"Stuck In The Friend-Zone Again and Again"

"Pretty Girl"

I stood at the back door, waiting for the boys to pick me up.
Knowing them, they would be late.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my Tumblr dash until I heard a car pull up.
I looked up to see Ashton in the front seat, Michael in shotgun, and Luke and Calum in the back.

I waved and hurried to the car, jumping in after Calum moved so I could squeeze between him and Luke.
"Hey," Michael greeted.
"Hi," I said back.
"So where are we going?" Ashton asked.
"Um, I need to go to the mall if that's alright?" I asked/answered.
"Yeah that's fine," Ashton said. "Just point the way."

I directed Ashton to the mall, and he found a really good parking spot since it was mid-Tuesday.
We entered, and I quickly led them to the nearest shop, lest we be attacked by crazed fans.
"I don't want to have to drag you guys into this, but I do need a dress," I apologized.
"It's fine, we're your guests," Luke assured me.
"But why do you need a dress?" Calum asked, confused.
"It's my birthday on Friday," I said, looking down at my shoes. "I need a dress to wear to the party."
"WHAT?!" Michael sputtered.
"It's- it's my birthday, on- on Friday," I stuttered.
"Yeah we got that, what we're wondering is why you didn't tell us this," Ashton said.
"It- it just never came up," I said quietly.
"Well what do you want?" Calum asked.
"Oh you guys don't have to-" I began.
"We're getting you something, what do you want?" Michael interrupted me.
"Um, I don't know. I'd take that merch Luke offered," I said, unsure.
"We can do that," Luke nodded. "Now pick out a dress, go!" He shooed me into the thick of the store, among the racks and racks of dresses.
I saw the boys make their way to the little hallway filled with change rooms, with a bench running along the back wall.
I looked around for a bit and picked out 4 dresses.
I hurried to the back of the store, a mound of dresses in my arms.
Luke gave me a thumbs up, and I have him a floppy smile in return.
I darted into a changing booth and hung up the dresses.
I shed my clothes and picked up the first dress, which was white with multi colour roses.
It was tight. Too tight on the top. The bottom bit was sort of okay, and it fell just below mid thigh. The sleeves were more wrap around, so they went around the diameter of my shoulders, leaving the tops of my shoulders exposed.
But the top was squeezing me to the point of barely being able to breathe (I was pretty busty, it wasn't my fault).
"Let's see it!" Michael called.
I really did not want to show them this.
I looked kind of like a stripper.
"I'm not sure I should come out!" I replied.
"Come on!" Calum called.
I hesitantly stepped out of the dressing room, standing with my hands behind my back in front of the boys.
They looked up and their eyes nearly popped out of their skulls.
I bit my lip nervously.
They all closed their eyes and looked down for a moment.
"Christ, Paris," Michael murmured.
"Don't bite your lip in that dress," Calum said shakily.
I quickly released my lip from between teeth.
"I told you," I protested.
"You didn't say that it was like that!" Ashton whined.
"I know I look like a fat stripper, you don't need to tell me," I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
"You look far from fat," Luke said.
"And I'll be damned if a stripper looks that good," Michael breathed.
I smiled shyly. "Thanks, but I can barely breathe. Next!"
I retreated into the changing booth, and pulled the dress off with difficulty.

I faintly heard Calum ask where I've "been hiding those things", and then heard someone (Luke I'm assuming) slap him upside the head.

I pulled on the next dress, which was much too large.
"Too big!" I called out to the boys, pulling it off.

I slid on the third dress; it was a carnation pink with a flower at the waist.
I realized upon putting it on that the fabric irritated my skin, but it looked okay.
I walked out to show that boys.
"It's nice," Luke complimented.
"I liked the other one better," Calum mumbled.
Luke smacked his arm.
"It's itchy," I said.
"Next!" Ashton called.
I returned to the booth, and took off the horrid itchy fabric concoction.

The last dress was an off white colour, and looked sort of like a dress shirt. It had buttons going all the way up from hem to top, and it had a embellished collar. The top bit, including the tank style sleeves and collar, were sheer starting above the bodice. It had a black bow around the high waist (see above). It was my favourite out of the four I picked.
I undid the zipper at the back and slipped the dress over my head, doing the zipper mostly up with difficulty.
I looked up.
My eyes widened at my reflection in the mirror.
It fit great.

I opened the door slowly and peeked my head out.
Luke smiled encouragingly.
I shuffled out and stood in front of the boys, hands behind my back yet again.
"Well?" I asked nervously.
"Wow," Calum breathed.
"Bad?" I said, sort if sadly.
"No," Michael said distractedly.
"Amazing," Ashton added.
Luke hadn't said anything.
"Luke?" I questioned, eyebrows furrowed, my fingers playing with the hem of the dress.
"You look gorgeous," he said fondly.
I beamed. "Really?"
As chorus of yeses followed.
"I think I'll get this one," I decided.
The boys all smiled and nodded.

I went back into the booth and changed back into my trackies and t-shirt.
I put the dress back on the hanger and grabbed my bag, making my way out of the changing area.
I found the boys waiting by the counter, looking awkward because of the look the middle aged cashier was giving them.
I put the dress on the counter, and was delighted to find that it was on sale.
It only cost $30. I had $20 left over.
I paid quickly, and we walked out of the store.
"Do you need anything else?" Luke asked.
"Shoes?" Calum asked.
"Nah," I waved off the notion. "I'll wear my high tops."
They laughed.
"I do, however, need a new nail polish to match my dress," I said.
"You already have like a million bottles!" Michael protested.
I may have told them about my few girly material weaknesses (nail polish, earrings, and glitter).
"But not this shade," I said earnestly.
Michael rolled his eyes, laughing. "Whatever, where do you buy nail polish here?"
"There's a nail salon that has a section with a bunch of stuff to buy," I said, pointing to it.
"Let's go," Ashton said cheerfully.
We walked quickly across the centre way and into the nail place.

I combed through rows and rows of bottles until I found the right kind of off white with a bit of blush shade that I was looking for.
I also found a little packet of press on black bows, that I decided to spring for.
It was my birthday, right?
I spent the remainder of my money at the nail place, happy with my purchases that day.
Frankly, I was just happy that no fans had noticed us.
One advantage of exams, I suppose.

As we exited the mall, I asked "You guys didn't want anything?"
"Um, no," Calum laughed.
"Just being polite!" I giggled.
"You're too polite," Michael groaned.
"Yeah yeah yeah," I laughed.

We got in the car and drove home, just wanting to hang out on the bus and play FIFA.
Well, I didn't want to play FIFA, but you get what I mean.

We finally got back to my place, and hopped into the tour bus.
I hung up my dress and put the nail stuff on the table.

Since it was almost lunch time, Michael was already bugging me to order pizza.
"Okay, fine, yes, you can order pizza," I gave up.
"YAY!" Michael squealed, pulling out his phone.
Calum was already setting up FIFA.

By the time the pizza was ordered I was dying of sweat in my trackies, since it was getting warm out.

I went to the back of the bus and ordered the boys to not look.
I pulled off my pants and grabbed a pair of jean shorts.
I saw Ashton's Captain America tank top laying on the floor and quickly snatched it up.
I slid it over my head and was delighted to find that it fit rather well.

I waltzed back out to find the boys' amused gazes trained on me.
"Nice shirt," Ashton giggled.
"Why thank you," I said diplomatically, plopping down between Luke and Ashton on the couch.
"You just like our clothes, don't you?" Luke teased.
"Indeed I do," I replied cheekily.