Bittersweet

3

"What next, are we hanging streamers?" Zayn snorts before sipping his water. Him and I were tired from Fin bossing us up and down, pushing a couch there, bringing the table over here, and everything in between. "You think we should?" Fin asks, taking him seriously.

"Unless we're hosting a tween school party, no." I roll my eyes as she moves a chair into the same corner it started in. "I blame this wedding for your uptight attitude."

"So sorry about that." Zayn whispers to me leading to us stifling laughter. She gives off her death glare before putting another chair away after I had moved a million times.

"Crap, what's the time?" She panics, searching for a clock. "9:20." Zayn replies. "WHAT? I told people to come at nine, and we look like bums!" Fin shrieks, pulling me by the arm and up the stairs. "We've gotta make you look hot."

"Why?"

"...Because, for Derek."

Liar; both of us were. Zayn was the only one being blunt about what we truly had planned to do, but even I don't know what that was. Maybe Niall's changed. Maybe he isn't the cute dork I fell for years ago, I know I'm not the same helpless girl I was then. I can't even remember the last panic attack I had.

Maybe he won't like the older Esme and maybe I won't like the older Niall, but I can't help but think, what if I do?

"These are my favorites that I think will show you off more." She smiles proudly, throwing dresses on get bed before going for shoes. I held up a black dress with floral print and side cutouts that caught my eye. Damn, I should've skipped the cupcake this morning.

"Yes, that's the one! With these shoes and better hair, you'll be looking like a supermodel." She gushes, throwing pointy heeled shoes at me. "Yeah, the supermodel that has an ass and isn't size triple zero." I snort, taking my hair out of it's bun.

*

"Shit, shit, shit! My phone died and we need music, can I borrow yours?" Fin begs with puppy dog eyes. Sighing, I hand it over and she squeals really loudly before running away with it.

It was already past ten, and neither Derek or Niall was here. The only thing I could do was stare at the front door with my stomach fluttering every time someone walks in. Why am I so nervous?

"That's your third glass, Es." West grins, standing besides me. "Wine is my weakness, you know this." I mumble, drinking some right after. "Stop being so obvious, you need to stop staring at that door." He laughs softly. "You'll freak either one of them out, which ever comes first."

"Was it Zayn or Fin who told you." I say more like a statement, finally looking away from the door and back at him. "Fin just told us about your date and we saw you staring at the door, piecing it all together."

"I'm so confused I don't understand it, West!" I pout, resting my head on his shoulder. "We're all on the edge of our seats too, hun. Hope you don't mind, but Louis, Matt and I placed bets." He chuckles and I glare at him. "How 'bout we get you another one?" He suggests after I down what was ever left in my glass.

I nod and we make our way to the kitchen where Taylor and Zayn were. "Yea, I rang him yesterday, he said he was excited to see us again." I hear Zayn say to Taylor.

"Are we talking about Mr. Yale?" West asks, pouring more wine into my glass. "Awe, I miss Liam, texting isn't the same." I say, stuffing my mouth with pretzels.

"This weddings going to be like a reunion." Taylor says, clapping her hands with excitement. "Can't wait till you're done with school so we can start planning your wedding." I wink at her and she laughs.