The next afternoon I woke up with everyone still passed out around me. I carefully disentangled myself from Louis to use the restroom. I didn't realize how outrageous I looked until I was washing my hands and glimpsed myself in the mirror. I looked exactly like I had stayed up all night drinking. I chuckled to myself as I ran a brush through my hair and threw it up in a messy bun on top of my head. I brushed my teeth and and washed face. I had to work extra hard to get the red lipstick off my cheek. I'm not sure how I had succeeded in smearing it but I scrubbed my face nonetheless.
As I finished up and made my way into the hall I heard light clinking sounds coming from the kitchen. Curious, I went to check out who could have possibly woken up. I smiled wide when I saw Louis rummaging around in the kitchen, placing pans on the stove while cracking eggs open into a large bowl.
"Well, good afternoon sunshine." I said as I hopped up on the counter watching him maneuver around my moderately sized kitchen.
"Back at ya babe." he chuckled lightly as he whipped the eggs.
"So, are we all getting breakfast or are you going to be selfish." I smiled sweetly. He rolled his eyes and laughed at me.
"Start on the pancakes while I scramble these eggs. If we're going to feed four hungover stomachs I need all the help I can get." Louis said swatting my bottom playfully as I walked by. I pinched his in return and laughed when he yelped.
It didn't take long for the smell of turkey bacon had Cat and Niall joining us in the kitchen. They both still looked mostly asleep while Louis and I made a plate for each of us. Niall happily dug in while Cat soaked her entire plate in maple syrup. I shook my head and laughed while she shrugged her shoulders at me.
"It's two in the afternoon. Why didn't ya wake me?" Niall asked rubbing the sleep from his eyes and going for a second round of pancakes.
"You looked rather peaceful drooling all over my sofa cushion to be honest." I laughed.
"Oh c'mon." Niall groaned but still chuckled a little with the rest of us.
We ate, joked, and took turns cleaning the dishes while simultaneously trying to drown one another. By the time the dishes were done and put away I think we all looked like drowned rats. I was just glad I had taken my make up off earlier because Cat resembled a raccoon at the moment.
"What are you lads doing the rest of the day? I need to make a trip down to my apartment but I think we should all hang out. It's been too long." Cat said as she wiped under her eyes with a tissue. I laughed lightly to myself when she made a face at how much mascara seemed to be smeared under her eyes.
"Shit, I think Niall and I are supposed to be going to some kind of business kickback. You know we've got a reunion tour and a hits CD in the works." Louis said as he looked over at Niall who nodded in agreement. It looked as if they had both almost forgotten.
"You should be our dates!" Niall exclaimed as his eyes lit up and his body became animated. I looked over to see a wide grin split Louis' face. I looked between Niall, Louis, and Cat who looked almost as excited at them. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I tried to smile but it felt stiff on my face. Cat glanced over at me and her smile quickly faded.
"Ohhh, guys." Cat said stopping the boys mid sentence. They all looked over at me with questioning stares that quickly transformed into concerned and understanding.
"That was a terrible thing to ask. I'm sorry Lani." Niall said patting my knee lightly. It was only somewhat reassuring. Cat proceeded to suggest that her and I do something while the boys were out for the night. I let the idea bounce around in my head as I tried to lower my heart rate. It was crazy the effect of just thinking of seeing him had on me. My heart rate had skyrocketed, my palms were sweaty, and I felt as if I was nothing but a bundle of nerve endings. I knew I needed to get over this. I needed to put this all behind me. It had been quite literally eleven freakin years.
