Courting You

2

Niall

Laila Khan.... the name had that feeling of power in it. Like when you take her name, you know, she isn't someone to mess up with.

"Yeah, but who is she? Like what is she doing here?" Liam asks the question burning in my head.

"You never told me you had a friend named Laila. I'm sure you haven't even mentioned her." Harry sounds confused.

It's in moments like these where it becomes all clear that he considers Pearl as her girlfriend, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered whether Pearl told him about her supposedly 'friend' or not.
This guy needs to sought out his priorities and soon.

I turn my attention back to Pearl, who's a bit pink in the face.

"Slipped my mind, I guess" she says. I'm pretty damn sure as hell it didn't slip her mind . She deliberately kept it from Harry, from us, as if she didn't want us to know that she has such a gorgeous friend.

Is she so insecure or possessive about Harry... Or.... Or what? What else could be the reason?

It's not a big deal that Harry doesn't know about some of Pearl's friends. It's not as if they are mushy mushy lovers or even official. Their relationship is strictly physical. I don't know whether to call it a relationship even. It's kind of a no stings attached, friends with benefits type of thing.

But then again, we are friends. Why hide the fact about her being friends with this girl? I was really getting curios now.

To top it all, Pearl is quiet. Like what is it today? World quiet day? Louis is quiet, Pearl is quiet. Hell, even I am quiet.

"No, I'm sure it didn't slip your mind, my dear Pearly," I put the emphasis on 'slip'. She turns a brighter shade of pink.

"I have to say, I'm offended, you kept such a beauty from us. You call yourself our friend? I have to say I'm hurt". I feign a hurt expression and place my hand on my heart.

"Get lost". Pearl throws a cushion at me. I catch it and finally search for a place to sit. I end up sitting on the couch Laila is, as there is no other place left. I lift her legs from the couch and place them on my thighs after I settle down.

Even in that small amount of contact, I can't help but notice how soft her skin is. It's like cream. Smooth and soft. Pearl catches my eye and gives me a knowing smirk. What's up with this girl?

Suddenly my stomach gives a loud grumble. And apparently, it was loud enough for Pearl to hear, as she starts chuckling. "I'll get you all something to eat. You all must be hungry."

"Finally remembered your manners, huh Ambers?" And just like that we have our Tommo back.

"Done being sappy, are you Romeo?" How can I ever miss a moment to pull his leg, seeing as he never misses an opportunity to make my life hell.

"Jealous Irish?" He snorts back.

Okay, thay was enough to shut me up.

He gives me his infamous sarcastic grin and I tell him to go fuck himself.

"Now now now Horan. We all know tu truth stinks." He winks.

That bastard

And of course, everyone is having a laugh at my expense.

"Why don't you go back to your phone?" I suggest. "Or better, just disappear from here"
He starts chuckling. Man, I was actually being serious!!

"That's all you can get Horan. Keeping her legs on yours. Nothing else. You know, girls aren't interested in small dicks." Harry laughs.

"Mark my words. She's gonna fall for me." I just say it on an impulse. Even I know I don't have a chance with her. She's like.... A proper goddess.

"Yeah sure" Zayn murmurs. Even he is quiet sure that there's no chance that this beautiful girl will fall for me.

With all the laughter going on, Laila Khan stirs in her sleep. I still for a moment. I really don't know what to expect. Like how will she react when she finds her legs on the lap of a stranger. Would she let it paas or be a bitch about it. After all beauty isn't everything, I've known this fact for long.

Pearl comes back with a bit of pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs for everyone. She goes back again to fetch something to drink and comes back with orange juice.

We all start filling ourselves up. "So, how do you know her?" Well I guess I already mentioned that I was curious . And it's needless to say that lovely Miss. Khan has already spiked my interest.

"As I said, she's a friend." Pearl mumbles.

What's up with this girl?

"Yeah, we all heard about your glorious friendship. Tell us about her." At this moment I'm quite appreciating Louis' sass.

"Well, she's a lawyer. A good one at that" Pearl finally discloses something about her.

Why does her being a lawyer seems sexy to me?

"How long have you known each other?" Liam asks. I'm glad I'm not the only one curious. It saves me from answering awkward questions.

"6 years" Pearl answers.

Harry coughs loudly. I can totally understand his shock.

"6 years you have known her, and never bothered to even mention her name? Why?" Harry sounds more than uncomfortable now.

"Why should I? So what if I have a friend you guys dunno about? Is that a crime now? Having friends? And it's not that we're official or anything Harry... I don't have to tell you everything"

Woah... Pearl was getting defensive and I caught a hint of accusation too.
This was getting interesting.

"I am not saying it's a crime babe, but by the looks of it, you were purposely trying to hide the fact that you know her." It's clear that Harry is trying to keep the atmosphere calm.

"Yeah... Fine.... Whatever...." Pearl mumbles.

"Hey, I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to upset you or accuse you or anything."

"I am not upset or anything. It's just that its something private and I can't disclose anything about it cause it concerns her too" Pearl doesn't sound like she's kidding.

This further increases my interest .

"Why?" I blurt out.

"She's a mysterious girl Niall and a proper introvert." She answers me.

Suddenly, she's waking up, stretching and giving along moan, that stirs something deep inside me.

Eyes still closed, Laila takes a long breath and says,
"I smell food."