All Hidden Away

Luke’s POV

“Okay. Okay. So, I just need to chat to Harry, find out the best way to tell Tasha I actually like her. Which is why I’ve been such a dick… I mean he’s a reasonable person. He probably won’t beat me up. Right?” I say while pacing in front of my car.
“Yeah… sure. But this is Harry’s little sister. He might beat- ow!” Mike is thankfully cut off by Cal elbowing is ribs. I take a deep breath.
“Just go for it, mate. Get a black eye, man up, grow a pair, stop being such a pussy.” Says Cal. I turn to face him and shoot him a quizzical glace. “Oh, was I not supposed to say that?” He asks shrugging. I shake my head.
“I’m just going to go and say ‘Harry. I like your sister. Deal with it.’ ” I say confidently.
“Yeah like that’s going to work.” Says Mikey huffing and rolling his eyes.
“Luke, I doubt its Harry who is going to have a problem with this. It’s Tasha that you’ve got to get to.” Points out Cal. I nod my head and run my hands through my hair while I continue to pace in front of my car. I grab the keys out of my pocket and head to the driver’s door.
“Here goes nothing.” I say starting the ignition and shoving the gear into reverse.
“Luke, what you going to tell him?” Asks Mikey with a big smile on his face.
“I – I”ll let you know when I do.” I say before pulling off. “Please don’t punch me in the face Harry. Please?”

Tasha’s POV

Well Harry was right about one thing; tea was very much needed. I was sitting outside on the grass catching up with Ed and chatting to him about school and guitar.
“Well you still haven’t taught me how to play Give Me Love so why should I help you paint?” I say laughing and taking another sip of my tea. He smiles.
“Because you’re a better person than I am.” He shrugs and makes the boys laugh.
“You bet she is, lad!” says Louis clapping him on the back while laughing. I smile and look down into my tea cup. It was strange. I love sitting with my family chatting like old times. But I wanted the Aussies to be here too. I wanted to be sitting next to Luke and hearing his laugh… This is why I don’t acknowledge when people have feelings for me or if I have feelings for them. You get let down and then all these little thoughts you didn’t have to deal with before, come back and bite you in the-
“Well, Tash is actually going on a date with Luke later tonight,” says Harry looking at me apologetically, pulling me out of my thoughts. “But let’s grab some ice-cream anyway?” he says shrugging at Ed. I shake my head.
“Not for me, thank you.” I say quietly taking another sip of my tea. I felt my stomach twist at the thought of how awkward the date will be now, and how awkward it will be when the papz see I’m not eating or enjoying myself.
“But you used to love ice-cream?” Says Ed looking at me shocked.
“Yeah but I don’t need to get full and then not eat at dinner and it be put down to me cheating on Luke.” I say carefully. Ed looks sad but nods anyway, and I can’t bring myself to look at Harry. We hear people coming into the house and everyone but me looks up to see the rest of 5SOS walking outside. I don’t want to look at him. I don’t want to be embarrassed.
“Harry. Can I talk to you quick?” I hear Luke say as Lou shoots me a quizzical glance. I shrug my shoulders, knowing less than he does probably. Unless Luke doesn’t want to be kicked out and wants to explain to Harry himself that he doesn’t like me, but doesn’t want to upset me.
“Ah, sure…” Says Haz standing up and following him inside.
“What is that about?” asks Niall looking at Mikey who sits next to me. He shrugs and looks at me.
“We’ll just have to see.” He says, further crushing the fleeting hopes I have of tonight not being awkward.

