when to let go | l.h.

five

the ride back to calum's house was mostly quiet besides for the music playing in the background. i kept my gaze out the window so none of them would see the few tears that slid down my cheek out of fear of losing daniel. we really needed to talk but tonight i just needed time to myself.

i could feel luke staring at me, his eyes scanning over my body as if to make sure i don't fall apart at any second. i gave him a weak smile as calum stopped the car before climbing out. the boys were all still quiet as we made our way inside which isn't like them at all, especially when there is any sort of excuse to get drunk. i couldn't help but feel bad for the things daniel had said, knowing they all heard the argument.

when we all made it inside the house i quietly cleared my throat gaining all of their attention. "i'm sorry for what daniel said about you guys, you know i don't feel that way. i'll talk to him though. he shouldn't be saying those things about my friends. you really are good guys."

i probably could have continued on rambling but if I said anything else i most likely would've started crying.

ashton was the first to pull me into a hug, each of the boys soon following until i was surrounded by their warmth. "don't apologize for his actions laila. it's not your fault, we aren't mad at you. we just want to make sure you're okay." ashton said softly.

"and if you want us to beat his ass we will." calum added causing a softly laugh to escape my lips.

i shook my head. "i'll be okay, let's just celebrate yeah?"

they all agreed, calum being the first to pull away and grab five shot glasses quickly filling them with tequila. michael made his way to the small speaker, connecting his phone to begin playing some music. when the sound of nickelback filled the small kitchen ashton groaned and made his way over to michael to try and convince him to change the song.

luke was the only one who didn't leave my side and i'd be lying if i didn't say i was grateful for that. he kept his arm around my shoulder and watched as the boys scrambled around the small kitchen.

"if you want to talk, i'm here to listen." luke said so quietly i almost didn't hear him. i nodded at him when his gaze finally met mine but was interrupted by calum shoving a shot glass in my hand before i could say anything.

"to laila and like finally graduating!" calum announced, once everyone had a glass in their hand.

"finally!" michael shouted in agreement, earning a laugh from everyone as we all swallowed the burning liquor.

thirty minutes and three shots later, i sat on the counter with a drink in my hand watching ashton and luke dance around the kitchen like a couple of idiots. michael and calum had went to the living room about ten minutes prior to order pizza. i was already feeling the warmth spread throughout my body from the alcohol and was happy to just sit there and observe but, luke has other plans.

"lay, come dance with us!" he slurred, followed by an obnoxious giggle. ashton nodded his head quickly as if luke just had the most brilliant idea ever.

with a groan, i hopped down off the counter making my way over to the two tall boys. i wasn't much of a dancer but the amount of alcohol in my system told me i was as i sway my hips and moved around like the boys were doing a few minutes before. i didn't care how dumb i looked seeing ass i was only surrounded by my friends.

the dancing didn't last very long when ashton start whining that his feet hurt and he needed to sit down. luke and i followed ashton mindlessly to the living room and sat on the floor along with the rest of the boys.

"truth or dare, luke?" michael said randomly with a smirk.

"come on man, we're not I'm high school." he groaned but when he say michael face he knew he wouldn't back down. "fine, dare."

michael's eyes flashed with mischief. "switch clothes with laila." he laughed along with the other boys at the ridiculous thought of luke's tall frame squeezing into my clothing.

luke pouted at me as i stood up. "can i at least keep my pants, there is no way i'll get those leggings on without ripping them."

once michael nodded while doubled over in laughter, i giggled and stuck my hand out to pull luke up and drag him into the hallway. luke swiftly pulled his shirt off handing it to me before i stepped into the bathroom and quickly changed into it. i took a second to look at myself in the mirror, giggling softly at how big his shirt was on me, before opening the door and handing him my cropped gray turtleneck.

luke looked at me as if he was unsure about putting it on, knowing it would be greatly stretched out but i didn't care. i patted his shoulder and walked back by the boys, returning to my seat on the floor besides ashton. each boy kept his eyes trained on the hallway, waiting for the tall man to appear.

"come on hemmings!" michael shouted growing impatient. a second later luke stepped into the living room with a sheepish smile on his lips and a deep blush coating his cheeks. laughter erupted from the drunk boys, eyeing how the shirt hugged his arms and chest way too tight and left his abdomen exposed.

luke grumbled profanities at each of the boys as he took his seat back beside me. "my turn now yeah? calum, truth or dare?"

i sat quietly, laughing along with each of the guys as they continued to order each other to do stupid things. once calum completed his dare, he turned to face me.

"so little laila, what will it be? truth or dare?" he wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

i chose truth knowing damn well i was too drunk to be doing any dare given by calum hood.

"which of us guys is the most attractive?" he asked, leaning back on his hands as they all turned their attention to me, patiently waiting for an answer. 

i rubbed my chin as if i was deep in thought, not sure that i really wanted to answer the question. even though i knew the question meant nothing, i couldn't help but think of how angry daniel would be if he found out i said any of them were attractive. before i had time to answer however, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door bell.

"pizza's here!" michael shouted excitedly and looked at luke. "go get the door hemmo."

{author's note}
woah, i updated two days in a row.
this is just a bit of a filler chapter but i hope you still enjoy it.
thank you for reading!
(unedited)