#mod7

“Rose, no!”

“Yes!”

“Rose, NO!”

“Soph, YES!”

“Rose-”

“Everything alright in here, ladies?” Liam asked cheekily, appearing in the doorway. The concert had just finished and after seven outstanding encores, the boys had finally decided to call it a night.

Rose froze and stared at Liam in utter horror.

In all honesty, she wasn’t quite sure what had happened after Liam’s special performance. He hadn’t done anything like that for the rest of the concert, or done anything else to give even the slightest inclination he’d done it in the first place, or was even aware of Rose’s existence. Of course, had Soph not been there, nudging her every five minutes, Rose may have begun to believe she was still attempting to sleep off her fear of flying over water on her way to London and it had all been an emotion-wrecking (dream or nightmare, she was unsure).

“I have to go.” Rose suddenly muttered, backing away slowly.

“Rose...” Soph said warningly.

“... And call Ryan.” Rose suddenly blurted... And as Liam’s happy smirk faded, Soph banged her head against the wall. Loudly. “My boyfriend, Ryan.” Rose repeated, before dashing out of the room.

“Please tell me that didn’t happen.” Liam muttered after a moment of shocked silence, turning to Soph, who had begun beating her head against the wall again. “Please tell me I didn’t just try and woo her in front of an entire crowd of people for her to tell me she’s going to call Ryan.”

“Maybe to break up?” Soph offered, sounding incredibly weak even to her own fake-optimistic ears. “And that would mean you admit to trying to woo her, let’s not go down that route just now.”

“I was taking your advice!” Liam protested loudly.

“Hey, do not blame me for Rose having an emotional breakdown, okay?” Soph snapped. “You’re meant to use your charm, not declare undying devotion on your comeback tour to her!”

“Ooh, having a bit of a tiff, are we ladies?” Louis teased, walking over and slinging an arm over Soph’s shoulders. “Soph, is Liam not behaving?”

“Our plan may or may not have backfired.” Soph muttered miserably, resting her head on Louis’ shoulder. “We’re trying to get Liam and Rose to get together and make babies.”

Liam – who had been taking a sip of water – spluttered everywhere.

“Babies?” Liam repeated. “Nobody said anything about babies.”

“I didn’t think I needed to, what else do you think rampant, unprotected sex leads to?” Soph muttered, glancing at Liam as if his mere existence was utter idiocy. “Bunny rabbits?”

“Ooh, is Liam in love?” Harry teased, appearing out of nowhere and slinging his arm around Soph’s other shoulder, one boy on either side. “You thought we missed what happened onstage, did you? Wanting to be loved, Liam?” Harry’s voice dropped slightly. “Are you ditching our token leprechaun?”

“I’m warning you, I’m the jealous type.” Niall nodded at Liam seriously, swigging from his bottle of water.

“So, how’d I do?” Harry asked Soph, as Liam helplessly tried to explain what had happened onstage, without actually explaining it, to Niall and Louis, who’d dropped his arm from Soph’s shoulders and was motioning excitedly at Liam instead.

“Great show, hun, I’m proud of you, as always.” Soph beamed, hugging Harry tightly. “Enjoy it?”

“Thousands of girls screaming my name, it’s only a standard night...” Harry shrugged cockily, grinning at Soph as she shook her head at her best friend in disdain. “You alright? You seem a bit... Down.”

“No, I’m fine.” Soph said, smiling thinly.

“No, you’re lying.” Harry corrected, a crease forming between his furrowed eyebrows as he looked down at her. “What is it, Soph? Come on, if there’s something wrong with you, there’s something wrong with me.” Harry murmured, nudging her gently.

“Oh, you know, the usual joy that being the offspring of my parents entails.” Soph said dryly, sighing and resting her head on Harry’s shoulder. “This stuff with Rose and Liam.” Soph cheered up for a moment, whacking Harry on the chest playfully. “My best friend abandoning me to go on his headlining tour!”

“Do you want to talk about it properly later?” Harry asked quietly, knowing Soph too well to allow her to brush it off.

Soph hesitated for a moment, before nodding.

“Okay.” Harry nodded, keeping his arm around Soph’s shoulder and scanning the room, a concentrated expression on his face.

