Sensibility

Chapter 6

I was right about the purple dress. It sticks to me as if it was painted on, and only falls to my mid thigh. Tori has tried her best to brush out my blonde locks and curls the ends. Then, after much protesting, she has covered my face in the most makeup I've ever worn. To complete the look she holds out black peep toe heals that will surely kill me. She notes the scowl on my face, repacks the shoes, and instead offers me simple two inch heeled black booties. I compromise and pull them on.

"You look gorgeous," she beams before starting on her own beatification. I don't know why she even bothers. Tori would grab every attention in the room in just a potato sack. She slips into a baby blue halter dress and ruffles up her shining black hair. A look of accomplishment is plastered on her face when she finishes with her make-up. "Ready?" She questions. I don't answer, knowing my mind is screaming 'NO' while my disobedient subconscious is already out the door.

The fresh spring air greets us a little while later. We're walking down the block, arms linked, and consumed in Tori's overpowering anticipation bubble. She's beaming so brightly, it easily seeps into me, and I can't help but smile.

And there he is, standing next to Louis in his usual black attire with a commanding smile. I swear he's looking right through me with delight? Curiosity? Desire? Dammit!

"Wow, ladies," he greets Tori with a quick kiss on her cheek. My stomach tumbles. "Nicole," he says plainly with a grin.

Suddenly, Louis is in front of me, his own smile radiating through me. He's dressed in dark jeans, a black shirt, and a gray jacket. His brown hair is swept to the side revealing his gentle blue-green eyes. He's easier to read, and I clearly see his emotions surround me in longing. I have to admit, he looks very handsome. We exchange an awkward hand grab.

The bar we choose to enter is dark and smells of peanuts and alcohol. As most of the college students have left the campus vicinity for the summer, the place is only littered with a few attendants. Most of them, already inebriated, only send shallow shows of emotions my way, and I find it easy to ignore them.

The four of us sit at a table towards the corner, and Louis eagerly offers to buy me a drink. I accept and Zayn and he disappear in the direction of the bar. I pull down my dress self-consciously, feeling exposed and out of my element.

"Stop fidgeting," Tori scolds with a gleam in her eye. She's enjoying herself.

I just roll my eyes at her as Zayn and Louis return to the table. Tori shines at Zayn as he places a drink in front of her. I look away.

"Here you go," Louis says placing a beer in front of me.

"Thanks," I say quickly grabbing it and taking a long chug. Alcohol, alcohol is good right now. I drop the bottle to catch my breath and note the three pairs of eyes on me.

"Thirsty?" Tori giggles like crazy.

"Yeah," I try to smile swiping my bangs back into my eyes. This is why I don't go out. I'm a neon sign with abnormality written all across it. Thankfully, Tori doesn't keep the attention on me and turns to Zayn to ask about his plans for New York.

I find myself staring at his casual hand draped on the back of her chair. They lean into each other with words so swiftly and easily exchanged between them. They look like a fricking Calvin Klein ad, and I'm just the lonely girl who flips through the page at the salon.

"So Nikki," I hear Louis say at my side commanding my attention away from my thoughts. "Tori mentioned you guys are out of here tomorrow." His presence isn't as nearly as inflaming as I was expecting.

"Yep," I saw shortly bringing the beer bottle back to my lips.

"That's exciting. It's not going to be the same around here without you two." I avert his glance, and give a nervous laugh. Is this a normal thing to say to someone, or is he saying something more? "Maybe I'll visit you in D.C."