LA to The Bay

Chapter 22: Sedona (2)

'There has been a lot of speculation about what we are going to be doing this evening.' Leah shrieks in to the microphone as the coach pulls up at the hotel we are going to be staying at for the evening. 'Well until we get there it is to remain top secret, but you've got an hour to go smarten up in to your finest outfits before we meet back here at the coach. But I'll give you just one clue, you need to wear your dress shoes, so that means no sneakers!'

So Duncan and Ana were right about the dancing. As much as I'm excited at the opportunity of looking good in front of Louis, I still need to process the fact that I am actually about to willingly dance in front of other people and without being blind drunk; the glass of wine Duncan bought me barely took the edge off.

'Do you think Duncan really will dance with me?' Ana, who is my designated room mate for the night, asks me nervously as we are getting ready, like me saying no is an actual possibility.

'I think he is a fool if he doesn't.' I too am also desperate for Duncan and Ana to be dance partners although admittedly for different reasons.

'But who will you dance with, that is the mystery Niamh?'

'I'm not sure.' And I still aren't certain that I will be able to follow through on my plan or if I will even have the opportunity of putting it in to action.

'What about Harry?' She grins, 'he is so good looking!'

I gulp, 'Harry is not good looking! I mean, he thinks he's good looking, but that's about as far as he gets.'

'You need your eyes testing girl. He is so tall and sexy and his curly brown hair, it's just wowsers. If it wasn't for Duncan then it is Harry who I would want to dance with.'

'Well luckily for you there is Duncan to save you! So show me what you are wearing.' I need to change the conversation from potential dance partners and focus on a lighter subject like outfit choices.

After fifteen minutes of arguing I concede defeat and allow Ana to wear trousers, although insist that she must wear a tube top showing off her amazing abs to make up for it. The decision for me is much easier as I pull out my pre-packaged show stopper outfit from my suitcase; a black satin knee length cocktail dress with lace edging and kitten heels; I must have known that so much forward fashion planning was going to be required to keep up with the fast paced schedule of this trip.

'Wow you look amazing Niamh.' Ana is beaming as I step out of the bathroom. 'You look so sexy.'

'Thanks.' I cough, my nerves already exposing themselves.

'Swit-swoo.' I hear a number of whistles as Ana and I arrive at the steps of the hotel where the rest of the group has already gathered, something which causes me to tug down at the length of my skirt embarassed.

'At last.' Leah feigns boredom at us apparently being late, 'well at least there was effort involved in making us wait. In fact that goes to everyone, you all look gorgeous guys, just look at you, I'm so proud I'm gonna cry...' She is so over the top about everything. Although she is right, we do look markedly improved on our general group appearance of board shorts, tshirts and flip flops. The evening's sun lands perfectly on us all and suddenly we really do look like we could be auditioning for The OC, all golden complexions, sparkling eyes and perfect pearly whites; Leah has unwittingly transformed us into the American dream, at least for the evening.

'How can you not think he is good looking?' Ana whispers, nudging at me and indicating over to where Louis and Harry are standing huddled together with Marty, Juno and Lottie.

'I will admit that he does lean very well but he us just so arrogant.' I immediately loathe myself for partially agreeing with Ana but the way that Harry is leaning against the white washed wall so effortlessy of the hotel is quite breath-taking. 'And does he ever take those shades off? I bet he sleeps in them.'

'but he looks so hot in them.' Ana sighs dreamily.

'I prefer Louis anyway.' I add, making it clear to her, to everyone, that it is Louis that I want to be with.

'Louis?' She is shocked.

'Yeah, Louis, what's so surprising about that?'

'My dear friend, you can do so much better than a skinny boy like Louis!' I'm silent. I never heard anyone say anything other than how amazing Louis is before, and I definitely never heard anyone suggest that I might be the finer part of our pairing.

'Let's stop talking about them anyway and go find Duncan.' I'm starting to feel irritated by the direction of the conversation. I do like Ana but she doesn't know Louis, nor Harry for that matter, so she's really in no place to start questioning my opinion of either of them.

'You look lovely Niamh.' I stand mute, about to pass out, as we gather to board the bus. Louis is somehow standing next to me in the crowd. Like through choice. I stare at him wide eyed and unable to process a response. He actually just spoke to me, he complimented me in fact.

'I told you she scrubs up well, didn't I?' He grins at Harry, obviously proud. Wait, so he talks about me, about my appearance, to Harry? That means he is still thinking about me after all. Then why the hell is he so insistent on ignoring me all the time?

'Quite.' Harry coughs, shifting his feet and looking at the ground like he's just been caught shop lifting or some thing.

'Oi, are you two coming or what?' Marty shouts down from the bus, waving her hand in annoyance. I assume she is talking to Louis and Harry rather than me.

'We better go.' Louis smiles again, 'we don't want to lose our seats.'