All Hidden Away

After a full day spent being cared for by four fake punk rockers and my brother’s band I was finally deemed worthy enough to not have to stay inside. I was feeling better and decided I needed to have a catch up with Stu, Jared and Mish.
“Hazzaa?” I say running down the stairs in a pair of joggers and a hoodie I found in my room - but have no idea who it belongs to.
“Yeah?” I hear him shout from the kitchen and go in seeing him and a couple of the others sitting down having some second breakfasts.
“You know I spoke to Mish the other day, and she says she is really missing her older brother…” I say smiling.
He looks up and smiles back.
“Oh no… something will have to be done about that…” he says smiling.
“Yeah, and Stu and Jared are celebrating their first two weeks together on Saturday, and Jared has some work for me…”
“And?” he says still smiling with raised eyebrows and a smirk.
“Well, you see, you and the guys are great… but-” he cuts across me.
“Yes, we can have them over for dinner.” He says smiling at me before turning to Ashton who is to his left. “When is your interview?” he asks. I zone out slightly but I think he said it was on Friday afternoon. I stick my hands into the pockets of the hoody. Its cold out today even for May.
“OI! CALUM! I found the hoody thief!” screams Mikey coming into the kitchen and pulling me into an embrace.
“What?” I ask laughing as he starts to swivel me around.
“This hoodie is property of Mr Hood.” Says Calum coming into the kitchen and folding his arms.
“Then why was it in my room?” I ask before Michael starts walking me towards Cal.
“Yes… why was your hoody in my sister’s room?” asks Niall laughing and stepping up to come help me. He stands next to Michael obviously about to start his saving tactics. Michael picks me up and swings me around so that Niall is now facing me.
“Really? First Hoody’s hoodie thief and now human shield? Gee thanks! Feeling the love.” I say to Michael rolling my eyes.
“Eh, self-preservation.” He says laughing. Niall laughs his laugh that always causes me to laugh. A small giggle escapes me before he lunges for me and pulls me and Michael into a tight embrace.
“EW! HUMAN AFFECTION!” I scream loudly. Everyone carries on talking and soon Calum has also joined us.
“CUDDLES!” he says shoving his head next to mine, wrapping his long arms around me and Michael.
“WHAT? WHERE!?” I hear Luke scream from upstairs. Heavy footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.
“Luke wait! NO don’t!” says Michael before Luke is coming around and squishing us all harder. I can’t help but laugh.
“And people say you’re punk rock…” I say before slightly toppling over. “Okay… but seriously… let go…” I say after no one starts to move I try squirming out but that doesn’t help much either. “I will never make anyone my chocolate cookies…” I eventually say.
“NOOOOOO!!!!” whines Niall. “Guys, this is serious… they are the best.” He says looking around but neither Luke, Mike nor Cal move.
“They cannot be better than Luke’s mums…” says Calum. Well I think that’s what he says, his face is squished against my shoulder.
“Does your mum put brandy, dark and milk chocolate with caramel and Nutella in it?” I ask Luke teasingly. Everyone freezes or a second.
“Guys…” says Michael. “Those sound way better than cuddles…” Suddenly everyone lets go and I laugh as I can regain feeling in my sides. I smile more before turning to them.
“You guys wouldn’t mind meeting my friends would you? Jared and Stu are the guys I live with and I’m praying Stu wont freak out, he’s a big fan… but in sure he’ll be fine… and then there’s Mish, who I’ve been best friends with since junior school… but she’s also really cool and so I was thinking -”
“Is she hot?” asks Calum as we move to the lounge.
“YES BUT VERY OFF LIMMITS!” screams Harry from the kitchen. I laugh.
“I swear he’s more protective of her than me…” I say smiling as I sit in between Cal and Luke. My phone vibrates and I hear Luke’s vibrate as well while the boys fight over playing Mario Cart. I pull it out of Calum’s hoody and see it’s an email from Claire. I groan and through my head against the cushions.
I open it to see it reads.

