azaleas [horan]

Called Love at First Sight

A Z A L E A

After Josh dropped us off at home, I threw questions about the One Direction boy at Eleanor.

"What's his name? Is he Irish? How old is-" I rambled until she cut me off.

"Woah, hold up. Who are we talking about?" 

"The hot blond with the cute accent, duh!" I sighed dreamily. Wow, I need to calm the fuck down. I don't even know his name yet.

"Niall...?" Eleanor tilted her head in confusion.

I nodded. "Isn't he cute?" My tone implied that I wasn't really looking for a response, but she replied anyway.

"I guess. But I just love Louis! He said we should get coffee sometime and I gave him my number!" Eleanor squealed in delight.

"That's cool..." I hesitated to continue my sentence. I considered asking her to text Louis to come over with Niall, but I had second thoughts. I just found out his name and I wanted to invite him in our flat. That's crazy as fuck. Damn. I don't even know if he likes me. He said I had a pretty name. That's it. I tried to make something more meaningful out of it when I couldn't. But I saw gleam in his eyes. I remember feeling sparks. What the hell? You don't feel sparks when you meet someone for the first time. Or do you? Ah, what was it?

"I think you mean 'love at first sight'." Eleanor smirked. Did I actually say all that out loud? I need to get my shit together.

"I think I should text Louis now." She winked at me.

"Wait! No-Don't!" I stuttered, "I was kidding! El!" I yelled after her, but she rushed out of the room texting him madly when I obviously didn't want her to. Some shit's about to go down. 

 N I A L L

I sat silently in Azalea's flat. Louis told me that the girl he met earlier today invited us over. It seemed suspicious at first until I realized that Azalea might be there. We took my Range Rover and arrived a few minutes ago.

My eyes darted around the room, examining the surroundings. Two maroon couches stretched across opposite sides of the room. A dim lamp stood on a miniature table, shining light into the hall. Loads of picture frames masked the white walls. Scanning the rest of the living room, I spotted a comfortable window seat. It seemed like a good place to think. I shuffled away from my spot on the couch and plopped down on the ledge of the window. Thoughts filled my mind. Do I ask her out? What if she says no? What if I-

I broke out of my thoughts when Eleanor and Louis returned from the kitchen with a mug of hot cocoa for each of us. I spotted Azalea finally emerging from the bedroom. She didn't like me as much as I liked her, I could sense it. Louis and Eleanor took up all the space on the two couches, leaving the spot next to me vacant. I pat the seat with my hand, signaling her to come sit by me. She reluctantly strolled across the room, her muscles becoming tense. She was obviously uncomfortable sitting by a stranger. How stupid was I to make her sit with me? At least she relaxed. I grinned at her and she returned the gesture. God, she was beautiful. Her brown hair flowed effortlessly and her hazel eyes twinkled. She noticed me staring and smiled at the ground. She sipped her hot cocoa slowly as I turned my attention back to the conversation.

"We should go to the park," Louis suggested. 

"There's one down the street," Eleanor answered. We all stood and walked towards the door. It wasn't very far, like Eleanor said, so we decided to get there by foot.

Louis and Eleanor entwined their hands and walked ahead of Azalea and me. Well, their relationship escalated quickly. Didn't they just meet, like 4 hours ago? I could feel the tension in the air as Eleanor rested her head on Louis' right shoulder. Why couldn't Azalea and I be like that? I glanced at her and she gave me a small, nervous smile. I have to do it. I'm gonna ask her out. Please let this go well, I prayed.