The Best Years Of Our Lives

~Part Eight~

Alisha’s POV.

As the boys finished their performance, we decided to go get drinks. Amy turned the music up again and people were starting to dance. Georgina was so flustered I thought she might pass out if I didn’t get her something cold to drink. I had things on my mind, but I focused on discussing Niall’s intentions.

‘He deserves a chance, just remember that you’re in control now.’ Codie was saying.

‘And make sure you tell him he has me to deal with if he hurts you.’ Francesca added, pouring herself some WKD.

‘Thank you girls.’ Georgina smiled. 

‘Gina, I’m honestly so happy for you.’ Martina spoke up, actual tears in her eyes. I felt so bad that we had blamed her before, she was such a genuine and kind girl.

‘Aw I know, Martina.’ Georgina gave her a hug and I was glad that we had all ended up being friends. I passed them both a drink and was about to consider finding Zayn when I saw Becka approaching us, followed closely by Liam. She seemed very excited and I noticed the two were holding hands. 

‘Up for a game of spin the bottle?’ Becka grinned.

‘Are we the only ones playing?’ Francesca asked, confused.

‘Course not, I got the boys and a few others to meet in the living room in five.’ Liam answered and I wondered what had come over him.

‘Might aswell.’ I said, downing my drink for extra courage. Since Niall was going to join us, even Georgina agreed to come along. We pushed through to the glass doors leading into the house and turned the lights on as we walked down the corridor. Liam and Louis moved the table to the side of the room and we took our seats on the floor as more familiar faces came in. Zayn half-smiled at me as he walked in and sat down. I realised that he was one of the few sober people in the room.

In the end, there quite a few people in the circle: Harry, Louis, Niall, Zayn, Liam, Stan, Brad, Scott, Andy, Sean, Kira, Amy, Francesca, Dani, Becka, Jade, Martina, Emily, Georgina, Codie and me. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits as Liam leaned in to spin first. The bottle stopped on Louis and Stan high-fived him. Lou gave the bottle a twirl and it pointed straight to… Codie.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how perfect a turn it was, but Codie turned bright red as the boys yelled ‘wheyy!’.

‘Let’s make that a practice round.’ she said, trying to avoid Louis’ eyes.

‘No backing out Codie!’ Niall said and Louis made a gesture that she move closer to him. Codie shook her head firmly, but she was also smiling now.

‘We’re close mates, aren’t we Codie?’ Louis had made his way round the circle and had almost reached her. ‘If I’m a bad kisser then I rather you were the only one who knows it.’

Before she had time to reply, Louis caught her hands and held them tightly. He kissed her sweetly on the mouth until she finally relaxed. We’d agreed on the 20 second rule, but I was sure they’d gone for longer.

‘That’s how it’s done!’ Brad cheered and volunteered to go next. Martina and Liam ended up being the second couple to kiss. After a while, I started to get into it more. I’d got a kiss from Andy and Stan when at last it was Georgina’s turn. I was feeling slightly nervous for her, knowing that this wasn’t the kind of thing she liked to do. To my surprise, she actually really went for her kiss with Sean and I supposed this was her way of showing Niall that now they were even. He looked pretty jealous as the two locked lips and soon afterwards I saw him disappear outside with Georgina.

There was less people now as everyone had either stumbled off drunkenly or left to make out on the sofas without the need of spinning a bottle for encouragement. I caught a glimpse of Codie and Louis together in the kitchen and smiled. I was having a chat with Francesca, who unluckily hadn’t yet had a chance to get with her curly-haired love when Zayn came over to us.

‘Alisha?’ he asked, his hands in his pockets. ‘Can we talk?’

I was tempted to say no, but Chess was watching me expectantly.

‘Sure.’ I sighed, getting up and following him out into the corridor.

‘You okay?’ he looked nervous, but I’d heard it all before. I ignored his gorgeous brown eyes boring into mine and looked over at a painting on the wall instead.

‘Zayn, I told you we can’t do this anymore.’ I said quietly.

‘I know. That’s what I wanted to talk about. I want us to be a proper couple.’ he said in a rush and I looked up at him, my head spinning a little.

‘What?’ My voice came out raspy.

‘I want to tell everyone that I love you and not sneak around stealing your kisses when no one’s looking.’ he said slowly, meaning every word. I felt suddenly weak at the knees as I recalled the times that he had kissed me on my doorstep or as we were coming home from the park after dark. I was never strong enough to refuse him.

‘I’m sorry.’ he said, actually getting emotional. ’I’ll prove to you that I’m a good boyfriend, I promise.’

‘Are you sure you’re not drunk?’ I laughed to break the tension.

‘Positive.’ he said, stroking my hair gently.

‘Then I guess you’ll just have to show me you’re not lying.’ I whispered, leaning into his chest as he put his arms around me. He held me for a few minutes then turned his head slightly to kiss me. The sweet taste of his lips overwhelmed me and I pulled him closer. As the kiss got more passionate, he run his fingers through my hair and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he held me in his strong arms.

I was too into it to protest as he begun to slowly climb the stairs, way past the point of caring that this was Niall’s house. The alcohol I’d had wasn’t exactly helping me to think clearly either. He broke the kiss for a second to swing open a door and switch on the light in case he tripped over something. I longed for him to kiss me again when he suddenly froze. I opened my eyes to find him looking over my shoulder in horror. I jumped down in confusion as his arms let go of me and turned around. 

-end of pt.8-