Luke’s POV

“Harry. I am so stupid. I fucked up.” I say as he folds his arms and raises his eyebrows.
“Realised this have you?” He asks pointedly. I shake my head and run my hands through my hair roughly.
“Harry, I was an idiot. I took the safe option because I didn’t, I didn’t want to get hurt. But then I realised, I would rather be hurting than have her hurt.” I say seriously looking at him. My mouth was starting to go dry.
“You’ve known her, what, a week, Hemmings? You’ve hurt her already. What exactly did you expect? You think she didn’t like you?” He asks looking pissed and confused. I want to slap myself across the face.
“I know it’s not an excuse -” he cuts across me.
“You’re right, it’s not.” Oh boy… here we go. I’ve fucked up… Time to be completely honest. I take a deep breath.
“I know. You’re right. It’s not just a work thing… I like her. I want to get to know her and all the things I could ever know about her. Last night, I hated that I couldn’t just make it better. I hate –” Harry cuts across me and quickly shakes his head.
“It’s not me that you need to be saying all of this to, Luke. I appreciate it. But you don’t need to convince me that you like her.” He says with a small smile. Of course. I feel so stupid. Everyone knows I like her. Everyone but the person that needs to know the most. I say as I start to smile. I see Harry fighting back a smile on his face as realisation flashes across mine.
“Well then. What are you wating for? Don’t fucking tell me, tell her.” Says Harry shaking his head. I agree to his idea.
“So… what is your plan for tonight? Roller skating, sky diving?” he jokes with me making me smile and look at my hands twisting in front of me.
“That’s the hard part.” I look up and see Harry frown. “Do you have any idea what her perfect date would be? I want to do something special. I want to ask her to go on a proper date with me.” He shrugs and looks lost in thought.
“Luke, you need to do something that means something to you. Spend time together, not necessarily doing something specific, or fun, or fancy.” He says looking at me. I nod. “But first, you should talk to her.” He says before walking away. He was right. I did need to talk to her. Before he reaches the door, he turns around and looks at me.
“Oh, and Luke, you know what I’m going to say.” When I don’t respond he finishes his thought. “I’ll kill you if you hurt her.” I smile.
“Not if she kills me first.” This makes him laugh, comes back over and pat me on the back, a big smile playing on his lips.
“So, what made you realise this was more than a fucking useless contract?” He asks looking at me, like he is searching for something. I frown.
“The fact I wanted to punch a girl for the first time in my life last night.” I say recalling how affected by Taylor, Tasha was last night. “And, I let myself acknowledge what I was already feeling.”
“Yip… that woman can do that to you. I think she will need to do the same” Says Harry smirking to himself before walking away.

Tasha’s POV

It seemed like forever that Harry and Luke were talking. I could barely focus on what was being said. I took a deep breath and tried listening to the story Ed was telling us of his trip tip Bali.
“I really want to travel through Asian islands at some stage.” I say looking at Ed. He nods and smiles.
“Highly recommend it!” He says shooting me a wink. I smile at him and hear Harry approaching. I look up but am confused by the fact the he doesn’t look absolutely seething. He smiles at me and goes to get his seat next to Louis. Before I can ask exactly what is going on, Luke is standing behind me.
“Hey…” He says. I turn and look up at him with his hands shoved in his pockets looking guilty.
“Hey.” I say quietly. My heart beating rapidly. I really wish I know what he was thinking behind the frown. Louis and Harry try continuing the conversation not letting this be more awkward than it needs to be.
“Can I talk to you quickly please, Tasha?” he says sounding nervous. I’m expecting the boys to all say “Oooooh!” or something but no one said anything. They must all know it’s bad. I push myself off of the floor and nod, reminding myself to breathe. I follow him silently.
“Tash, I just want to start out by saying I’m sorry about organising a date through Claire.” He looks at me sadly. I nod trying to swallow through the dryness in my throat.
“Luke, honestly. It’s fine. I get it.” I say quietly looking at my hands and away from his eyes. He looks at me quizzically.
“No, I don’t think –”
“I do. I get that you don’t want to go to dinner tonight with me unless the papz are there.” He reaches a hand out to stop me, looking more upset.
“No. uh, no. Tasha.” I frown, my turn to be confused now. “I wanted to ask if you wanted to go to dinner tonight with me, and then maybe a walk in the park. I really want to get to know you more. The real you.” Well this wasn’t helping me. Did he want to just be friends, or did he want to go out on a date? Either way, I knew Claire wouldn’t have it if we didn’t go.
“Oh, okay, that’s fine then. Uhm. I guess that’s okay. So where are we going? I just need to get ready when Lou comes around and we can go.” I say looking at the time trying to figure out exactly what he means. Did he want to “break up” publicly? Then Lou really did need to come help me look decent. It was lunchtime, and I still had other stuff to do… so I could go pack before I had to go on the date to waste time and not be anxious.
“Actually, I was going to tell Lou to not worry about coming. I want you to be dressed in what feels comfortable.” He says with a smile. I nod but don’t smile, still confused. Comfortable? So that when we walked and he told me he felt bad for leading me on I wouldn’t be in high heels and a stupid dress? Or maybe it was a way to make me able to act (well it wouldn’t be acting) when he broke up with me at dinner…
“I don’t think Claire would be happy with that.” I say looking down pushing back these thoughts. He shakes his head.
“Probably not, but I will deal with it then.” I nod and agree.
“Okay, well then I’m going to go pack for a bit.” I say pointing upstairs trying to shake off some of the negative thoughts and fears. He nods but then looks at the time.
“Actually, maybe have lunch with us first?” He offers me another smile. And I don’t know why, but I can’t help but smile back no matter how much I tell my face not to.
“Okay. Let’s go see what everyone wants.” He laughs and allows me to walk ahead of him.
“I bet you five pounds Niall says Nando’s.” I smile and turn back to look at him. The light catches his eyes and his hair as he walks behind me, almost taking my breath away. Dammit, Styles. Pull yourself together. He doesn’t like you.
“Yes, but that is a given on any day… and doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

Notes