Like Before (Niall Horan)

Chapter Seven: Complicated

Jaesin and Liam were in a very intense thumb wrestling competition and Steph was laughing at something Harry just said to her. Harry's hair was back to normal, all of Tia's doings gone. "Jaesin, when am I taking you home? It's already almost 10."

"Oh right. Uh now?" He asked as he beat Liam in their round. He shot his arms up in the air in triumph. 

"Sure. Steph you have to come too, you have to get your clothes."

"Can I come?" I heard behind me.

"Of course." Steph piped in before I could say anything. I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Lets go." Steph said and jumped from her seat pulling Jaesin with her. Niall walked out after her. 

"Harry, if Tia wakes up, can you go put her back to sleep? She likes you." I asked him.

"Of course. Don't worry, everything is under control here. And we'll wait til you guys get back before bed." He grinned. I rolled my eyes at him and walked out. 

Niall was in the passenger seat, Jaesin behind him, Steph behind my seat. Steph was grinning at me. I rubbed my temples and climbed into the driver seat. "They, well Steph, made me sit up here. I was going to sit back there with Jaesin." Niall said pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

"Its fine." I told him and put the car into reverse so I could back out of my driveway. 

"So Alix, we were talking about your birthday when you went and put Tia to bed. We were thinking the boys could come play on the Friday of your birthday when your big blowout party is, and then Saturday the eight of us could go spend the day together, since thats your actual birthday." Steph said behind me.

"Well, they're probably busy, I don't want to be a bother." I answered her, glaring through the mirror.

"We already checked, we have nothing that weekend. We're on break since its right when summer starts and our tour isn't until a little later." Niall said beside me. I gripped the steering wheel tighter. "The lads and I thought it would be fun. We could come back and see you guys again for that whole week." Niall shrugged.

"I'll think about it. I have to talk to Sarah." I gave a lame excuse.

"Since when do you ask Sarah about anything?" Jaesin said and I groaned. Really? He couldn't have played along. 

"And whats there to think about, it will be fun." Steph chimed in. I stayed quiet and just drove. No one else said anything either, we just sat there driving to Jaesin's house. So they were coming back the weekend of my birthday, June 8, and maybe staying a week. Why?

"Well let me know about the party and whatever else it is we're doing." Jaesin said as he climbed out. We said bye to him and then I drove to Steph's house. She climbed out of the car saying she'd be right back.

"I'm sorry about all that." Niall whispered beside me and I turned my head to him. I raised an eyebrow at him. "For the party thing. It was Steph's idea and the lads agreed to it before I could even say a word. They checked and everything." He shrugged. "You can say no."

"No I can't. Steph would kill me."

"But its your party." 

"Steph's throwing it. I told her she was in charge."

"I'll stay away from you if you want me to. You don't seem too excited." He told me and looked out his window. I looked at him and rolled my eyes.

"Its not that I don't like you or don't want you around. You just, you make things…" I paused not know ing the word. "Complicated."

"What do you mean?" He asked turning back to me.

"You just, get to me I guess. I don't know. Sometimes I almost tell you things I wouldn't say to anyone else and its weird not being in complete control of things. I'm not used to that."