Despite the fact that, at first look, Soph and Harry’s friendship was fairly shallow, their friendship ran on mutual protectiveness of each other. Soph wanted to kill anybody who could knock such an amazing person and Harry would be only more than willing to punch anybody in the face who upset his closest friend.

Of course, they didn’t exactly tell each other that. But it was understood.

“I’m starving.” Zayn groaned, appearing. Soph shifted uncomfortably under Harry’s arm for a second, but Harry held her close, knowing exactly why she was moving. Soph glowered at him, all traces of love and friendship gone from her face. “Who’s up for dinner?”

The rest of the boys cheered, Liam looking particularly relieved at the change of topic, as Harry asked Soph if she was free for the evening.

“Yeah, Mum and Dad get back tomorrow.” Soph nodded. “Adam’s back the day after tomorrow from his trip to Germany, so it’s just me. I’m meant to be having someone drop by the house and check on me, though...”

“Well, why don’t we all go home and freshen up and we can meet in about an hour or so?” Louis offered, overhearing Harry and Soph’s conversation. “Soph, you can get Rose all dolled up for our dear Liam here.”

“Oh, Louis, I like the way you think.” Soph winked with a grin, ignoring Liam’s reddening face.

“Why, what’s been Louis thinking?” Rose asked calmly, much more calmer than she felt, Soph knew, appearing in the doorway.

“That I haven’t had a hug yet.” Louis pouted, sticking his arms out in front of Rose.

Rose smiled at him softly and wrapped her arms around his neck, Louis’ arms wrapping around her waist, both of them squeezing tightly. Rose laughed, before she caught Liam’s stricken gaze over Louis’ shoulder.

Even Niall, Zayn, Harry and Soph could feel the undeniable static that passed between the two of them as they caught each other’s gaze, their eyes locked on each other, Rose’s smile fading away slightly to show only slight fear, but also definite shock.

But then Louis pulled away and even though Rose and Liam had thought they’d imagined the moment that had just passed between them, everybody else in the room begged to differ.

“So!” Soph said loudly, pulling away from Harry and stepping forward as Niall, Zayn, Harry and Soph all exchanged glances, before turning to Liam, who was suddenly very interested in the floor. “Rose, we were just saying that we should go and get something to eat. I’ve got to pop home first, though, do you want to get changed at mine?” Soph hesitated. “You can go with the boys, I don’t mind...”

“No, no, I’ll come with you.” Rose said quickly, glancing at Liam, who did the exact same thing. The boys watched on in... In pure horror. Not at the match, but more at how intense it already was. How was that even possible? “The boys don’t understand how sacred it is for a girl when she’s getting ready.”

“That’s settled then.” Soph said slowly, forcing a smile, before turning to Harry and making a face that clearly said “Well, would you look at that”. “I guess we’ll see you guys in about an hour.”

“Make it an hour and a half.” Louis interrupted. “Travel time.” The smirk that Louis had clearly told Soph it had nothing to do with travel time; but more to do with giving Rose enough time to knock Liam off his feet and, Soph was sure, vice versa.

“Good call.” Soph smiled broadly. “Rose, you ready?”

Rose nodded, stepping forward to get to Soph – with only Liam standing in her way.

Rose had already decided she was going to keep her head down and just walk on by like he wasn’t there. What difference did it make to her anyway? It didn’t. She had a boyfriend and Liam was probably just having a joke. She was taking it too seriously, probably because her inner-fangirl needed an ego boost. Rationally speaking, Rose knew she was over-reacting.

So why was her heart beating so fast in her chest, so loudly she was sure the whole room could hear it?

It was as she went to walk past Liam that he stepped in her way, Rose letting out a stuttered gasp as she looked up at his solemn face.

They both just watched each other for a moment, entirely unaware of the five pairs of widened eyes watching their every move.

“How’s Ryan?” Liam asked quietly and Rose almost fainted. There was no malice or bitterness in his voice; it was a simple, polite question. But, at the same time... It wasn’t. Liam looked at the floor, not at Rose’s face and not only Soph, but all of three other boys knew there was more to that question. It wasn’t even a question, really. It was... An assertion of authority? Liam reminding Rose of their only obstacle? They weren’t sure, but there was something.

“He’s, um, he’s...” Rose struggled, only being able to see Liam’s dark brown eyes as he lifted them up to meet hers.

It was in that moment that Rose came to the startingly realization, looking up at his handsome face, that Liam wasn’t a boy anymore, not one of the five teenagers she’d worshipped when she was eighteen. He was a young man now. A handsome, talented, wealthy twenty-three year old young man, who was standing right there, in front of her, trying to tell her something she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear.

And dear God, that scared her.

“That’s what I thought.” Liam murmured, making Rose even more confused. “See you later.”

If Rose had charged out of that room any faster, she would have been sprinting.

. . .

“Rose, what the Hell is this?” Soph asked calmly, glaring in contempt at the outfit that was laid out on her bed.

“It’s what I’m going to wear.” Rose replied calmly, turning off the hair-dryer and looking at Soph, confused.

“No.” Soph shook her head at the skinny black jeans, the black leather jacket and the white T-shirt. “No, you see, I’m allowed to wear this. This is my outfit. You’re meant to look impressive.”

“What do you-”

But before Rose could say anything else, Soph was already rooting through her bag.

. . .

“I think the shirt.”

“He’s not going to Hawaii, Niall, he’s going to dinner.”

“Well, he can’t go out like that, he looks like a granddad!”

“He can dress himself, it’s not like it’s a date.” Zayn said calmly, grinning and nodding as Liam sent him a thankful smile. “Come on, boys, give the guy some breathing space. Move out, come on.”

Harry, Louis and Niall all grumbled, but did as they were told, leaving Liam’s room.

“Thanks, man.” Liam muttered, looking down at the pile of clothes the boys had left on his bed. Zayn stood opposite him, his arms folded. “What?”

“Come here and let me fix you, no longer you’re single-”

“Zayn, fuck off!”

“Shut up and come here, hey, HEY-”

. . .

The girls were jamming to some more One Direction in Soph’s car, on the way to the restaurant, when Soph’s phone rang.

“Hey, Harry, which one is it?” Soph asked instantly, seeing Harry’s name flash on the screen.

Harry gave a name and postcode and within ten more minutes, Soph had arrived, Harry waiting outside.

“I’m eating Asian food and I’m Asian.” Soph shook her head at Harry as he took them inside, nodding at the doorman. “I’m just warning you that if you don’t know how to use your bread correctly, I will take the piss out of you.”

“You look nice.” Harry commented, ignoring Soph’s tirade entirely. Soph had worn almost exactly what Rose had planned to wear; black skinny jeans, black heeled boots, a white V-neck T-shirt and a black leather jacket, her hair pulled back messily as usual. If she hadn’t been wearing one of Harry’s pairs of shrunken jeans and her favourite, down-lined Hollister hoodie, she wouldn’t have bothered changing. “You, too, Rose.” Harry said politely. Rose thanked him quietly, with a small smile.

They got to the table and the boys made a large fuss of Rose, obscuring her view of Liam, allowing Harry to pull Soph gently to the side.

“Nice work.” Harry murmured impressively, glancing at Rose. Soph had managed to get Rose into a nice, short black dress that brought out her eyes, with heels. She looked a lot more smart than Soph did, and a lot hotter, too. Which had been the aim.

“You too.” Soph replied with approval, glancing over Niall’s head to see Liam standing awkwardly at the other side of the table, in black trousers and a silken white dress shirt, tucked, his hair messier and wavier than ever.

Harry gave Soph an odd look.

“What?”

“It wasn’t me, it was Zayn.” Harry told Soph, sounding confused. Harry glanced at Zayn and Soph followed his gaze, seeing Zayn standing and watching Liam proudly. “Guess you both make a better team than you let on, huh?”

Harry shot Soph a quick grin before heading back to his seat, leaving Soph feeling oddly conflicted.

Nobody at all tried to conceal the fact that Rose and Liam had to sit together and, even if they had, Rose and Liam seemed to have an attraction to each other for the entirety of the night. Rose sat opposite him on one end of the table, Soph beside her. Zayn sat next to Liam and opposite Soph, with Louis at her side, Harry by Zayn and Niall sitting between Rose and Liam on the round table.

