One Step Closer (Sequel to OSAAT)

Chapter Nineteen

"Give me the remote." Jack said to me and I shook my head. He reached for the remote and I moved my hand back. "Ali." he said and reached for the remote again. I moved my hand back further and he sighed. "Alison."

"Excuse you." I said and stretched my arm out farther. He slid his hand along my side and quickly hid myself with both of my arms. "Don't." He pinned me down and tried to take the remote.

"Alison Claire! Give me the remote!"

"No!" I yelled and he started tickling me. I started laughing and squirming. The remote flew out of my hands and a second later I heard a crash. Jack stopped and I sat up quickly. "What was that?" I asked and he shrugged. I got up and walked in the direction I threw the remote. "Shit! Jack!"

"What? What was it?!" he said and ran to me. "Please tell me that's not Lauren's mo-"

"That's Lauren's mom's freaking glass figurine!"

"Well, let's think about this... it's small, she might not even notice. Why would she have it on this random table, it obviously doesn't mean anythi-"

"Are you kidding me? This isn't a random table. Hm. Picture one of Lauren and her mom. Picture two of Lauren and her mom. Wait, that can't be another picture of Lauren and her mom, can it?" I said, sarcastically.

"Technically that last one was of Lauren and her entire family-"

"I am going to beat you up." I said and he shut up.

"Isn't it slightly creepy Lori just has this little tab-"

"You know she was close to her mom." I said and he sighed. "If my mom died I would put pictures everywhere so that even though I couldn't see her... I would. The table isn't just for Lauren anyways. I was close to her, too..."

"I'm sorry for being such a jerk, I just didn't want you to freak out." he said and I shook my head.

"No, you're fine."

"Luke, I told you, I will be there soon! I have to change, chill out." I heard Lauren's voice and at the same time, Jack and I hid the small corner table. "Lucas, calm down."

"Lucas?" I asked Jack.

"It's his real name, dummy." he said and I nodded.

"I was just making sure. Lauren calls people by longer names of their actual name all the time. Like Richard."

"Ricky's real name is Richard..." he said and I looked at him.

"It is?" I asked him and he nodded. "Oh..."

"Hey, you two." Lauren said as she walked into the living room.

"Hi!" Jack and I said in unison.

"I have a 'date' with Luke, so I'll be back later." she said and started walking out of the room. "Oh, and Ali. Have you talked to Niall about you... two?"

"Niall and me?"

"No... you and Jack." she said.

"Oh... yeah." I said and looked down.

"Alright." she said and I heard the door close.

"She hates us together, doesn't she?" Jack asked me and I looked up at him.

"Maybe a little." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"She's just jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Because she doesn't g-"

"Don't you dare say something like 'Because she doesn't get to have me herself'." I said and he rolled his eyes.