Lucy yawned as I locked up, another long night at work come to an end. The boys turned to me as the lock clicked.

“Let’s go.”

We headed to their van and piled in. I was sure this was illegal, since everyone did not have a seatbelt, but we made it work. The van was quiet as we headed to their complex.

“So we never did get your names,” Louis stated. I looked at him as I realized he was right. I thought it interesting that they would invite two women they didn’t even know over, but I sure as hell wasn’t complaining about the situation.

“I’m Lucy.” I saw her shake Louis’s hand. The rest of the guys shook hands with her and turned to me.

“I’m Darcy.”

The same routine with me and silenced enveloped the car once more. We were quiet until we parked. As we attempted to exit the vehicle, all hell broke loose. I was surprised that the whole complex didn’t hear.

Liam was first to exit as he was the only sober one of the guys. He stood by the door as the rest of us attempted to get out. I seized my opportunity and jumped out next. I stood by him as the rest battled it out. I tried to stifle as laugh as Louis shoved his way to the front. I laughed flat out when Harry’s hands wrapped around his chest and he went flying back into the car, his eyes wide with surprise. Harry’s head appeared in the doorway and he tried to jump out, the picture of nonchalance. Unfortunately for him, Louis decided now was the time for payback. He stuck out his foot as Harry jumped causing him to trip and hit the floor.

I lost it. I was doubled over in hysterics when he came up behind me and began tickling me, an evil glint in his eye. I fell to the floor as he attacked me. I couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard.

“H-Harry! Stop i-it!” I struggled to get out, but he was relentless. I heard Lucy’s heels hit the blacktop and then a peal of her laughter. Harry finally relented and I was able to get back up. I brushed myself off to see what was happening. Niall had the same idea as Harry and was ruthlessly tickling Lucy. Louis and Zayn finally emerged and we all headed in, each boy to their respective apartment, Niall with Lucy in tow. I followed Harry and Louis to their place, a huge yawn coming unbidden.

Louis opened the door and headed inside. I could hear him yawn as he headed to his bedroom. I tried to stifle another yawn as I entered their apartment. My jaw dropped as I took in their interior. I knew I shouldn’t have been so impressed, but I was. Their living area was spacious, about the size of my whole apartment. There were a few doorways to the right and left of us. Directly to my right was their kitchen, which looked to be a full kitchen, complete with a dishwasher, microwave, and full size fridge. I assumed that their bedrooms were to the right and left. I couldn’t remember which way Louis had disappeared to, but I was too tired to care. I collapsed onto the couch, kicking off my shoes. Harry fell down beside me, fatigue tracing his voice.

“You can sleep in my room tonight,” he mumbled. “I’ll sleep out here.”

I sat up and shook my head.

“Don’t be silly, I’ll sleep out here. I’ll be perfectly fine. But if you don’t mind, I would like to change. Do you have anything I could change into?” I asked as I realized that I didn’t have a change of clothes with me. He nodded his head and padded to his room. He flicked on the light, and I saw that his room was a disaster. Clothes, shoes, books, you name it, were strewn over every available surface. I laughed when I saw the mess. Typical boy. He came out and gave me a look.

“What?”

“You’re room.”

He looked over his shoulder and when he turned back to me, his face was embarrassed. I laughed and quickly changed into the clothes he had handed to me, not caring that he was standing right there. I was not shy when it came to changing around others. Harry had turned back into his room and reemerged after I had finished. I fell back onto the couch and sat there in silence staring at the blank TV screen. He came back out moments later in a pair of boxers. He sat down next to me and flipped on the TV. We turned down the volume and chatted for a while.

“So where are you from?” he asked me with genuine curiosity in his voice.

“Originally, I’m from Cheshire, but I obviously live in London now,” I responded. He gaped at me.

“I’m from Cheshire, too!” he exclaimed.

“What’s your favourite thing to do in your free time?” he asked me. I could see that we were going to go for a round of twenty questions.

“I like to read. I’m also a dancer. I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, but I broke my foot last summer. It was heartbreaking. I’m pretty sure I cried about it for a few days,” I said, unable to meet his eyes. “What about you?”

“I don’t get much free time. But when I do, I spend it with my boys. We usually play video games, attack each other with silly string or nerf guns, and generally just goof off.”

The questions went on and on until both of us fell asleep.

----

When I awoke, I was in Harry’s bed. I glanced at the clock and it told me that it was noon. I stretched and got up heading for the door. I poked my head out to find Harry and Louis in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Harry greeted me. Louis turned from the stove and smiled at me. I smiled back, sleep still etched into my features.

“Morning,” I mumbled my voice rough.

“How did you sleep, love?” I winced at Louis’s volume and he laughed. I heard Harry join in a second later.

“Fine, thank you,” I replied.

We spent the rest of the day in their apartment just getting to know one another.

The rest of the guys and Lucy came over a while later, and we all just hung out. It was nice not having any obligations.

As night fell, Harry invited me to stay over again. I accepted and fell asleep a while later, the soft hum of the TV in the background, Harry sitting near my head.

Notes

xo

I know the whole "becoming friends thing" isn't going to be quite clear, but I think you can figure it out. (: