lovelorn - wroetoshaw

chapter 1

BELLA

I just finished the last day of my shitty American experience is finally over and I couldn't be more excited. It was fun at first but I've come to develop a dislike for American culture. The men are always horny and California is too hot for my liking.

Today, I'm headed back home for the 2nd time in 4 years. I've missed my family and England a shit ton. Even though I'm just going to the airport, and waking up early was a bitch, I decide to try and look half decent.

I'm wearing a cream cropped turtleneck layered with a cropped light blue sweater vest. I put on my white straight leg jeans, and add some accessories. I layer some gold necklaces, and grab my greeny/blue small purse. For shoes, I decide on cream Converses. I leave my left my hair down and since I have I have naturally semi-wavy hair and leave it be. I also for a more natural makeup look, with brown eyeliner, mascara, concealer and blush. Thank the lord above I was done with this BS, and I could relax at home with my family.

Just as I sit down in front of my gate, I hear the flight attendant at the front desk announce over the intercom:

"Flight 537 now boarding"

***

I walk out of the airport to see my older brother waiting for me outside of his car.

"Hey shitface!" I lovingly compliment while running and jumping into his arms.

"Sweet as ever Belles. I've missed you." Ethan says with that big dorky smile of his.

Ethan is my older brother, well not that much older, we only have a 3 year gap with him being 25 and me being 22. We have always been very close, especially growing up, since we didn't have any other siblings.

"Geez Bella, you look so different. Do you have an American boyfriend or girlfriend I don't know about or something!" Since he is my older brother, he tends to be very protective of me, especially considering my 'bumpy' dating track record.
"Well now that you say it..." I say, solely to piss him off.

"No way you sneaky little shit! Who are they?! Where are they from? How old are they? How did you meet them?" Ethan questions me, making me laugh.

"E, chill out I'm joking. I'm on the market, unfortunately. Where are we headed?" I ask, still somewhat confused that he picked me up instead of my mother.

"Well Mum is on holiday with Aunt Christine for a few weeks so until she gets back you are gonna stay with me and the boys." he explains.

"In the sidemen house?"

"Yup", he replies.

"Fuck yeah!" I exclaim. "I missed those dickheads!"

***

We pull into the driveway and Ethan and I jump out of the car. Ethan opens the door, as I gaze at the large spiral staircase leading upstairs, and the open layout of the entryway. The marble tile floors shine from the light pouring through the floor to celing windows in the living room, which you could clearly see because of the vast open layout. Jesus, I knew youtube paid well but not this well.

"We're home bitches!" Ethan ever so gracefully yells, as we begin to hear the sound of doors swinging open upstairs followed by a trampeze of footsteps running down the spiraling staircase.

The first people out are Josh and Simon. I make eye contact with them and give a small wave while they look at me with an unreadable expression.

"Hey Bella! Wow you've changed so much I didn't recognize you at first." Josh explains, while Simon nods in agreement.

Then all the rest of the boys start to run down but then they all have the same unreadable expression by the time they get halfway down the stairs. Its silent for a few seconds and I look at Ethan, to see if hes able to read their enigmatic expressions.

Finally, JJ breaks the silence by hollering "Holy shit Bella. What happened to you?"

"Ah JJ, I've missed your bluntness. I hope you mean that in a good way-"  I say still rather confused by his, and everyone's strange actions.

"Hell yeah it is" he replies.

I guess I was considered a 'late bloomer', I looked like what I would describe as a 'prepubescent female Ed Sheeran' for quite some time. It wasn't until around 18 that all of genes went into overdrive to drastically change my appearance.

I look over at Ethan to see he looks like someone just pissed in his cornflakes. Probably because all of his friends won't stop staring at me strangely. Maybe he can read their expression.

The boys are still standing there with their mouths open so I put my finger up to my mouth and push it closed to signal to the guys that they were were still gasping. They all blushed before they ran down to hug me. They were all saying that I had changed but look at them! Simon seemed even taller and they all seemed much more fit. God this house was looking more and more like a Love Island villa by the minute.

"Geez Bella what did America do to you?" JJ asks, making me and the other boys laugh- minus Ethan of course. Mr. Cereal piss still had a glare aimed right at JJ's head. He rolls his eyes dramatically before saying,

"Okay guys we get it my sister is beautiful, chill the fuck out". while chuckling.

"So what did you study in Uni Bella?" Vikk asks.

"I went to USC and I'm a double major. Journalism and Developmental Psychology." I explain. "Basically a shit ton of writing and reading. But enough about school, What do you guys want to do?"

"We could watch a movie" Tobi suggests. Everyone agrees and we all walk into the lounge room. There are 2 couches and 7 grown men plus me... comfy. Everyone has sat down except for me but there isn't really any room. So I decide to try to squeeze in between Harry and Josh.

I saw that Harry didn't know what to do with his arms because he was squished in between Tobi and I. He would either have to push in his shoulders and squish his arms together or put them back, and around my waist.

I could tell he didn't want to make me uncomfortable but I didn't really give a shit so I turn to him and say, "Its fine, I don't mind." while grabbing his arm and put it around my waist.

"T-thanks." Harry mutters while blushing profusely. Ugh, men, such simple creatures.

HARRY

As we all walk into the lounge I can't stop my eyes from returning to Bella. She's unreal. I try to find a spot next to her on the couch and I managed to find a spot between her and Tobi. I fiddle around with my arms like an idiot, trying to find a comfortable position. I could feel her looking at me. All of a sudden she turned and put my arm around her. Making me feel a but embarrassed for acting so stupid.

Around 10 minutes into the movie I feel the weight of Bella's head on my shoulder. I look over and see her drifting off to sleep. She looks so pretty when she's sleeping. The way her eyelashes occasionally flutter and the natural resting pout on her soft lips. I wave at Ethan to get his attention so that he wouldn't be confused when he sees his sister laying on me.

"Just let her sleep, she's had a long day. Its probably jetlag." he says, and I happily oblige.

By the time the movie ends, Bella shifted so her arms are wrapped around me and her head is resting on my lap. She definitely was a cuddler. Though I'm sure her stubborn, sarcastic personality would never admit it. Everyone else heads into the kitchen to go order some dinner so I pick her up bridal style off the couch, and start to carry her to the guest room where she's staying.

As I'm carrying her up the stairs I hear jokes coming from all the boys in the kitchen. Things like, "Take your bride away Harry" or "Awh the newlyweds", followed up by laughs by other guys. I put a finger up to my lips to tell them to be quiet, I didn't want to wake her up. I lay her into her plain bed in her undecorated room before covering her up with blankets.