To Luke and Natasha

Congratulations on a good first date. Slightly disappointed about the kiss, but it will eventually have to happen…

I’m not sure if you have been informed but there is an awards show on Friday (in three days) you are all expected at. Natasha I do expect you to go with Luke and look like a presentable couple. There will be a lot of press and pressure to have the correct image. I will email you again later to discuss plans but please be prepared to go shopping with Lou later today for an appropriate dress. Luke, I would like you to attend as well please. Hold hands and act like we have previously discussed. Look like you are enjoying it.

I will be around later to discuss certain aspects of this agreement not yet finalised. And then again on Thursday morning to discuss Friday. I will also inform Anne, Harry and security about the shopping trip today. Other members of both bands are encouraged to go to show that Natasha is loved by them.

Luke there is also a radio interview on Friday morning that you should already know about. I will discuss with you and the boys what needs to be said and what not to discuss.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind regards,
Claire.

I turn my head to see Luke still reading but frowning and pouting slightly with disgust.
“Really?” he says looking at me pulling a funny face.
“What?” asks Ashton leaning over to look at my phone. I show him and he shows Michael who goes all fake Malabo on us.
“Oh Em GEE! Gies, lake we can go shoppin en shiiiittt. This is so totally fantastically amazeballs!” he says waving his hand in the air and opening his mouth really wide. I smile at him but feel the nerves about having to attend such a big event.
“So excited…” I mumble.
“What’s going on in here?” asks Louis walking in and leaning against the door.
“New job assignment from the devil.” I say standing and walking over to him. I show him the email.
“You? Enjoy shopping? I thought you were like allergic to it?” he asks smiling down before handing me back my phone.
“Yeah well, at this moment and time I don’t even have a name so…” I say walking back over to my seat which has been occupied by Calum’s legs. I look at him and he smiles but doesn’t move. I shake my head and sit on the floor. I put my elbows on my knees and rest my head in my hands.
“Okay, so plans for a dinner on Friday with Mish and the boys fails…” I say sighing.
“Yeah, but what about Thursday?” says Luke sitting down next to me on the floor.
“The boys are still studying, but mish is off… I don’t know if they can…but I’ll ask”
I pull out my phone. I check the time and see its just before eleven. I message everyone and say that we can’t chill on Friday, but that they are welcome to come around for tomorrow dinner if they could. I get an immediate response from Mish and Jared confirming it. Stu and Mish get along great but Jared and Mish haven’t met yet.
“Hazz? Is it alright if they come around tomorrow for supper?” I shout waiting for a response.
“YES!” he screams from the kitchen before I hear a plate fall and people uttering swear words.
“See…” says Luke smirking.
“Shut up…” I say pushing him slightly. We sit around and chill for what is left of the morning. I go see Harry and show him the email. He doesn’t seem too fazed, just worried about what Lou will make me wear.
“Ni? Would you go with them?” He asks turning to the boy in the fridge. He sticks his head out and nods.
“Why?” I ask sitting down next to my big brother.
“I’m just… nervous…” says Harry.
“About?” I ask.
“That stupid black dress she put you in as a joke…” he mumbles. I try to not giggle at his over protectiveness.
“Hazz, do you not trust me?” He shakes his and looks down at his hands.
“I just, want you to be comfortable, you know?” he says sadly. I nod knowing it’s not just the dress he is talking about. Lou comes over and stands between us.
“Don’t look so glum! It’ll be alright… according to Claire that is.” I frown.
“I don’t want to have to change anything…” I say awkwardly.
“Then don’t…” says Luke coming to join us at the table. I look at him and he shrugs.
“What is the chance someone will realise you’re Harry’s sister?” he asks raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah but… like… there is a chance…?” I say frowning.
“Chat to Claire, didn’t they talk about cutting your hair or something to make everything less obvious?” I tense at the thought of cutting my hair. I’ve hated haircuts for as long as I can remember.
“Yeah, maybe…” I say frowning. I hear the doorbell ring.
He smiles softly as Harry gets up to answer the door.
“Tasha, don’t stress… I promised you this will be fun and I’m not going to break that promise.” I don’t respond, desperately wanting to tell him to not make promises he cannot keep.
A few seconds of slightly awkward silence later, in walks Claire and Lou and I know this is either going to be good… or very, very bad.

Notes