They Don't Know About Us

*Harry’s P.O.V*
Zayn had politely opened his house up to quite a few of us under Perrie’s pretense of game night. Of course game night involved several board and card games and bottles of liquor.
“Let’s play never have I ever!” Aerial suggested gaining excited sounds of agreement from Perrie, Justice, and Eleanor. “I’ll start,” she decided poor herself a shot of vodka. “Never have I ever made out with someone at school.” And that’s how it started. Secrets were revealed about everyone. Some I rather not have learned.
“You have to take a shot Jay!” Perrie fussed at Justice.
Justice shook her head, “I’ve never done that before.” The two continued to argue while Zayn looked over at me.
“I need a beer.” He announced asking if I wanted to come to the kitchen with him. I nodded standing from the sofa and following him into his kitchen. As we were walking out of the living room, Katie rolled her eyes and nudged Eleanor. “Do you think they can find out what you need to know without tipping her off?” Zayn questioned as I stood in the doorway in an attempt to hear the happenings that I couldn’t see.
My shoulders shrugged, “Maybe.” Trying to be quiet I lightly walked back towards the living room peeping inside in time to see Eleanor give Perrie a pointed look. The blonde took a seat beside Justice on the sofa.
She held her left hand out in front of her and sighed. “You know Zayn really guessed well on my ring size when he bought my engagement ring.”
“Oh boy,” Zayn mumbled while crouching behind me. With a shake of her head Katie walked out of the living room not at all surprised see us.
“No offense Zayn, but Pez is about to fail miserably.” She commented as Eleanor and Aerial exchanged a knowing look while Perrie babbled on.
“Do you want to try my ring on?” She suddenly asked causing Justice to look at her with scrunched eyebrows and a wrinkled nose.
“Crashing,” Katie hissed standing with her arms folded across her chest.
“Why would I do that Pez?” Justice questioned sounding every bit as confused as I was becoming.
Zayn rubbed a hand down his face, “She’s not going to have a reason mate.” He predicted.
We watched as his fiancée fumbled for words like a fish gulping for water. “I, uh, you, uh, be-because! Because you told me that you thought it was pretty.” She offered as way of explanation. Eleanor’s eyes widened as Aerial squinted her eyes. Louis placed a hand over his mouth to keep from saying anything and Niall blinked rapidly.
“I’m going for a beer,” the Irish lad eventually muttered while standing up and walking out of the room.
Justice wore an amused expression as she fought her smile. “That doesn’t mean that I should try it on.”
“Are you sure?” Perrie countered cocking her head to the left.
“I’m sure. Thanks anyways Pez.” Justice nodded.
“And here’s the burn.” Katie commented.
“B-but, but…oh forget it.” Perrie threw up her hands walking out of the room.
Katie gave a sarcastic slow clap. “Real smooth Perrie.”
The blonde clenched her fists at her sides. “I’m no good under pressure Katherine!” She argued.
Katie rolled her eyes. “Watch and learn.” She instructed us all while walking into the living room, taking a seat by her best friend, and pulling her opal ring off of her finger. “Jay try this on.”
“Why?” Justice questioned not sounding nearly as confused as she had been when talking to Perrie.
“I’m thinking about getting us friendship rings and need to know your ring size.” Katie lied as explanation. Justice shrugged, took the ring, and stuck it on her finger. “Hmm, it’s a little too big. What is your ring size?” She questioned.
“An eight,” Justice responded. Katie smirked rising to her feet while Eleanor pulled her into conversation.
“And that’s how you do it.” The red head boasted once back in the corridor.
“Now you just have to distract her tomorrow while you all shop for the ring.” Zayn commented standing to his full height. We all nodded.
“How?” Perrie wondered aloud. “Sophia’s busy and everyone else will be helping. I could ask Leigh or-” She paused with a wide grin on her lips. As if the thought hit us all at once, we all turned to Zayn with expectant smiles that mirrored his fiancée’s.
“What?” His voice was filled with suspicion. None of us spoke. “No. No! NO!”
“Please mate,” I begged.
He groaned, “What would we even do? No offense Harry, but I basically know nothing about her.”
Katie rolled her eyes, “So get to know her.”
“How?” Zayn snapped realizing that he didn’t have much choice her. We all paused trying to come up with something.
