Act Like You're in Love {Niall Horan}

Chapter 5: A Floor Away

~Mariah's P.O.V.~

After Louis had run away, we had heard muffled voices and assumed it was safe to come out.

"Hi, guys," I said breezily, walking in the room. I handed Simon back his money. "We got lost," I stated flatly. My explanation was met with much laughter.

Harry in particular raised his eyebrows. "That all?"

"Uh, yeah?" I said in a duhhh voice, pretending to be totally ignorant as to what he was implying.

Simon chuckled. "Well, you all better be off now," he says, turning to the boys.

As the four boys start to leave, I stand there watching, wondering what I'm going to do now.

"You're going too, you know," James says, interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah," I say brightly, gathering my things. "I forgot!"

He raises his eyebrows and smirks. "Maybe because I never told you."

I'm puzzled for a second before I realize that he never told me but that I had heard while eavesdropping. "I was trying to, uh, go along with what you were saying," I blurted out.

He smiles curiously. "Ah."

I gather my things quickly, grateful that no one else heard. As I zipper my purse, Louis flies into the room. "I can't find them in any closet!" he says loudly upon entering the room. "Oh. Look. I found them," Louis smiles, telling the others.

We all laugh, and Harry shouts, "Good job, Boobear!"

Louis bows. "Thank you, thank you!"

I laugh and shove past them. "C'mon, are we going or what?"

I hear murmurs in response as they all shuffle out the door, as well as a goodbye from James and Simon.

"Where are we heading to?" Zayn asks.

"Uh, it doesn't matter to me," I say.

"Let's go to your flat," Harry suggests.

"Yeah, I wanna see your place!" Louis exclaims.

"It's probably cleaner than any of our flats," Liam informs me, earning laughs.

Zayn pokes Niall. "How about you, mate? Is her place okay?"

"Well...does she have food?" Niall smiles.

Liam shakes his head, and the rest of us laugh. "Of course, silly. I have to eat sometime, you know," I tell him, rolling my eyes.

"I dunno," Harry cuts in. "You seem pretty skinny." He winks.

I roll my eyes yet again. "Shut up." The boys all snicker.

"Don't take it personally," Liam tells me. "Harry compliments every girl."

"Awww, what a sweetie pie!" I tease him as we near my car. The other boys all shove him around playfully.

Very mature.

"Okay, guys, this is gonna be a tight fit," I warn them, beeping the car unlocked.

They all jostle around, trying to get to the seat they want. I just shake my head and luxuriously stroll to the driver's side.

"Let the games begin," I mutter to myself.

Liam hears me and flashes a smile. "You better get used to this."

***

The car ride consisted of constant changes of radio stations, loud singing, lots of elbowing, and way too many farts.