Climbing the Walls (OFFICIALLY RESUMED!)

Chapter 40: Me Lucky Charms

Chapter 40: Me Lucky Charms

Sunday morning rolls in like slow fog. It takes a while for me to wake but when I do, I'm slouched in a chair in the downstairs bar. My back is killing me; I wipe drool from my mouth and check the time: 9:13. Whyyyy am I awake? Blah. The bar and game areas are covered in bottles from last night's drunken playing, and it smells vaguely of cigarette smoke. How did I get out here?

I stand to return to bed, but trip over the figure strewn around my feet: Louis. Snoring softly, the boy lays face-down and starfished, as if he simply tripped and decided not to move. I chuckle and step around him, careful not to crush any fingers. We waited for everyone after Mere left, I recall with a yawn. So, where's Niall?

I tiptoe down the hallway to his bedroom, where the door is slightly ajar. I peek inside and see him curled beneath the sheets, while Zayn lays flat on his back, taking up 7/8 of the bed. The boys are both in a dead slumber & aren't disturbed by my laughter when I pull the door closed. I grab a quick shower, towel my hair and head upstairs to start breakfast.

I'm just starting to rummage through the fridge when a voice sounds behind me, much too perky for 10am: Lauren.

"Morning," she sings, her long blonde hair wrapped into a braid. Despite wearing last night's makeup and clothing, she looks fantastic, as always.

"Hey! You're up early," I say, handing her a carton of eggs and gesturing to the stovetop.

"Haven't slept, yet!" She admits, "I got the spins and was afraid I'd throw up... So I just stayed awake 'til it passed."

"For six hours?!"

"I watched movies! It's all good."

She shrugs and pulls open a drawer, searching for pans. We make a large breakfast with bacon and eggs, toast, and various cereals. We set the table for the whole group, laughing all the while. Lor's such a free spirit that it's just impossible to feel low around her, despite how sleepy you may be. She volunteers to wake everyone (I warn her about Mere/Harry) while I chop some fresh fruit and hum aloud, happily chuckling at the weekend's endeavors.

Kathleen emerges first, mascara-stained and droopy eyed. She looks like a beauty-contestant who was thrown into a horror movie, in a lace top and huge men's basketball shorts. When I shoot her a questioning look, she shrugs and waves a hand in my face-

"No, no sex... Don't know who owns the shorts; just found 'em on the floor... Coffee?"

I point to the pot bubbling with brown joy, as she whispers, "come to Mama!"

The ol' gang drag themselves in one by one, and I find myself to be the only person NOT wearing last nights' clothing or makeup. We're a bunch of flat-haired, groggy eyed, alcohol-breathed saps who are slowly ingesting breakfast to try and ignite some life. Liam begins,

"So! What's on-"

"SHHH, Liam!" Louis cuts him off, " there's no need to shout."

"I wasn't? Just-"

"SHHH!" The Doncaster boy warns before flopping onto the table, "please, no more noise!"

"Someone needs a nap," Lor teases quietly, elbowing Zayn in the ribs. In much worse shape than Lou, the black-haired boy barely registers her contact, emitting a deep groan.

"Well, I can see that today's going to be full of adventure," she says sarcastically. Harry's elbow deep in bacon, chewing idly with his eyes closed. Louis, Mere AND Kathleen have all slumped in their chairs, or are resting on the table. Zayn is asleep sitting up, Niall's chowing down beside a chipper Liam, and Lor is still chuckling over her juice.