Strictly Professional

37: Dynamite

ELLE
Dance To This-Troye Sivan ft. Ariana Grande

I'd always feel disoriented whenever Niall and I would find ourselves together in a social setting, tonight more than ever. It was usually just the two of us, Bri and Louis being the only people to have spent a substantial amount of time with us, essentially third wheeling. My birthday party was the most intense social setting we've been at so far, but I barely even spent any time with him and we weren't together yet.

This, though, would be the first time Niall would join my friend group. It was the first time I'd introduce him to the closest people I had in the city as my boyfriend, the first time we'd actually get to sit around with them in a calm setting. A while ago, when Liam told me to bring Niall along to one of our gatherings, I had laughed in his face. Guess the joke's on me now.

"Is this it?" Niall questioned as he took off his helmet, supporting the weight of his motorcycle with one foot on the floor. Double checking the number on the door of the townhouse to make sure it was Josh's place, I nodded. I've only been here once before.

"Think so. Worst case scenario, we knock on a stranger's door." I joked as I held onto his shoulders, climbing off the heft vehicle before taking my helmet off. He chuckled as he got off the bike, putting the engine out as he parked it. Good thing about motorcycles is how easy it is to find parking compared to cars. We went up the few stairs, the slightest hint of the sound of chatter seeping through the door. I took in a deep breath, turning to Niall next to me before we rang the doorbell.

"They can be a handful. If it gets too much, just tell me you want to leave, okay?" I smiled up at him, bringing my hand up to his fringe to push it back in its place since the helmet messed it up a bit. He chuckled, placing a hand on my waist.

"Are you nervous Ellie?" I huffed, because once again he was able to see right through me.

"Is it that obvious?" I sighed, dropping my gaze to the floor.

"Just a little bit." He lightly teased as he kissed my cheek, making heat instantly rise to it.

"Sorry, it's just weird that you're meeting my friends." I nibbled on my bottom lip. It really was weird knowing he was about to be introduced to my friends, even if it wasn't all of them.

"I've met them before babe." He furrowed his eyebrows as I shook my head.

"Not like this. You haven't really talked with them. You've just seen them around a bit." I contradicted. He sighed deeply, pulling me into his chest for a hug.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna embarrass you if that's what you're worried about." I tittered at his comment, though I was worried of that happening the other way around.

"Now, can you please ring the bell? We look like creeps just standing here." He whined, making me laugh a bit more. We broke the embrace and I pressed the doorbell, the melody echoing around the house before commotion was heard. Just a minute later, the door swung open to reveal and excited Josh.

"Elle! You made it!" He beamed, grasping my wrist to pull me into a hug. I chuckled, hugging him back and patting his back. And I finally didn't have to worry about Niall acting out, like it should have been from the start. But I was proud he was finally able to control his emotions and show me trust.

"Course I did Joshy. Couldn't miss the opportunity to see you squirm in fear." I mocked him, since I knew how scared he got during horror movies. He let me go and I didn't miss the opportunity to reach up and ruffle his dark brown hair, making him groan.

"This is Niall." I smiled, placing my hand on his shoulder. With a polite smile, he extended his hand to the host.

"Hey mate. Come in both of you." Josh smiled as they shook hands, stepping aside right after.