The meal, for the most part, was a success. The food was nice, the conversation was decent and the company was mildly entertaining at the least.

And no matter how much Niall tried to get Liam and Rose to talk to each other, they both refused.

“Come on, everyone, let’s take a picture, I want to upload it to Twitter!” Louis announced. Soph opened her mouth to protest; her little sister followed her on Twitter and, despite the fact her parents were out of town, technically speaking, Soph had been checked on – which meant that it was assumed she wasn’t leaving the house this late. Not that Harry or any of the other boys (except maybe Zayn) would let anything happen to her, but the unnecessary drama one photo would cause was a surprisingly large amount. “Don’t worry, Soph, you can duck under the table, but I want at least one with you in it for my album!”

Louis was making an album on his phone of the next few months of One Direction returning – officially – to the stage. Personally, the boys didn’t think he’d last any more than a few weeks at best, but it was always phone to pose for pictures; especially when they were going on Louis’ camera – it meant they could be as ridiculous, stupid and brash as they wanted.

“Tell you what, Louis, I’ll take one of everyone and then we’ll swap.” Niall offered, standing up. Louis agreed and in the next few moments, all of them kept frozen smiles as Niall demanded a nice picture, all of them smiling together in a crowded circle.

In the end, Louis didn’t take another one, but got the waiter to take a few instead; a few of them all being silly, one with Soph mysteriously not there, the usual.

“I want one of me and Soph!” Harry declared loudly, reaching over the table and attempting to catch Soph’s shoulder, as she laughed. “I’ve only got one picture of us and that’s from when we first met!”

“Ah, memories, memories.” Louis sang happily.

Despite the fact that Soph knew Harry was being a little bit ridiculous and was more than slightly intoxicated, she obligingly agreed and the next few moments were Harry either leaning across the table, or suddenly jumping up behind Soph’s chair and hugging her tightly, an array of stupid photos, mixed with relatively sensible ones that anybody else who wasn’t looking carefully enough could mistake as one for a couple.

Louis’ phone passed around; Niall managed to get Liam and Rose in a picture with him, pretending to drop his napkin just at the right moment. Liam and Rose finally did have a picture together, but only the one; both of them sitting awkwardly, side-by-side, but very careful of not touching, despite Liam’s arm on the back of her chair. Liam’s smile was relatively carefree and he had something to make Rose laugh in that moment, so although the picture came out lovely; the moment afterwards was terribly awkward.

When Louis showed Rose and Liam the picture of the two of them, everybody had slyly smirked into their food or glasses. They looked happily and could easily be mistaken for a couple; their comfort with each other was definitely evident. They were both grinning, their heads inclined towards each other. Whilst the picture of Harry and Soph – Harry, crouching behind Soph’s chair, with his arms wrapped around her shoulders and a large, garish smile – also could be mistaken for more than just friendly intimacy, there was an easiness about Liam and Rose’s picture. Harry and Soph’s was just pure fun – Liam and Rose’s hinted at something fizzling between them.

More pictures were taken; there was a particularly funny one of Niall’s open mouth mid-chew. Zayn, Liam and Harry, all posing as douchebags, another one of the same with Louis and Niall jumping in on either side at the end. A nice one with Rose and the rest of the boys surrounding here, Liam crouching beside her chair, which Soph and the rest of the boys had duly noted. A selection of pictures of Rose and Soph generally being themselves; one moment laughing, the next being stupid, the next pulling their “sexy” faces (they weren’t very sexy and they’d both clutched onto each other, giggling and hoping to not fall off their chairs, when they’d seen it), another nice one of them both, hugging each other tightly.

All of these pictures being taken, of course, whilst Niall and Soph fought over the chilli sauce – which was eventually kidnapped by Zayn -, Harry and Louis pretending to feel each other up under the table and Liam pretending to mind to Rose’s amusement and everybody yelling comments into each other’s conversations.

“So,” Niall said through a mouthful of food, Liam and Rose recoiling slightly to avoid getting spat in the face with chicken chunks. “I think we should have one more picture.”

