The Plans We Make

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The evening was nothing but eventful, but what else was to be expected?

Zayn, Louis and Maria had ran down to the movie shop conveniently located a block away from their complex. In the meantime, Ashley and Jessica were preparing the popcorn and chips while Beth ordered two large all-dressed pizzas.

"Pizza will be here in half an hour." Beth announced, walking into the kitchen where her two best friends were located. "Need any help in here?" She offered, but it seems the duo had everything taken care of. There were two enormous bright blue bowls filled to the brim with what looked like original and barbecue flavored crisps. The microwave was popping away at the corn kernels. Jessica had even gone an extra mile and prepared a platter of cheese and crackers, even though the chances of anyone eating them were slim. She liked to think they would eat the healthier options if available but she was continuously proven wrong.

Mind you, the nine of them made sure to eat healthy meals. They always made sure each other ate their fruits and vegetables and the girls preparing supper that included, at least, three of the five food groups. It was a cardinal rule for one of the girls to accompany the boys while they went shopping for their own food. If any of the boys went alone, they'd come back with bag upon bag filled with junk food.

It was just for occasions like this where they all pigged out.

"Check the fridge for drinks, please" Jessica asked sweetly, placing another mozzarella wedge on the whole wheat cracker. Beth slid to the fridge, opened the stainless steel door and frowned at her findings. Or lack thereof.

"Nothing, guys." She slammed the door shut, "Boys!" She called, exiting the kitchen and entering the living room. She leaned against the back of the sofa, where Harry, Niall and Liam lay on their phones. In her sweetest voice, she asked, "Can you three please go upstairs and bring down some drinks? We have nothing here." She batted her eyelashes.

"Beth" Harry whined, "Do we have to?"

"Fine, we'll all die of thirst and who's fault will that be, eh?" She countered, pointing her index finger toward the curly-haired lad.

"Alright, we'll go." Liam forced the other two men out of their slumped positions. "We'll be back in a bit."

Once the three had left the apartment, Beth bounded back into the kitchen. Grabbing the iPod and placing it in the dock, she blasted an upbeat pop song to block her voice. They'd never tested how sound travelled between the two apartments because there had never been a need to. This deal between the four girls was the first time in a year they had kept something from the boys.

"Okay, girls, I have an idea." She pulled her two friends away from their busywork at the counter and huddled with them. "We'll tell Maria when she gets back, but I need to tell you now that the boys are gone."

"Tell us what?" Ashley asked, still holding a fresh bag of popcorn. She picked a few popped kernels and began munching.

"Save it for the movie, please." Jessica demanded, ripping the bag from Ashley's hand and throwing it into the empty bowl on the counter. "Continue, Beth."

"Well, the first part of Operation: Get Our Man is tonight. We each sit next to our desired male and try something with them."

"Define try something, please." Ashley quipped. The three heads turned quickly at hearing the front door open before they heard the distinct voices of Louis, Zayn and Maria arguing, as usual.

"Cuddle, hold their hand, lay on their lap. Do something to make them notice you. And get close to them. If any of us aren't at skin-to-skin contact by the end of the night, you have to do the dishes for the rest of the week." She clarified hastily, not wanting to be caught or heard by the two males.