The Girl With The Red Lipstick

Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty One ✔

Liam's P.O.V

 I sighed, grumbling to myself.

Apparently, my idea to play a game hadn't cheered me up as much as I’d hoped. Sure, Zayns picture with Perrie was pretty hilarious but it just showed me how comfortable they were with each other and of course that ended up having me feel a bit down again. 

Danielle and I never did things like that, we didn’t do the selfie pictures and cute late night gatherings watching a film and just making popcorn. We actually hadn’t done that in a while. I glanced down at my phone and willed it to give me an answer. Anything, what was I supposed to do?

I scoffed as Lou tried to unsuccessfully force Hailey to subconsciously choose a boy by daring her to pick one to go on a date with. I dropped my gaze, cautiously watching her face. Did she have any idea what that idiot was trying to do? Her eyes flickered from him, to each of us around the room. 

The answer was clear in her eyes. Yes, yes she did.

“-Liam” she answered finally, smiling.

I was momentarily stunned, just gaping at her.

“Liam?” Lou repeated, his surprise was definitely an insult. “-are you sure?”

“Why not? He’s clearly the most charming” She teased, I smiled in response.

Zayn coughed audibly and Kiara nudged him in the ribs, he grinned.

She chose me.

She met my eyes and a small smirk played along her lips. I wondered if she actually wanted to choose me or just because she wasn't sure about Niall or Harry. I wasn't taking it to heart, I mean I had a beautiful yet slightly maddening girlfriend and Hailey was already thought of to me more than a sister than a friend.
 
“Should be fun” I murmured, putting my phone in my pocket as I pointedly avoided Harry and Niall’s gaze. Of course, after this little display of failure on Louis’ behalf, he changed the subject. He ended up daring Kiara to twerk, she tried (emphasize on tried) and Louis laughed so much he got stitches. Zayn had covered his mouth with his towel, muffling his laughter and Kiara sat down, bright red.

Hailey probably felt for her, daring Louis to dance to this famous techno song. I suppose, she imagine he’d be hesitant- he stood up, telling Kiara he’d show how ‘twerking was actually done’. After much laughter and Hailey’s amusement, the rest of us joined in.

Puffed out and tired we all fell back into our prior positions on the comfy sofa. Hailey suggested food and Niall jumped up, a blush spreading on his face as he saw her surprised reaction. We ended up agreeing and Hailey disappeared with Kiara, probably to see Tate to get permission.

I wasn’t sure if it was ‘permission perse’ but we didn’t investigate further.

The second they were out of earshot, I sat and waited for one of them to go off. And of course, it was Harry who was glaring at Louis. “What the hell was that?” he scolded.

Louis shrugged, raising his hands in innocent defense, “What?”

“Ugh” Harry muttered, “-absolutely useless”

Louis laughed, but watched Harry for any sign of him joking- but Harry was now staring at the abstract painting of something or another behind his head. He frowned slightly, turning his head to see Niall stand up wrapped in his blanket and waddle over to me, sitting down.

“I’m glad she chose ya, mate” he whispered in my ear. 

I furrowed my brows, confused at his words.

“So um, Liam?” Louis said slowly, I looked over at him to see him glancing up from his phone to meet my gaze. “-how’s things with Danielle?”

I smiled tightly, averting my gaze. “We’re good”

He made a sound of distaste, “You sure mate? Eleanor’s said you’re having a bit of-” his words faded when he saw the way I was staring at him. I raised my hand, beckoning him on. “-having a bit of what, Lou?”

I actually wanted to hear this, because frankly I personally had no idea.

“Come on, Liam” Niall discouraged, his hand finding his way to mine. I pulled away, I wasn’t a child- I didn’t need comforting.

Louis frowned, “She just said you weren’t seeing eye to eye, that’s all”

I nodded, and he added quickly. “I mean, I could’ve misheard”

I laughed, “She just texted you I know she did, how do you mishear a text message?”

Harry snickered then, “Stranger things have happened, trust me”

Louis shook his head at Harry disbelievingly, and while so I reached over and picked his phone from his hands. He groaned again, but made no effort to take it back.