“We’ve done everyone, haven’t we?” Liam asked, drinking some of his beer. Rose tried to not find it a turn-on the way he was drinking straight out of the bottle. She didn’t know why, but there was something sexy and manly about it. Oh dear God. SHE HAD A BOYFRIEND.

Despite trying not to, Zayn and Soph glanced briefly at each other, their eyes meeting for a fleeting moment, before they both hurriedly decided to shove food into their mouths.

Both of them were praying nobody had noticed. Then again, why would they? Soph and Zayn had never really been considered as a combination anyway, ever, so why would everybody suddenly acknowledge them as one now?

“Well, Soph and Zayn haven’t got a picture together.” Niall chewed thoughtfully and, it was safe to say, that Zayn and Soph glared at him at the exact same moment. “In fact, I don’t remember them ever having a picture together at all, which is odd, because they’re both Asian.”

“Eh-heh, you’re funny.” Zayn scowled, flipping him the finger.

Soph just opted for the more mature of throwing some bread at his face.

It hit him in the nose.

“Bullseye.” Soph muttered to herself, double high-fiving Liam over the table.

“I’m serious.” Niall pushed, putting his food down to rest. Louis watched him seriously. Went Niall put his food down, he meant business. “I think you two should have a picture together.”

“No.” Zayn and Soph said simultaneously, glancing at each other briefly again, before looking away.

“Well-”

“Nah, alright then.” Zayn amended.

“Yeah, okay.” Soph said quickly, not sure why she’d agreed. Maybe it was because she didn’t want everybody to mistake her for being the bitch creating the animosity. Maybe it was the pressure of the boys watching her. Maybe because Zayn had suddenly agreed and Soph wanted to prove to herself she could do it.

Maybe to just take a picture with Zayn Malik, because her inner-fangirl wasn’t on much of a tight rein as she liked to think.

Of course, Soph didn’t know Zayn wasn’t in a surprisingly good mood, but Harry had punched him scarily near to the crotch under the table. Not that Zayn wasn’t in a good mood, but... Well, Harry silently threatening him had helped.

Harry was entirely too aware that something was going on with Soph and until he could get her to talk about it and let out all of her feelings, he wanted her to feel good.

Zayn and Soph glanced at each other again, not suspiciously this time (surprisingly), but more out of wariness.

“How are we going to do this?” Soph sighed tiredly, asking Zayn.

Zayn shrugged.

Niall shook his head at them both, not for anybody else’s benefit other than his own. You see, Niall had a theory. A theory he was about to prove.

“Me and Lou will take it, lean over the table.” Harry instructed, swallowing a mouthful of food and motioning for Louis to come closer, Harry on Zayn’s side and Louis on Soph’s.

Reluctantly, Zayn and Soph leant over slightly, refusing to look each other in the eye.

Rose glanced at Niall with large eyes. She could only see the back of their heads, but she had an odd feeling at the pit of her stomach; an odd feeling that was making her smile.

With one more, wary glance at one another, Soph and Zayn leant beside each other, their shoulders brushing.

“And try to look like you don’t want to kill each other!” Louis told them, standing up to take the picture. Zayn and Soph’s bored faces didn’t change. “3...” No change. “2...” Soph’s elbow was beginning to ache from putting all of her weight on it and Zayn was sure his jacket was touching his food. “1... Smile!”

At the same time that Louis told them to smile, Harry screamed, as loudly as his voice would allow him;

“I’M GAY FOR LOUIS TOMLINSON!”

And, just as Harry knew they would, both of Harry’s best friends glanced each other in bewilderment, before bursting into laughter.

And that was when Louis took the picture.

“Are you mentally deficient?” Soph laughed, leaning back in her chair and holding onto her stomach as she fought to get her words out.

“Go on, Harry, gay and proud!” Zayn shouted, standing up and throwing his fist in the air as Harry did the same. “TO THE RAINBOW MOVEMENT!”

“Huzzah!” Liam shouted randomly, standing up as well. They were lucky there in a fairly desolate part of the restaurant, otherwise things could have become even more embarrassing.

Like the Mirror publishing Harry was really gay, for instance.

“Aw, I think I’m embarrassing Rose.” Zayn grinned, still standing with his fist in the air.

“You’re insane.” Rose was laughing, shaking her head.

