-Maria-

“So, are you going tell us or do we have to drag it out of you?” I said with questioningly eyes. We were sat in the kitchen eating breakfast together, although none of us had spoken a word since our little conversation earlier. Apparently, no one wanted to talk about last night.

“Tell you what?” Sarah said emotionless while eating her cereal. Emily and I both eyed her down. “What?” Sarah complained. It was obvious that she was trying to hide something.

“Come on, Sarah,” Emily chimed in.

“Yeah, where did you sleep last night? Where did you go after we left Funky Buddha?” I continued. I really don’t know why she’s being all secretive and stuff.

“It’s not like we’re going to judge you. You can tell us,” Emily went on with a little smile. She was clearly enjoying this. A little too much one might say.

“I… We… Uhh…” Sarah stuttered before she suddenly hid her face in her arms resting on the kitchen counter. “I don’t remember what happened!” she shouted while continuing to hide her face.

“What?” Emily said before she turned to me with a confused look. Not that I know why. I was as clueless as her.

Sarah came out from hiding and looked at us with sad eyes. “I remember that I was at Funky Buddha with you and the guys. Then you,” she said while pointing her finger at me, “you sent a text saying that you had to leave since you and Liam had to take care of Niall. Then you,” she continued now directing her finger at Emily, “you disappeared! You left me alone!” She looked kind of angry now, but I don’t know if she was trying to change the subject or if she was really that upset.

“I did not! I left you with Ashton!!” Emily answered back now as upset as her. Then there was dead silence before Emily spoke up. “Oh, no you didn’t?!” Emily looked shocked. I was clueless.

“What am I missing?” I said breaking yet another awkward silence.

…

“Guys?” I went on when no one answered me.

…

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on!” I then said waving my hands in front of their faces.

“Nothing! Nothing happened!” Sarah yelled while getting up from her seat.

“So what? You slept in the streets of London, or?” Emily said, now crossing her arms back to being amused again. What’s up with her?

“No, of course not…” Sarah said while rolling her eyes. “Fine! I slept at some guys place. Okay?! Are you happy now?” What? Was this the reason why she was being so secretive? She hooked up with someone?

“Who?!” Why wouldn’t anyone tell me the full story?

“Yeah, Sarah? Tell us who this guy is,” Emily said with a grin on her face like she already knew the answer to this question.

“No one you know. I met him at the club after you left,” Sarah said as a matter of fact. “I don’t even know his name. Sorry to disappoint you.” Emily’s face fell as if she was confused all of a sudden. She must have expected another answer.

“You went home with a stranger? You? I don’t believe you,” Emily went one after debating with herself for a moment. Again, I felt like I had to bring people together. Why was this position always left up to me?

“Em, Sarah wouldn’t lie to us. Why do you two always think everyone’s lying? You’re supposed to be best friends, and best friends don’t keep secrets like this, okay? So, stop it. Who would lie about this stuff anyway? It’s not like we would judge one another…” As I tried to catch my breath, I looked in-between the two girls. They both stared at me with wide eyes. I didn’t usually give these kind of speeches, so I ignored them. “Girls, let us just let this whole thing go, okay? No more talk of last night!”

“Fine by me,” Sarah said before she took a large sip of the tea she had in front of her.

“Em?”

“Yeah, sure. Sorry,” she said, holding up her arms in defence with a smug grin on her face. “I’m going to get changed for the day. I’ll be right out,” she continued before she stormed off.

“Thanks, Maria” Sarah began, but as she did, my phone began to ring. Saved by the bell, thank God! I quickly glanced over to take a look and smiled when I saw Liam’s name on my screen.

“Sorry, It’s Liam,” I said apologetically. As if her opinion would stop me from answering anyway. I needed an escape from all this drama. I picked up the phone and pressed it to my ear.

“Hiii,”

“Hi, babe. I’m sorry for interrupting your day,” Liam said, always so thoughtful of others.

“No, you didn’t interrupt anything! We were just finished eating breakfast,” I said before I began to help Sarah clean the table.

“Breakfast?! It’s like… 2.30 pm!” Shit. Was it that late already? Where did all this time go?

“Really? Wow… well, I guess you could say we had a little catching up to do. Oh, well… It’s not like there’s anything going on today anyway. What’s up?” I said, curious as to why he would call me so soon. I only saw him this morning when I slept at his place.

“Well, actually, I just wanted to check if you had any plans for tomorrow night…” Liam said, before he stopped himself to listen to someone else talking. “Shhh…” he went on while trying, but failing, to hide a laugh.

“Liam?”

“Sorry, ignore that. So what do you say, are you girls free tomorrow?”

