"Stella, think fast!" Niall exclaimed.
I had been looking down at my cell phone when he said it. I had just enough time to look up when a ball hit my smack dab in the face. It fell to the floor and I grasped at my nose, sure it was going to start bleeding.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Niall gushed, hurrying across the bus to my direction. "Are you okay, Stella?" His eyes were wide and he looked so concerned that I had to smile at how cute it was.
"It's okay," I laughed, lowering my hand once I realized there was no blood. Just a dull stinging sensation. "Really, Niall, don't worry," I assured him.
Louis who had been playing xbox with Liam and Harry looked over when he heard my words. "What's going on?" He demanded as he peered at us curiously.
"I accidentally hit Stella in the face," Niall answered sheepishly, tucking his arms behind his back as he looked down at the floor like a guilty five year old. Again, it was too cute. How could anyone get mad at him? Ever?
"Niall!" Louis exclaimed, acting like a protective older brother. I rolled my eyes. I didn't need him looking out for me.
"It's fine, Louis. Niall and I were just messing around. What are you guys playing?" I nodded in the direction of the flat screen on the wall of the bus.
"Call of duty." He replied with a shrug.
"Oh how typical." I smirked. Max loved call of duty. Speaking of Max... I checked my phone for the millionth time. I had texted him once I'd found out about the two nights in Chicago, telling him that I was sorry and really wanted to try and work things out when I came back. It had been an hour and he still hadn't replied.
"Can I play?" I asked, shoving my phone back into my pocket and meeting Louis' curious gaze.
"Have you ever played before?" He asked skeptically.
I gave him a coy smile. "Once or twice."
Louis shrugged. "Sure you can. But don't expect me to go easy on you." He warned.
I plopped down onto the couch next to him and grabbed one of the controllers. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"I'll pick an easy map." He told me. "Choose that gun-" he pointed to the screen and I nodded. "Okay, Stella, lets see what you've got."
"Game on, Tomlinson." I retorted.
"How is this possible?" Louis half screamed ten minutes later, tossing his controller aside with a pout. "You liar! You've played before!"
I looked to the screen, admiring the contrast between mine and Louis' kill-death ratio. "I told you I've played once or twice," I reminded him with a wink.
Louis returned it with a pout. "More like a couple hundred times." He sulked.
"Aw, now don't sook just because I beat you." I leaned over and pinched his cheek, trying to get him to smile. He swatted my hand away but it worked, because the corners of his mouth crept up the tiniest bit.
He rubbed at his cheek which was a little red from my pinch. "You're really weird," He told me.
I leaned in closer and whispered in a low voice. "Yeah, and you suck at COD."
He let out a snort then reached out and wrapped his arm around my neck tightly, dragging me down onto his lap. My face was pressed against the fabric of his pants. His fist began to rub against my head quickly, burning, but more importantly messing up my hair.
