Author's Note:

I planned out the entire story. There will be a total of 42 chapters and then an epilogue, a playlist and an author's note.  So no worries, there's PLENTY left!

:)

Chapter 28:

~Flashback~

"Your face when the car honked!" I bubbled over with laughter, actually crouched over. My arms were cradling my stomach as I gasped for breath.

"It wasn't that funny," Niall grumbled good-naturedly, although a smile was playing across his light pink lips.

"Yes, yes it was. You looked like you had crapped your pants," I managed to get out between guffaws.

"It was loud and I wasn't expecting it!" Niall exclaimed as an excuse. A smile spread across his face.

"It was adorable," I said, finally calming down. 

Niall's grin spread even farther, his arm wrapping around my waist. He pulled me closer so that our noses were almost touching.

"You're adorable," He murmured, his breath tickling my cheek.

"You're only saying that because if I tell Louis this first date went horrible, he'd whoop your butt," I breathed out, extremely aware of our proximity. My heart pounded against my chest and I felt like I was going to burst from the butterflies swimming in my stomach.

"True," Niall conceded.

"Good. You're honest," I smirked. His crystal orbs sparkled as they looked into mine. Before I could really process what was happening, his lips were on mine. They were warm and I was sure that if it was possible to kiss a cloud, this would be what it would feel like. 

Too soon, Niall's face backed away a few inches as he smiled warmly at me. "Since I'm honest and all, I can honestly say.. I think this is the start of something."

~Present Time~

"Brook, you okay?" Niall's voice was the first thing I heard after remembering our first kiss.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fantastic," the smile on my face was wide as I grinned at him.

"How was the moon?" He teased, still extremely close to me.

"Oh, that's so hilarious. Wow," I said sarcastically, letting my eyes roll. He brought his lips to my forehead and pressed lightly, leaving a feathery kiss.

"But seriously, was the kiss out of this world? That's why you spaced out?" Niall teased, backing up a bit.

"Uh, well.. Your face when a car honked out of nowhere is quite hilarious, Louis would have whooped your butt if you had messed up our first date, and you're honest.." I trailed off, trying to keep a serious face, but my lips were persistently tugging upwards.

Niall's face was blank for a few moments, confusion clouded in his eyes. But then it clicked. "No way, you.. You remembered our first kiss?"

"Apparently I'm adorable," I let the smile take over my features. Niall's face lit up like a kid's on Christmas day, before his arms pulled me closer. I let myself melt into his side, his familiar cologne flooding my nostrils.

"You're beyond adorable," He pecked my nose. 

I buried deeper into his side, completely content with the world.

~Next Day~

"Oh, uh.. Hi, Lilly." I coughed out awkwardly, really not expecting the blonde to show up at our group dinner. She gave a half-hearted wave, mustering up a small smile for me.

"I don't believe we've met. Hi. I'm Niall," the Irishman stuck out his hand to shake hers. 

Lilly's face lit up instantly, "Hi! I'm Lilly. It's great to meet you!"

I felt the same feeling I had had the day before at Josh's flat. It wasn't jealousy, there was just something about Lilly that made me weary.

"She's been my best friend since we were seven," Josh showed up at Lilly's side after having had a conversation with Liam. The two of them shared a mutual smile and again, something twisted in my stomach.

"C'mon, slowpokes, I'm hungry," Louis snapped his fingers, drawing all eyes to him. 

He then motioned towards the large dining room we had reserved. The restaurant was empty, considering it was a Tuesday night and the employees were aware that the world's biggest boy band was coming. After a few moments of shuffling around, we all managed to sit around the giant table. Niall was on my right and Josh on my left, Lilly next to Josh and Zayn. Juliet, Louis and Harry were opposite of us and Liam at the head of the table.

"So.. Three days left in London. Any exciting plans?" Juliet inquired of the entire table. I glanced around at the boys, waiting for their responses.

"Spoiling you as much as possible," Louis announced with a cheeky wink towards his girlfriend.

"Ew, no, stop. Cheesiness is not welcome here," Juliet shushed him, a light pink blush sprouting across her cheeks.

"Since Lilly's only visiting, I thought I'd take her around the city tomorrow. You guys are welcome to come along," Josh informed us all.

Lilly's nod was so quick and so excited, I felt like it was going to fall off. "You guys should definitely come!" 

"Thanks, but I promised I'd go support Little Mix at their show tomorrow," Zayn said with a nod towards Josh and Lilly.

"Sorry, plans with miss 'don't-show-me-affection' over here," Louis motioned vaguely towards Juliet. She rolled her eyes and slapped him lightly across the shoulder.

"I'm in," Harry grinned.

Niall locked eyes with me and I tried to convey my best no.  "Uh, thanks for the invitation, but I think we're going to pass.."

"I have to pack," I spoke up, doing my best sad face impression.

"Niall, you can still come! I doubt she'll need your help," Lilly put on a sickly annoying grin, completely ignoring me.

"I have quite a bit of packing to do as well, sorry, love. Maybe we can all do something on Thursday?" Niall offered, completely sincere in his offer. I almost wanted to slap my hand over his mouth to keep him from practically inviting Lilly into our 'group.' She was not welcome. There was something that just annoyed the heck out of me. Maybe it was because she seemed completely fake about her affection for Josh.

"That'd be great!"

By now, different conversations had spouted between us all. Josh was looking at me with confused eyes, as if asking why I hadn't talked to him all night.

"Uh, I'm going to go use the restroom. Pardon me," I spoke up after we had ordered. Niall shot me a glance and nodded, before going back to his talk with Liam.

Juliet looked up from her conversation with Harry and Louis, the two had been arguing over who was a better dancer. "Want me to come?"

"I'm good, thanks," I forced a small smile as I wound my way out of the maze of chairs. I felt Josh's eyes on me as I left. I got inside the bathroom and washed my hands, looking into the mirror. How did everything go from so amazing to so confusing? 

I knew I didn't like Josh as more than a friend, especially since my feelings for Niall were rapidly growing. 

Niall was just so sweet, always caring and never questioning. It was undoubtable that he loved me and the feeling was mutual. Despite the fact that I hadn't exactly been a great girlfriend to him, he still cared. There was no uncertainty about his devotion to me. And slowly I felt that he was becoming my entire world.

Josh was just a friend. Sure, he was a friend that was in love with me, but he knew. He knew that I loved Niall. And he was only my friend. So then why did the presence of his newly re-connected 'best friend' bother me so much? It wasn't like I'd be bothered if he liked another girl or if another girl liked him. But there was something off about Lilly. Maybe I was being too protective, maybe I just needed to chill out. She could be a really nice girl, I just wasn't really willing to find out.

With one last glance in the mirror, I stepped out of the bathroom. As I walked out, I bumped into a sturdy body. I looked up into Josh's face.

"Oh, uh, hey." I stuttered awkwardly, not looking into his eyes. Instead I focused on my converse shoes.

"Are you okay, Brook? Seriously, you can talk to me, you know. Something is up," He insisted, his hand going under my chin and forcing me to look up. My green eyes met his brown.

"Everything's great, Josh. Seriously," I tried to persuade him, pasting on a giant smile.

"Brook-"

"No, Josh, now is not the time to talk. We have to get back to your best friend," I paused, "and my boyfriend."

His face crumpled a bit, before he forced himself to have a blank expression.

Low blow, Brook, low blow.. I thought, mentally slapping myself. 

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