I looked over to face Sarah who stood beside kitchen table listening to my conversation. Emily was still in her room. “Let me ask,” I said as I put my hand over the phone. “Are we doing anything tomorrow? Liam’s asking,” I questioned Sarah who simply shrugged her shoulders before she suddenly looked at me with big eyes.

“Why?!” she said while taking a step towards me.

I lifted the phone to my ear again, “ ‘doesn’t look like we have anything planned. Why do you ask?” I said to Liam, ignoring Sarah’s curious eyes.

“Okay, perfect! Then you are all invited to a party!” Liam said now with excitement in his voice.

“What? Another party? I’m still recovering from last night,” I said in shock. Seriously, if he’s planning on taking us to Funky Buddha again, he can forget it. In fact, I wasn’t keen on going out to any club for that matter…

“Yeah, I know. But this is different. You guys have to come! It’s Ashton’s birthday tomorrow and Niall is throwing him a surprise birthday party,” Liam continued.

“It is?! Oh my God, I love surprises! Count us in!” I said now as excited as Liam. I didn’t know Ashton that well, but I knew that Sarah had spoken to him quite a lot. She would have been devastated if she missed out on his birthday, and I knew that Em liked to hang out with the guys too. So, who would I be to stand in the way of all the fun? Who am I kidding? Of course I was dying to go myself…

“Really? Brilliant! So you’re all coming?”

“Yeah, I don’t think anyone would want to miss out on any of Niall’s parties,” I went on.

“Perfect! Then my job is done. Be there around 6 pm.?”

“Okay,”

“Great! I have to go now… We’re waiting to go back in rehearsals, and Louis and Harry just showed up. Speak to you later?”

“Sure! Say hi to the boys from me and Sarah,” I said smiling to myself.

“Will do! Bye, babe.”

“Byeeee,” I said before hanging up. Before I had the chance to put down the phone I heard a loud crash coming from Emily’s room, followed by a lot of cursing. Sarah and I sprinted through the door without knocking.

“What happened!?” Sarah said as she came to a full stop, leaving me to crash into her.

“My laptop broke…” Emily said with a sad voice.

“Are you joking!? How many times have this happened?” I said as I stepped closer to Emily and her broken laptop. Seriously, this must have been like the fifth time this has happened. I don’t know how she keeps doing it.

“No… Look! It’s cracked and has completely shut down…”

“Aww, I’m sorry Em. But, hey! It’s not the end of the world. You can go buy you a new one, right?” Sarah said trying to comfort her before taking a seat on the bed.

“Yeah, okay. It just sucks, that’s all…” Emily went on while placing the laptop on her bedside table.

“Who’s is this?!” Sarah said with a different tone, holding up a huge black sweater with a print reading Calvin Klein.

“What?,” Emily said turning to see what she was on about. She froze when she saw what Sarah had found in her dirty laundry and face went pale. “Uhm…”

“Em?”

“It’s… It’s Will’s. The sweater. My flatmate. You know? I borrowed it,” she stuttered embarrassed.

There was a long silence before Sarah turned to me.

“Okay, now that we know what all the commotion was all about and how that Em here steals her flatmates clothes, would you please enlighten us on what you just spoke to Liam about?” Sarah said now looking at me.

“Of course! You’re going to love this,” I said as I took a seat in the armchair next to the bed. “Niall is throwing Ashton a surprise birthday party tomorrow! We have to be there at 6,” I said with a big smile.

Three long seconds passed with dead silence. I must say, I was expecting a different reaction from the girls. Or should I say that I was expecting at least some form of reaction? They we’re simply standing there looking at me. “Did you hear what I just said? Niall’s house. Party. Tomorrow. Ashton’s birthday. Surprise birthday party. Fun? Guys, why aren’t you excited?” What was happening to the world? Sarah and Emily loved to party.

“Uhm, so I guess we’re going?” Emily finally said.

“Well, of course we are! I thought you’d both be happy to go,” I went on confused.

“We are! I mean, I am,” Emily continued before looking towards Sarah.

“Uhm, yeah. Sure. Why not?” Sarah said awkwardly. Okay, could someone please tell me what is going on? “Wait. Are you sure that we’re all invited?”

“Yes! Liam just asked me if we could all be there. I’m guessing he was with Niall when he called me,” I said rolling my eyes. Stupid.

“Right. Well, then I guess we’re going.”

---

-Niall-

“Would you kindly shut the fuck up?” I said in a hushed voice towards Louis and Zayn who were having too much fun hiding behind a stupid plant I bought a year ago. The most ridiculous hiding spot I’ve ever seen. “He’s going to walk though that door in a few seconds!”

