"Come in!" I called, suddenly panicking at the very early arrival of who I assumed was Louis. I was nowhere near ready, having just come out of the shower and put on my outfit for the double-date.

I heard the door open and shut, without a word from him. He called out my name, but it didn't sound like him.

"I'm in my bedroom, I'll be ready in a little bit." I replied. Footsteps were heard all the way to my door, and my guest knocked softly.

"Come in..." I rolled my eyes. He was always so impatient. I was dressed, after all. I started to towel-dry my hair when anyone but Louis stepped inside.

"Niall? What are you doing here?" I asked, momentarily forgetting the fact that I had a situation going on with him.

"I came over to explain myself... and apologize. I'm sorry. I should've told you and-"

"It's fine. It's in the past, and so is whatever 'we' were. I put it together myself, anyway." I decided, setting in stone that I didn't want anything to do with loving him anymore.

"I don't want us to end on this note. I want to tell you the whole story... I don't want you to assume that I just didn't give you a chance." he sounded sincere, and I turned to look at him.

"It's kind of hard not to think like that, Niall." I started. "I've gotten to know you a lot since we've met, and I can tell that you're not the kind of person to act like that. However, I don't know how you act with a romantic mindset. You obviously still have a place in your heart for Elsie, which I can understand. She seems... charming. But if you loved me, and moved on, so can I. I don't need an explanation or apology." I breathed, noticing I felt a little angry, and took a deep breath as I continued to tend to my damp hair.

"But you deserve one. I am in the wrong 100%, and I do care about you. I still love you... I just don't know if I ever loved you romantically." he said hesitantly. That hit me hard, after what we shared? Even if it was only one night?

"I admit, I was bored without someone to love. I was blinded by lust, and made a wrong decision concerning how I should handle it. I missed Elsie, and I wanted that feeling back. I realized that I wanted Elsie, or someone that could just love my fully and completely."

"What do you think that night was for me? An experiment? I did love you Niall. I don't know if I still do, because there's some obstacles in the way of finding that out." I spat out, immediately regretting it.

"I knew I wasn't your choice. I remembered the fact that I had to win you over. You love that lad from school. I'm not used to that. I'm not used to competing for someone's love. I felt like everything I was doing was wrong, and I just wanted the sex. I know I sound like a freak, and I was at the time. I'm so sorry Em. I don't know what I can do." he sounded as if he were about to cry, and I almost felt bad for him, but I didn't dare show it.

"You know what you can do?"

He looked up from his head in his hands, waiting for a comclusion.

"You can love Elsie the way I thought you loved me for the rest of eternity, and never treat her like you treated me. I have to get ready to go somewhere, goodbye Niall." I finished off quickly, turning to my dresser when I felt a familiar tingle in my eyes.

He didn't say a word, but I heard him exit the room. Before he left, another knock at the door echoed through the small flat, and Niall answered the door. There was a pause, but Niall said one last thing before he left.

"I don't know if you're that guy she would talk about. That's not even important at this point. Just don't treat her the way I did." he said, not trying to hide the occcasional sniffle or crack in his voice. I heard nothing else until the door shut, and then a knock on my already-opened door.

"You ok?" Lou whispered, keeping his distance. My back was facing him, and I was staring down at the little pairs of earrings and bracelets that were scattered before me on the dresser.

"I'll be fine." I said, intending to sound normal, but my heart told me otherwise.

"Oh Em." Lou cooed, hurrying over to help me in a hug. I just let the silent tears slip out as he rubbed my back, not caring if my still wet hair got on his shirt.

"We don't have to go tonight. It's not that big of a deal. If you want, I can pick up some food for you. Or do you want to be alone? I understand. I can do whatever." he suggested, pulling back for only a second to see my facial response.

"No, no. I want to go." I wiped my eyes, straightening back up and clearing my throat.

"Are you sure? I haven't picked up the others yet, and there's still time to cancel. It's ok if you need time."

"Really. I want to go. I need to get my mind off things, and I miss my friends." I smiled a bit, assuring him I would be alright.

Judging by his reaction, he didn't buy it, but nodded his head in agreement.

"I'll be out there when you're ready. Don't worry, we still have plenty of time." I watched him walk out, eyes lingering where he used to be. How did I get to be blessed with friends that cared so much?

