azaleas [horan]

Competition

J O S H

My stomach grumbled, longing for the bowl of popcorn sitting on the coffee table. I grabbed a handful and shoved it in my mouth, thinking it had cooled down already. Boy was I wrong.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath as the still-hot kernels scorched my tongue. I spit the popcorn remains onto a napkin and chugged down a glass of ice-cold water. Much better.

'Popcorn isn't the only thing you think is hot,' a voice in my head chimed. I smiled to myself as an image of her popped into my mind.

Too bad she isn't mine, but damn do I want to make her my girlfriend. If I wasn't such a wuss she could be here, lying on the couch with me.

Stretching my sore limbs out on the sofa, I reached for the remote as the tellie came to life. I figured it would be a long time until the girls got here so I might as well get comfortable.  My eyelids drooped as I flipped through the channels lazily. My lack of sleep is really starting to catch up with me.

No matter what I do, I can't stop thinking about her. Even when I try my hardest to focus on something other than her, my mind seems to wander straight back to where I started. Everywhere I look, the most random things remind me of her laugh, her eyes, or her smile. Hell, even eating some damn popcorn made me think of her.

My thoughts were interrupted as the doorknob clicked. It's about time they showed up! I've been waiting for ages!

Standing from my position on the couch, I sauntered to the front door, preparing myself for the day. Four figures came into view as I rounded the corner. Wait, four? I did a double take and blinked a few times to make sure what I saw was real. Both girls stood in the doorway with a guy beside them. El held hands with a tall brown haired guy while Talia leaned against a blonde. Who the bloody hell is he?

"Hi, I'm Niall! You must be Josh. It's nice to meet you, mate!" He stuck his hand out and smiled, exposing his perfect teeth. 

"Nice to meet you too!" I faked a smile. Dear God, please tell me he's just a friend...

I turned to El and glanced at the boy standing beside her. "Josh, meet my lovely boyfriend, Louis!" Eleanor spoke happily. The brown haired guy stepped forward and extended his hand for me to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Louis!" I smiled, genuinely this time.

"Josh, do you remember that CD signing a few weeks ago?" Azalea asked. 

I nodded. "Of course I remember it! I blew both ear drums from all that damn screaming," I remarked, earning a few laughs after.

"Well Niall and Lou are in the band and we met up a few weeks ago, and we've become good friends. And well, I'm not sure how else to say this but, I'll just come right out with it," She fidgeted as she continued, "Niall and I are dating." 

I remained silent for what felt like hours, but were only seconds in reality. I forced a smile upon my face, "That’s great..." I spoke through clenched teeth.

Azalea's eyes gleamed with happiness at my response, not even taking notice to my white-knuckled fists. She clapped her hands together a few times, "Yay! Everyone's happy! Now let's hit the mall, I'm in a shopping mood."

Not everyone is happy, I thought as we headed out the narrow doorway. I swiped my keys and jacket from the kitchen table, my veins coursing with jealousy.

"I'll drive!" I offered as we stepped into the driveway.

"That's okay, Josh! Niall doesn't mind driving," Louis told me. My shoulders slumped when I saw his shiny, sleek Range Rover. Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me.

I stole a glance towards my shitty pick up truck and sighed. Getting her back isn't going to be as easy as I hoped.

I reached to open the door for Az, but he beat me to it. I looked away, not wanting my envy to show through my weak façade. I sure as hell don't want him knowing how I feel about this whole situation.

I sagged into the leather seat of the vehicle and tried my best to not look upset. Glancing at the others, I saw El and Lou having a good chat. He seemed like a nice lad, I actually approve of him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Azalea and Niall holding hands. The affectionate gesture sickened me. I couldn't watch for another second without gagging and holding back my popcorn. 

I stared out of the tinted window the whole ride there, thinking. How could this happen? I was literally this close to asking her out, finally confessing my feelings to her when some stranger waltzes in! He doesn't even know her the way I do. He thinks he can just take her from me? After knowing her for a few weeks? I know one thing for sure. This is going to be one hell of a competition.

Kisses to mah misses