The Effect You Had

dont let your guard down now mads

“Hey Rach,” I answer to my iPhone that just started blaring her ringtone, “what’s up? Did training run late or something?”

“Nah I just went to the supermarket to pick up some stuff. My hands are actually a bit full, would you be able to come down and help please?” She pants for effect.

I grab Jai and Luke and pull them down the stairs, chuckling to them that “they finally have a use in life”. Once in the underground car park (yes, the villa has an underground car park, but no, it’s still not classified as a house), I open the boot and Liam and Louis tumble out. Niall and Harry pop their heads out from the backseat, and Zayn starts beeping in the front. Oh how mature these kids are.

“You guys are just so freaking hilarious, you know that.” I say after my yelp of surprise and recovery from the initial shock. “I was starting to wonder what took you so long Rach. Your hair isn’t even wet!” After claps of success and greetings the group splits up. Louis and Niall are over talking to the twins about their smartest remarks they have all made to me since they last conversed, Liam checking up on all of their entourage and Zayn back to Rachel’s hip. Finally, Harry is still standing at his original spot, arms held out wide waiting for me to come to him.

 As much as I’d hate to admit it, in the months since I last saw this kid in person he has unbelievably been able to make himself look hotter than ever. Don’t get me wrong, I love Harry –in a purely brotherly way, but watching him stand there and bite his lip expectantly and slowly flick his curly brown locks out of his hair is truly sexy and sends butterflies into my stomach. Despite this, I run into my friends’ familiar embrace, ignoring the hole I can feel burning into my back from Jai’s stare.

“Ah Mads, I’ve missed you so much! How’s everything been?” Harry asks, several moments later, showing no indication that he saw me staring at him.

“Really excellent, to be honest. I’m loving Melbourne more and more every day! Although Rach has still been a bit off without Zayn around.” I reply honestly.

“I find it so great how they manage to be together. Everyone always says long distance relationships never work, especially in our situation. I think it’s cute they manage so well,” He tells me.

“I guess it’s because he has four of the best people in the world to pull him into line all the time,” I continue. “He has been a good boy hasn’t he?” I ask with a hint of sarcasm.

“Oh… yeah of course he has… especially on the plane down here. He spilt tomato sauce on the hostess then offered to lick it off. That didn’t go down well…” replies Harry with an equal amount of sarcasm. “Hold up, that was me,” he adds as an afterthought coupled with a playful punch from me.

“Come and get my bags with me,” I ask Harry as we work through our laughter. 

We end up leaving half an hour later. I’m not quite sure what took so long, but there was a lot of singing and dancing, laughing and catching up. Our group is just as fun as it’s always been, even though Georgie isn’t here anymore. I miss her, but I try not to dwell on it or the guilt for leaving her behind would eat me.

My bags ended up being a lot heavier than expected, so Harry hauled it out to the car whilst I say goodbye to Jai. Although there are still so many unspoken words between the both of us, he holds my hands and whispers sweet farewells in my ears which remind me of why I like him so much. Out of the watchful eyes of the group he kisses my forehead before I climb into the vehicle, leaving me with great anticipation of when I return and see him again.

Nevertheless, the party continues in the back of the limousine that accompanied Rachel into the car park earlier. For a bit of fun as we are driving along, Louis and I stick our heads out the sunroof, which alerts the world to the until-now-secretive-presence of One Direction in our country.