One In A Million

xviii

Okay, maybe I shouldn't have stayed out in the rain . . .

I shimmied out of the wet skinny jeans, detached the soggy shirt from my body and kicked off the damp shoes.

My phones timer was set for a half hour, the exact time I had before going to bodyguard employment.

Let's hope I make the most of it.

With absolutely no time for a shower, I dried my hair and released the curly mess into a ponytail. I dressed in a white bustier and white denim shorts with a black sheer top that came to my bum. I zipped up my black ankle boots and looked around my room for something. What? I don't know.

Stack of black and white bracelets, bracelet from Hollister from when I performed there and Leo's ring. I sighed, that should be good. Checking my phone, it was all I could do not to praise myself. But then I couldn't hold it in.

"Way to go, Lily! Ready with fifteen minutes to spare!" I danced around my room then bolted downstairs.

I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and sat with the boys, "You guys coming?"

Zayn looked up, "To?"

"To meet the new body guards. Or should I say, my new body guards."

Liam set his phone on the table, "You do realize that you will have protection and no longer need a weapon, right?"

I sighed, pocketing over my pocket knife, "Are y'all goin' or not?"

Niall stood up and stretched, "Yeah, I will."

The other stood up and yawned, even though it was like six at night. As we got outside and into the black van, Louis spoke up.

"How many did you get?"

"Two. Male and female." I answered.

"Paul is like four people." Harry commented.

I laughed, "I know."

"But seriously," Zayn added, "Why two?"

I shrugged, "Maybe since I'm younger."

"Makes sense," Liam said.

"Possibly," I sang, tapping away on my phone.

___

 "L. J., This is Mark Hopper and Izzy Arnez." Simon gestured to the buff man and petite woman.

I bowed, "Welcome to the team. Good luck."

They bowed back. And I had to stifle an amazed laugh.

"So, how did they get the job?" Liam asked, ever looking out for me.

Simon explained every bit of it, and that would be when I zoned out. About an hour later, my mind was on earth again. "Time to go home," I sang, skipping out the door.

Mark and Izzy would only be with me when I was going somewhere other than home. Like tomorrow, when I go to Iron Man 3, they'll be there.

On the way back, we silently did a staring contest . . . at the drive . . . which was Louis.

"I know what you're doing and I find no humor in that!" he yelled. I snickered. Niall roared and the other three laughed so hard they turned red. When it died down, about an ten minutes later, I remembered something.

"Could y'all take me to the soccer stadium? I called and they're empty tonight, I want to practice." I said, balancing my phone on my fingertip.

Harry replied, "Practice for what?"

I cleared my throat, "Nothing really. I just play by myself."

Zayn nodded, "I think one of us can."

"By any chance," Niall started, "Would you have any interest in being on a team?"

"Why?" Louis asked.

"She needs something to do that isn't work or with us. Why not?" he shrugged.

I nodded, "Yeah, I would, but I don't even know if I'm that good."

Harry scoffed, "This is coming from the girl who can play any instrument, predict soccer games, sings like a pro, dances like an expert-"

"Yeah, I get it," I held up my hand, signalling for him to stop. This made him chuckle.

"All I'm saying is you should try. We can watch you tonight." Niall suggested.

Liam butt in, "Do you play or just practice?"

"I've never had anyone to play." I shrugged.

"Then we will." Louis replied.

I pumped my fists in the air, "Y'all are in trouble."

____

My hair stayed in a ponytail as I changed into compression shorts and a sports bra.

Three outfit changes in a day.

On went purple Nike trainers before I met the boys on our bikes.

Niall seemed fidgety.

"Dude," I cocked an eyebrow, "Are you scared of a bike?"

He chuckled, "I just havn't been on one since-"

"We shot One Thing, moron." Liam sighed.

I chuckled, "Weird."

Zayn tossed me the ball, which I caught and set in the basket behind my bike. With a few squeaks on Niall's end, we peddled the four mile trip.

Now, this isn't a cute soccer field for five-year-old beginners. No, this was a favorite stadium for pros of all levels. And for my fame, I apparently got to play in it all I want, only when there wasn't a game going on, though. This was thrilling for me, being able to do this with my brothers. I'd never shown anyone my quote-on-quote "talent" and really hoped I would make them proud.

I jumped from my bike, it toppled to the ground. With the ball in my hand, I ran through the gates of the stadium and glared at the score board they always left on when I came.

"Midnight!" I cheered. There was nothing I liked more than playing soccer at night.

I drop-kicked the ball and ran after it. Eventually, they joined me and this is where our game started.

Niall sucked at being a goalie, like, really sucked. But Louis was better. Liam and Zayn were amazing drop-kickers and Harry was good at everything else. I was decent at all of it.

My luck, Niall was goalie every time I tried to score, so I was winning. Zayn would scream at me, complaining that I was cheating, but I would throw him a peace sign and continue. When they scored a goal, I would boo them. When they missed, I would laugh. I won in the end, by one point. Liam was right behind me.

On opposite ends of the giant field, we sat down on the grass and stared at the stars.

I sighed, laying down.

"So is that a yes?" Niall asked.

"Yeah, yeah I do want to play soccer." I nodded.

"Football." they chorused.

I mentally cheered to myself.

Then I remembered something: This part of Liverpool only has boys teams.

Crud.