The lads slept at mine last night in preparation for my birthday. It's obvious to say that I was dreading it, you never know what they have hiding up their sleeves, and unfortunately for me - I was the last one to wake up this morning.

Yes, I know. Never a good idea, I tell myself yet again and roll my eyes. Earlier, I was disturbed from my sleep by echoed murmurs and badly disguised tittering, my body feels completely tense; I know they've done something, but what? Have they drawn on me again, or put shaving foam in one hand before using a light feathery material to wake me with...the pranking possibilities for the lads are endless and normally I wouldn't think much of it - however today is my birthday, and I can't say I'm too happy about waking up last; but I suppose that's my own fault, I must have been really tired.

After several more minutes of peace I finally find the courage to open my eyes and face the three childish adults in front of me; contrary to my suspicions, they are all stood smiling mischievously with their hands clasped behind their back. It just looks as if I have something on my face, I suppose that's not too bad, at least it isn't the water incident of last week. Phew!

"Morning mate." Niall smiles at me, his voice sounding a lot deeper than I'm used to.

"Morning lads." I sigh after rubbing the sleep from the corners of my eyes, enabling me to see my friends better and feel less groggy. "Have I got something on my face then?" My blunt question hopefully shows them that I mean business, let's get this prank over with so I can start my birthday.

"Nope," Liam pops his 'p' and hands me a small mirror - why on earth would he be carrying a mirror? My subconscious resounds, because they're planning something.

I glance into the mirror and true to their words my face is clear from any pen or drawings they may have caused. This is odd, very strange and unfamiliar; is it because it's my birthday or are they just messing with me, a separate voice in my head is convinced it's the latter. Maybe they've trashed the place?

Within a split second I catch a movement in the mirror and am too slow to react; unable to turn in time and find the culprit, I receive a soft smack to the face - whipped cream dripping from my neck down onto my chest as I try to fathom the events within the last few minutes. The lads have bursted with laughter and through my squinted cream filled eyes I can just about notice them keeling over, their hands holding onto the side of my bed to keep themselves steady.

I wipe the white fluff from my eyes and glance around the room. I stop on a pair of sapphire blue eyes, her hand containing a disheveled pie crust and remnants of whipped cream all over her hand. The lads must have gotten to her this morning especially, to help pull this little stunt off - they probably knew that I'd never suspect her considering this, it's so out of Odette's character.

"So it was you!" I grab her arm swiftly, my reflexes a lot quicker than before as I clasp her in a tight hold beneath me; she has no room to escape and it becomes my opportune moment to get her back - my lips crash into hers without hesitation, Odette's breathy laugh erupting as I smother whipped cream all over her face. Judging by her content spirit and wide smile she seems unphased by the public display of affection, although it wouldn't matter too much considering the lads seemed to have slipped out of the room during our embrace. She stares at me and the reality of our affectionate actions take their toll on her mind, her smile drops and a blush begins to rise on her cheeks. I wonder if I can snap her out of it... "Do I have something on my face?"

Her eyes change from a distant gloss and she thinks over my words, those ocean blue beauties staring at my lips. She smiles lovingly at my words, almost knowing my comical intention. It's nice waking up and having her here with me in bed - the woman I love, shit. I need to stop thinking that when I'm with her... One of these days my brain won't filter and it'll end up just slipping out. God, imagine that, I wouldn't be able to bare the embarrassment - she would probably hate me, ugh, I need to be more careful.

But you do love her. Fuck! I know, I wish I could tell her, should I tell her?

Soft lips touch mine and it hitches my breath, that's everything I could ever want. 'I can see that you're thinking too much. Talk to me.'

Should I say it? Should I tell her? Shit, what do I say.

"It's nothing baby," I throw her off by using a nickname, she'll most likely blush to that. "I'm going to go take a shower." Grabbing my white towel I exit the room as a knowing blush rises to her heavenly cheeks.

After a good ten minutes of getting soggy whipped cream out of my knotted hair, I exit the shower feeling newly refreshed - that feeling of a weight being lifted off your shoulders after a good hour in the bath or a cold shower is one that I've craved persistently in my lifetime, less so now after meeting Odette but still, I welcome the feeling.

My apartment is flooded with banners, balloons and other party decorations; wow, they've really gone all out this year, it's not even a special birthday. The overall colour scheme of my living room has changed from neutral creams and browns, to bright red, lime green and electric blue - a lot more birthday friendly.

"Happy Birthday!" The lads cheer, blowing on party whistles and pulling party poppers; strings of confetti littering my floor as they float through the cool air of my apartment.

"Thanks lads," I motion to Odette, "and lady." She blushes.

"So, about tonight, Zayn isn't coming. And we don't actually know which club to go to."

