Piece By Piece || n.h.

2. Bathroom

Lexi's P.O.V

I couldn't stop bouncing my leg as I nervously looked out the window of Stacey's car. It's like the closer we got to the party, the more nervous I became.

There's a 50/50 chance that Niall will or won't be there, but I have no idea which is worse: him being there, or him not being there. If he's there, maybe we could finally start talking again; after all, I really want to see him and finally see how he has turned out. If he's not there, then I can stop freaking out about how I look, or what I would say. I don't want him there, but deep down inside, I really wanted to see him.

I felt something touch my arm, and I noticed that Stacey had come to a stop light and she reached over to pat my arm.

"You'll be fine," she said with a confident smile. "You may not know. Maybe tonight will be the night where things stop being awkward." She returned her hand to the wheel. "Just...be civil, you know?"

I swallowed and nodded. "Okay, I'm trying my best not to die in my seat, here," I said and reached for the air conditioner to turn it towards me. "I'm sweating so much and it's pretty chilly outside. Isn't it supposed to be summer, or something? Is my makeup fading?" I rambled on with questions, causing Stacey to roll her eyes.

"You're fine," she pressed at me and shook her head. "You're honestly overreacting right now. You tend to still do that, you know?" She told me and jokingly rolled her eyes. "If Niall isn't there, then you can stop worrying about everything. If he is there and he doesn't want to talk to you, then fuck it!" She waved her free hand at me. "There are better guys out there. I would know. I mean, have you seen Liam?"

I scoffed and playfully rolled my eyes. "Gosh, Stace. When are you two going to stop shamelessly flirting, and actually get together?" I asked, nudging her arm. "I mean, you two are all over each other, and I know sexual comments are the main reason you two enjoy each other's company, but I see more than just random sex jokes. Just seal the deal already!"

She laughed sarcastically. "That is not my choice to make, my friend. You know the boy has to ask the girl out. The other way around is sweet, but it's also very awkward," she pulled a strange face and shuddered. "Plus, I don't have enough balls to tell him how I feel. But," she said, holding up her index finger. "I have a good feeling about tonight. I feel like something might finally happen between us. Who knows?" She squealed and turned the corner into Louis' street. "Please, please, please have fun," she begged me as she parked next to Louis' large driveway.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I'll try my best. I promise," I told her, earning an awkward hug above the middle console.

"Let's go!" she yelled and opened the car door.

I followed her and looked up at Louis' house, already hearing the loud music through the unopened windows. I haven't been here in a while, due to studying for finals, but I'm here now, and I realized that I have really missed it here. As we approached the door, I took a deep breath and prepared myself for a long night.

"You ready?" Stacey asked and placed her finger on the doorbell.

I took a deep breath. "I guess..."

After a few seconds of waiting, Zayn, Louis' roommate and our close friend, opened the door with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey," he grinned brightly, bringing us both in for a tight hug. He then looked at me and a flash of panic went through his eyes. "Lexi!" he said loudly and put on an obvious fake smile. "Hey, you actually came!"

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. "Why did you say it like that?" I asked, waiting for an explanation. "I was invited, wasn't I?"

He laughed and shook his head. "It's nothing, Lex. I'm glad you're here. Really," he said and brought me in for another hug. "I'm sorry if that came out the wrong way. You know how much I love you."