Better Together - (One Direction fanfic by Kaitlynn)

CHAPTER EIGHT

The restaurant was only a block away now. Soon as Jackie had heard the word "girlfriend" she'd wanted to jump off Josh's back and just scream at him. But that was so irrational. She'd only just met him...he was allowed to have a girlfriend. But she made sure her head never touched his shoulder the rest of the "ride." He asked if she was okay, she mumbled, "yeah..." But she wasn't. Not really. Maybe he was just being sweet, a good friend. But Jackie didn't usually see guys with girlfriends going around giving slightly injured girls piggyback rides. So maybe it wasn't true. Those fans were just listening to stupid rumors again. Jackie wanted that to be true so much. She realized then how much she cared for him. It was stupid, she didn't even really know him yet. But love makes you a fool. They arrived at the restaurant. Kaitlynn picked the perfect place. Since the cafe was situated in an alley, fans would most likely miss it. Josh walked into the restaurant, Cafe Bastille, panting and out of breath. It was noisy, Jackie could hear the boys laughing at something Paul said. Then Kaitlynn cut in worriedly "Oh my god where ARE THEY?" she got up from their table, "I'm going to loo--" She stared straight at Jackie for a second, not saying a word in her confusion. Jackie then realized, she was still clinging to Josh's back. Kaitlynn regained her composure, "AAAH WHERE WERE YOU?!" she flung her arms awkwardly around Jackie for a hug, Josh was in the way. "it's okay, Josh um, gave me a ride," Jackie said with what she hoped was a winning smile and a wink. Josh chuckled and set her down. But before she could thank him, he ran over to the boys, who were staring at him with what looked like...shock. He said something to them and hid his face from her view. Was he blushing or something? Jackie walked over and casually sat down at the table, followed by Kaitlynn. They all fell silent. Jackie narrowed her eyes, oh my god Josh WAS blushing. "Umm, is something going on?" Kaitlynn studied each of the boys suspiciously, "Jackie's here now, everything's fine. Unpause talking." she clicked an imaginary remote like the dork she was. "Uh," Niall got up from the table, "Josh and I need to uh, discuss manly things. Please excuse us for a minute," he practically DRAGGED Josh out of the chair. "Just order," Niall yelled over his shoulder, "you know I'll eat almost anything!" He and Josh went outside to the street and rounded the corner. Jackie knew they must be talking about her. What did she do? God this was awkward. Wasn't it just an hour ago they'd all been laughing together like best friends? She sighed in exasperation, "Okay guys," she looked pointedly at Harry, Louis, Liam, and Zayn, "will somebody PLEASE tell me what's going on?" "Well first off," Harry rolled his eyes, "We ARE manly, just look at the pictures," he opened his phone to the bra pictures. Everyone chuckled a little before some sort of silent communication passed between the boys. "Look," Zayn leaned towards her, "you obviously fancy Josh right?" Jackie gasped a little, was she that easy to read? Kaitlynn laughed and rolled her Asian eyes, "PFFFT, you're just realizing that NOW?" Jackie elbowed her, "oh shut up girly." "Fine," Kaitlynn stopped eating her macaroni and got up, "I need to pee," she stated bluntly, and left. Louis nodded sagely as if he hadn't heard Kaitlynn, "it's all in the eyes guys," he chuckled, "eyes guys! See what I did there?" Liam shook his head, "Louis just eat your vegetables," Liam gestured to the broccoli in Louis' pasta, "Jackie, I know you fancy Josh." She tried to object, but was shushed by everyone at the table. "But," Liam continued, "you can't do that. You've got to control your uh, flirtations." Liam's small smile seemed a little sad. Jackie faked a laugh, "Haha um and why's that?" She suddenly lost her appetite, a feeling of dread settled in her stomach instead. Her question hung in the air for several minutes until the answer walked in with six inch heels and a sparkly cocktail dress.