I snapped my fingers as an idea hit. “She’s wants to go get the design she just finished tattooed on her. You can take her.” I suggested a little too loudly, because Perrie used her hand to cover my mouth while Katie shushed me.
Zayn pondered over the suggestion for moment before dramatically rolling his eyes and pushing past us. “Hey Justice!” He called hiding his reluctance. “Want to go with me tomorrow get some body art?” He questioned.
“Do you think she’ll go for it?” Perrie questioned.
Katie shrugged, “If not he could always sing R&B to her. She loves his ‘urban voice’.” She spoke sounding bored with the situation. Thankfully it didn’t come to that as one of my best lads convinced the woman I love to join him for an inked excursion.
~~*~~
The next morning I woke before Justice so that I could meet Perrie, Katie, Aerial, and Eleanor before we went looking for the ring. She was in deep sleep and I knew that Zayn wouldn’t be showing up until around noon. That gave us a two hour head start.
“Okay, Harry, do you at least know the general design?” Aerial questioned when the four of us were gathered in the parking lot.
“Ideally, I know we’re looking for a platinum band with a purple stone.” I responded. This I had picked up from bits and pieces of conversations with Justice.
Katie pursed her lips, “I’m pretty sure she said silver band, not platinum.” My shoulders shrugged carefree. “Of course you would go overboard. No wonder she asks you for nothing.” She mumbled.
Eleanor shook her head, “Alright we need to split up. If we break into teams and look for the ring, we’ll get done sooner.”
“And I don’t think Zayn can distract her for long.” Perrie added. “The group not including Harry can send pictures of the rings they find.” She suggested.
I nodded my head in agreement. “Sounds good to me.”
“Great, so Harry, Perrie, and Katie you are group one and Aerial and I will be group two.” Eleanor decided. We all nodded breaking apart for two seconds before Aerial halted us.
“Is it a good idea putting the two most noticeable people in the same group?” She questioned eying Perrie and myself.
Katie shook her head. “Let’s make it me, Perrie, and Aerial with Harry and Eleanor.” She suggested.
“Great,” Perrie chirped and once again we all parted ways. We were due back in time for dinner at six which gave us quite a few hours to find the right ring.
~~*~~
*Jay’s P.O.V*
I woke up alone in bed. That was strange. Even if Harry woke up before me, he always stayed in the bed playing with my hair and humming a song.” I didn’t waste much time thinking about it however as I pushed back the white covers and got out of the bed. Groggily I made my way to the bathroom for a hot shower. In an hour I was dressed and ready for my day. I went to ask Aerial if she wanted to join my tattoo excursion, but no one answered my knock on their room door leaving me to wonder where everyone was. I didn’t get to wonder long since I got a message from Zayn saying that he was in the lobby. Funny, I didn’t know he had my number. Perrie must have given it to him.
“Hey,” we greeted each other with smiles and hugs. “Thanks for doing this. I have no idea where everyone keeps running off to.” I spoke as we walked to the waiting car in the back of the hotel.
Zayn waved off his gesture. “It’s cool. I’ve been wanting some new ink, but Louis is waiting and Liam is in trouble with his mum.” He explained. “Where’s your design?” He questioned.
“Oh,” I opened my large tote fetching the white sheet of paper where I had drew the detailed feather that would now be on my foot. I show it to him with a proud smile. I wasn’t the best artist, but I tried.
Zayn examined it and nodded. “This is nice. You drew it yourself?” I nodded silently answering his question. “Wow, Harry never said you were an artist.” He responded.
I shrugged, “I’m not. I just doodle from time to time.”
Zayn snorted, “Yeah okay.” His voice was filled with sarcasm.
“Anyways, where are we going?” I questioned as we passed by various sites.
Zayn chuckled, “You’ll see.” He relaxed into the seat as we continued on. I thought it was hilarious that he didn’t like to drive and rather use a car service. I’m not sure how long the drive lasted before we pulled up to what appeared to be a living complex. “We’re here.” Zayn clapped his hands together.
“Where…?” I murmured as we got out of the car and walked into the guarded building. Imagine my surprise when the door that Zayn freaking Malik knocked on was answered by none other than a smiling Ed Sheeran. My steps paused as I stood in the doorway with pursed lips. “You mean to tell me that Ed is going to do my tattoo?” I pondered aloud. They both chuckled as Zayn pushed me inside. To no one’s surprise Ed’s living room had been transformed into a miniature tattoo parlor of sorts.
