maid in the am

12.

The camera flashes are unrelenting, I can barely see three feet in front of me. Niall yells at me to hide my face, but Mel is one step ahead of him. She starts yelling and getting all the paparazzis attention, somehow becoming a little more sober. She's still drunk though, and pulls out cigarettes from her purse, she puts two in her mouth like walrus teeth. She proceeds to scream, "Get a real job you fucking dickheads, have fun selling any of these pics to anyone!" and flips them off with both hands. Just then, the car is brought back to Niall, and he quickly grabs me, again a little aggressively, and practically crams me into the car before closing and locking the door. Then he runs back for Mel, literally picking up her small frame like a sack of potatoes, and rushes back to the car. He tosses her into the back seat, and gets in the drivers seat and speeds away. "Fuck, I'm so sorry Rosie" he says in the most genuine voice I've ever heard. "Oh Niall shuuuduppp they cant sell the pics because I had these stupid cigarettes! The laws here say no one can publish celebrities smoking, that's the only reason I have them" Mel slurs from the back seat. "It's really ok guys, I don't mind. Thanks for taking the attention though Mel, it made it a little less intimidating. Also thank you Niall for helping me to the car, I understand though you don't need to feel bad" I say, I can tell he feels awful about the situation. Before he can say anything Mel interjects again, "Mr. Posh Money helped you into the car?! Ohhhhh he just wanted to touch you I bet!" He looks extremely annoyed, but recovers saying, "Actually Mel, I had to help your drunk ass too remember? You can barely walk, and I know Rose drank quite a bit too so I was being polite." He's totally right, I've been trying to act normal but I really am drunk. The help probably was necessary or I could've fallen and really embarrassed myself. Or maybe Mel is right.....what if he did want to touch me? No, that's just my stupid drunk girl brain reading too much into this. Fuck, I can't let it slip that I'm a fan. He probably would be weirded out. "Ugh whatever Neil, I could've made it to the car jusssss fine" Mel says. She's fiddling with her phone in the back seat, and then I know why. Gotta Be You starts blaring over the speakers, and I can't help but laugh at her dancing in the back seat. She howls the high notes, and just laughs. "How's Harry doing Niall? Actually never mind I'm just gonna call him right now and ask!" Mel yells. Niall just rolls his eyes and says, "Mel you don't have his number for this exact reason. Also I know you're trying to embarrass me with my old music but I'm not ashamed of it at all." She starts laughing maniacally and says, "I know I don't have it. But YOU do, and I swiped your phone when you so rudely picked me up! So now, I'm gonna call him and get a date." I just laugh, as Niall looks pissed. She calls, on speaker of course, and he actually picks up. "Hello? Niall?" Harry's deep voice comes over the phone. "No this isn't Niall, this is Mel Meander, and I think you're HOT. When are you gonna take me out?" She says into the phone. The girls got balls, I'll give her that.
"Really Niall again?" Harry says.
Niall says loudly back, "Sorry Haz, she stole my phone again. And she's drunk. Have a good night!"
Harry's sweet laugh sounds, and he ends the call.
"DAMMIT NEIL HE WAS ABOUT TO SAY YES WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS TO ME?" Mel yells at him from the back. Niall and I both start laughing, and Mel is not amused. "Oh ya you little dickheads, just make fun of a girl trying to secure the hottest man on this planet whatever! You're both jealous that you both have no prospects." Niall looks at me, with that longing look in his eyes again. I quickly look away, I can't handle this right now I'm too drunk, I'll do something dumb. He seems to realize he's done this and kind of mumbles, "Yeah sorry Mel, you're right. At least speaking for myself." He keeps his eyes straight ahead on the road, but I can tell he wants me to say something too. "Oh yeah Mel, I haven't had a date since I was 16. I don't think people like me very much. You made Harry laugh, so I would say you've got a real chance." At this, she perks up and Niall starts laughing.
