All In Due Time

About a Year Ago

"Michael hold still!" Winnie chided.
"Ouch!" Michael yowled like a cat. "Don't pull my fucking hair."
"Then don't move, damn it!" She retorted.
He scowled and glared at her in the mirror. She stuck her tongue out before returning her focus on the task at hand- dyeing Mikey's hair a vivid blue.
"Alright let it sit." She peeled off her gloves and admired her careful handy work. "I don't think I got any blue on your skin."
"One of your many skills, Pooh Bear." He praised mockingly.
"I'd whack the back of your head if it didn't mean ruining my masterpiece." She pinched the back of his neck instead.
"I know, I'm pretty spectacular aren't I?" He batted his lashes after wincing.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, I'll give you that." She patted his shoulder before exiting the bathroom and making her way to the kitchen to make breakfast. Or a late brunch. Really it was lunch since it was 1 in the afternoon. Michael had crawled through her window to wake her up so she could dye his hair and now an hour later she was browsing her kitchen trying to decide what to eat.
"Make me waffles." Michael called from the bathroom and she heard the loud click of a camera.
"Mikey are you taking selfies?" She teased accusingly.
"God damn it, the stupid volume!" He cursed. "I'm showing the boys."
"Sure, good excuse." She pulled out the waffle press and plugged it in to heat up before gathering the rest of the ingredients.
"Oops." He said entering the kitchen.
"What? Did you mess it up?" She whirled around.
"No, but I told them you're making me food so now they're coming over." He gave her an apologetic smile. But not really.
She groaned. "Does that mean I need to put pants on?"
"It'd probably be for the best. They're not at that clearance level." He shrugged.
"So protective." She smirked.
He blushed. "Well I don't want any boys to see your stupid underwear even if it's them because you can never be too sure about boys with their- their urges and- and pinching fingers and-"
"Mikey," she squeezed his arm affectionately. "I appreciate it, but slow your fucking role."
"Shut up Winifred." He pinched her rear and she jumped, smacking his hand before retreating to her room to put on some shorts.
"You're so annoying." She protested upon hearing that nickname. "My names not even Winifred, you dick."
"I know," he replied gleefully. Of course he knew, when they first met his first question was 'is that short for Winifred?'. She'd been new to Australia in 8th grade and Michael had been kind enough to talk to her in their one class they had together, she was in smarter classes, and then he wouldn't leave her alone. He liked her American accent which was still detectable in her voice.
She came back to see Michael pulling out a bag of chips and she snatched them out of his hands. "I'm making you food, can't you restrain yourself for fifteen minutes?"
"Will it take only fifteen minutes?" He questioned.
She narrowed her eyes. "Is that a challenge?"
"Perhaps."
"TIME ME, LEGGO!" She went to work measuring and pouring quickly and then mixing furiously.
She was pouring her first waffle into the checkered machine when the door flew open and in waltz Ashton Irwin followed by Calum Hood and Luke Hemmings.
"What's cooking, good looking?" Ashton asked and sat down.
"No time to chat Ash!" She apologized while cleaning up.
"Ten minutes left!" Michael announced.
"Shit shit shit cook faster!" She yelled at her waffle maker.
"What?" Luke wondered.
She bounced around her kitchen setting out plates and condiments and then returned to her waffle and took it off.
"Slay. It's perfect." She placed it on Michael's plate. "Suck on that."
"Seven minutes down." Was all he said.
She yelped and spun around back to her batter while the boys sat down at their plates.
"Sooo what's the time limit here?" Calum asked.
"DIEZ MINUTOS!" She cried and bounced on the balls of her feet silently urging the waffles to cook faster.
She'd managed to make three waffles by minute nine and was now on her fourth for Calum.
"Fuck fuck fuck!" She muttered anxiously.
"What happens if she loses?" Ashton asked curiously.
"Her pride will be wounded." Michael answered casually and Winnie pouted.
"Aw," Luke cooed. "Don't worry Winnie, they'll still taste fantastic."
"You're a darling." She beamed and he smiled.
"THIRTY SECONDS POOH BEAR." Michael warned.
"SHIT."
She checked the waffle and it was golden but she panicked at Michael's foreboding countdown and tossed it at Calum who was then promptly hit in the face with a waffle.
"DONE!" She screamed.
"Really Winnie?" Calum complained and she smiled sheepishly.
"Well maybe you should've caught it?"
"Looks like Winnie, is WINNING." Ashton grinned and then took a bite of his waffle.
"You chucked it at my face!" He continued to whine.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I lightly passed it to you."
He stood up. "Are you talking smack on my ability to catch a waffle?"
"It's hard to talk about something that doesn't exist."
"Ooooooooo," Luke dripped syrup on his waffle.
