I popped a grape into my mouth and broke into it with my teeth as I watched a single blue eye peer at me through a curled deep fried potato, “How is it do you think they make curly fries?” Niall wondered aloud.

I snorted as the boy then crammed the fry into his mouth and began to chew as if his life depended on it, stopping only to insert more of the greasy springs into his rather large mouth. As if the attention we were attracting between the other patrons scattered across the small patio and the passing bystanders on the sidewalk wasn’t enough, we were now receiving looks of uneasiness as Niall displayed his eating capabilities.

“Pretty sure there’s uhm, a curly fry device,” I said.

Niall had slowed his bulldozing to take a sip of his Coke, “A device?”

“Yes,” I said proudly though I only had half the confidence that I was right, “Something do with a turn-y thing that creates the spirals. Carves into the potato.” Niall replied with only a look of content, shadowed by a particular curiosity, “Me dad wanted one for a while, mum wouldn’t let him get one of course,” I explained.

This satisfied his wonder and he turned his attention to his plate - still half of a massive burger left and a stack of fries - and then shifted to look at mine. Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, and melon were arranged neatly on one side, next to it a few biscuits coated in a layer of chocolate, and vanilla yogurt. We were out for brunch, breakfast was my preference, while blondie of course chose the burger.

Peter had grown increasingly busy at work, he’d finally been promoted as assistant manager and apparently that meant less time to spend with me. I had the sneaking suspicion that he was avoiding me but I couldn’t come up with a reason why. Either way I didn’t mind, Niall had been keeping me company since the day after we’d watched the game at Harry and Louis’ flat. He liked to go out and do things, plus I think he’d taken a liking to me. Though, it was harmless because he never made any advances.

“Are you sure that’s enough for you?” Niall asked, eyebrows stitched together.

I may be playing myself into a trap but I couldn’t resist that damn Irish accent. Or that hair. Or those eyes. Or that cheery little smile. He exuded leprechaun except he looked like a blonde blue eyed god from the wonderful land of hot accents.

“More than enough love,” I replied just before sinking my teeth into a strawberry.

Just then his phone started ringing, and he answered it as I looked across the street. I watched as three men with cameras snapped away in my direction. I simply stared back, I hadn’t decided how I would go about these increasing amount of paparazzi trailing behind me every now and then but I didn’t really care.

“See you in a minute then,” the Irish voice sounded, and I turned back to Niall just as he ended the call, “That was Harry, gents and I have to do a few phone interviews. Want to finish this over at his and Louis’ flat?” He said looking down at the food.

I shrugged without preference, “As if they won’t attempt to eat all of it, those scavengers,” I said with mock hostility, causing Niall to laugh as he motioned to the waitress over to get to-go boxes.

It was hot. Even though my hair was up in a high bun and I wore a light weight collared button up dress, the sun danced on my lightly tanned skin. Niall and I walked, eyes shielded by dark sunglasses, both trying to ignore the trigger happy cameras we knew were only a short distance behind us.

It wasn’t until we disappeared into the stairwell that led up to Louis and Harry’s flat that we knew they were unable to follow us. Niall pushed his way into the room, music instantaneously flooding out of the open doorway.

“I’m only going to say this once!” Niall announced loudly, gaining the amused attention of his bandmates, he paused as they waited and lifted a single eyebrow, “Do not touch our food.”

“I won’t touch Lilas’ food but I most certainly cannot make any such promise regarding the contents of your to-go box Niall.” Louis said simply, as if there was simply no way a thing like that could ever even maybe happen.

I shrugged, “Good enough for me. Is there any juice?” I asked to no one in particular as I moved into the living room and took a seat on the couch. Louis, Zayn and Harry greeted me from their places around me and I gave them a smile.

“Yes,” Liam said from the kitchen, answering my question, but the way he said it made me question what he had to say next. He grabbed a pitcher of orange juice as he said, “But you must sit and drink your juice quietly while we do our interviews, no talking.”

I sat straighter as I surveyed what was before me. Water bottles. An intercom looking thingy on the table. Tv off. Besides the music and the fact that I was in a room full of cute singing boys this didn’t look like much fun at all.

“Oh,” I droned unhappily.

“It won’t take too long L!” Niall was quick to assure.

