azaleas [horan]

Her Contagious Laugh

N I A L L

It's been a week since Louis, Azalea, Eleanor and I hung out at the park. Speaking of Louis and Eleanor, they're official. Louis tweeted about them a few days ago and #Elounor is still trending on Twitter. I'm happy for them, I really am, but I just wish Azalea and I were like that too. I chickened out at the park and I regret not asking her. 

"Louis! I'll race ya to the slide!" Eleanor tried to sprint ahead but Louis tackled her to the ground. Eleanor giggled and playfully hit his arm. They're definitely the perfect match. I sighed.

"Hey, um, Azalea?" I started.

"Yeah?"

"Would you maybe wanna, um, go...on the swings?" Shit. That's not what I wanted to ask!

"Sure!" She flashed that movie star smile. Holy shit.

She sat on the rubber seat as I stood behind her and pushed. She laughed as she swung higher and higher into the air. Her giggle was contagious and I soon found myself chuckling with her. I felt happiness overcome me. Why couldn't I just ask her? I feel like a complete wimp.

Louis and I sat in silence as I drove down the street. I decided to ask him for advice.

"Hey, Louis?" I asked.

"Yeah mate?"

"I'm gonna be honest," I started, "I really like Azalea but I know she doesn't like me and I was gonna ask her out last week at the park but I chickened out and I haven't stopped thinking about her since then." My face was slightly pink from not taking a breath while talking.

Louis shrugged. "Just ask her. It doesn't hurt to try. If you love someone, go after them." He explained.

I nodded, gaining confidence with Louis' encouraging words. "Thanks, Lou. I'll ask her later."

 A Z A L E A

Louis and Eleanor cuddled together on one of the couches leaving me and Niall on the opposite sofa. I groaned when Eleanor turned the TV to Fashion Police. I peered at Louis, surprised to witness him genuinely interested in what Kelly Osbourne thought of Angelina Jolie's red carpet attire. Eleanor always forced me to watch Fashion Police, which I dreaded. Watching Joan Rivers ridicule celebrities for not matching their heels to their purse is a waste of precious time. I snatched the remote before Eleanor could protest and flipped to my favorite show, Celebrity Ghost Stories.

Louis raised his eyebrows. "Are you shitting me?" 

"NO! Anything else! Please!" El begged. I shook my head and leaned back, propping my feet up on the coffee table. This is gonna be good.

"Wow, I've never met a girl who would rather watch a ghost show than something lame-I mean girly- like Fashion Police." Niall grinned. I smiled back as my face turned a shade of pink.

"Hey! Don't dis Fashion Police!" Eleanor said defensively. Her eyes widened as Celebrity Ghost Stories began. The TV screen displayed an eerie room in a dilapidated mansion as El hid her eyes behind a pillow.

I think paranormal shows are hilarious! All you ever hear is, 'Hey, were those footsteps? Did you see that?” I never understood how girls could get so freaked out. You know it's fake. They're so dramatic and theatrical it's unbelievable! It’s like those Big Foot hoaxes. They’re so stupid, I watch them on YouTube just for a cheap laugh.

The four of us watched Ghost Stories the whole day, but I could hear Eleanor and her boyfriend snoring by nine o'clock. Even I felt drowsy. My eyelids became heavy as I crawled absentmindedly to the opposite side of the couch and nuzzled up to Niall. His eyes widened with surprise but his shocked expression soon faded. I drooped on his shoulder and wrapped a blanket around us.

"Azalea?" I heard him whisper.

"Hmm?" 

"Would you like to go on a date?" He muttered. I sat up abruptly. My sleepiness seemed to vanish in an instant. A wide smile formed on his face when I nodded vigorously. Joy filled my body from head to toe. It took all of my willpower to not do my happy dance around the dim room.

I sat back, a huge smile plastered on my face. I lied down next to him and took in his scent. Mmm. I recognized a peppermint aroma mixed with some subtle cologne. He smelled so damn good, I was compelled to sniff him a second time. It’s not weird, I promise!

"Did you just sniff me? Twice?" He laughed at that last part.

"Mmhm." He chuckled and stroked my hair. I heard his gentle heart beats and eventually fell asleep to the faint thumps.

***

I woke up to giggling and a camera's shutter noise.

I snapped my eyes open to see Louis and Eleanor leaning over my petite body taking photos of me. I tried to get up but was restrained by strong arms wrapped around my torso. I screamed and did what my brain told me. Grabbing the stranger's arm and tugging, I flipped them over my shoulder with ease. 

"Azalea! Why did you do that?" Eleanor scolded. I heard a low grumble and looked at my victim. Aw crap.

"Niall! I'm sorry! It-it's reflex! I heard a camera go off and I thought you were a fucking kidnapper or something!" I apologized. 

"It's okay. I'll get payback." He smirked and rubbed his shoulder. 

"That was so cool! How did you do that? Can you teach me?" Louis said in amazement. I felt heat rise in my cheeks and blushed.

"Sure. My cousin taught me a few years ago just in case some creep came on to me." I explained. Louis still had his mouth agape in shock.

"Wait, Az, did you say you heard a camera?" Niall glanced at Eleanor in suspicion. She froze.

"Louis made me do it!" She accused.

"No! It was her idea!" He countered.

"Whatever. What was the picture of?" I had my hands on my hips and I was more than prepared to flip someone again.

The couple shared a brief look but handed me the phone. Pictures of Niall and I cuddling were displayed. 

"What the hell, Louis! Please tell me you didn't post these on Twitter!" 

"Uh.. See, here’s the thing.."

"Louis!" 

"Sorry!" I ignored his apology and checked my Twitter account using my phone. Yep. He tweeted the picture and my notifications blew up immediately. I sighed. How did these people find me? I swear, fangirls are stalkers.

"You guys just looked so adorable! Besides, El thought of it!"

"Forget it, Tomlinson. You've been spared. This time. But I swear if it happens again I will rip your balls off!" I threatened. He mocked a hurt expression and leaned on his girlfriend's shoulder fake crying.

"I'm really hungry." Niall and I said in unison, changing the subject to food.

"Can we go out to breakfast now?" He whined. 

"Okay okay! Let us get ready so we can go!" El dragged me upstairs leaving the boys alone.