“Are we an item, girl quit playin’. We’re just friends, what are you saying?” Justin Bieber’s heavenly voice swam into my ears as I shimmied around my flat shrieking the lyrics to Baby.
“I’m like baby, baby, baby ohh! Baby, baby, baby no! Thought you’d always be mine,” I sing off-pitch while setting a stack of video games down on the caramel colored carpet that decorated my flat.
As Luda raps, I gaze at the floor. Pillows, check! Blankets and games, check! Littering the carpet with bright neon colors were unopened bags of candy and crisps. The kitchen wasn’t any better, boxes of canned cola taking over my counters.
“All set!” I chuckles, wiping my hands together. Every Wednesday, Niall and I either do a movie marathon or a video game marathon-with some random dance offs in-between. I sat in front of my snow white couch-which is the color I plan to keep it in- on the floor and hooked up my X-box to play Fifa.
The clock ticked on and on as I tap away at my controller. After what seemed like hours, I check my phone. 8:30, I frown and gnaw on the inside of my cheek. Niall was always at my shared flat at 7 on Wednesdays-the days my roommate Nikkita has classes at the local university until late in the night.
I unlock my screen and text my late friend, “Where are you?”
My fingers tapped against the X-Box controller impatiently as I waited for Niall to respond. Normally he texts back in seconds, but I still get no reply. Weird, I sigh and continue tapping my fingers. I didn’t want to continue playing in case I missed Nialler’s text.
“Breathe Carlie, he might be busy,” I whisper to myself. I give a wide smile and unpause my game, hoping that soccer will take my mind off of the missing Niall. Every few moments, I turn my head from the screen and gaze at my phone. Against my better judgment, I pause the game and send another text, “Niall, you’re late! Hurry up.”
This time Niall texted back immediately, “I’m not able to go. Sorry. DTB.”
Not able to go? Then “don’t text back”? I grind my teeth in frustration. What’s up with him? I smirk deviously at my telephone and begin to dial his number. Niall said to not text back-nothing about calling.
“Hello, this is Niall; I’ll call you back soon, yeah?” His voicemail sounded cheerful enough, but I doubt he’d actually be. I called again, his voicemail greeting me once more. Third times a charm, right? The phone rang, a dial tone piercing my ear. I sigh and hang up, calling once more. Immediately his new voicemail message gets my blood boiling, “Carlie Banes, I said stop calling me! This is ridiculous and outrageous. I’ll talk to you when I talk to you!”
I scowl and quickly spit out, “What’s gotten your knickers in a twist? We’ve been doing this every Wednesday since you’ve got back from tour. Can’t you at least warn me when you won’t show?
“When you get back, I swear you’ll wish you never met me!” I slam my finger on the hang up button and scream loudly. What an ass! If he sent me another text, that would’ve been a bit better, but setting it as a voicemail-where everyone can hear it- is rude! I understand I was a pest, but still!
My fingers fly across my phone as I dial Harry’s number.
“Hey,” He murmured.
“Yo. Can you come over? Nikkita is at school.” I rush out.
“Don’t you and Niall do that thing tonight?” Haz asked softly.
“Ask the no-show. Now please come over! I need to scream and cry with someone!” I groan.
Harry’s silent for a moment before humming, “I guess.”
“Hey, bring Jordyn too!” I crow and Harry’s breath caught.
“Haz?” I ask cautiously.
“I’ll see you shortly,” He muttered, I heard the jingle of his keys and I sighed.
“No. What happened?”
“Jordyn thought that I called our relationship a joke because I haven’t asked her to move in,” Harry sighed. Oh, the move in.
“Jo-jo’s wanted that for about forever. Where is she now?”
“She’s at her place. We haven’t spoken in two days.” Harry sighed.
“It’ll work out Haz, I promise. You stay there though, I’ll pick you up. You don’t need to drive when you’re upset.”
~
“Carlie,” A voice sings softly. I open my eyes to see Nikkita leaning over me, her brown eyes wide with curiosity. Her mocha brown skin was glowing as she giggled, “Fun night?”
I pushed myself up and glanced around the living room, seeing it through her eyes. Empty tissue boxes litter the floor along with some ice cream cartons. The video games were shoved under the coffee table on the side of the couch and romantic comedies were tossed about the floor. Harry was sleeping on the couch, his eyes still red and puffy from the tears last night.
“It was fun,” I yawn to Nikki. “What time is it?”
“Around 11, I came home at three this morning and you and Harry were dead to the world.” She laughed and pulled me up.
“I’ll wake him and take him home,” I mumble, adjusting my baby blue tank-top and white running shorts I had changed into last night.
“Fine with me. I have pieces of an essay to finish and then I’ll make us a brunch.” Nikkita suggested.
“Sounds fab!”
I pull on Haz’s hair lightly, practically screeching, “Harry!”
“I’m up Carlz. I’ve been up for a little,” Harry groaned.
“Sure,” I announce sarcastically. “Ready to go home? Sorry for kicking you out,”
“No problem. Lou is probably at the flat already.” Harry claims, before rolling off the couch.
~
“Thanks for everything, Carlie. I’m going to call Jordyn later and hopefully we can work things out.”
“I hope you guys do,” I hum. We walked up the stairs of his complex and Harry sniggered, “You don’t have to walk me to my door, girlie.”
“I’m not! I want to say hi to Louis if he’s there!” I giggle. Niall’s standing in front of Harry’s door, an annoyed look on his face.
I know I shouldn’t say anything, yet I growl, “Look who it is!”
“Shut up Carlie, I don’t know your problem.” He barked back. Harry sent a pleading look at both of us.
“Get inside now!” He hissed, dragging Niall and I into his flat.
“You could’ve called, you know that! What were you doing that was more important than one of your best friends?” I cry.
“I was on a date with this girl I like!” Niall countered and my mood dropped. A random chick was more important than his friend, ouch.
“Figures,” I grumble.
“What’s the big deal? Carlie it’s just one night!”
“Whatever Niall, clearly this means nothing to you.” I mumble, walking away.
“Carlie, what the fuck are you talking about? We’re friends; nothing less and defiantly nothing more! I can go on dates if I want too!”
“Bros before hoes, Nialler! Bros before hoes,” I grumble, resting my hand on Harry’s door.
“Obviously you’ve never looked in a mirror,” Niall murmured, causing me to gasp.
“Niall!” Harry chastised. I whip around, glaring at the blond boy who looked as if he couldn’t believe what he said.
“Carlz, I-I’m sorry. That came out wrong, I didn’t mean it!” He whimpered.
“You’re a dick, you know that?” I snivel, glaring at Niall.
“Carlie, please,” He began again, causing me to fling the door open in anger.
“Fuck off Horan.”