All Hidden Away

I was happy with my hair, I really was. I loved the purples that turned into blues and aqua colours. Yet was slightly hidden by the hair layered hair on top making it slightly harder to see unless it was swiped to the side. We were in the car on the way to the shops, having some general banter and laughs.
“Well, Mikey… if the band doesn’t work out, I’m sure Lou would hire you.” I say smiling from in-between Luke and him.
“Yeah… maybe, but what about poor Luke over here… his band sucks.” He jokes. I smile.
“Shut up…” Says Luke smiling and rolling his eyes.
“So, Lou? What exactly am I needing to get?” I ask. Niall was sitting next to her and Ash and Cal were in the back. Harry and Louis had decided to not come so we didn’t have to take two cars.
“Well for starters, a dress for Friday night.” She says turning around to look at me. I grimace and make a face causing Luke and Mikey to laugh.
“Not like, that other thing I tried on right?” I beg. She laughs and smiles.
“Not if you don’t want to, but just remember that it is an award show so…” she trails off.
“Harry would kill ye for just thinking of it as an option.” Says Niall smiling at Lou. I nod and look out the window as a good sounding song comes on.
“Oh god!” says Luke.
“No, change it!” protests Michael.
“Agghhh…” the Ashton moan.
“No, it sounds cool.” I protest. Niall turns around. “My girlfriend's bitchin cause I always sleep in...” I hear the words.
“You don’t know who sings this do you?” he asks laughing. I frown and face palm myself wanting to disappear.
“God… okay… sorry…” I mumble as it changes.
“Have you even ever listened to us?” asks Ashton giggling.
“No, not really…” I blush and want to die in a hole.
“She needs to be educated.” Says Cal jokingly. Everyone smiles before we pull up to the first little boutique.

As we step out the car, Luke places his hand on my mid back and we walk forward before someone stops us.
“OH MY GOD!” a girl screams but Ashton soon shushes her, trying to not draw a crowd, and they take photos after which she turns to Luke.
“Is that your girlfriend?” she asks smiling at me. I give an awkward wave as Luke takes my hand in his. He smiles gently before smiling at me.
“Yeah, and we’d love to stay and chat but we need to go do some shopping…” he indicates to the boutique.
“Correction, Luke is making me go shopping.” I say smiling at the girl who couldn’t be older than twelve. She smiles.
“I don’t like shopping either… it’s really boring.” I grin for ear to ear.
“See!” I say laughing and looking at Lou. We slowly walk away and head into the boutique while Cal, Mikey, Niall and Ash get her twitter or whatever she asked for.
“That was really cute.” Says Luke squeezing my hand as Lou disappears quietly. We stand around awkwardly until she pops out of nowhere holding a gown.
“Oh god…no… Lou... no!” I say frowning at her begging for my life. She is holding a short sequined red, tight fit looking dress.
“Come on, I want to see you in it!” I pull a face and Niall and the rest of the guys come inside.
“Oohhh! Pretty.” Says Niall coming to stand next to me. I look at him like he just killed my cat. “Or… or not?” he asks seeing my look.
“Lou please…” I say eyeing it up and down.
“Come on, Tash. It’ll be fun!” says Mike.
“Great! Then you can try it on!” I say crossing my arms and looking at him. The others laugh.
“Lou! Oh my word it has been forever.” An elder woman says jumping out from behind a counter and greeting her. She smiles and they hug.
“How have you been, Bev?” she asks smiling and pulling away.
“Good, nothing to complain about. From your little group I’m guessing it’s the girl we are shopping for today?” she says smiling at me making her crow feet stick out.
“Unfortunately.” I say smiling before extending my hand. “Tasha, nice to meet you.”
“You too my girl. And these are?” indicating to the lads.
“Uh, this is Luke… my-” my voice catches subtly on the words. “Boyfriend, and Ashton, Cal, Michael and Niall… our friends.” I say looking at the boys. she greats them all before turning back to me.
“Okay well let’s get you into this pretty number…” she says taking the dress off a smiling Lou. I shake my head at her but cannot tell this nice lady that I hate the dress. Luke lets go of my hand and I take it as a sign to follow the woman into the dressing room. Lou follows behind while the boys stand around awkwardly.

