If You Only Knew

Chapter 22

The days leading up to New Year's Eve were a blur of laughter, shared moments, and growing anticipation. Louis and I spent the week wrapped up in each other's company, alternating between cozy nights at home and spontaneous dates. Each evening, we would rotate between each other's houses, the routine growing more comfortable, more familiar. But tonight, there was an extra sense of excitement. The house was buzzing with energy as we prepared for the party, and there was something special about the last night of the year.

It's late evening on December 31st. I am in the living room, surrounded by festive decorations, trying to get everything set up. My mum and Jay had enlisted Louis and me to babysit his younger siblings, giving them a much-needed night out earlier this week. That had taken some of our party planning time so right now, our focus was on making sure everything was perfect for the celebration.

"Okay lads, I've got all the decorations here. I need two people to help hang them," Liam called out, surveying the room with authority.

"Okay, babe, you and Z go help Liam. I'm going to make sure Niall doesn't eat all the snacks before the party starts," I laughed, shaking my head at the thought of Niall sneaking bites.

"Hey! I would no—nah, you're probably right! Come on, Harold, I need to talk to you anyway," Niall protested, grabbing my arm and guiding me toward the kitchen with a sense of urgency.

"Baby, wait! Before you go, I need to tell you something," Louis called after me, his voice warm and earnest.

I turned back, a smile tugging at my lips. "What's up, Lou?"

He walked over, a playful glint in his eye, before leaning in to kiss me softly. "Nothing, I just wanted a kiss," he murmured, his lips lingering on mine for a moment longer than I expected.

I chuckled, my heart swelling with affection. "You dork, now go help Liam. It looks like Zayn is about to hit him with those decorations."

Louis turned, laughing at the chaos in the living room, before giving me one last grin. "Okay, I'll go keep the peace. No kiss for me at midnight, though?" He waggled his eyebrows mischievously.

I raised an eyebrow, my voice teasing but serious. "Louis, you better help them or no kiss for you at midnight."

Louis gasped dramatically, turning and striding toward the others without another word.

"Oi, you shitheads! Let's get decorating this house!" I heard Louis yell from the other room, and I laughed softly, shaking my head at how effortlessly he fit into my life.

Turning back to Niall, I could tell he was both nervous and excited. "Ready?" I asked, trying to hide the grin on my face.

"You really have that boy wrapped around your finger," Niall chuckled, his tone light but with a hint of admiration.

I winked, giving him a playful nudge. "I just know what motivates him."

Niall rolled his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "Come on, let's get the snacks ready."

As we moved into the kitchen, the tension in the air shifted, and I could sense that Niall had something important on his mind. The playful energy we had shared earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a quiet anticipation.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked, taking a seat as Niall began to arrange the snacks on the counter.

He hesitated, his fingers nervously tracing the edges of a bowl before he spoke. "Well, a couple of things, actually. I invited Lottie here tonight, and I... um... I kind of have a crush on her..." Niall mumbled, his voice tinged with both excitement and uncertainty.