“Yeah,” Harry’s deep voice agreed, “Just a bit of answering some simple questions. When we’re done we can drink and try out my new dart board,” he said eagerly.

I laughed and looked behind me and the dartboard hanging on the wall, “Looks like you might need to work on your aim mate,” I said, referring mostly to the single dark stuck in the wall next to the board.

“Are you kidding? I did that,” Zayn claimed, “That’s pure force and strength love.”

I was going to dispute however Liam shoved a glass of orange juice into my hand and plopped himself down next to me, “Shhhh, quiet,” he reminded, “Gather ‘round mates, just got the text to call in.”

The boys got comfortable as Liam dialed in, the looks upon their faces mocking those who knew a routine. I nestled myself deeper into the couch and sipped on my orange juice, slightly curious to what I was about to witness as the dial tone played over the small intercom.

A woman answered the phone, and Liam responded by telling her his name, though she was probably waiting for the call she sounded slightly frazzled as she told him to please wait. The man on the phone now sounded like a typical radio host, relatable, funny, outgoing, but most of all he asked the questions you wanted to hear.

I was all for this because it was actually kind of interesting to watch the boys recap parts of their lives and how they feel about things, some questions I could answer myself just in the short time I knew them. I was actually enjoying their teenage boy band humor. Filled with this kind of ability to laugh at the fact that they indeed were a part of a boy band and at times that was a very funny thing. Then they got to what every post pubescent girl was wondering – not to any of my knowledge I assure you – which was surprisingly, who I was.

They wanted to know who I was.

“Uhhh who?” Niall stuttered awkwardly.

“The girl you’ve been spending considerable amounts of time with Niall! Brown hair, adorable smile, and yes, we did see her legs.”

“What’s wrong with my-“ I gasped just as Liam’s hand slapped over my mouth, my wide eyes I hoped told him that I had sincerely unintentionally done that.

“Who was that?” The radio host asked eagerly, “Was that her?”

“Yeah, her names Lilas,” Niall said, “She’s a friend we made recently, she’s lovely.”

I realized I had done something undesirable but it’s not like they were upset. It wasn’t until later I realized that they were simply concerned I would get scared off by their little fan girls who tend to get a little too excited when any of the boys makes a new girl friend. I didn’t have any social networking profiles though, cyber bulling wouldn’t really work. The radio host of course wouldn’t be satisfied with just what Niall had said however,

“Can we talk to her?” the host asked.

I shook my head no with such force Niall fumbled the first few words of his next sentence, “She actually got embarrassed and ran away.”

“Shame!” the host cried, “Is she a shy one then?”

“On the contrary she’s quite out going, rather friendly.” Louis said matter-o-factly.

I rolled my eyes and then plucked Liam’s hand off my mouth. He gave me a look that resembled one my father might give me, so naturally I scowled right back. Harry was watching and gave a laugh.

“And to which of you does she belong?” the host inquired.

“Oh Lilas isn’t one to belong to anyone, and hardly ever one of us!” Harry said without hesitation, agreement rising between all the boys.

“A lady out of reach from even this lot? What a woman she must be!” the host cheered.

I shook my head and tried to conceal my smile as all the boys gave me looks of happiness and near admiration. I hated them for their undeniable charm, it was ludicrous. The subject was changed and the boys answered a few more questions before the call ultimately was about to end.

I relaxed further into the couch and let the last bit of my orange juice run down the back of my throat, but it was after I brought the cup away from my mouth that I finally caught him. His green eyes were fixed on my lips, and I pursed them slightly instinctively. This caused him to shift his look right into my eyes. I had been feeling his stares throughout the tiny duration of the interview but wasn’t positive whether I was reading them right.

However I was certain now that Harry had some lingering feelings from the wake of our initial encounter. Over the past few days his eyes were getting easier and easier to read. I wasn’t surprised. He seemed like he was used to getting what he wanted, and my lack of pursing him, even though it was what we agreed upon, obviously made his thoughts stir.

The complicated part was of course that I was even more certain that out of all of the boys that could have ended up in my bed that night, Harry was the best suited. So suited I could feel a slow but increasing desire to find out just how much.

A recipe for disaster no doubt, but I’ve always thought myself to be a bit of a good cook.