Stand Up » 1D

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Liam Payne/Jasmine Treader

Liam's POV

I heard a light rapping noise on my door, and I turned slightly at the sound. How could Danielle be back already? She just left!

I opened the door and wasn't greeted by Danielle, but by Jasmine. I felt a small flash of guilt at immediately assuming it was Danielle, along with another feeling I couldn't exactly pinpoint.

"Hey, Jasmine," I said, smiling at her. I leaned up against the door frame.

"Mind if I come in?" Jasmine asked in amusement, folding her arms across her chest.

"Sure! Of course," I said quickly and moved to the side so she could come in. "Why wouldn't I let you in?"

Jasmine only shrugged and traced my bed post with her finger. "How's it going?" she asked, glancing at me.

"Fine, fine," I said. For some reason, the atmosphere between us was awkward. I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a bit of uncomfortable.

Jasmine sighed. "There is a reason why I'm here, you know," she informed me. "You don't have to be afraid to ask."

"I'm not afraid," I argued. My face felt hot. I was tempted to slap it off, but I knew that'd never work. "So then, why are you here?"

Jasmine hesitated. "I have to tell you something important," she said. "You have to promise not to laugh and not to hate me afterwards."

I stared at her. "Well, I don't know if I want to know if you think I'll hate you for it."

"I don't!" she said hastily. "I mean, I don't think you'll hate me for it. I was just saying...."

"Right," I said slowly. "Okay, I promise not to laugh and not to hate you. Now what is--"

"Are you sure?" Jasmine interrupted me. "Remember that promise of yours."

"Er, okay," I repeated. "Now what is it that you need to tell me?"

Jasmine's breath puffed from her lips, and her bangs flew up in her face before settling down again in a perfect curve. Apparently she didn't want her bangs in her face because she brushed her hand up against her forehead and held them back.

She's beautiful.

The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it. I nearly slapped myself for it, but I managed to restrain myself. I remembered telling Abby that it wasn't illegal to tell a girl she's beautiful, but for some reason with Jasmine, it felt illegal.

"Liam," Jasmine said, breaking me from my thoughts. "I miss you."

I stared at her. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "I'm standing right here. We're living in the same bungalow!"

She half-smiled. "No, not like that. I mean, I miss sharing a room with you. I miss our closeness."

Her words made my skin crawl, but I wasn't disgusted. Anything but. I found myself thinking I missed Jasmine too. But I couldn't afford to think like that. I had a girlfriend, for Pete's sake!

"M-me too," I forced out, and cursed my shaky voice. I also cursed the stupid words. "Me too"?! Way to blow your relationships with these girls, genius.

That perked Jasmine up, for whatever reason. "You do?" she asked lightly. "I mean, you do?" She sounded more serious the second time around.

"Sure," I said with a shrug. "I mean, we're really good friends. Right?"