I frown at Liam, I wonder why Zayn isn't coming - he said that he would be here for my birthday. "I think he's busy mate," Louis answers my internal question, but that doesn't lift my disappointment.

"Amy's coming though, so at least Odette has someone to talk to."

I snap out of my pout, "oh no Niall, Odette's mine for the night and you know that. Amy's here for your benefit because you like her." I tease to which he can't argue.

He mumbles a shy 'shut up' before swag going into the kitchen to help Odette with my surprise birthday cake - even though I've already clicked on to what they're up to. I'll just act surprised.

"So Odette's yours eh?" It's my turn to be teased now I assume.

"I think I'm in love with her."

The words spurt out without a filter and my eyes widen at the sudden release. Why did I have to say that? She's in the kitchen!

Niall appears with a completely shocked expression, similar to the other lads. I run my fingers through my hair. "Shit Harry, you're in love with her?" Liam asks.

"Yes, I think so," my fingers tug nervously in my hair and my eyes are glued to the kitchen archway, she could walk through any minute and see what we're talking about. My palms begin to sweat furiously, Harry you're so stupid! I scold myself, I can't believe I've brought this up now.

"It's been a little over a month."

"And you're not even dating."

"I know, I know. I feel like I'm being stupid but at the same time, I just...it feels..." My mind goes blank, trying to find the right words to explain how I feel, but I come up short. "I can't explain it. I just do, I know it's soon, but I love her." My stuttering continues, I feel so under pressure right now to prove myself to these lads - they're my best friends and I'm going to be as honest as I can with them. I know they won't think I'm foolish and they'll support me one hundred percent, and I understand their concern; but I feel something strong for her, something that is going to haunt me for the rest of my life if I don't pursue it - I am in love with her. "I really do love her." My sentence is more bewildered as realisation hits me - I've fallen hard for this French beauty.

"I hope it all works out for you man." Niall pats my black t-shirt clad shoulder.

"Yeah we're happy if you're happy Harry." Louis does the same with a small and genuine smile.

However, Liam takes up his usual fatherly role within the group, "yeah, just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt." The overbearingly honest atmosphere turns tense as Odette walks into the room carrying a small birthday cake with one lit candle sticking out the top, my shoulders relax at the way her eyes light up as she glances at me - her smile so bright that we don't need a birthday candle.

The flame flickers, dancing with the air as she walks closer 'make a wish' she mouths considering her hands are full. Odette's hair is in loose waves and pulled away from her face by two braids, her outfit is casual but nothing could ever look as beautiful as that pure happiness she expresses on her face. That happiness for me.

I make my wish.

•••

The club isn't as packed as I thought it would be and I'm insanely grateful for that, now I don't have to fight off as many guys in pursuit of Odette. She would definitely take some other guy over me wouldn't she? Some guy that's nicer and more attractive than me, that's also why I want to keep her by my side - this is the first time I've fallen in love with someone and it would be an absolute privilege if I could be with her for the rest of my life. I suppose that's what everyone says at the start, but it's different with Odette, it's always been different.

I'm in two minds about her feelings - she's so shy and quiet that's it's hard to decipher her true emotions, it's like her heart is off limits and I have to convince her mind that I'm genuine just to get her to open up. This is probably the millionth time I've thought this but, I want to know what's going on inside her head.

Everyone is dressed to impress tonight, Liam and Louis look great although I know they're just looking for a fun night with the lads - I think it's a bit too soon for them, they both have big hearts and I know they're quite affected by these break-ups, they're simply putting up a front for my benefit; they would completely disagree if I asked them that though, so I'm keeping it to myself knowing they're just trying to make me happy. I've made it my mission to make sure that they enjoy themselves tonight, I've known these lads for so long now that they feel like my brothers - my own flesh and blood - it's as if their pain has a rippling effect on me and I can't bare to know that they're unhappy.

The club is absolutely thumping. I can feel the music vibrating in my chest - the bass music so loud that it resonates throughout my ribcage; I'm excited, it's been a while since I last went clubbing. My grasp is tight on Odette's waist as I pull her firmly into my plain white t-shirt, she seems nervous, I wouldn't be surprised if she'd never been clubbing before - she's more the type to sit at home with a good book - but I'm thankful that she's made the effort to come tonight.

Our faces are lit up with flash lighting, strobes being the only light in the crowded room. The atmosphere is musky, like a typical club on a Saturday night - single men staring hungrily at skimpily dressed women as they imagine what the night would be like in their company. I'm not doing that, my eyes are rested on one person only. I kiss her cheek to lighten her anxious carriage and it seems to do the trick, her entire body appears to soften and rest at my side, thank god for that, maybe it was a bad idea coming here...

Louis' the first one to speak over the blasting surround sound, "So I think we should start with some birthday shots!"

...and that's all I recall.

________________________

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- Pianogirl56