ABTS 2: Chances

The Date Begins

"Where you going?" Josh asks while walking into my room as I finish putting my contacts in.

"Just gonna go do some retail therapy," I lie to him. Harry and I decided we shouldn't tell the guys about us yet. We want to make sure it will work but also we are scared of what they'll say.

"Mmm, alone?"

"Yeah, you know I have no friends," I roll my eyes playfully at him as I grab my bag.

"Ouch, am I nothing to you?" He replies dramatically as he starts to leave the room.

I laugh and say with a smile, "Please, Josh, you're my family."

"Awww." He shouts from in the hallway. I giggle and head down the stairs to get my shoes on.

It's Saturday, Harry's picking me up for our date. Our first date. It feels weird still. Really weird. But oddly right.

"Where you going, kiddo?" Simon comes from out of no where, not only interrupting me from my thoughts, but scaring the shit out of me. "We aren't supposed to be at the recording studio for a few more hours."

Oh shit. I completely spaced that I agreed to film a video with Simon, Freezy, and Lux today. Obviously this date takes priority over a stupid Youtube video that I didn't want to do in the first place, but how can I break Simon's heart like that. Plus, the evident issue that he can't know why I'm not going to be in the video.

"Oh Si, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about the video," I try to think on my feet. "I... I already made an appointment to uh... to the nail salon."

Really? That's the last place anyone would find me.

"Since when do you get manicures? You're like the least girly girl I have ever known," he replies in utter confusion.

"Well... Can't a woman try something new every now and then?" I spew out.

"Okay, well that's besides the point. The point is that you agreed to be in this video with us."

"I know and I'm really sorry. I honestly forgot."

"Well, if you're for real about getting the manicure, then just reschedule the appointment," Simon says, obviously not believing me.

"I can't!" I unexpectedly blurted out, catching both of us off guard. "I mean, I can't reschedule the appointment because... I... just... can't."

Simon stares at me in awe and says, "You are a horrible liar, and all jokes aside, I am really offended. Blowing me off is one thing, but lying to me makes it worse."

I sigh in defeat, "I'm sorry. I can't do the video today."

"But why?"

"Si, I just can't. And I only ask you trust me enough to let me go without worry," I beg, knowing this is about to lead to another argument about me not needing the boys to watch my every step anymore.

He thinks for a second, his brow furrowing as he judges the situation, "I can't believe after everything, after everything that you've been through and that we have been there for, going through it together, you still can't tell me the fucking truth. Do you really need to hide anything from me? That's what makes me more concerned. Last time you left without explanation, you and Harry ended up in a really bad situation."

"Well, we won't this time!" I blurt in frustration, returning Simon's angry tone. Then I realize, I just admitted I was going to be with Harry.

Simon pauses, "What? So you're going to go hang out with Harry? How could that possibly be a respectable reason to not go to the recording? You can see him afterward."