and restored the apartment. In usual tradition everyone picked a spot and crashed to tired to drive back home.
“Is it like this every night?” Niall asked watching as Darien and Alicia made a pallet to share on the floor.
“This is usually a once, sometimes twice, a week thing.” I answered.
“Except during finals weeks.” Katie interjected.
“Do you not play then?” Harry asked.
We both shook our heads. “No, we play every night.” We answered going off to bed.
~~*~~
*Harry's P.O.V*
We went to visit Justice's family on Thanksgiving. She introduced Niall to everyone while her brother, Tyrique, talked me into playing video games.
“So this is a holiday to celebrate eating?” Niall asked as we sat in the living room.
Caleb, Justice's other younger brother, nodded his head. “There's so much food. After you're done you'll be full for the rest of the day.”
Niall smiled nodding his head. “This is why I like America.”
When Justice's aunt arrived, her baby cousin came running to me. I smiled wide picking her up into my arms.
“Kari,” I cheered.
“Harry,” she spoke smiling at me.
“All she's been talking about is seeing Harry.” Justice's aunt informed me with a roll of her eyes before she left out of the room. I chuckled turning back to the little girl and listening to her go on. I liked being around Justice's family. She had a large family and they were all welcoming. Everyone hugged you, asked you how you were doing, and things like that. There was always someone to talk to. It kind of explained why she was so caring and embracing.
The two story home was lingered in memorable photos and various awards. Most of the academic ones belonged to Justice as everyone claimed she was the smart one. Her mom had pointed them out to the first time I came here, but I took the time to look around on my own. There were pictures of her cheering, playing football (soccer), and even doing some gymnastics.
“What are you doing?” Her voice suddenly asked as she appeared looking at me warily.
I pointed to one of the pictures. “What's this?” I asked looking back at her.
She walked to my side looking at the picture. “That's from the tenth grade talent show. I sung a Ciara song and got third place.” She shrugged and looked over at the other pictures.
“Why didn't you every try for a music career?” I asked her. I had heard her sing before. I loved her voice. Of course I was kind of bias.
Justice shook her head wildly. “Stage fright is strong in this one. I always choke up.”
“But you performed in a talent show.” I reminded her.
“Yeah, after panicking for ten minutes and having to be pushed onstage by choral director.” Justice countered. I fought laughter as she glared at me. “Come on. Kari wants to go to the park.” She grabbed my hand pulling me out of the den and into the hallway.
“Were you really pushed on stage?” I asked with a hint of humor in my voice. Justice groaned and I began to laugh. It wasn't at her expense. I just couldn't see the girl I had fallen for ever being pushed around by anyone. She was tough as nails and not afraid to challenge anyone. It was oddly attractive the way she seemed to take on the whole world despite her short stature and small frame. It was why I needed her in my corner.

Notes