I don’t have friends.
The way she said it replayed in my head through the whole drive to my flat. My friend had picked me up from the airport and gave me a ride. It felt strange opening the door with an actual key instead of an electronic card. Even turning the door knob felt different. Stepping into my flat, I just dropped everything. I ran all around with my arms out wide and just reveled in finally being home, even if it was just for a few days.
Every day I was home my thoughts were on her. I couldn’t even go out with the boys without them having to repeat themselves three or even four times. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. It nearly hurt not being able to see her. I’d even gone to the extremes of asking Lou for her number. Then I remembered that I couldn’t start off our relationship by going behind her back. Ha! Our relationship. I was talking like that was even possible.
On the night before the London premiere of our movie, the boys all wanted to get together for dinner. I dressed nicely and even did my hair for the first time in over a week. It was good to be going to see the boys again and a small part of me hoped that, by some chance, Adelaide would be there. Louis had texted me the name of the restaurant and I used the navigation system in my phone to get me there. Harry pulled up at about the same time I did and waved at me through his window.
“Niall!” he cheered and wrapped me up in his long arms. I returned the greeting and stuffed my phone and wallet into my back pocket. “Ya look good.” I glanced down at my attire and shrugged.
“Thanks,” I said. I had opted for a nice hoodie and some good jeans but I didn’t think it was comment worthy. We walked around to the front of the restaurant together and ducked inside with barely any lights flashing in our faces. The greeter recognized us right away and led us to the back where everyone else was.
“Harry! Niall!” Louis chirped in. “Always a pleasure to see your beautiful faces.” It was clear someone didn’t wait to start drinking. Eleanor was to his left and she smiled kindly at the both of us. She was the only girlfriend there and I assumed she was playing designated driver as well. Harry and I sat down and scanned our menus before ordering a couple of waters.
“So when is Lou going to be here?” Liam asked, fiddling with his phone. He was checking it half a dozen times every few minutes.
“Soon! Patience!” Louis said, bringing his hand down to the table. I jumped and looked at him. I thought, maybe Adelaide is coming.
Shortly after the waitress had come and dropped off our waters, a little blonde girl came running at Harry. She smacked into his leg and then grinned up at him.
“Lux,” Harry said, scooting his chair out and lifting her up. She continued to grin up at him. Harry was now off in his own little world with Lux and I almost didn’t notice Lou and Adelaide join the table.
“Hiya!” Lou said when I rejoined the rest of the world. I smiled weirdly and wondered what was wrong with me. I’d seen her a week ago and acted just fine. Now I couldn’t even talk. She had on a cute little white dress with flowers and it had no sleeves but she had this little jacket on.
“Where is your head?!” Louis asked loudly. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “I said do you want a drink.” I put a hand up, nearly knocking my water glass over. I glanced at Adelaide who had a bewildered look on her face. I could feel my face turn red.
“No thanks,” I said quietly.
We all ordered and made small talk. Well, we tried. It was mostly Lou and the boys while I sat there like a complete moron and Adelaide was just being her usual quiet self. Every time someone tried to talk to me they had to say it twice. I was baffling myself even with how stupid I was being. Excusing myself from the table, I quickly walked outside and took a deep breath of the cool air.