"OH MY GOOOOOOD!" Mel yells, startling us both. She continues, "I'm fuckin starving, that place may be expensive but the portions are tiny. Niall take us to McDonalds I want nuggets and a McFlurry." He sighs and says, "I'm only going if Rosie wants something too." I know he doesn't want to, but I say it's my turn to call the shots, plus I want Mel on my side. "I mean I could go for an ice cream from there. Maybe some fries too" I say, and I can see him get a little annoyed. Mel rejoices in the back seat and he pulls into the parking lot. "I have to pee, so we have to go in." Mel says. He parks, and we all hop out. We walk in to the McDonald's, and then order. Niall and I sit down to wait as Mel runs to the bathroom. She's taking quite a while. "I'm sorry for her, she's wild sometimes" Niall says to me. "Oh it's fine, I get pretty rowdy when I'm that drunk too. Maybe even worse" I laugh. "No way, I don't believe you! There's no way, you're so reserved and quiet usually. I won't believe it until I see it." He says back to me. "Well, maybe at some point you will, but probably not. I usually try not to get hammered around my boss" I reply. He looks a little disappointed. I think he forgets he's a boss sometimes, which is sweet, but I can't forget. The food is brought to our table, and we're ready to go. Mel appears all of the sudden, and we walk back out to the car. We get in, and Mel immediately digs in to her food. "God I love McDonald's!" She yells as she shoves a McNugget into her mouth. "You guys I have a secret..." she says. Niall and I both are a little concerned by this, but she continues. "I peed standing up at McDonalds. Niall it's definitely not easier, men are just wrong." We all burst into laughter as we cruise along. We get to the gate for Niall's neighborhood, and I'm surprised. I guess Mel is staying with us tonight? Niall then turns the opposite direction as usual, and goes up the hill. We turn a few more times before stopping at a random house. "Ugh I don't wanna go home I wanna party with you guys!" Mel yells. Oh duh, this is Mel's house, that makes sense. Niall gets out and helps Mel gather her things. I get out too, and give her a hug. "It was so nice meeting you!" I say, she smiles and grabs my phone from my hand. She types her number in and says, "You're awesome, we gotta hang out again without lame Neil so we can have real fun. Text me!" I laugh and Niall just rolls his eyes. We walk her up to her front door and make sure she gets in safely, then head back to the car. I am trying my hardest to walk in a straight line, but between the gravel pathway, my high heels, and the alcohol I've consumed it's really difficult. I end up stumbling right into Niall, and his big, strong arms catch me. He holds me for a second, looking into my eyes, probably just making sure I'm ok. My body doesn't get the memo that he's just being nice, however, and I can feel my blood boiling at his touch. It's like fire inside of me every time he touches me, and I can't deny it. My heart is beating like I just ran a marathon, and I'm sure he can feel it. I recover and stand up tall on my own, but he rests his hand on my lower back. Fuck why does he have to do that, it's so hot. My soul is on fire whenever he's around me. I can't let him know though. "Thanks" I say politely as he helps me into the car once again. He gets in and starts making the short drive back to his house. His phone automatically pairs again and starts playing I Could Use a Love Song by Maren Morris. He sings along, and I've heard it before but I just listen to his beautiful voice mix with hers. Just as the song is ending, we pull into his driveway. Another song starts to play, but we get out of the car. As we walk into the house, the speakers in his house pick up the Bluetooth from his phone and start playing a song. It's You're Still the One by Shania Twain, and I love this song. I'm still a little fuzzy because of the alcohol, but I start to sing and dance through the front of the house. Again I stumble, and again Niall catches me. This time though, I don't let go. I make Niall dance with me, very sillily, through the house and the lyrics blare in the back ground as we sway.
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night.
We reach the door of my bedroom by this point, and he lets go of my waist, but grabs my hand and twirls me into my room. I can't stop giggling, smiling at him as he just watches me twirl. He's clearly blushing again, I can't believe I made him blush I'm just joking around. He looks so content, smiles back, and whispers, "Goodnight, Rosie." Then rushes to his room and I'm left alone.