Chapter 26:

"We have to tell Niall, you know that right?" Josh said after a silence. I lifted my head off his shoulder to make a face at him.

"Why can't we just blame it on me being extremely drunk?" I pouted, lips turning downwards. Josh raised an eyebrow at me. I let out a sigh, "Fine, we'll tell him."

This was going to go well. Hey, Niall. So I kissed Josh after I got drunk because I was wondering what it would be like. I'm pretty positive I don't like him anymore, I actually truly think I'm falling for you. So don't worry, it didn't mean anything. I was drunk.

"Let's get you some Advil and water, then we'll take you to find that boyfriend of yours." Josh slid out of the bed before offering his hand to me. 

I took it and together we headed out into the hall. My mind was overwhelmed with thoughts as we trekked to the kitchen. Silence settled over us like a comfortable jacket, it wasn't at all awkward.

"Good morning! Or afternoon, really. You had a interesting night, aye Brook?" Louis was in the kitchen, a glass of water and two pills extended towards me.

I snagged them from him while wincing at how loud his voice was. "Shut up. The party was a horrible idea." 

"I had a brilliant time." Louis teased before reaching over and ruffling up my hair a bit. I heard Josh chuckle from beside us. "Anyways, Jules and I are heading out for lunch. See you in a bit, Harry's coming over tonight for dinner. We're grilling."

I nodded in acknowledgement before ruffling through the cupboards for something to fill my empty stomach.

"Strawberry pop tarts are top shelf to the right." Louis said over his shoulder before waltzing out of the room. 

I immediately reached up and grabbed the box, a smile spread across my face as I tore open the foil and put them into the toaster.

"Alright, pop tarts make you happy. I'll remember that." Josh nodded with amusement in his eyes. I stuck out my tongue momentarily at him, but didn't bother replying.

Two pop tarts, a burnt tongue and a few Advil later.. Josh and I were traipsing outside towards Niall's flat. My fingers were tapping against my leg nervously. Josh noticed and placed a supporting hand on my shoulder while his other hand knocked on the wooden door.

"Uh, hey." Niall raised an eyebrow at our unannounced visit. I smiled awkwardly at him.

"Hey, mate. Can we come in?" Josh said calmly, his voice sturdy. Niall nodded, pushing the door open a bit more.

His hair was flat against his forehead, the blonde mixed with brown. He had obviously just woken up. Niall directed us into his living room, his hands motioning to take a seat. I perched myself on the edge of one of his chairs, while Niall settled on the couch and Josh collapsed next to him.

"Are you okay?" Niall inquired, leaning forward a bit. His blue eyes flashing with concern.

"Physically? Peach keen except for the hangover." I replied with a shrug.

"Why did you let her drink so much? You know she's a lightweight." Josh turned to Niall and I was taken aback by the minuscule amount of anger in his voice.

"She had only had one beer when Mitch had to talk to me. She said she was fine.." Niall scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion, his eyes flitting between Josh and the floor.

"You know I'm in the room right?" I spoke up in an annoyed tone.

"What happened? After I talked to Mitch, you disappeared so I was outside. Then Josh came and found me. Why are you two looking so somber?" Niall demanded to know, his patience snapping.

"I.. I had a few drinks after you left. I was finally coming to grips with my feelings and the alcohol took away any sane thoughts I was having. I wanted to push off reality for a bit." I replied with my arms crossed. 

"That doesn't explain why you two look like you just killed my puppy." Niall pushed us for an answer. My gaze drifted to Josh and I motioned for him to explain what happened. He had been the sober one, he probably had the best recollection of the events.

"I ran into Brook at the party and she was obviously hammered so I helped her to her room. Then.." Josh trailed off, quite obviously not wanting to finish that sentence.

"I kissed him."

The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable. Hurt flashed across Niall's features, his lips tightening into a thin line. My breath was caught in my throat, I wasn't sure what to say or do. I saw Niall's fists clench and unclench repeatedly as his thoughts obviously collided in his mind.