“Have a seat,” Ed motioned to the designated chair while holding his hand out for the design. “You want this on your foot?” He questioned after he had been studying the drawing for at least two minutes.
I nodded, “Is it not possible?” Doubt laced my words.
“Yeah it is.” Ed responded. “You wanna try?” He asked Zayn who was all for it.
My eyes narrowed, “Um, I’m not sure about this.”
“Relax, I’ve done a few tattoos before.” Zayn assured me.
Once again the freaking ginger chuckled. “He did fine on Harry.” I gave him a look questioning rather that was supposed to reassure me. Zayn was readying the supplies. “He’s not bad honestly.” Ed promised.
“Deep breath, yeah?” Zayn warned me while holding the gun in his hand. I inhaled sharply as he pierced the skin on my foot. What made me think this was a good idea? Foot tattoos were always rumored to be the most painful and now I knew why.
“Don’t pass out. I don’t want to explain that to Harry.” Ed joked lightly although his faced showed that he was pretty concerned.
~~*~~
*Harry’s P.O.V*
I shook my head while Face Timing Aerial as she showed me a ring they found at a jewelers in a popular shopping complex. It wasn’t the right choice. It was too ordinary. Subconsciously I knew that Justice would be happy with whatever I got her, but I wanted it to be something that fit her larger than life personality.
“We’ll keep trying.” Katie promised before the video chat ended.
“You could just consult a private jeweler.” Eleanor suggested. She was right. “Although either way I feel like you’re going to make this ring the most special piece of jeweler.”
My whole face seemed to heat up as I looked around. “I love her. No, I’m in love with her. I feel like she’s the most special woman in the world and I just want this moment to be perfect.”
My longtime friend wore a cheesy smile with twinkling eyes. “She’s awfully lucky to have you.”
“Let’s hope she feels that way and says yes when I ask her.”
“She will!” Eleanor proclaimed. “How could she not? It’s so obvious that’s smitten with you.”
“Thank you for doing this.”
She shrugged, “What are friends for?”
~~*~~
*Jay’s P.O.V*
xlivelovemusic: New body art designed by myself and perfected by @niazkilam with help from the Ginger one.
I posted the photo of my completed foot tattoo an hour and a half later. Although my foot was now red with a bit of swelling. Still seeing the feather that had clouded my thoughts so much permanently on my right foot made me smile.
“It’s perfect. Thanks guys.” I spoke gratefully to them both with a wide grin. “What’s next?” I questioned since Zayn decided that he wasn’t getting more ink today. He whipped out his cell phone type a quick message to whomever and groaning they replied. His face scrunched in concentration as he typed another message to who I assumed was the same person. I glanced towards Ed.
“Where’s Harry? I thought he would have shown up by now.” He questioned.
I scratched the back of my neck, “Um… He’s-”
“Busy helping El. Louis wants to go laser tagging.” Zayn cut in with an announcement.
“Let’s do it!” I cheered feeling excited. I loved laser tag albeit I did suck. I have awful hand-eye coordination with blinding sun and it only got worse in the dark. Add that to other people shooting at you and well it was no wonder I never made it very far.
~~*~~
*Harry’s P.O.V*
“Okay I told Louis to text Zayn about laser tag. That should give us another hour.” Eleanor announced as I frowned at the arrangement of engagement rings the sales representative had laid out for us to view.
“Alright, I really didn’t think it would take this long.” I responded looking away from the rings.
“That private jeweler is sounding better and better as the minutes pass.” Eleanor responded glancing around the jewelry store.
I nodded roughly, “How did Zayn do this?” I grumbled. We continued to look for at least another hour before Perrie called squealing excitedly claiming that she had found a ring so great a picture would not do it justice (hehe justice). She demanded that we come find at a popular jewelers in central London. “On the way.” I agreed motioning for Eleanor. When we arrived, Perrie was talking animatedly to a female sales representative while Katie gave an approving nod and Aerial clapped excitedly. It must be a great ring. I thought to myself as I approached.
“Here it is!” Perrie pulled my hand in the correct direction. My eyes zeroed in on the ring and a smile pulled at my lips. “It’s perfect, right?” She questioned sounding sure of herself. It was nearly perfection. The platinum band holding the princess cut purple diamond in place with small diamond crystals embedded into the top of the band on either side of the main stone.