“Hey, Harry, I want you to take a look at this.” Louis murmured seriously, still staring at his phone screen.

“What, did Zayn’s face crack the screen?” Soph smirked, glancing up at Zayn’s – frozen – face.

“Excuse me.” Zayn said suddenly, walking off.

“Someone’s being touchy.” Soph muttered, watching him walk by, as the rest of them watched him in silence.

“Uh, Soph...” Liam said reluctantly, watching Zayn leave the restaurant angrily. “Soph, I don’t think that was you.”

Before Soph could ask what was wrong, she and the rest of the boys – plus Rose – all followed Liam’s gaze.

It took Soph a few moments to comprehend but after five minutes, Soph realized what she was looking at... And winced.

Dianna, kissing a rugged blonde.

As in, Zayn’s Dianna.

“Oh my God.” Soph muttered, covering her mouth with her hand. She felt awful. Obviously, it wasn’t her fault that Dianna was a cheating skank (um, by the way; WHO HAD BEEN RIGHT?!), nor the fact that Zayn had just seen it, but Soph still felt guilty that she had just been a bitch a mere millisecond before Zayn had gotten his heart broken.

If he had a heart, that is.

“Shouldn’t we go after him?” Niall asked worriedly, getting ready to stand up, but Liam just shook his head, watching Dianna with a dark expression.

“No, he won’t talk to anybody now.” Liam murmured quietly, turning to Harry, who was staring at Louis’ screen, concentrating. “Harry?”

“Niall, Liam, Rose, you should probably see this.” Harry muttered, looking surprised, as he handed Liam Louis’ phone. “Make sure Soph doesn’t see.”

“Um.” Soph wrinkled her nose. “Why not? I know I’m not the most photogenic person in the world, but hey, I’m used to my reflection.”

“HA!” Niall cheered as Liam showed him, Liam’s eyebrows lost in his forehead somewhere.

“Oh my God, Soph!” Rose whispered, gaping at her best friend, who only looked back at her quizzically. Rose looked back at the photo and tried to suppress a high-pitched scream of delight. “Soph!”

“Does anybody want to tell me what’s going on here?” Soph frowned. “Louis?”

Louis just shook his head, smiling secretly at Harry.

“Right.” Soph muttered, irritated, as a few more minutes passed with Liam, Louis, Niall, Harry and Rose still gaping at her. She glanced around; there was no sign of Zayn inside the restaurant, and Dianna was obliviously flirting her skanky ass off with the blonde, probably, drug-dealer. “I’m going out for a second, it’s stuffy in here.” Soph paused where she stood, watching as the boys didn’t even glance at her. Not even Rose. No reaction. None. They were all still gaping at Louis’ phone, with Niall looking smug. Whatever prank they were trying to pull, it was working to wind Soph up. “I’m going outside!” Soph said loudly.

No reaction.

Muttering under her breath, Soph walked out of the restaurant, avoiding Dianna’s table. She couldn’t promise she wouldn’t slap the bitch.

The cool air hit her as soon as she stepped out of the restaurant, the street empty, and for a fleeting moment, Soph wondered whether she was at risk of being raped. But the moment passed; London was her home and she’d never been scared in her entire life. Not to mention how close by Harry was; they had an odd sort of connection, Harry would be there if she ever got herself in trouble.

Soph walked slowly up the road, enjoying the sound of her boots on the pavement. She could hear the distant sounds of London’s evening traffic; there was always movement in London, no matter how late, and it would be coming up to 11pm soon. The rest of the group had spoken about maybe going for a walk after dinner. Their restaurant was on Butler’s Wharf, it was a two-moment walk to the Bridge

Soph liked restaurants like these. If she turned left, she’d be on the other side of the row of continuous bars and restaurants, but otherwise, she was heading to a lot of winding rows, small alleys and overhead, oval roofs. Soph loved the atmosphere; she loved having such a perfect view of the London skyline, being able to hear the ripple of the water, smell the fresh air and hear the tinkle of laughter from around her.

She walked by another small bar, a round, brick roof coming up to her. She could see somebody sitting on the floor underneath it, their arms resting on their knees.

Soph slowed as she reached him, her heart stuttering slightly at the suddenness of it all.