‘Babe, is Liam okay ? Danielle says they're going to have the talk. Hug him for me, love and miss you xx <3’
 
My frown deepened and I handed the phone back, not saying anything. I felt everyone’s stares on me, and I purposely did not make an effort to react. I guess maybe we just needed to have that talk, and get this over and done with. I couldn’t tell if I was scared of losing her or terrified of confrontation.

I figured there was no point in holding off the inevitable. 


Tate's P.O.V 

I shook my head, sending water droplets flying.

That was shower was amazing. I pulled my shirt over my head, liking the feeling of dry clothes. I had spent at least twenty minutes just standing under the hot jets of water that was kneading and massaging my frozen body. I felt brilliant now. I was throwing my towel to the side of my room when I heard a brisk knock on my door.

I ran my fingers through my hair as my sister and her best friend simply let themselves in. Hailey seemed to be preparing a mental speech when Kiara simply smiled sickly sweet at me and murmured, “We want food”

I shrugged, walking to usher them out of the room. 

“And you're telling me this why?”

“Um because, we want food now?” She said, as if I were stupid.

I laughed. What a stubborn girl. Hailey nodded, agreeing with her. “Hmm, wait let me go get my money” Hailey suddenly murmured, rushing out across the hall to her room. I didn't protest, if it were to go my way, I would not be paying for the food.

Kiara grabbed my hand and tugged me downstairs, encouraging me to be nice and to stop being anti social, reminding me of their names. I groaned but followed her. I couldn’t help but smirk as Zayn caught sight of her grip on my hand but it faded when she dropped it, sitting down beside him.

I stood there awkwardly, the boy with the anger issues kept shooting me questioning glances. I struggled to remember the name that went with the face- Louis I faintly remembered. Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn. Louis, Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn. Louis, Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn.

 “Dude sit down, it’s your house” Louis said, laughing at me.

I shrugged, walking and sitting on the floor- stretching my legs out. It was very hard for me to not turn the telly on and ignore the all but I could imagine the annoyed stare from Kiara. Kiara who was also trying way too hard to appear ‘normal’ when clearly she was a hundred percent mental that all five of One Direction were sat at her disposal.

Well clearly not disposal, if not she’d have them tied up or something.

“It’s your turn, pal” he continued, finally getting the courage to question me.
I smirked, though I was completely blank, answering boredly. “For?”

He shrugged, “We were playing truth or dare”

“And you're how old?” I replied, half teasingly and half serious.

He rolled his eyes, “Immaturity is forever”

I nodded, clearly. He looked young but I had heard (quite a lot) that Lewis was the oldest. I know it’s Louis but Lewis sounds better. Kiara sent me a warning glare and I plastered a warm and clearly fake smile on my face, encouraging him to continue.

He huffed, but did as I gestured. “So, you clearly have that dare devil air about you so I assume you’ll chose dare” I nodded, and he shot me a thumbs up. “You assume correctly” I replied.

He took a minute to think about it, exaggerating it. He had the tip of his tongue sticking out of his mouth as his eyes scrunched in concentration. Impatiently I interrupted his little monk moment, “Don’t hurt yourself, how about I go instead?” I smiled politely after I spoke.

He glanced around at the boys and hesitantly agreed, sticking his tongue out. I pretended to mull over possible candidates as I met eyes with Zayn, his own narrowed as he regarded me suspiciously. I let my finger pause on everyone in the room as if I were choosing then I stopped at him.

“How” point-“about” point-“you?”  

“What?” he instantly frowned, trying to swat my hand away from his face.

I grinned, “Shh baba, truth or dare?”

The boys quieted down, paying more attention to us. The tension or the use of his girlfriend’s nickname for him catching their attention as they straightened up, watching us both. I ignored Kiara's pleading stare, focused on his reaction to me, visible tension as he clenched his jaw and fists.

He gritted his teeth but did not move, “Dare”

I  liked the way it was so easy to get under his skin, it was childish of me- but as Louis’ just said, ‘Immaturity is forever’. My smile widened, if compared to anything it would probably be the Chesire cat from Alice in Wonderland, I internally smirked at the reference relativity.

