Bend The Rules• njh

29⌝ Be Open

Song of the Chapter- Electric Touch by Taylor Swift (featuring Fall Out Boy)

Toni Anderson

"You almost ready in there Ton," the voice I've grown accustomed to calls out from outside the bathroom.

I peer down at the mess sprawled out across his guest counter and notice my reflection, hair rollers are still intertwined in my locks and one eye is missing out a signature smudged out eyeliner. With hesitation I reply, "Just finishing up! I uhm just have to get dressed." Energy is shot throughout my body as two crucial things raced my mind: number one, I cannot make Niall late for his performance tonight. Number two and arguably the most important one, I can't walk out looking a mess. I dip my brush in the deep black powder and hurriedly try to finish up the final touchups. My eyes are closed as I guide the brush via memory, making sure to keep everything neat and not at all like a raccoon eye. I begin to smudge out the harshness as I feel hands ease gently on my hips which then start to wrap around my waist.

"You're lucky I didn't jump or else I'd have to redo this whole thing," I gesture at my face jokingly as I open my eyes to see Niall standing right behind me and his face nearing mine. As much as I joke, I wouldn't trade moments like these or even the possibility of mistakes and messes for anything. Tessie was right, my life had changed drastically and it had changed me. I forgot what company like this was like, what it was like to have a person around that made it all worth it. Unintentional smiles have been breaking out across my face a lot recently, and if I keep dating Niall I'll have wrinkle lines within a year. But like I said, worth it.

He grins at me beautifully through the mirror, "Well from what I see here darlin', you have a bit to go." Ni is clad in a simple white button up, his sleeves and collar pressed up lightly against my body as he hugs me from his wrapped position. "So be honest with me," he nuzzles into the crook of my neck so I can now see his hair is in his normal quiff and smell his amazing cologne, "how much longer ya got?"

I shake my head placing my brush on the counter and picking up my mascara, "Well with your arms wrapped around me like this and looking like that, we will be late. However if you let me do my thing, I'll be ready within ten minutes."

"Ten minutes you say," he wiggles an eyebrow as he raises his gaze to mine in the mirror. "I'm coddin' ya." It seems like his Irish jargon seems to increase whenever he's abroad, or closer to "the motherland" as he says. Well, when he pronounces it it turns into 'mudderland'. Regardless I lose my shit everytime. Dramatically sighing to regain my attention, he releases his grasp from me and places himself next to me, leaning on a hand on the counter, "Do you want help with anything?" He finally made up his mind tonight and went with navy slacks, after a fifteen minute 'debate' over that or a burgundy pair. I swore he would never make it on the stage.

Brushing the mascara through my lashes and trying to not make a ridiculous face I reply, "I just need to get dressed. Also I'm glad you went with that pair so I can match you." Though we may not be able to officially go public or even be seen with each other romantically, I'm not gonna act completely detached from him. I am his girlfriend and goddamn it I'm going to dress nice and match with him if I want to.

"I knew how much it meant to you, plus don't I look damn good," he strikes up a little pose with a hand on his hip to seal the commitment. I can't help but let a laugh escape and try to cover it up with an eye roll.

Beginning to unroll the hair rollers on my head, I eye Niall in my peripheral to see him just gazing down at me. I cannot waste any time right now. In an attempt to make sure we stay somewhat on schedule, I head out of the guest bathroom and towards 'his' end of the flat. Niall was so courteous to let me have the guest bathroom all to myself, and by courteous I mean I was kicked out because he believed we could not survive being in the same bathroom getting ready. What a little princess, I chuckle at the thought.