"Niall-"

"No." He cut me off, his eyes meeting mine. He didn't seem mad, he just seemed pained. My heart twisted in my chest. "I don't need excuses."

"It's not an excuse. It didn't mean anything. You know how I told you I thought I was falling back in love with you? I wasn't lying. I meant every single word I said." I practically pleaded Niall to listen to me, tears appearing in my eyes, spotting my vision. My eyes were glued to Niall, who was intently watching Josh. A few seconds passed. 

"Don't cry." Niall said slowly, his eyes leaving Josh. He took a few steps and wrapped his arms around me in a quick hug. His fingers cupped my jaw, forcing me to look into his electric blue eyes. "Go get some water, alright? Don't cry, just calm down."

I nodded. I swiped a finger under my eye, trying to wipe the tiny droplets away. I slowly walked out of the room, hearing Niall close the door behind me. My curiosity got the best of me and I inched my way back towards the door, pressing my ear against the thin wood.

"You like her, don't you?" Niall asked and I felt my entire body freeze. "C'mon, we're best mates. I see it in your eyes."

"You make it sound like some girly shit." Josh chuckled, though it was clear there was no amusement behind the laugh.

"So you do?"

"Does it really matter? She's yours. She'll always be yours. I'm just the best friend that's always going to be there to listen to her problems. She truly does love you." Josh's voice was soft. 

I swallowed quickly, it felt like someone had dropped a large rock inside my stomach.

"I'm really sorry, mate."

"Don't be. You two deserve each other. I'll get over it eventually. About the kiss.. Don't let that get between you too, a'ight? I don't want to listen to you both complaining to me about it."

I slowly crept away from the door, my heart thumping wildly against my chest.

Why did life have to be so complicated? Honestly, being a normal teenage girl staying at home and fangirling over One Direction sounded pretty good at the moment.

~'~'~

"So you're saying Josh likes you?" Jules scrunched up her eyebrows at me, an interested look upon her heart shaped face. 

The two of us were sitting at the table in Lou's kitchen. The boys (Josh, Niall, Lou and Harry) had decided on a BBQ, leaving Jules and I alone while they grilled. I decided it was the perfect time to consult her about what the heck I should do.

"Yeah. I overheard him and Niall talking about it." I groaned in frustration, my hands gripping onto my hair. 

"And you're just now realizing this? Girl, it's been quite obvious that Josh fancies you. He follows you around like a lost puppy. He'd do anything for you."

I snapped my eyes to look at her. "Really?"

"Yes! I assumed you knew that. Okay, so you're saying that now that you know Josh likes you.. You're feeling extremely guilty about the kiss. But not so much the kiss as telling him it meant nothing? But you're also pretty sure you're in love with Niall.. Again." Juliet summed up everything I had told her in the last few minutes.

"Yes." I nodded in confirmation.

"You're in an interesting predicament." 

"Oh, really? I had no idea." I said sarcastically, my head falling into my arms. "I just don't understand why either of them like me. I'm nothing special."

"You're beyond special, love." Juliet disagreed. "You're beautiful, smart, sweet. Everything a guy could want. From what you've told me, Josh understands that the two of you won't work out. It might help if you talked to him." 

"I just feel bad, you know? Like I might have been leading him on… And I know for sure that I looked at him as more than a friend a few times. I'm just so confused." I sighed.

"Confused about what?" Louis inquired, popping into the room without a sound.

"Whether the egg came first or the chicken." I said automatically with a smile. 

"Obviously the chicken." Harry announced, walking through the door with a platter of steak in his hands. Trailing behind him were Niall and Josh.

"Nah, it was definitely the egg." Niall argued, pulling the chair beside me out and collapsing onto it.

I shared a look with Juliet, trying to keep from laughing. My mouth pressed into a thin line, trying to keep my facial expression serious.

"Forget about which came first, I'm hungry. Give me the steak." Juliet spoke up, reaching over the table to spear a piece with her fork. 

"You're so lovely." Louis spoke up sarcastically, a hint of a smile gracing his lips.

"Just shut up and eat." Juliet stated before flashing a wide grin.

~'~'~