Back To December

thirteen

"Are you here?"

"Yep, I'm just getting out of the lift now..." I smirked when I saw him stood outisde the apartment door. "I can see you, so I'm going to hang up..."

"Oh!" he turned around, pulling the phone away from his ear and grinning when he saw me. "Babes!"

"Hey Zayn!" I giggled as he wrapped me up in his arms and kissed my head. "How are you?" I asked, and he shrugged, casually draping his arm around my shoulders. "Is Louis inside then? Does he know I'm coming?"

"Of course he knows," Zayn pulled a face, pushing the door closed with his foot after we'd stepped inside. "He's been banging on about seeing you for like a week, Cass. As soon as Liam got back from seeing you Louis was all 'oh my God did you ask her to come for my birthday?!' before Liam even got through the door properly... It was kind of cute. Kind of. Mostly I was embarrassed for him, but whatever."

"Don't be horrible!" I scoffed, hitting his chest with the back of my hand. "...How is he? You know, with the whole me still talking to Harry thing?"

"...Honestly?" Zayn frowned, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "I don't know. He doesn't really talk about it, I just know that Harry's been trying his hardest to get their friendship back on track, but Louis's... I think he just needs time. He feels like Harry betrayed him. LOUIS!" Zayn yelled. "Your girlfriend's here!"

"Zayn!" I squeaked quietly, elbowing him hard in the side. "I just- Keep your mouth shut, Malik! You'll scare him off!" I hissed at him.

"Oh please, it's only a matter of time," Zayn scoffed, dropping his arm from around my shoulders and taking my hand isntead, pulling me into the living room where the others were. Liam was sat on the arm chair in the corner, Danielle perched on his knee. Harry and Niall where sat on the bigger of the two sofas, a space left between them, and Louis was sat on the other sofa, a party hat on his head and he was surrounded by wrapping paper. I smiled, shaking my head when I saw the grin on his face.

"You're not supposed to open anything yet, it's not your birthday for another two days!" I laughed at him.

"Cassie!" he giggled, his fingers wrapping around my wrist as he yanked me down onto the sofa next to him. "Hi!"

"Hello," I smirked at him, looking round at the others. Harry smiled softly and gave me a small wave before turning back to his conversation with Niall, tutting when Zayn plonked himself down between them. "...If I give you your presents now, you'll open them, won't you?" I asked Louis.

"Me? Nooo..." he tried - and failed - to look innocent. "Gimme!" he demanded, wiggling his fingers and holding his hands out.

"Charming," I rolled my eyes. "I don't see or talk to you for ages and you don't ask how I am or anything, I don't even get a hug because you just want your damn presents... Typical boy, only interested in what he can get for himself!"

"I'm sorry," Louis laughed quietly. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me as close to him as he could and pressing his lips to my forehead. "I missed you," he whispered. "I know it was my idea, but I really can't do the whole space thing anymore, Cass. I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again."

"Hmmm," I sighed, closing my eyes. "What does that mean, then?" I asked. Louis pulled away, smiling and tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear.

"We'll talk later, when everyone has stopped pretending like they're not staring at us," he smirked, raising an eyebrow at the others who quickly looked away when they realised they'd all been caught. I scoffed, leaning down and grabbing the bag by my feet before handing it to Louis.