Then again, if Soph was being truthful... Hadn’t she been looking for him?

Soph muttered to herself under her breath. She hated being a good person.

“What do you want?” Zayn muttered, turning his face away. It was dark under there anyway, but Soph was just thankful it was dry. Then again, you never knew what to expect with London weather. “I’m not in the mood for your crap, Soph.”

“I was wondering if you were okay.” Soph said dryly, sitting opposite him. Zayn watched her in mild surprise. “Not that it makes a difference, it never would have worked between you both anyway.”

Zayn tried, he really did. He knew Soph was baiting him. But he couldn’t help it.

“Why wouldn’t it have worked?” Zayn asked through gritted teeth, wishing he had a cigarette. Or a brick to knock himself out with.

“Because she’s blonde.” Soph said, fighting a smile as Zayn stared at her with incredulity. “Oh, come on! You can’t take a blonde into an Asian household, as your girlfriend. That’s like...” Soph paused for a moment. “That’s like taking an albino into the middle of an African village and expecting the villagers to find that normal.”

Zayn just glanced at Soph, unsure whether he’d heard her right.

“You know, with the red eyes and everything.” Soph said simply, looking back at him innocently. “Kind of look like angry bunnies?”

It took Zayn a few moments to process what Soph had said. And when he did, he laughed. Loudly.

“Soph, if this is you trying to help, it’s not working.” Zayn laughed, shaking his head at her. Albinos. In African villages. Dear God, this girl was insane. “Can you please get lost?”

“Hey, I made you laugh didn’t I?” Soph said mildly. “And anyway, I think he’s a drug dealer, if it makes you feel any better.”

Zayn shook his head and pulled out his iPod. He couldn’t listen to this.

“What’re you listening to?” Soph asked, leaning over and plucking Zayn’s iPod from his hands, despite his protests. “Oh, you loser.”

He was listening to More Than This.

The song from his own band.

“Hey!” Zayn snapped, snatching it back. “I’m listening to it.”

“If you’re going to listen to one of your originals, at least listen to something to make you feel better.” Soph muttered, glancing up as she saw somebody approaching. “Well, that’s my cue to leave.”

“Finally.” Zayn muttered, despite feeling slightly disappointed and almost hitting himself for it. He wasn’t THAT desperate for company.

“Hey...” Harry said slowly, approaching them. “Soph, what are you doing here?”

Soph rolled her eyes and stood up, brushing herself down. Zayn went back to his iPod. If Harry kept bumping into Zayn and Soph like this, it was going to become increasingly harder to deny everything.

“Delete More Than This from his iPod.” Soph instructed. “And make him listen to Tell Me A Lie on loop or something.”

Before Harry could respond, Soph had walked off, trying to work out what she was going to have for dessert.

Meanwhile, Rose and Liam were arguing over what made a good boyfriend.

“If he’s bad boy turned good, he’s not a bad boy anymore!” Liam was arguing. “Bad boys are just stupid! They damage their health and are dirty posers!”

“Like Zayn.” Niall snorted, high-fiving Louis across the table.

“But nice guys don’t have that same sexiness!” Rose whined.

“And what about me?” Liam demanded suddenly, his eyes suddenly shining under the lights.

Rose didn’t know what to say to that.

“Oh God, what’s she doing?” Niall suddenly muttered. The boys followed his gaze, to see Soph... Talking to Dianna.

Dianna looked flustered for a moment, before Soph walked off smugly, Dianna suddenly looking scaredly around the room.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Niall said smugly. “She hasn’t even realized it yet, they both won’t until ages away.”

“You’re on to something, you know.” Louis said, pulling his phone out of his pocket and staring at the picture. He glanced at Rose sweetly. “Let’s just hope it’s not as long as Rose and Liam here.”

“We can only dream.” Soph sighed, only hearing the last sentence, settling in her seat and enjoying Rose’s dumbstruck expression.

The conversation picked up, and when Harry returned looking sad a few moments later, nobody noticed when Louis winked at Niall... Nor when Louis found the picture of Liam and Rose, uploaded it to Twitter and prayed to God Ryan would see it.

HOMME BOY CO. “NEVERMIND” Season 2.