It's Gotta be Him

Cry me a River

"Guys, let’s go." Gabbie sniffed, rubbing her ever swollen and red-rimmed eyes.

Cat nodded her head as she stacked the clean dishes on the sink beside her. Her hands submerged in dark, dirty bubbles of detergent. “In a sec. I have to clean up.” She shot a glare at Niall. “Some people didn’t wash up from breakfast!”

Louis scoffed. “You never told us to wash up!”

Cat rolled her eyes and quickly wiped her hands off on the towel, trying to avoid messing up her black dress. “Yes I did!” She exclaimed, hands on her hips. “What did you think I meant when I said ‘Can you guys clean up?’!”

“I thought you were asking if we wanted to!” Niall protested.

“Well, obviously I wasn’t!” Cat frowned, chucking the towel at Louis head. “Did I put ‘If it pleases your Highness?’ in front of it? No!”

“And how were we supposed to know it wasn’t optional!” Louis asked, playing with the edge of his shirt.

“Louis, you’re older than me! You can legally drink! You own your own house! You’d think someone your age would take the initiative!”

Niall gasped, as did Liam, who had been texting at the dining table. They both looked at Cat, appalled. “Oh, now you’ve done it!” Niall hissed, glancing from her to Louis, who had a strange look on his face. “You crossed the line!”

Cat huffed, noticing Gabbie had disappeared during the time she had been yelling at the boys. Cat fixed her dress and looked back at Niall. “What line?”

“The line that shouldn’t ever be crossed!” Niall said loudly.

“Really?” Cat said sarcastically. “I didn’t hear you the first time you said the line shouldn’t be crossed, Niall. Please, repeat it again.”

Niall frowned. “Someone’s snappy.”

Cat lowered her eyes and sighed. “Sorry, Niall. Louis. It’s just been a bad day already and I have a funeral to go to. I hate funeral and I just… well, the pressures getting to me I suppose. It must be ten times worse for Gabbie…”

Niall’s eyes softened. “We get it, Cat. It’s okay.”

Louis head rose and his eyes locked with Cat’s. “Yeah, we get it.” He slipped off his stool and walked forward, embracing Cat tightly. Cat sighed and hugged him back. She’d always loved hugs. Louis pulled back with a smirk on his lips. “But if you ever make another reference to my age, I think I’ll have to hunt you down.”

Cat chuckled and gave Louis a shove. Her gaze flicked to the clock. “Shit!” She sprinted out of the room, which wasn’t easy in her dress and boots. “Gabbie, we have to go!”

Zayn appeared beside her, looking drool worthy in his white shirt and black jacket. Cat smiled at him and allowed him to pull her into his side with a laugh. “Gabbie and Harry have already gone.” He said quickly, grabbing Cat’s coat off the back of the seat. “Ready?”

Cat nodded then bit her lip, before turning on her heel to face the rest of the boys who had migrated into the lounge room while she and Zayn had been talking. She eyed Louis and Niall with caution, Liam still had his head down, texting away.

“Boys, don’t forget that Katie will be turning up in an hour to help start dinner.” She raised her eyebrows and pointed meaningfully at Niall. “So no eating until she gets here.” Niall chuckled. “And for the love of god be nice! And don’t trash the place!”

Zayn rolled his eyes and gave her arm a tug. “Hurry up or we’ll miss the whole thing.”

Cat tapped her pockets, locating her phone and her keys. “Okay, okay. Let’s go!” As she stepped outside she called goodbye to boys before shutting the door. As she did, she had the urge to go back in and see if the house was still in one piece.