That One Thing (A One Direction Story)

The Change

Evie

        Evie couldn't move. She knew she should. There was a giant black SUV racing right towards her. But her feet wouldn't move. Right before her life could finish flashing in front of her eyes, the car skidded to a stop; only three feet from death.

        She squinted her eyes, trying to see through the tinted windshield. But all she could see was someone in the passenger seat with a beanie pulled of their head, and a weird pair of large sunglasses. Harry. He still had her hat on. But he looked like he was seeing a ghost, a terrified expression haunting his face. When she turned to the drivers seat, it was empty, the door swung open. That was when she noticed three guys, dressed in all black, running in her direction.

        Two of them had black bandanas tied around their mouths, and sunglasses. The one closest to her only wore sunglasses. There was nothing to cover his large, goofy grin that was spread across his face as he grabbed her. Evie couldn't contain her laughter. Niall wrapped his arms around her, shouting something about protecting the "charge." Liam grabbed her legs, and lifted her off the ground. Zayn looked a little lost, and ran to open the car door for the boys. It was a little difficult for them to carry her, since she couldn't stop the laughs, but she didn't mind. She wasn't going to make it easier for them.

        Finally, they managed to get her into a car seat, and then piled into the back of the SUV. Then she heard a distressed voice say:

        "Are you okay, love?"

        Evie turned, and found Louis looking at her, a strong emotion in his eyes, one she couldn't name. Nor could she name what she was feeling, a flutter dominating her stomach. She locked eyes with him, and smiled. "I'm okay, Louis." She thought she could hear a sigh of relief.

        Louis turned his attention forward for a moment, and then, whatever it was in his eyes, disappeared. When Evie followed his line of sight, all she saw was the back of Harry's head.

Harry

        Why did Evie look at Louis like that? And why do I care? Because you like her, idiot. A hollow pit formed in his gut, affirming his worst fear. He did like her. A lot. By the looks of it, so did Louis.

                                                     •••

        "You guys have a very bad understanding of the term 'disguise'," Evie repeated. "Bandanas are more conspicuous than inconspicuous, and only sunglasses does nothing, Niall." She finished the statement with a laugh though, so they knew she was joking. Other laughs answered in return.

        "Hey," Niall said from the back. "First, I get my position of driver taken from me, and now my stealth skills are insulted." He crossed his arms. "This day sucks." More laughter erupted from the car.

        "You got your position taken, because you almost killed Evie," Harry stressed from the driver's seat. "I don't know why you bothered trying to fight me for it."

        "You're just jealous of my James Bond-style driving skills."

        Harry couldn't stop a grin from creeping on to his face. "You think James Bond drives that badly?" In response, Niall pouted and started to look out the window.

        "Seriously, though," Evie interjected, "How did Paul let you out of the hotel room with such poor disguises?"

        This was met with a silence that seemed to tell Evie what she need to know. Harry couldn't help but smirk, before she exploded.