The Misfits

A full week had passed since I had first arrived at my father’s house and I was now counting down the days until the girls visited. I had been going bored out of my mind for the past seven days and thankfully my father agreed to let my friends come down and stay for a bit. I had hung out with the boys a few more times, much to my father’s dismay.

We hadn’t talked about the fight we had a few days ago, actually we pretended it didn’t even happen. I knew it hadn’t been fair to call him out on leaving my mom and I, but I guess the truth was I had never really forgiven him.

“You comin Lil’s?” My dad asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Right behind you!” I called, grabbing my bag and following him out the door.

We were headed to Leicester for One Directions charity football game. We would be picking up Harry and Liam on the way and staying two nights at a hotel in town. I climbed into the back seat laid down, using my bag as a pillow. My dad let out a laugh as I plugged my earphones in returned the smile.

-

“Babe. Babe, wake up.

I ignored him.

“Thalia!”

“Shh!”

“Talia move over!”

“No.”

“Thalia…”

“Not happening Styles.”

“Fine.”

I felt my head being lifted up as Harry slid into the car before gently replacing my head, this time on his lap. The boys and I had formed a weird bond over the past week and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it yet.

“You’re leg’s comfy,” I whispered. I heard a snicker and opened an eye to see Liam sitting up front. When did he get here?

“Go back to sleep Laine.”

I closed my eyes again and quickly drifted off. The next thing I knew Harry was gently shaking me awake. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, looking out the window with a frown.

“Thal we’re there.”

“What time is it?” I got up slowly and slid out of the car, pulling my sweatshirt closer to me as the air hit my skin.

“Nearly time for supper,” Harry chuckled as my dad handed me my bag.

“They want us down for a dinner at 7pm,” My dad said as we stepped into the lobby. Surprisingly there were no paparazzi around.

“What the dress code for dinner?” I quizzed.

“Semi-formal.”

The boys groaned as we got our room keys and headed for the elevator. We all were in the same hall and each of them, thankfully, had their own room. My dad handed me my key and I quickly stumbled into the room with my duffle bag and fell onto the bed. It was just after five meaning I had time for a quick shower before I had to get ready.

Groaning, I got up to turn the water on. After sleeping all day in the car I felt gross, not to mention there were going to be a lot of important people there to night so I might as well try and look my best. The hot water helped to calm my nerves slightly, though I still felt giddy. Before the boys I had never met anyone remotely famous before and it still catches me off guard when fans bombard them.

I covered myself in a fluffy white towel and while wrapping my hair up in another smaller one. Now, what to wear? I began digging through my duffle bag to see my options when I was stopped by a knock at the door.

“What’s up?” I opened the door and headed back to my duffle bag as 3/5 of One Direction walked in.

“Damn Thal,” Niall laughed as he flopped onto my bed. “Nice outfit.”

“Thanks Ni, I was planning on this for the dinner. Think it’s alright?”

“Yes but I think your dad would disagree,” laughed Liam, while Harry added, “He’d probably pummel us if he knew we were looking at you right now.”

“Then it’ll be our little secret,” I winked at them before disappearing into the bathroom to change. “How come you guys aren’t down there now? Niall isn’t this like your thing?”

“I don’t want to be gettin’ in the way. I’ll be down there before it starts.” I could practically hear him shrugging his shoulders. “Thal, I think you’re bed is comfier than mine.”

“Nu uh!” I heard Liam yell followed by a thud and a few groans.

“You idiots better not be breaking my bed!” I called, peaking out of the bathroom to see Harry, Niall, and Liam piled on my bed.

“Calm down you worry wart,” laughed Harry.

Liam gasped. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo!”

I looked down and realized I was standing in only my underwear. I quickly jumped back into the bathroom.

“I knew ya did!” Niall yelled proudly, while Harry smirked, “We knew you had a belly piercing too.”

“Hmm and why is that I wonder? Oh yeah! Because you undressed me when I was drunk!”

“We did not!” Yelled Niall. “You stripped before we could stop ya!”

I stuck my hand out the door and flipped them off. I always forgot about my tattoo I had running down my right side until someone pointed it out. A group of flowers started on my hip and intertwined with leaves only to end a few inches below my shoulder. Once I was fully clothed I stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed two pairs of shoes.

“Alright. Heels or no heels?”

“Heels.”

“Heels.”

