That Summer

Chapter 14

The awkwardness had died after that moment and I had my best friend back. Sure, it wasn’t the same but it was a start. We were speaking and that’s all that mattered to me. I didn’t press him to talk about what had happened because, honestly, ignoring it is what was best.  “You guys had a movie marathon without me?!” Zayn whined the next morning while we were out to breakfast.

“You were on a date!” Louis said.

“You couldn’t have waited to do it another night when I could have actually been there??”

Claire and I couldn’t help but laugh at how hard Zayn was taking the news. We knew he would be disappointed, but not this disappointed.  “We could always have another one tonight!” Louis suggested. 

“Really?” Zayn’s face lit up.

“Yes, really! It wasn’t the same without you last night, Zayn!” Louis smiled.

Zayn smiled, satisfied now and I turned my attention to Claire. “So, how did it go last night?” I asked, making sure only she could hear me.

“It was possibly the best night of my life!” Claire squealed. “We went to this cute private little café and then he took me to the ocean and we walked along the beach. It was so romantic!”

“Did he kiss you?” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively.

She slapped my arm playfully. “Only on the cheek! It was so sweet! My cheek was burning where is perfect lips touched it!”

“Aw! Clairebear!” I loved seeing her so happy. “Do you think he’s going to ask you out again? Or has he already?”

“Don’t call me Clairebear! You know how I feel about that and what if Zayn had heard you?? I would have never forgiven you!”

“Don’t avoid the question! Do you think you’re going to go out again??”

“He asked me out again for tomorrow night!” She blushed.

“Ah! Yay! You two are so cute!” I squealed excitedly.

“What are you two talking about over there??” Liam asked with a confused expression.

“You two sound like teenage girls ranting about some hot celebrity!” Louis added.  “You two aren’t fangirling over another boy band are you?!” He gasped.

We both laughed. “First off, we are girls so of course we’re going to sound like girls. Second, we aren’t fangirling over anyone! I’m just having a nice conversation with my sister! Is that so wrong?”

“Yes!” Louis answered. “Unless I’m a part of the conversation! I love to gossip!”

“Sorry, Louis. Elizabeth is sworn to secrecy. Some things are best left between sisters.” Claire smiled.

“Fine!” Louis pouted. “No one likes to keep me in the loop!”

“It’s nothing personal, Lou.” I said patting his shoulder.

We finished eating and made our way back to the hotel. The boys had an afternoon show and my dad managed to get Claire in as well. “You have no idea how great it is that you’re here, Claire.” My dad said after the boys got inside to their dressing rooms. “I know Elizabeth here has been missing you.”

“I’ve been missing her too. You’re lucky that Niall flew me out here or else you would be getting many angry texts expressing just how much I missed your daughter!” Claire laughed.

My dad wrapped an arm around my shoulder and squeezed me lightly. “You know it was nothing personal. I just wanted sometime with Lizzy before she ditched me for good.” He kissed my head.