The Styles Triplets

Chapter 16

"Hey, Alex," Marcel said as he slid into the seat across from me. "I want you to meet someone. This is Niall."

The boy beside him smiled politely.
Niall had messy blond hair that looked intentionally careless and wore a sweater vest that somehow made him look both scholarly and effortlessly cool.

"Hi Niall."

"Hello," he replied, his Irish accent warm and unmistakable.
Oh. That explains the charm.

"Are you sitting with us today?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I allowed?"

"Of course."

He sat just as the rest of the group began arriving — Harry and Louis first, then Edward and Zayn, until the table filled with familiar noise and overlapping conversations.

Harry leaned forward immediately.
"So I heard Ashley asked you out," he said to Marcel.

Marcel glanced at me before answering. "Yeah. She did."

"Well?" Harry pressed. "What'd you say?"

"I didn't exactly answer," Marcel admitted. "But... I'm going to her party tonight."

I saw Niall get wide eyed as he looked at Marcel, to me, to Edward, to me, then back to Marcel.
"You what?!" Niall exclaimed.

"I'm going to her party." Marcel repeated.

"But, what about the plan?" Niall asked.

"The plan? What plan?" I asked curiously.

"That plan isn't happening," Marcel cut in quickly, refusing to look at me.

Niall set his fork down, frustration flashing across his face.
"You can't just pretend nothing's there," he said. "You're losing your chance every second you wait."

Marcel's jaw tightened.
"There was never a chance," he said flatly. "There isn't now. There won't be. End of discussion."

The tension that followed felt heavy enough to press the air from my lungs.
Something important had just happened — something I clearly wasn't supposed to understand.

"So... How's everyone's day been?" Louis asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Well, I know my morning was eventful." Edward smirked, eyeing me.

Harry cocked his eye brow and looked at me, then Edward. "Really? How so?"

"It just has been great so far." Edward smiled.

Zayn snorted into his drink.
"Oh I'm sure." He added.

Harry shot me a questioning look, and I mouthed later.
Zayn was the only one who knew about Edward and me. I wasn't ready for everyone else to know — especially Marcel.

He and Niall avoided each other completely, both staring at their plates like eye contact might start another argument.
"Are you guys okay?" I asked.

"Just peachy." Marcel said sarcastically.

"Well, if you need to talk about it I'm here. I'm a good listener."

"You wouldn't understand."
The words landed harder than he probably intended.

"I can try." I replied softly.

He gave me a strained smile. "What's the point?"

Ouch. no.

"Okay," I said softly. "I was just trying to help."

He stood abruptly, gathering his things. "I'll see you guys later."

I stared after him. "What was that about?"