"Mmf," Michael moaned. "I love it when you put vanilla in it."
Calum lunged and Winnie shrieked as he began chasing her around the kitchen.
"Cut it out Cal!" She commanded.
"Fight me!" He shot back.
"You can take him." Michael encouraged.
She probably could, she wrestled with Michael all he time and Calum was fairly skinny.
"Beat his scrawny ass, Winnie!" Ashton cheered around a mouthful of waffle.
"God these are so good, when you're done with that can you make me another?" Luke asked.
"Of course," she said before dashing around Calum and sprinting to the living room.
She launched over the couch and rolled to the carpet, secret agent style and was getting up when Calum tackled her.
She yelped before rolling around on the floor struggling to get out from under him. He grabbed her wrists and pushed them down beside her head, straddling her. Her cheeks were warm and she tried not to look at his big brown eyes. She refused to admit to herself she liked him but her chest pinched. She also tried to ignore the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra and the t-shirt she was wearing had rode up above her belly button and she'd done a good job until he glanced down and noticed.
He grinned cheekily.
"Oh shut up!" She struggled and bucked her hips desperately.
It got a reaction to say the least and he hovered over her uncomfortably so she took advantage of that and flipped him over with her legs. Now she was settled on his hips and had his wrists pressed against the floor.
"Oo, naughty naughty Winnie." He teased and she rolled her eyes but pushed herself off him to avoid him taking notice of her pink cheeks. It annoyed her how the rest of the boys could act just like him but whenever he did something it made her heart beat faster. She was walking back to the kitchen when he tossed her over his shoulder.
"HEY." She protested. "I won!"
"Did not!" He argued and tossed her on the couch. She tugged her shirt over her stomach.
"Did to!"
"Did not!"
"Did to- ugh oh my god!" She shook her head. "You're a two year old."
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
"No way Winnie." He sat on her again and poked her stomach.
"Hey!"
"Take it back."
"No!"
"Take it back, Winnie Jane!" He ordered.
"Psh make me, Calum Hood." She stuck her tongue out.
"I'll make you." He agreed making her swallow.
He started tickling and poking her ribs making her shriek and wiggle under him.
"Mikey! Mikey! Help he's cheating!" She shouted.
"Luke go help her I'm eating!" She heard him order and then saw Luke come in.
"Luke!" She pleaded.
Calum hissed like a cat and Luke pouted and wrapped his arms around him in a big hug. Immediately Calum snuggled against him so she shimmied away and fled to the kitchen where she continued to make waffles.
When Luke came back he had two more waffles on his plate in thanks. Winnie's phone rang and Michael checked the caller ID.
"Ugh, it's your other friends who are not as great as me." He shook his head disapprovingly.
"Oh please," she rolled her eyes and took the phone.
It was Valerie. "Hey Val."
"Were coming over." She said and then hung up.
"We have company, sweetheart." She told Michael.
"Damn." Michael pouted jokingly.
"The hot ones?" Ashton wondered hopefully.
"Yes, the hot ones." Michael confirmed.
Winnie turned back to her waffles uncomfortably and finished pouring the last of the batter onto the heat and tapping the pad of her finger while she waited and their excited buzz of voices blurred together, blocking it out until it was just a soft hum in her head.
"WINNIE."
She blinked.
"YOUR WAFFLE."
She cursed and quickly took it off, it was a dark black and looked like charcoal.
"What the heck?" Ashton wondered. "How'd that happen?"
"Zoned out, sorry." She mumbled an excuse, embarrassed.
"But... You were staring right at it?" Luke added cautiously.
"She zoned out, she does that all the time." Michael waved his hand dismissively but glanced worriedly at her.
They shrugged and continued to eat while she washed the dishes and then realized she still hadn't eaten anything. The boys all went to the living room except Calum who was shoving his last bite of food in his mouth. Once he finished she took his plate and he pinched her cheek affectionately before leaving to join his friends. She sighed at the large smile stretching her mouth and put the plates in the dishwasher ignoring the butterflies. She ate a banana broodingly, watching them play FIFA from the hallway. There was a quick knock before Flo skipped inside and hugged Winnie.
"We want to have a photo shoot today!" She announced excitedly. "Oh, hello!"
The boys all waved half heartedly except Ashton who was not entranced by the game and got up to say hello properly. Flo was absolutely adorable and stunningly pretty with dark straightly silky blonde hair, eyes made of light shinning bronze, plump lips, a flawless complexion, tied together with a short curvy body.
"Sup sugar," Winnie greeted.
