Leather And Lace

4

Harry Styles

I've never been too fond of random parties. I like going to smaller ones where I know everyone but big Project X vibe parties are not my thing at all.

Yet when Audrey told me about this party I didn't hesitate to text about it to the boys. I'm not sure why I was in a mood to go to a random birthday party, it's not like I'm friends with them.

I guess I'm just in the mood to get hammered again. And mum gave me a free pass, letting me sleepover at Niall's after because he lives close to Jaz's place. I'd be an idiot not to take that deal.

"You think one or two?" Niall asks, standing at his desk with the drawer. His hair was all set with hair wax and he was wearing a short sleeve t-shirt with his black ripped jeans.

Between his index and middle finger, he held up a small foil packet to show me what he was talking about while he kept his back to me.

I tossed the yellow tennis ball up in the air, my back resting against the comforter of his bed and caught it with the same hand before I moved my eyes from the ball to look over at my blonde friend.

"Two." I reply simply, tossing the ball in the air again and catching it.

"Better be safe than sorry." I hear Niall's sister, Poppy appear in Niall's doorway and prop myself up on my elbows, looking over at the dirty-blonde-haired girl who looks hauntingly similar to Niall.

"Get out!" Niall shouts dramatically, slamming the door in his sister's face. The lock clicks in place after a loud bang and Niall huffs in annoyance, shoving the two condoms into his jean pockets.

"You could've been nicer," I comment, looking at him from my spot. Of course, I know how annoying siblings can be, I have one of the most annoying ones. But Poppy's still only 13, he should treat her a bit nicer.

Besides the girl adores Niall. They always go to Nandos on Sundays together, it's a must.

"Yeah, whatever." He says being all moody again. I swear Niall is a child, even though he's an eighteen-year-old guy. Always gets moody when somebody tells him he's wrong.

"Can we go already? Z and Liam should already be on their way there and we said we'll meet at 7.15 pm. It's already 7.06."

"Get your arse off my bed then!"

And with that I toss the tennis ball at him, which he catches in his hands, setting it on his desk while I get up from bed, fixing my short sleeve floral button up. I left the top buttons open, leaving my cross necklace visible.

Audrey Davies

"Come on Addy, take a shot with us!" Emma's honey-like voice rings through the kitchen, making my eyes move to hers instead of the random spot on the floor I've been staring at for the past few minutes. I zone out sometimes, especially when I'm stressed and my mind wanders to places.

It's only 7.25 and I told Harry the party was at 7.30. I'm not sure why I'm stressing about this.

I guess I just want to earn a few good points with the twins. I'm not their favorite person.

Our friend group consists of the five of us: me, Joey, Jaz, Emma, and her twin sister Anna.

The twins are only close friends with Jaz really, so of course, they'd attend her birthday.

I'm not sure why they don't like me, I never did anything to hurt them. I guess it's just because I'm not alike them. I'm not big on parties and getting wasted every weekend.

Don't get me wrong, when Joey or Jaz asks me to, I do attend some of them, but I'm more of a "going out to a café or a bookshop" kinda girl.

I reach over to take the shot glass full of the golden liquid from Emma's manicured hand, mentally preparing myself for the burning feeling it's gonna leave me with after I take it.

My friends all say cheers, smiles, and laughter fills the room as we all lift the glasses to our lips and toss back the strong alcohol, swallowing it in one gulp.

It takes a few seconds until I feel the burn on the back of my tongue and in my throat and I'm quick to take a sip of my cherry-flavored water to soothe it.

At the same time as the taste of the cherry flavor coats my tongue, the doorbell rings, almost making me swallow through the wrong pipe. My body reacts immediately so I start coughing, holding my hand in front of my mouth.

By the time my urge to cough goes away, I see Jaz walking back into the kitchen with a satisfied smirk on her nude lips. I don't have time to think about what just happened because the person I've been constantly thinking about tonight walks through the door, followed by the three others who call themselves his friends.

His green eyes find mine right as he steps into the kitchen, a small smirk appearing on his pink lips that makes his dimple pop.

"Happy Birthday, Jasmine!" The three guys say in unison, Harry staying silent with the same smirk on his face while he studies me.

I need another shot to stop myself from being so anxious about this whole night. I'm supposed to have fun and enjoy this. It's a party with my friends...And four guys who intimidate the hell out of me.

Niall walks over to Emma who smiles brightly with her perfect smile, making me swallow the lump in my throat. I see him place his hand flat on the counter next to her, leaning against it and acting all flirtatious.

Stop staring, Addy, they're gonna think you're jealous.

I pull my eyes away from them, noticing a tall figure walking closer and closer to me until he stops right in front of me, making my breath hitch.

Fuck.

—

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