I put on the usual touch of makeup, and prepared my purse as usual. My outfit was light and flowery, a feeling I hadn't felt since my date with Niall. I hoped that would change soon. I took the blow dryer to my hair and styled it carelessly, letting loose curls cascade down. I felt like one of those chocolate bunnies; I looked great on the outside, but was absolutely hollow on the inside.

Deciding this was the best it could get, I walked out with Louis without saying a word.

~~

Fortunately, the double date wasn't as awkward as the ride there. When we all sat down, we indulged in the food (who knew Louis could make such delicious sandwiches?) and started to tell stories. We were there for hours, I don't know how long, and I no doubt felt better, as the remedy of laughter usually makes one feel. Twilight was approaching quicker than normal, and we were packing up to leave.

"Excuse me, I need to freshen up before we go." I announced before heading off to the restroom across the park. I walked in, making sure no makeup had been running from one or two tears of extreme laughter, and smiled at the recent memory. When I was ready to leave, I saw Louis waiting outside for me.

"You still feeling ok? Because if you're not, your're a stunning actress." he smiled.

"Feeling loads better! And to think you tried to keep me from having such a great time." I joked.

"I'm just glad you're ok. Niall said some words to me, and I didn't even bother punching him with thoughts of you being treated badly. Aren't you proud of me?"

"Very. I don't think you'll be seeing much more of him now, so no more temptations, anyhow."

The subject changed quickly as we walked back to the others. It made me smile, seeing the two getting along.

"You two kids ready?" Lou asked, jingling the keys of his van.

"I guess." Jen giggled, eyes glued on Harry. He seemed to be caught up in her, too, with his smile shining 100 watts. It clicked in my mind that there was certainly chemistry between them, but for some reason, I didn't mind. They looked cute together, and after a series of events leading up to this, a relationship is the last thing I want to be in right now.

It did shock me though, seeing both Harry and Jen get in the back, leaving the passenger seat for me. After all, Jen was Louis' date, and she seemed to ignore him now that she warmed up to Harry. All the way home, we heard the two telling stories in the back seat. It was loud enough for all to hear, and probably intended as a group conversation, but I simply wasn't interested, and I suppose Lou wasn't either. Not that it mattered, because they carried a quite exciting conversation all on their own.

Louis dropped Harry off first, and the ride to Jen's thankfully wasn't long. We managed to make small talk, but nothing nearly as entertaining as minutes ago.

Upon arriving at Jen's, Lou excused himself to walk Jen to her door. The car was parked just so that the garage covered up Louis, but I could see Jen clearly. She turned to him, smiling and starting to say something. I couldn't read what it was, but saw her nodding in agreement at whatever Louis said. This didn't last long, and they hugged each other before Jen stepped in. When Louis arrived, I decided it was my turn to tease him.

"No kiss on the lips, eh? Not even on the cheek?"

"I think you know just as well as I that I'm no longer a variable in her romantic intrests." he chuckled.

"What do you think about it?"

"A little disappointing, but I'll get over it."

"I thought you were going to ask her to be your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, well, I've asked other girls to be my girlfriend. It didn't work out with them, and obviously this one hasn't either. It just means she's not the one for me."

"How do you always look on the brightside?"

"Just the fact to know there is a brightside." he smiled genuinely, eyes on the road.

The remainder of the ride was mostly silent, with the exception of a comment here and there about the date. When we arrived home, Lou proceeded to walk me to my door, as usual.

"I don't know about you, but I had a great time tonight." I smiled, assuring him that Niall was no longer an issue.

"You know... so did I . After all, I might have witnessed the beginning of a perfect relationship right before my eyes."

"I know you'll get through it. You're already halfway there!"

"Yeah, it's just about time we start searching for our perfect relationships, too."

"I'll be taking a break for now. You, however, have a good chance at any of the ladies at school."

"Haven't warmed up to any of them yet. They all seem stuck up."

"You're not exactly lying." I smirked.

"Goodnight, Em." he grinned, pulling me into a hug before leaving.

"Night, Lou." I whispered, hugging him tight before letting go. I unlocked the door, walked in, and looked out the window at Louis getting in his car, pulling out, and driving off.

I guess there always is a brightside.