Directioners

Going "Home"

Arizona’s P.O.V

I ran and ran, not bothering to look back. Thinking I heard someone call my name, I ran faster, almost tripping over roots. I did trip a few times and probably twisted my ankle, as it burned pleasantly, causing me much pain. Later on, I found a willow tree, perfect for hiding someone. I climbed up and sprawled out across the second highest branch. Thankfully, it wasn’t that far off the ground, but I moved down a couple feet just in case.

I heard voices getting closer and closer. Through the leaves, I could see about six silhouettes, one of them being as tall as two people. Okay, they know I’m not that stupid. Slowly, when their backs turned, I climbed out of my willow tree and started running some random direction.

I entered a clearing filled with small flowers and dead grass. My phone buzzed in my pocket, then started playing Little Things by One Direction. It was one of the two songs that I can’t stand, the other is Diamonds by Rihanna, but to the point! Did I answer my phone so the song would stop, no. Did I turn my cell off, no. I just sat in the middle of the field and listened to the lyrics carefully.

“Are you hearing this?” I heard someone yell quietly, if that’s even possible.

“Yeah, that’s our jam!” another voice joked.

Then there was a smack. “Shut it, Louis!”

“Well, it’s not Arizona,” reasoned a girl. “She absolutely hates that song!”

“What’s wrong with it?” a chorus of voices asked.

“Dunno,” answered another female. “Ask her if we ever find her.”

I sat up and looked around alarmingly. Eh, if they find me, I’ll probably be passed out, because I’m feeling a little drowsy right now. Might as well take a nap. . .

“Zzzzzz . . .”

Louis’ P.O.V

Okay, I get that I crossed a line. The other two gave all of us a lecture, turns out Ari ran away, and here we are looking for her.

“Can I still check it out?” I asked sternly.

I was going to find Arizona, taking care of her and protecting her from any other teasing. She doesn’t need to go through with this. But, I would have a little fun every once in a while. I mean, come on. I’m the Sass Master of Doncaster! Come at me bro!

“Hurry, Louis,” Liam sighed. “We don’t have all day, we need to find Arizona soon. Remember, she hasn’t eaten anything for two days!”

“Thanks my little lima bean,” I screamed. Get it? Liam - Lima? Switching the letters around? Oh, never mind.

I slowly crawled into a clearing and saw a petite girl laying down, her phone playing Little Things. Approaching quietly, which is new for me, I noticed she was asleep. When I took a closer look, I realized it was Ari.

“GUYS! I FOUND ARIZONA!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, yet Ari still didn’t wake. “AND SHE’S OUT COLD,” I added.

The rest of the gang ran to where I was, worry written all over their faces. I gently picked my crush up, yes I like her, and we all started walking back to the house.

“Louis, since you’re on the top floor and she’s afraid of heights, Ari should be up there,” Phoenix and Scarlet reasoned.

“Must you always talk in unison?” Zayn yawned sleepily.

“Maybe,” they answered together. “And now we’ll continue just to annoy you, Bradford Bad Boy.”

I, along with Harry and Niall, started laughing. Just then, Ari stirred in my firm grip and her eyes fluttered open.

“Morning sleep head,” I whispered.

She shivered from a cool breeze that whisked by and cuddled closer to me. “Lou?” she whispered, her eyes closing again.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Thanks for everything. For coming to find me when I insulted you guys, for being a good friend and attempted kidnapper, and everything else,” she mumbled against my chest. “I know this sounds very cliche, but, . . I like you.”

“I like you, too,” I soothed.

Ari fell back into her peaceful slumber as the house came into view. Phoe and Niall went to the kitchen, Harry and Liam sat on the couch surfing the channels, and Zayn went to his room, followed by Scarlet. I carried Arizona to my room, gently laying her on an extra bed in my room.

She mumbled a few things in her sleep, twitching ever so slightly. “Meep,” she murmured.

“Aw,” I cooed, quietly calling the others in.

After a few seconds, Liam, Niall, Harry, and Phoe poked their heads in the door frame. I motioned for them to come in, but to be quiet. We all made a semi-circle around the bed, watching Ari twitch and talk.

“Clap, clap,” she whispered. “Do not talk back Mr. Pikachu! I said no! Go John Cena! Use Five Knuckle Shuffle, followed by Attitude Adjustment!”

“Should we wake her?” Liam asked, genuinely concerned. “I mean, this isn’t normal.”

“For her it is,” Phoenix laughed. “You should have seen the day she slept over at my place with another friend. (NOTE: this is a true story that happened to the people that play Arizona, Phoenix, and another friend of theirs) You see, she fell asleep way earlier than us, but we stayed up for a few more hours. We were on our laptops when Ari suddenly sat up from the air mattress. ‘Hey guys,’ she greeted. ‘What’s new?’ After that, she collapsed back onto the mattress.”

We all burst out laughing, waking Arizona up. “Go away,” she groaned, snuggling into the covers. “Leave me alone.”

“Can’t, babe,” I said in between chuckles. “You’re in my room.”

She sat up and collected a few blankets. “Then I’ll go away.”

Ari strutted out of the room. I heard another door open, then yelling. “GET UP AND MAKE THEM BEHAVE THEMSELVES! LISTEN TO ME YA BIG BABY! YOU ARE THE SECOND OLDEST IN THIS HOUSE, NOW MAKE THEM BEHAVE!”

There was a muffled voice before the Ari began another fit. “I REALLY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP! NOW, I’M GOING DOWNSTAIRS AND IF THEY BOTHER ME AGAIN, SAY GOOD-BYE TO EVERY MIRROR IN THIS HOUSE!”

I heard heavy footsteps fade away. A sleepy Zayn came into the room, trailed by his to-be girlfriend. “I love my mirrors, guys,” he yawned. “Do me a favor and stay in here.”

“If you are hungry, go straight to the kitchen and back, but bring extra food for you and the rest,” Scar reasoned. “Any other necessities will be covered up here.”

We all nodded, devilish grins on our faces. “Hey? Wanna play Truth or Dare again?” I asked.

“I’m going to bed,” Zayn explained, walking off.

“Wait up,” Scarlet called after him. “Don’t leave me with them!”

I looked at the others. My bandmates agreed, but Phoenix passed. “It’s not the same without Arizona,” she complained.

“Alrighty then, let’s go get her,” I chirped.

“But, Lou,” Harry started, but I was out of the room.

I skipped down the hallways, down the stairs and to the couch where she was curled up into a ball. Oh, this was going to be good!