“I dare you to do something spontaneous” I replied smartly, looking him dead in his narrowed eyes- just needing to taunt him more. “-clearly you aren’t the type”

Feeling slightly celebratory, I folded my arms across my chest watching his brow furrow and his lips pull down at the corners. He glanced around, looking for something to do- his eyes focused on Liam who was shaking his head slightly- clearly telling him no. Zayn looked away, straight at me and smiled, a peculiar expression on his face, taking me entirely by surprise.

He continued to smile, his lips pulling over his teeth as he shook his head. “Why, was me punching you in the face the other day not spontaneous enough for you?”

Around us, Harry and Louis snickered. My grin faded, “Not a bit”

He paused, “..I don’t know, if you say so buddy”

I shrugged, and he glanced appreciatively at his audience. “Well, I think I’ll just have to do something about that then yeah?” I arched my eyebrow expectantly and he laughed, “-here’s spontaneous for you, baba”

The cruel nickname dragged out, fading out as I watched him swiftly reach to his right- cupping Kiara’s cheek with his right hand and shielding them from sight with his left, pulling them together.

Niall whooped loudly and Harry burst into laughter, Louis and Liam were watching the pair with wide and cautious eyes. I said nothing, watching them. Suddenly Hailey hurtled in, breathless.

“So I finally found the money for the..” Her words abruptly ended as she caught sight of her best friend. She looked even more surprised than I was, which was odd considering that if anyone knew Kiara would make out with an international popstar it would clearly be him.

“-food” she breathed. Kiara pulled away from Zayn, who looked stunned at his sudden douse of bravery. I rolled my eyes, if he thought that that would bug me.

He was wrong.

Clearly.


Kiara's P.O.V

I bit my lip at Zayns snide remark. 

What was it with these two? I wanted to laugh because it was like an awkward bromance (like Louis’ and Nick Grimshaws) where playful banter was a must but the more I thought about it, it just wasn’t. These two seemed to really pointlessly have it out for each other.

I couldn’t help but wonder how it started. As I sat, ignoring the two- coming up with possibilities I was dragged from my thoughts back to reality as I felt Zayns hand cup my face. First of all, Zayn was touching my face. Second of all, Zayn was touching my face. Thirdly, did I mention Zayn was touching my face?

My eyes widened more in surprise than protest but I froze instinctively as his face drew closer to mine. I felt his breath fan against my cheek as he whispered, “I’m sorry”. I forced myself to swallow down a scream, gulping loudly. I felt his eyelashes brush my cheek and I nodded slightly, blushing at the close proximity, his lips were so close to mine.. If I were to move.

I shuddered, it was as if I had died and gone to heaven.

Or was reading a ‘Imagine post’ on Tumblr.
It just gave me intense, uncontrollable feels. I looked into his eyes, which seemed to be three shades lighter up close, and his gaze dropped slightly as he hesitated, his eyes flickering back up to mine as if asking for permission as he leaned in and pressed his lips to my lower cheek.

This of course, caused my heart to suffer major palpitations and my skin to tingle. You know in those movies where the guy goes in for a peck on the cheek and the girl pulls a last minute mickey so he ends up getting a full face of lips? The temptation nearly killed me.

I hesitantly but carefully pulled away before I changed my mind. My face was probably bright red, I touched the spot on my cheek- slightly dazed: who was I kidding? Of course I was red. I heard a snicker and I looked around, remembering for the first time that in fact there were other people in the room. All the commotion had me forgetting, but how could I forget about One Direction being in the same house as me?

Oh. Maybe because Zayn just kissed you.

Well my cheek, but let’s not get technical. 

For a second it had seemed like we were completely alone.

Louis laughed, a loud disbelieving huff of laughter that had me blushing all over again. He hooted and smiled softly, “Well now you can cross that off your bucket list”

I blinked, still dazed and I slowly met eyes with Hailey. I was finding it extremely hard to focus, and she was staring at me with her mouth slightly open- which only made it harder for my cheeks to remain its natural colour. I stood up shakily and pulled her out into the corridor.

She pointed towards the room, “Did you two just-”

I blushed, “N-no”

Her eyes large, “But-”

I shook my head feverishly, “N-no, it wasn’t like tha-”

She was on the verge of screaming, “But it looked like you two were fully-”