The One and Only (One Direction)

Chapter Seven

Isabel's POV

I drag myself out of bed at 6 am. I hate getting up early, but the girls are picking me up at 8:30.  As I wash my face, I notice that my fingers are trembling. The one thing I am nervous about is if Niall finds out I like him. I'd told Liam because I am sure that I can trust him. I finally decide on a pair of silver jeans with a music-note tank top and black ankle boots with some black jewelry. I twist my black hair into a waterfall braid, and curl the ends before walking downstairs for some breakfast. I open the refrigerator and pull out some eggs, spinach, cheese and red peppers. 

First, I take the seeds out of the peppers, and dice them. Then, I tear the spinach into small strips and wash it. As I pull out a skillet from the cupboard, I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. A moment later, Liam walks into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Morning," I say, beginning to scramble the eggs. "Hey Isabel," Liam says. He walks over to the Keurig and starts making coffee. I add the cheese and red peppers to my eggs. A few minutes later, I add the spinach and begin to plate up a portion for myself. Just before I sit down, I get a glass and fill it with water. 

"What's your plan for today?" Liam asks. I reply, "I'm going shopping with Maddy, Megan and Tiffany." His face lights up when I mention Tiffany. "Um, do you mind me asking if Tiffany is dating anyone?" Liam says shyly. I shake my head. "Don't worry. The last date she went on was a few months ago." 

Liam opens his mouth to say something else, and is interrupted by a horn honking from outside. "I should get going. Thanks for the chat!" I say while quickly cleaning up my dishes and grabbing my things. I toss some of my curls over my shoulder and step outside, locking the door behind me. Maddy waves from the passenger seat of Tiffany's silver Audi A6. I open the door closest to me, and slide in next to Megan. Coldplay's Adventure of A Lifetime plays quietly on the radio as we head towards Fashion Island.

Megan manages to get me to participate in a quick photo shoot on the way there. Maddy takes some pictures as we "pose" in the backseat. We end up in fits of laughter as Tiffany shifts lanes to take the proper exit. "You have to post that one," I say, tapping on a picture of us hugging. Maddy nods, writing a cute Instagram caption for the picture, and posting it. 

Tiffany pulls into a spot at Fashion Island, parking and shutting the car off. We get out, eager to begin our trip. "Where do we want to go first?" she asks. Megan and Maddy vote for a stop at Urban outfitters first, and I agree. The moment we walk inside, we head in different directions, drawn to multiple things all at once.

Liam's POV

Harry and Louis come downstairs a few minutes later, discussing something. I offer them plates of the eggs that Isabel made before she left, and they accept them, digging in. Harry smiles as he chews, swallowing before he declares, "These have got to be the best scrambled eggs that I've ever had." Louis nods, shoveling large forkfuls down at an alarming rate. 

"Where's Niall?" I ask. It was unusual for him to not be down here around the same time that Harry and Louis are here. "I'm here," he says, walking through the door and running a hand through his messy hair before accepting the plate of scrambled eggs from me. He groans happily as he chews his first mouthful. He cleans the plate minutes later, and asks, "Did Isabel make this?" I nod. Niall smiles softly in return. I chuckle as Louis says, "Somebody's got a bit of a crush on her." Niall punches him lightly in the shoulder. 

After enduring some more good-natured teasing, Niall heads back upstairs to shower. I quickly grab the attention of the other boys, and say, "We've got to make Isabel and Niall confess and fast." Harry suggests, "What if we just let them try to work it out themselves?" Louis shakes his head. "Have you seen the way that they look at the other when the other person is not looking? They are too shy to even attempt to confess." 

We think for another few minutes. Then, an idea pops into my head. "What if we set it up through a game of Truth or Dare?" I muse. Harry nods, pulling out his phone and texting someone. A few minutes later, he looks up and says, "I just texted Maddy and the girls. They said that they'll help us."

Louis smirks, "Well, I guess that will work. I'll bet it helps when you like one of Isabel's friends, huh?" Harry's cheeks darken slightly before returning to their normal shade. I shake my head and say, "We should probably get started."

Isabel's POV

"Hey, Megan, can you pop the trunk open please?" Tiffany asks, adjusting the bags in her arms so that Megan can press the requested button. The trunk opens and we pile our things in one girl at a time, consolidating as we go. Then we get into the car and head for Starbucks. I order a tea-lemonade, surprising my friends, who order frappucinos. I sip my fruity tea-lemonade drink as Tiffany, Maddy and Megan discuss the pros and cons of wearing wedges regularly. Around half an hour later, we pull into the driveway of the mansion that I'm staying in, and walk inside. Louis greets us, asking, "Are you up for some Truth or Dare?" We agree, and head into the large living room, where Liam, Harry and Niall are seated on the floor.