Stand.

Preparations For a Celebration

I walked into the kitchen, first things first, I put the kettle on for some tea. Then I opened the cupboards to take out the necessary requirements. The kettle whistled and I poured the boiling water into a mug and added a strainer with loose leaves. I let it seep as I pulled the beater to me with a loud huff, then I took a sip.

"That looks heavy." I sleepy voice said. I turned to see Louis standing leaned against the door frame with a sleepy smile on his face, his hair was a mess. He was wrapped in a sheet.

"It is very heavy, my roommate just keeps moving it to the side." I said casually and took another sip of my tea. 

"This is what you needed to do? Oh is that tea?" He said

"I have to bake a cake." I said while concentrating to picture the things in my fridge, I had everything. "Would you like some?" I said picking up the mug, gesturing the tea.

"Yes please. Why are you baking a cake?" He asked, the amusement in his voice evident without even looking. I smiled secretively and turned to him, then coughed and poured some water into another mug.

"Same tea leaves?" I asked trying to hide my smile.

"Sure. What is it?" He asked looking extremely amused at my expression. "What are you not telling me?" I placed my strainer in his mug

"I have been asked to bake a cake, by my roommate, that's all." I said, another smile just erupting without consent.

"No it's not, come on tell me." He walked into the kitchen, picking up the mug. "Milk?"

"In the fridge. It's sort of in preparation of something." He walked to the fridge, bend down, and after a little search picked out the milk and poured it into his tea.

"What thing?" He asked as he stood up and closed the fridge door.

"Well you see, at about midnight today it's going to be my birthday." I smiled again, he choked on his tea a little.

"It's your birthday today?" He questioned, horrified.

"Tomorrow you dolt." I said as I started the batter. I looked up so a guilty look on his face, my eyes went wide as I realised what he was probably thinking. "No no, you didn't know it was my birthday, don't feel bad, why are you feeling bad?" I said quickly.

"I didn't." He paused. "I mean I didn't even get you anything." He said regretfully

"You didn't even know you had to get me anything, calm down." I said amused at his reaction. He smiled secretively this time. I was about to ask when I heard the door open and close and before I could react I heard my roommate walk towards the kitchen.

"Why are their clothes near the door? By the way, I got the most perfect dress for you, you'll look so bloody..." She paused as she walked into the kitchen, her eyes going wide, in her hand two garment bags slung across her shoulder. "Is that..lord have mercy..is that?" She breathed out, her eyes dangerously wide.

"Hello." Louis said, raising his free hand to give her a wave.

"Hi Claire." I said imitating Louis' gesture. She just stood there, then suddenly looked down at possibly out attire and somehow widened her eyes.

"Wait. Wait! Both of you? Jesus Fucking Christ." She practically screamed.

"Right, babe I'll be in your room if you need me." He said and kissed the top of my head, shocking my eyes wide this time. He then looked at Claire and smiled sheepishly. "Near the door did you say?" She just nodded in a daze as louis picked up the long sheet around his waist and walked out.

"Did he, did he just call you babe." Claire asked me with a breathless voice of disbelief.

"He just called me babe." I said with the same disbelief in my tone.

"How? Bloody how?" She asked.

"Don't even get me started." I said. "I have to bake a cake." I said with sudden recollection.

"Right we have to go out tonight." She said gulping, her voice returning to normal.

"Oh yes, right, we do." I said, I really didn't want to. But friends mattered.

"Do you?" She started.

"Yes of course I'll go, it's my birthday after all." I said turning to give her a smile.

"And him?" She said pointing towards the living room.

"No." I said with finality. "I can't deal with what will happen if someone takes a picture."

"Always the rational thinker, our Rachael." She said and gave me a small clap, I smirked.

"Always." I said and picked up the tin to pour the cake batter into.

"Right I'm going to go to my room and get ready, and for your sake I will not think about that chest while I do. I'm leaving your dress on the table." I chuckled and nodded at her, she giggled and walked away.