“I love being able to shop for dresses rather than pants and suits…” says Lou smiling. I nod and walk into the dressing room as Bev puts the dress down on the chair for me. I strip and am about to put it on when I hear the boys outside.
“Are you dressed yet?” asks Michael.
“Yeah, we want to see!” says Cal loudly. I roll my eyes and pull the tight material over my chest and down. I swallow the nerves at seeing basically my entire figure, legs, chest… just everything. It’s not that I’m super self-conscious… no, never mind. That’s exactly it.
“Lou… its shorter than the black one!” I say swallowing awkwardly again as I turn to see it barely covering my bum. I frown and sigh before turning to walk outside.
“If one person makes a single inappropriate comment or wolf whistle they will die.” I hear Niall warn and I laugh slightly nervously, and having four boys I feel like I don’t really know isn’t helping. I feel very uncomfortable in the dress.
“Lou, could… maybe you just pass me the next dress?” I say closing my eyes and hoping for the humiliation to be over. “I feel a bit like a hooker…” I say as she sticks her head around the certain.
“But it looks so nice!” she squeals. I frown as she flings open the certain without my permission. I look down awkwardly.
“Lou… He would kill you.” Says Niall laughing. I blush and refuse to look up.
“I think it looks amazing.” Says Luke smiling. I force a smile and turn to look back in the mirror but frown when I see it.
“I’m sorry but I don’t like the red… or length… or sparkles…” I say lilting my head and making eye contact with Lou who is smiling.
“Yeah… and I think I may just be decapitated if I let you go out like that…” she says sighing regretfully.
You should be in modelling, my girl… really.” Says Bev shaking her head at me. I didn’t think it was possible for me to blush harder than I already was.
“Yeah, I agree.” Says Cal pulling a tongue at me. I roll my eyes and turn back to the little room.
“Wait! Can I take a photo and prank him? Please!?” begs Luke. I turn around with raised eyebrows.
“You will die!” I say laughing as he takes the picture while I go back to change. Pulling on my jeans and t - shirt.



“Okay, so how short are we talking?” asks Bev as we search the rails of dresses.
“I would prefer no higher than mid-thigh… Or long, but I think Lou would kill me if it wasn’t at least showing some leg.” I say looking at her. Lou nods her head and pulls a funny face.
“And what is the occasion?” she asks from in front of me.
“An award show…” I say uncertainly.
“Oh, snazzy… okay so, Luke? What would you like your girlfriend to wear?” she turns to look at Luke who freezes and looks at me, making me want to laugh.
“Uh, I…eh, well…” Michael cuts in.
“Definitely comfortable, but also kind of sexy in that way that’s not too sexy… she needs to look hot but not like a slut.” Says Mikey smiling while still looking at his phone. I turn around and look at him. Ashton giggles.
“She’s not your girlfriend, Michael!” he shrugs and looks at Luke apologetically.
“Really?” I ask laughing.
“Eh… yeah… that.” Says Luke awkwardly shrugging and looking at Bev. I shake my head as she pulls me closer.
“He’s a cutie… keep him around.” I blush at her words and try to not laugh at the lopsided grin Luke is giving me.
“Okay, so there is this one stunning black evening gown… and I say gown because its floor length – sorry Lou – but I think you’ll love it.” She pulls off a couple of items off the rails and ushers me into the change room. I turn to look at the boys.
“Go do something useful and get yourselves some food.” I say smiling. Mikey jumps up and hugs me.
“YOU ARE THE BEST!” he says melodramatically.
“I’ll stay here, but you guys can go.” Says Luke smiling.
“Luke, it’s okay if you want to go? I promise Lou won’t make me dress badly.” I say giggling. He shrugs and takes a seat.
“I want to be here.” He says smiling. I smile back shaking my head and walk into the change room with Lou and Bev.

