Bass

Chapter 17 ~ The week with Rachel

"So when you didn't call I assumed something was wrong and trudged all the way over here on a flight! After talking to your boss of course. Had to act a bit Sherlock and put the prices together so I could find you." Rachel tossed another raisin in her mouth and grinned.

She had taken 5 minutes to explain what she was doing in London and not Melbourne, and for a few seconds I could hardly believe it. We were now sitting on the floor opposite each other.

"What about Ben? Is he mad at me?" I asked, suddenly worried about my other best friend.

"He thought you were dead before I told him what was going on. But I didn't spill everything. I just told him you got a job as a backup dancer. He swallowed it pretty easily. I'm actually quite good at convincing people..."

"Rachel! This is serious! What does your mum think about you coming over here?"

"Jeez, relax, Vic! I'm usually the worried one but now your twisted into a pretzel. And my mum thinks I've gone on holiday. You know how she is. She's always on my back about taking a break. She was all for this trip actually!"

"Well, that's one thing out of the way..."

"I'm just in awe at how you can lie to so many people and get away with it." She said, chewing on another raisin.

"It's not as easy as you think... Eleanor already knows and Niall has his serious doubts. I can see him beginning to look through me."

"Who's Eleanor? She sounds skinny."

"What?! That's a terrible thing to say! What if she was morbidly obese?"

"Is she morbidly obese?"

"No."

"I rest my case."

"Eleanor's Louis' girlfriend. She's willing to help me but I don't know if I can trust her."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here then! I'll be your partner in crime!"

"This isn't a game, Rachel."

"It sure is ridiculous enough to be a game! You pretending to be a boy for Christ sake!"

"Shhhhh! Not so loud you dummy!" I hissed at her.

"Sorry," she said. "Is Niall the blonde one?"

"The gorgeous one you mean." I paused. Did I just say that out loud? I turned to Rachel. She smiled.

"You like him don't you? The Irish one?"

"His name is Niall, and no, I do not like like him. I only like him. As a friend."

"Oh yeah, sure."

"I do!"

Rachel chuckled.

"Lets change the subject." I grumbled. But we had no more time to talk as our conversation was interrupted by another knock at the door.

"Charlie?" It was Paul's voice.

"Yep?" I asked, back to the manly voice.

"Just lettin' you know we'll be recording all week so you might want to have a good nights sleep, and not do to much with your girlfriend."

It took me a while to realize he was talking about Rachel and he was probably the one that let her in. I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud.

"Sure, thanks Paul."

"Gross." Rachel whispered to me. We couldn't stop giggling from the ridiculousy of the situation. All the giggles made us super tired and we both went to sleep after having showers and brushing our teeth.

The whole process made me super homesick because I was reminded of home and how Rachel and I had our own little slumber parties while my mum was out all night. Having Rachel in London was familiar and made me feel more confident about myself. If she was there, I could definitely do it!

The week went lightning fast and everyday was such a long haul to get everything done. By Saturday my hand were aching from recording the drum parts of the new album, which the band and Sonny had decided to call Take Me Home.

Niall didn't mention anything about the closet incident. In fact, I was sure he was ignoring me. Not in a mean way though. Just like he was scared he was going to blurt something out if he came to close to me. It was weird, and I was worried I had done something seriously wrong. The stress ball was still on my bedside table, and every time I felt like I needed some thinking time, I would hold it and it would help me relax.

Rachel hadn't left the Niall thing alone ever since the night she got in London. She kept asking me about him, and if something was going on. I was so close to slapping her when she threatened to go talk to him!

Everyone believed Rachel was my second cousin in a heartbeat. We were so close and natural with each other there wasn't much to question about our friendship. The only person who looked slightly odd was Paul. Maybe he felt embarrassed assuming Rachel was my girlfriend. But a small smile from me assured him everything was ok, and he relaxed immediately.

Harry was moody as always. I had to stay away from him! Every time he got too close I would remember his tan, strong body... What?! Snap out of it Vic! You hate the man! Anyway, it was Friday night I caught him kissing a girl through the front gates. I had gone for a walk and he had climbed over the tall gate and was giggling with some lanky blonde through the bars. I had assumed he was drunk and had just gone out to party. I had also assumed he wasn't supposed to be doing that as he sneaked in through the kitchen door and crept back to his room. I had followed him, and judging by his obliviousness to my not very quiet footsteps, he was completely knocked out with alcohol and couldn't even think straight. It explained a lot of his quietness and sunglasses in the morning.

I was actually becoming used to the ways of the house when an unbalanced force ricocheted the whole block. It happened on the Friday morning, the day before the free weekend. Everyone was quietly eating breakfast, ready to give the day a good effort. Louis and Eleanor were going to Eleanor's parents house. Niall was visiting family in Ireland. Liam was spending time with his girlfriend and Zayn with his. Actually, I wasn't looking forward to a weekend with Harry, but I knew if I had Rachel then it would be ok.

As we all chewed down cornflakes a huge ruckus could be suddenly heard from the lobby. It was a girls shouts. I could only make out:

"IF YOU DON'T LET ME IN MY UNCLE IS GOING TO FIRE ALL OF YOU! I SWEAR I WILL MAKE HIM DO IT! LET ME SEE MY CUPCAKE!"

The colour vanished from everyone's faces; especially Harry's.

"Who is that?" Rachel asked the group.

But everyone had seemed to lose their voices, even Eleanor. Louis finally spoke as the shouting kept going.

"Why is she here? I thought the devil was in China or something?"

"Vietnam, Louis," Liam corrected. "And I think she's returned."

"Who's she?" I asked Liam.

But he didn't have to answer me. In stormed a very red girl who looked to be around my age with mousy brown hair and a pink dress that could only be described as frilly.

"Cupcake! I've been waiting to see you! I missed you so much!" She squealed and ran for Harry, locking her arms around his neck.

He looked like he was about to vomit.