Valerie came in and smiled at Winnie. It was more of her signature smirk, one corner tugged up a little higher than the other. Valerie was a real stunner, she was a mix of Mexican, African American, and white gaining only the best characteristics of each. She had light brown hair with natural blonde highlights in small curls that tumbled down to her hips, she had very light brown skin, green eyes, lashes that brushed her delicate eyebrows, pouty lips, a button nose and little in the middle but she got much back. She still had her baby cheeks which Winnie loved. "Come on let's get you fixed up and take some pictures. I need something to post on Instagram."
At the sound of her voice the boys' heads snapped up and she smirked at them and wiggled her fingers. She enjoyed when they were around because 'it makes her feel powerful', since to her they were losers in a lame band. But she hadn't heard them play, Winnie insisted that once she did she'd appreciate them.
"How about I just take them, I don't want to dress up today." Winnie offered.
"Lame." She swayed into the living room and sat down by Luke.
"What?" Flo demanded. "No, I wanted to take pictures with you!"
She forced a smile, unable to say no to her little friend. "Fine."
"YAY!"
"Michael why do you look like a tin man?" Valerie questioned.
"Oh yeah, come on Michael I have to finish your hair." She remembered and had to drag him away from the game.
Calum didn't mind though, he just busied himself with attempting to get Val's attention while she talked to Luke.
"So, what happened to your waffle?" Michael brought up nonchalantly.
"It died." She answered in the same airy tone.
"How sad, what was the cause of death?"
She thought about it. "It couldn't handle the heat."
"So what burned you, pooh bear?"
"The stove." She refused to read into his question.
Michael, being her best friend, was able to read her easily and had some insight on her insecurity. But it wasn't even that, she just wasn't satisfied with herself, she didn't care what other people thought but she didn't like what she saw and that made her mad and maybe at times sad. That's what she'd tell herself any way.
Michael spun around on the toilet to look at her sadly, ignoring her sound of protest. "Really, Winnie, what's wrong?"
"For fuck's sake Michael, nothing!" She insisted.
"You're defensive, you're lying." He jabbed an accusing finger at her.
"No I'm not, I just want to finish your hair." She took care to calm her voice and smooth out her mask. "Honesty Mikey, nothing bothers me. I don't care enough for anything to bother me."
He looked at her a second longer and she almost wanted him to keep asking until she broke and told him. "Except for world hunger."
She smiled. "And racism."
"You and your morals." Michael tapped her nose and then spun back around, almost knocking all her toiletries and a candle off the counter.
"GOD DAMN IT MICHAEL CLIFFORD!"
"I'M SORRY SHIT SORRY!"
She laughed. "You're such a klutz."
"SHUT UP I'M SORRY ALRIGHT!"
She tapped his nose. "Quite alright."
When she finished and they returned to the living room everyone buzzed excitedly around his head.
"Oh it looks so good!"
"It's a really cool color."
"Like a smerf."
"Is your butt blue."
"One way to find out."
Then Ashton and Calum were chasing him around while he clutched his pants.
"What's up kids?" Winnie's mom greeted from the hallway on her way to the kitchen. She was in a slimming silk suit with pointed heels and an ear piece lodged in the side of her head, probably permanently.
"MRS. JANE," Michael yelled with relief and hid behind her.
"Boys go help unload the car," she ordered in her business voice and Calum and Ashton obeyed.
Michael kissed her cheek and took the bags out of her arms and placed them on the counter where Winnie began putting away the food after twirling passed her mom and pecking her on the cheek as well.
"I got everything on your list honey." She said.
"Thanks." Winnie replied. "Do you have to go back to work or are you off?"
"Oh honey I wish, but I've got to finish some plans for this wedding. They want ice sculptures, and it's the summer. This is Australia not Antarctica for god's sake!"
Winnie smiled since she already knew the answer would be no. "High expectations, but you'll figure something out."
"You're amazing honey, I'll see you later, bye Mikey." She kissed her forehead leaving a lipstick stain on her skin. "Bye girls, it's nice to see you."
Val and Flo waved and called farewell after her. Winnie continued to pack everything in its according spot in her kitchen as Ashton and Calum set them on the table. Michael searched through the bag cheering when he found his favorite snacks, being of no help.
"Need any help, Winnie?" Flo floated into the kitchen with Ashton trailing after her like a puppy.
Winnie caught his eye and smirked knowingly, making him blush.
"Nah," she shrugged off the help.
Luke chuckled, coming back inside with Calum. "Can't accept any help?"
"You helped." She protested.
"Well it was forced." Calum laughed at himself making Winnie suppress a large goofy smile.
Michael snorted at them. "She just wants everything in her kitchen to be placed in the right spot."
Winnie opened her mouth to argue but then snapped it shut when she realized he was right.
"Ha-ha." He teased triumphantly.
"Helloooo?" Valerie's voice rang out from the living room.
"We're all in the kitchen!" Calum called back.