“Flats.” Harry and Liam turned to Niall with frowns on their faces. He gave them a shrug, “Wha? I don’t like bein’ shorter.”

“Aw. Poor little leprechaun,” I laughed. I slipped on the heels I had brought and spun around for them. “Is this an okay thing to wear to a charity dinner where there will be dozens of famous people?”

“You look lovely Lil’s,” smiled Harry.

“We should probably head down.” Liam said, checking his phone. “Lou and the girls just go here.”

“Perrie and El?” I frowned, quickly throwing on some make-up.

“No El and Soph. You can finally meet her!”

“Finally!” I said, throwing a fist pump. Liam has been talking non-stop about his girlfriend Sophia and I still hadn’t met her yet.

“Then let’s go! Come on babe ya look fine.”

“Niall, I’m meeting famous people tonight. Fine isn’t gonna cut it.” I said shooting him a glare through the mirror.

“And what about us? You don’t get dolled up for us,” laughed Harry. I set my make-up down and grabbed my clutch.

“You lot don’t count.”

I followed them out of the room and into the elevator. My nerves were beginning to resurface and when we hit the ground level I could feel myself shaking. Harry took my hand and I instantly felt better. I followed them down the hall and off into a side room. A few tables had been put together, with food set out against the wall. As we entered the elegant space we were handed glasses of champagne and I immediately felt out of place.

“Lads!” Louis waved at us from across the dining hall and we quickly made out way over, loosing Niall to an old couple along the way. Liam’s arm snaked around a beautiful brunette while Louis smiled up at us, “I was beginning to think you deserted me!”

“You? Never.” Harry laughed.

“Thalia!” Liam caught my arm and I turned to the couple. “Thalia this is Sophia, Soph this is Thalia.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you!” I said, pulling her into a hug, which she may have been caught off guard with. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Nice to meet you! I’ve heard some stories about you as well.”

I shot Liam a look and then turned back to Sophia, “Well it looks like Liam’s been talking behind both of our backs!”

“We’ll get him back later,” she smiled.

“What?” Cried Liam, a frown forming as he looked in between us. Sophia broke into a smile and he pulled her closer. I couldn't help but admire how adorable they were.

“Lia!” I turned in time so see Niall link his arm with mine. “Come and meet some famous people.”

“Niall I—”

“Olly!” He ignored me and pulled me up to Olly Murs, another famous singer. “Ya ready fer tomorrow bud?”

“Oh yeah! We’re gonna kick some ass,” he said, giving Niall a hug. “And hello, what’s your name?”

“Olly this is Thalia, Thal I present to ya the amazin’ Olly Murs,” Niall said, patting his arm on Olly’s back.

“Why didn’t I get an introduction like that?” I asked Niall, causing Olly to let out a loud laugh. I turned my attention back to him, “Am I allowed to ask for a hug?”

“You’re allowed to ask but I don’t know if I’ll give one.”

Now it was Niall’s turn to laugh.

“Oh come on Olly, I thought we were supposed to be charitable!” I countered. Olly nodded and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Where in the world did you find this one?” Olly asked Niall as Harry appeared at my side.

“I dunno,” Niall shrugged. “I woke up one mornin’ and she was makin’ me breakfast.”

We all burst into laughter and I had to lean on Harry for support.

“It’s-it’s not how it s-sounds!” I managed to get out in between laughs.

“Oh really? I don’t believe you love! Not a word!”

“It’s actually their fault!” I said, attempting to regain my breathing. “I came downstairs last week and they were all in my house!”

“What?” Olly gaped.

“That’s true.” Niall giggled, while Harry added, “We did kind of bombard you didn’t we?”

“Yeah, just a bit,” I said, failing at keeping a smile off my face.

We continued to talk to Olly and the guys even introduced me to a few more people throughout the night. Like the hospitable gentlemen they are, they didn’t leave me alone once, making sure I was either with them or one of the girls the entire night. I think they could tell how nervous I was. It was so odd to see them all interacting so casually. They’re fame didn’t matter here; it was just a bunch of old friends coming together to play some football.

Before we turned in for the night El and Sophia pulled me aside and asked if I would sit with them tomorrow at the game. I gratefully accepted, glad that the girls were letting me into their little circle. I quickly texted Maeve about all the events that had taken place before going to bed. These past seven days had felt like a crazy adventure. Who could have known a week ago that I now considered those five idots as my brothers?

Notes

rawr.