#ho-styles

I was leaning against the wall, nursing the same pint I’d gotten since I’d entered the frat house that weekend, watching a big group of people in the middle of the room. They were all tipsy or completely inebriated, playing a rousing game of truth or dare. I was busy talking with Zoe, not that interested in the game, and telling her about my last Women's Studies lecture and how riveting the discussion was when she turned away to look at everyone else. 

I paused for a moment, rather upset she did that, until I noticed where she was looking. Everyone was gathered around Niall, assuming it was his turn and he was staring at me. I wondered why because it wasn't like I was playing. 

Niall had sort of become my friend thing. We were friends, but not really. It had been rather weird, but wonderful between us since Niall talked to me at the pub crawl when Charles was around. He was so nice and understanding about it that for a little while when I let my defense down, I saw that he wasn't as bad as I had initially thought. That he was, in fact, sort of nice and funny and cute. Even if he was drunk, all he did was tell me how much he liked me and wanted me to be happy. I was endeared to say the least. I’d blushed and whispered thank you’s to him and even went as far as giving him a hug goodbye at the end of the night after our karaoke duet. 

Layla must have noticed my confused expression because then she whispered, "He was dared to kiss the most attractive person in the room and he chose you."

My eyes widened in surprise and I let out a dry chuckle. “No,” I said. “Dude...I’m not kissing you.”

Niall laughed. “Why? You afraid you might like it?”

I scoffed, frowning and still holding that stupid beer. “Yeah, right. Like there’s any way I’d like it.”

I knew why Niall chose me since he basically spelled out how much he liked me the other night. However, I also knew that Niall knew that this was the exact kind of thing that would annoy and rile me up, something he weirdly enjoyed. I could totally see right through his game and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing it was getting to him.

“Oh come on, Lou,” Niall persuaded. “You know you want to.”

I rolled my eyes. This was his idea of persuading me? Nice try, but no thanks. I shook my head and Niall pouted, jutting out his pink lip. And I stared at him because how did he do that? How was he so fucking attractive and annoying all at once? Why was that a thing? It had crossed my mind a few times that we’d kiss each other one day or another, but I’d been denying Niall from the start.

I sort of, kind of wanted to kiss him, though. Except not today when everyone in this fucking frat were staring at us. That’s just not going to happen.

“I’m not putting my lips anywhere near your misogynistic face,” I scoffed. Everyone started laughing and Niall only pouted more before bursting into laughter, too.

Niall put his hands up in surrender as though he was admitting defeat. “Fine, then, if you’re too scared.”

“I’m not scared,” I quickly replied back because I wasn’t.

“Then do it,” he smiled. “Kiss me.”

I stared at him in disbelief. I could see my friends staring at us with piqued interest. Fuck, the entire frat and everyone else were, too. This was not happening, but when Niall started saying “kiss me” over and over, it started to become a chant throughout the entire room and I wanted to punch someone.

It put a lot of pressure on me, however, watching Niall with his back turned to me got me thinking. Niall was riling up the crowd, knowing that this would annoy me even more. He also knew that I didn’t want to end up looking like a pansy. So, it was foolproof, really. 

I put my drink down and walked over to Niall, who was still turned away and chanting with the other guys. I tapped him once with an eye roll, turning him around and kissed him.

And good God.

It was as though time had suddenly stood still and everything was gravitating towards us. Niall’s lips moulded against mine and they were so fucking soft and warm. It fit perfectly, our mouths slotting together, and after I felt Niall’s arms grip my waist and his tongue sliding along my lower lip, I parted my mouth. Niall’s tongue slowly glided along mine while his teeth harshly grazed my lip. And I fucking loved it. I kissed back, fervently, but let Niall take control for the most part.

And Niall did take control. His movements were bold and I felt putty to his hands where they gripped at my hips. I couldn’t even control the breathy moans that poured out when Niall changed the angle. My fingers that were clutching on to Niall’s jumper loosened softly and he blinked his eyes open slowly.

We were pulling apart to get a breather and I realized I’d forgotten that we were still, in fact, in a room full of people. And I’d also realized how much I’d tuned everyone out because it was loud as fuck in there. Everyone was cheering around them as though it was some big, dramatic, end of the movie kiss that everyone had been waiting for.

What a cliche.

Our blue eyes locked and we were panting, still close, our lips almost touching again. Niall’s lip curled into a small smirk and he leaned in close so that his mouth was against my ear.

“See, now that wasn’t so bad,” he whispered.

I outwardly groaned and pushed Niall off of me before walking back to where I was standing before. I found a chair not too far from that spot near the kitchen and sat down, leaning back against it and slumping. My lips felt like they were tingling and numb. I swore I could still feel Niall’s lips on mine. It was maddening because the thing was, I didn’t expect to like it, especially that much.

I didn’t expect for time to stop and I didn’t expect myself to want it more. I wanted Niall to come back and kiss me again. Then I wanted to punch him in the face before kissing him again after that. I wanted to touch him again, too. Niall felt really good to touch. We just fit and I didn’t know what to do.

The game had continued from what I could hear from where I was sat. I watched as Niall excused himself and walked towards the kitchen, past me. I looked up at him and Niall grinned. “Getting a beer,” he said before walking in and saying hi to whoever was there.

I rolled my eyes.

Stupid fucking Niall and stupid fucking perfect lips. And his stupid fucking kiss. I was annoyed.

Just then, I felt someone hover behind me. I tilted my head back and looked up at Niall who swiftly bent down and attached his lips to mine again. I kissed back eagerly as though Niall’s lips were air and I couldn’t breathe, albeit it was upside down.