"She knows, she just doesn't want to get up." Winnie informed and right on queue they all heard a loud exasperated sigh.
Valerie appeared in the entrance and crossed her arms wearing a tight smile. "Almost done?"
"Yeah, peaches hold on." Winnie answered. Valerie bruised like a peach so naturally Winnie leapt at the opportunity to create another nickname. Winnie didn't bruise easily at all, she didn't let things that hurt show up easily, she had a knack for hiding.
She placed the pasta noodles in the pantry and then was finished. "DONE. Let's rock-" she popped her hip out.
"And roll!" Flo jumped over and bumped her hip against Winnie's.
The girls disappeared up to Winnie's room while the boys continued to play FIFA.
"Those boys are so cute!" Flo exclaimed. "Like little puppies!"
"I told Luke if he got a hair cut he'd be really hot." Valerie told them casually.
Winnie snorted. "Why would you say that? I mean granted their hair is a little over the top, but I like it."
"I don't," Valerie shrugged and dug through her makeup.
Winnie had the most makeup even though she never wore any of it, that's probably why she had the most, because it just added up.
"What do you think about Ash, Flo?"
Flo smiled but Winnie could see right away that she didn't like him like that.
"He's very cute-"
"Yes, he has nice arms." Valerie interjected.
"Drummer status." Winnie said, proud on his behalf.
"-but I don't know, he's almost too cute." Flo frowned a little.
"You need someone to take care of you." Valerie explained. "And he's too much of a... Kid?"
"They're just fun." Winnie excused while keeping her voice light so she didn't sound so defensive.
"They really are." Flo smiled.
Valerie made an unimpressed noise and started brushing shimmering eyeshadow on her lids.
"Let me do your makeup!" Flo pleaded excitedly and Winnie grinned.
"Sure." It was less work for her.
"Yay!" She squealed.
"The theme is sexy burlesque ladies," Valerie announced, pulling intricate lingerie type clothes out of a bag.
"Did you get that from the studio?" Flo asked, while Winnie ran her hands over the fabric appreciatively. Valerie had a blossoming model career and she always managed to borrow some of the costumes and if she got caught she always got away with it because she'd show them the pictures they'd taken and bring them back in perfect condition.
"Yeah, this ones yours, and this yours." She handed them out. "Now let's get down to business."
Flo finished making Winnie's face and then started on hers while Winnie did her hair. Valerie was fluffing her hair and touching up her deep red lipstick.
When the three finished they came downstairs laughing loudly, and complimenting each other profusely.
"Winnieeeeeeee." Michael called from the couch.
"Whaaaaat?"
"I'm hungry."
"And lazy, go get yourself some food."
"Pleeeaaaassseeeee."
Groaning she told them to take some selfies while they waited to entertain themselves and then went to the kitchen and put some leftovers in the microwave for a minute. When she walked in to the room and placed it on the coffee table she heard a strangled noise and the game pause.
"Winnie????" Ashton demanded incredulously.
"What??" She looked at him worriedly.
"I don't think we've ever seen you wearing makeup." Luke explained.
She looked around and tried not to feel embarrassed. "Ok?"
"What are you wearing? Are you going to a strip club?" Michael questioned and picked up his food.
"No," Winnie spat at him.
"You look really good." Calum said casually, his eyes lingering on her before he pressed play and started playing again, forcing Luke to tear his eyes away as well.
Ashton still stared. "Looking good, Jane!"
She smiled and ruffled his hair. "You're sweet."
"You're not going outside like that." Michael noted.
She rolled her eyes and left, earning a slap on her ass from Michael on her way out.
"Mikey!" She yelped angrily, earning a hearty chuckle.
She pinched his neck before leaving to the backyard. When she got back to the girls they commenced their usual system of taking pictures of one another. After thirty minutes Calum came outside.
"Hey we-" his voice trailed off as he stared at Valerie, her burlesque outfit was more like a kinky lingerie. "Uhhh."
"Quit drooling, Cal." Winnie snapped a little to fiercely.
He blinked and looked at her and she felt her heart twist sadly when she could see the difference in the way he looked at her and Valerie.
"We were wondering, uh-" his eyes darted back to Valerie who was smirking smugly. "If you could make us some more, uh, food?"
She looked at him sternly and refrained from sighing. She made her voice extra quirky. "Of course!"
She shouldered by him, brushing against his body and feeling her body heat up while her heart cracked because he just kept smiling at Val like a dopey idiot.
She tried not to feel so bad as she started making stir fry. She stared at the browning meat in the pan, feeling her chest contract every time she heard Calum try to make Val laugh, her stomach turning nauseatingly. She pressed the back of her hand to the burning metal and sucked in her breath and looked at the angry mark it left numbly.