“It’s great I think I’ll just get more added around the purple stone.” I commented feeling excited to have finally found what I was looking for.
“More diamonds?” Aerial questioned with her eyebrows drawn together. I nodded my head.
“Do you really think it needs more?” Katie questioned. “I know my friend can be over the top, but not that over the top.” She added. I ignored her.
~~*~~
*Jay’s P.O.V*
I should have known from the devious smile on Louis’s face that a traitorous defeat was in my future. Yet I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I believed that he would uphold our alliance and now here I am defeated and lonely. Okay maybe not lonely since there are other losers, but you get the point.
“I can’t believe you shot me.” I repeated for the fifth time are we changed from the gear into our own clothing.
Louis sassed me with a shrug. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t?”
“Yes!” I replied frustrated that he assumed I would play dirty like him.
“Never trust the Doncaster lad in a competition.” Zayn advised.
My eyes rolled involuntarily, “It’s a little too late for that now.” I mumbled while pulling out my cell phone and checking for notifications. Besides a bunch of social media stuff (people liking and commenting on my new Instagram picture) there was nothing else. Where was Harry? Where was Aerial? Where was Katie? Why were they so busy that none of them had contacted me?
“I need food.” Zayn whined.
“We’re close to that place with lime chicken that Liam keeps going on about.” Louis suggested. We all agreed, hopped into his car, and rode along. This was strange, hanging out with these two without anyone else. It was most random day of my life, but neither of them seemed phased by it. When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw a Range Rover that looked awfully like Harry’s parked outside of the super expensive jewelry store across the street in the upscale shopping complex. As I turned to comment on it, Zayn and Louis exchanged a wide eyed look before Louis quickly ushered me out of the car and into the restaurant while Zayn claimed to be starving to death.
~~*~~
*Harry’s P.O.V*
“Get down!” Katie ordered while yanking me behind a trashcan as we were walking out of the jeweler’s.
“What are they doing here? I told Zayn to keep her away from all jewelry shops.” Perrie wondered aloud as we saw Zayn, Louis, and Justice get out of Louis’s vehicle and make their way to the restaurant across the street. Justice wore a smile frown while glancing at her mobile.
“Maybe I should go say hi. I haven’t seen her all day.” I suggested attempting to rise to my feet.
“No!” Aerial snapped. “If she sees you, then she’ll see that blue bag in your hand and wonder what you bought.” She reminded me gaining nods of agreement.
“Bu-” I began to protest.
“What if we secure the ring in Harry’s car and then go in, separately, to the restaurant and join them?” Eleanor suggested. We all agreed, stood to our feet, and the ladies let out a collective groan. “Oh why would they choose an outside table?” Eleanor questioned as Perrie shook her head and Katie slapped a hand on her forehead.
“This just go unnecessarily harder.” Katie commented sounding disappointed.
I shrugged, “We can sneak to the car.”
“You? Sneak?” She questioned. “You can’t walk in a straight line.” She turned to Aerial. “Let’s distract while these two try to get him to his car in one piece.” She suggested.
“Let’s do it.” Aerial agreed in an unusual deep voice as set out towards the restaurant.
~~*~~
*Jay’s P.O.V*
“Hey guys!” Katie cheered as she randomly appeared with my younger sister.
“Where did you guys come from?” I wondered aloud attempting to look back over my shoulder before Katie Aerial pushed my head forward aggressively. “Bitch,” I mumbled rubbing the back of my head. Within five minutes Eleanor and Perrie appeared with their own excited grins proclaiming to have been on their way for shopping when they spotted us.
“What a coincidence? Isn’t that a coincidence Zayn?” Louis spoke in a strange voice causing me to look at him suspiciously but he avoided all eye contact.
“Mind if I join?” That voice I knew all too well spoke moments later instantly making me smile while Zayn let out a startled gasp.
“Harold what are you doing here?” He questioned in a very feminine voice. Perrie tightly pursed her lips and pinched his arm while Harry ignored the question and took a seat to my right. I sat there silently chewing my bottom lip wondering what obvious thing I was missing. Clearly they were all hiding something and I wanted to know what it was.
“Let’s go to Disney World for New Years!” Perrie suggested excitedly. There were various sounds of agreement and a conversation broke out about traveling and the stay. It was all a part of their cover up. Their cover up for what? That I did not know, but I would find out.

Notes