Laney:
I woke up to the giggle of a two year old outside my door. I turned to see Addie who was still sound asleep stretched across my queen mattress. I listened to the laughing boy on the other side of my door and felt my mouth curl into a smile. I wanted to open the door and let him climb into my bed with me. I wanted to tickle his tummy like I knew he loved. I wanted to run my fingers through his curls as he fell asleep. I felt a tear escape my eye and trickle down my cheek. I sat up wiping the tear away and walked over to my mirror to brush my hair.
I left my room silently, trying not to wake up Addie. As I brushed my teeth I stared into the mirror thinking to myself how disgusting I was. I had no idea why Niall, or anyone, chose to be around me. I held back the tears I could feel welling up in my eyes. There was a lump in my throat that I pushed down as I took a gulp of water and felt two small arms wrap around my legs. I could feel Ethan’s soft curls against my bare thigh. He tugged on my shorts “Hug?” he asked. I bent down and he threw himself into my arms. His head was on my shoulder and I could feel his curls now on my neck. I rubbed his back and his breathing slowed. My mom appeared in front of us with crossed arms. I let go of Ethan and he ran off to his toys.
“Mom, you can’t keep--” my voice cracked and tears started to pour down my cheeks
“We’re not discussing this Laney.” She interrupted me and before I could respond she turned her back to me and walked away.
I walked back into my room after drying my eyes. Addie was sitting up on my bed holding the puppy Niall had won me at the rink. She looked up at me as I opened the double doors to my walk in closet. “So, Niall really won this for you? Niall Horan?” I nodded and she walked over to me. “Why didn’t you tell me that we were sitting right fucking next to him? He could probably put a good word in to Harry for me!” I rolled my eyes and grabbed a light blue sundress off of its hanger. I looked down at my toenails that were painted pink but very chipped.
Addie’s long legs looked awkward in my shorts so she always went back home to change. “I’ll be right back, paint my nails and I’ll paint yours in a few?” She asked waving her thin fingers in front of my face. “Sure, sure. Just let me get dressed.” I waved her out of the room and shut the door behind her.
I pulled on my sundress and smiled in the mirror. I shook my head at what was looking back at me. My limbs were thin and short, I had huge cheeks and no curves. I sighed and combed my hair and decided to curl everything but my bangs. I put my curling iron away as I heard Sam outside my door talking in his deep sleepy voice. I rolled my eyes at his attempt to flatter Addie.
I opened the door and pulled her into my room. She sat on my bed pointed to my phone that was buzzing on the table beside my bed. I saw Niall’s name flash on the screen as Addie picked it up. “Can I answer it?” Addie’s finger was hovering over the answer button. “Uh, no.” I answered grabbing the phone from her and walking to the far end of my room.
I caught the call on the last ring and held the phone up to my ear “Hello?”
I didn’t realize how much I missed Niall’s voice until it came through the phone and sent a chill up my spine. “Are you busy today?” I looked at Addie who was staring at me completely wide eyed. She must have heard him because she shook her head with a cheeky grin. “No, why?” I asked slowly into the phone. He neglected to answer my question by responding with “Okay cool, see you in an hour” and hanging up without a goodbye.
I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed my nail polish remover and a cotton ball. Addie made up crazy scenarios and shared them verbally with an “OMG” after almost every sentence. We both painted all of our nails a pale pink and let them dry.
“Let me do your make up.” Addie said looking up from her freshly painted toenails. I stared back at her with a puzzled look. “I’m not wearing make up.” She let her bottom lip fall into a pout. “Please?” she pleaded. I shook my head and my curls bounced “not a chance.” She let out a heavy sigh “fine, let me just pick out your lip stick.” I rolled my eyes at her puppy dog face and turned to face my mirror. I ran my thumb along my pale lips. “Lip gloss, that’s it.” She jumped up from her spot on my bed and opened my make up bag. It was nearly empty, I never wore make up. I only owned it because either Addie or my mother had bought it for me. She pulled out a glossy light pink and handed it to me. I put it on and gave her my funniest face. “Okay, you’re the cutest, now go.” She said handing me a pair of white lace sandals.
We heard the doorbell buzz. “You can’t meet him, he won’t be expecting it.” I said trying not to offend Addie. She nodded with a wink and told me she’d sneak out the back door. She gave me a kiss on the top of my head and told me not to die. I let out a laugh and led myself down the stairs to the front door.