“And?” asks Lou expectantly as I open the curtain trying to not pull a face at the full cream lace dress I am currently wearing.
“I’m really sorry Bev… but I feel like doily.” I say turning around to face the sweat woman. She laughs.
“The colour is too bland for you… try this one on next.” She says handing me a black dress, the eleventh dress I have tried on today. I walk back in and pull off the cream one. I open up the dress bag and see it’s a short black dress with an open back other than two thin straps crossing over. I smile at the flowing skirt but tight bodice. I pull it on. I love how it shows off the birthmark on my back. A small dark patch just above the two dimples below my spine.
I step out smiling like an idiot.
“I like this one.” I say. Lou stands there nodding her head as does Bev.
“And if you wear simple black stilettoes it’ll look great…” she says before sticking her head outside to call Luke. I look at Lou.
“Does it get the go ahead?” I ask doing a twirl for her.
“I’m not the one who has to say yes…” she teases raising her eyebrows before Luke steps inside. I turn to look at him. His lopsided grin takes over his face.
“Wow…” he says quietly before nodding his head. “Do you like it?” he asks stepping forward to get a better look. I nod and smile almost shyly.
“It looks stunning, babe.” He says before blushing at his choice of words. I laugh nervously.
“Thanks…” I say turning back to the mirror to check it. “Is it not maybe showing too much…?” I ask nervously referring to the almost side boob and open back.
“I don’t think so… The guys have just come back if you want to ask them?” he says smiling before indicating outside. I look nervously at him.
“Uh… okay…?” I say unsure before trying to follow him out. Bev pulls me back.
“Not barefoot you’re not. Just a second.” She runs to a little cupboard I didn’t notice before. “Try these.” She says handing me a pair of red backed black stilettoes. I grimace but put them on and feel tall, just below Luke’s eye level.
“Lead the way, Milady.” He says offering me an arm. I blush, smile and take it.
“Thank you good sir.” I say emphasising my British accent as he walks me out. I look at my feet and concentrate on not falling over in the high heels until we step outside and we walk over to where Mikey, Ash and Cal are sitting on their phones. I stand in front of them and Luke coughs, grabbing their attention. I smile and do a spin.

“What do you think?” I say looking at them smiling. Cal raises his eyebrows slightly and his mouth partially opens into a manic grin. I see Ashton’s pink tongue quickly flick his bottom lip before he giggles slightly, showing off his dimples and Michael cocks his head slightly forward at an angle and shoots me an idiotic smile. I laugh as they stay like that a few seconds before Niall walks in.
“Jees Lads, keep it in your trousers.” He says laughing before turning to me and smiling. He turns his mouth into an upside down frown, raises his eyebrows and starts to nod his head. “I like it… I just don’t like the fact you’re taller than me.” he says laughing. I push his shoulder away playfully.
“So, in agreement?” I ask looking at Luke who quickly lowers his eyes to meet mine. I raise my eyebrow playfully and he runs a hand through his hair and blushes slightly.
“I think so but- ” my phone starts to ring. I look at caller ID and see it is Hazza.
“Hey Harry.”
“If you wear that I will get mum to bring you straight home!” he says sounding stressed. I frown.
“Harry, I haven’t even shown you-” I say confused before Luke shows me the pic he took earlier. “Oh! God! Gees Hazz! That was Luke pocking a bit of fun at you! I’ll get Luke to send you a pic of the one I’ve just chosen. And if you can choose what I wear then I forbid you to wear one of those god awful flower suits!” I say causing Niall to laugh manically.
“But those are stylish!” he protests. I raise my eyebrows.
“Harry… no.” I say simply. I hear him sigh.
“Fine fine fine… Promise. What time will you be home?” he asks. I pull my phone away and see it is already past four.
“Soon I think.” I say shrugging.
“Okay, because we need to change plans a bit but we can talk about it after.” I frown.
“Yeah, okay. See you soon.” I hang up. I take of the shoes and return to my height, thank the lads and head back to the dressing room. I nod at Bev and Lou and go to take the dress off. I hang it on the hanger before pulling on my jeans and T- shirt.
“Tasha, I’m going to head off from here and have a catch up session with Bev. But I’ll see you on Friday afternoon. Okay?” says Lou. We hug and make necessary arrangements for Friday.
After playing for the dress and thanking Bev for her help we start to walk out and see that the cars a surrounded by nearly thirty girls. I sigh and hold my breath before releasing it slowly. Luke gently takes my hand in his and rubs circles on the back of it with his thumb.
“You’ll be okay.” He says before Paul joins us, taking my dress from me and ignoring my protests. He apologises for not being able to find a parking space close to the boutique after driving the boys to fetch food. He shoots me a worried glance and opens the door to start pushing us through the crowds.

Notes

So sorry for the late updates, life is pretty hectic right now. I'm writing my last ever school exams so needing to spend less time writing and more time studying. But promise to update weekly when I can. Thank you all for the support, please vote, subscribe and tell people about it if you have enjoyed it so far. Double update coming asap!! xx L