I had invited Ashton over for a few drinks, letting him think that it was just going to be the two of us and a couple of mates watching football. Instead, I had invited all of the lads in 5SOS, Harry and his sister Gemma, Louis and Eleanor, Zayn and Perrie, Liam and Maria, Emily, and a some of his closest friends that I had either met or heard him speak of. Tonight was going to be unforgettable. Ashton was turning 20, and little did he know that we we’re all waiting for him to walk through that door to surprise him with an epic birthday party.

Everyone became silent as we heard footsteps outside the door followed by a knock on the door. Seriously, why do people always knock on doors even though they know they’re expected? He knew I was home. “Come on in!” I shouted, before glancing at everyone around me. While I had Sarah next to me behind the bookshelf, Liam and Maria were behind the couch next to a couple of Ashton’s mates. Harry, Luke and Michael were hiding under the table, not too convincingly. Gemma, El and Perrie had probably found the best hiding spot behind the biggest couch. The rest were nowhere to be seen. They we’re all ready. Sort of. Soon enough, Ashton opened up the front door in the hallway and walked into the dark living room.

“Surprise!” Everyone jumped up from his or her hiding spots, throwing confetti and shouting happy birthday.

“Whaa? Oh noo, you didn’t? Guys, this is awesome!” Ashton said with a huge smile spread across his lips. I’m proud to say that my plan had succeeded.

After about an hour of listening to music, drinking and catching up with everyone, the real partying had begun. Some sat outside by the pool, some were dancing and chatting in the living room and some were playing football in the garden. I spotted Sarah standing in a corner talking to Gemma, and noticed how it didn’t seem like she was having any fun. I walked into the kitchen to grab a couple of beers, one for myself and one for her, remembering very well how she liked a beer as much as a drink. When I reached the girls, Sarah looked happy to see me and gladly accepted my beer. “You having fun?” I asked, only so she could hear.

“Actually, I could use some air,” Sarah said glancing up at me. I smiled down at her before holding out my arm for her to take.

“Well, then. Let’s head outside, shall we?”

We sat down in my sunbeds near the pool, leaving Gemma inside to catch up with Ashton. I knew how much Ashton fancied her, even though he wouldn’t admit it himself. You’d have to be blind to ignore the looks he gave her. I thought maybe if I invited her, I would be able to spend some time with Sarah without Ashton always being around. “So, are you having fun?” I asked again.

“You already asked me that,” she said taking a sip from her beer.

“I know, but you never answered.”

“Oh. Well, yeah. I am. Just a bit weird not knowing anyone here,” she said looking around as if she was looking for someone.

“What are you talking about? You know a lot of the people here! I think you need to finish that drink, young lady,” I said before trailing off. Suddenly there was a lot of cheering going on followed by a huge splash coming from the pool. I turned around to see Maria surfacing, all wet, with a gigantic smile on her face. Now, that’s someone having fun! Sarah was laughing hysterically.

“Oh my god! That did not just happen?!” she said with big eyes in-between her laughter.

“Yaaay! Go Maria!” she shouted to the girl in the pool who now turned to face us.

“Sarah! I’m having so much fun,” she said as she began to move closer to us.

“Yes. Well, I can see that,” Sarah said, still laughing at her friend.

“Come on! Jump in!” Maria shouted for her friend to join her in the pool. However Sarah shock her head, saying no, making Maria put on a pouting face.

“Aww, look what you did to your friend. She’s upset,” I said smiling.

“I think I would have to down another few beers before I would willingly jump into that pool,” she said raising her eyebrows.

“Who said you anything about jumping in willingly?” I said while wiggling my eyebrows, remembering my last party. “I had no problem throwing you into that pool last time.”

“If you as much as think about it, I swear I’m going to throw all the food I can find in the pool with me,” she threatened. Crap.

“Right. Two beers coming up!” I said getting up from my seat, surrendering. I was not about to risk any food going to waist. Sarah seemed happy by my decision.

When I returned to the sunbeds two minutes later, she was nowhere to be found. I glanced around, only to see a lot of people talking, dancing and drinking, but no Sarah. Maybe she went off with Maria to get her some dry clothes? I decided that was the most logical explanation and headed back into the house to assist. Maria could borrow some of my clothes. No one was leaving now! The party had just begun!

---

-Emily-

After having a few drinks with Louis, Zayn and Perrie, it didn’t take too long before my impatience was rising. Harry and I had been constantly texting since the moment I stepped into Niall’s place, and I must say, this game was getting a little old. I wanted to go look for him, or maybe that’s that drinks talking. Either way, that’s what I ended up doing. Our texts had been nothing but flirty, dirty and somewhat inappropriate all night, and we hadn’t even said hallo to one another.

I politely excused myself to Louis, Perrie and Zayn and headed off towards the backyard. When I stepped outside, I almost ran into Maria - who by the way was dripping wet - and stumbled over a chair, almost spilling my drink over my jumpsuit.

“Whoa! Watch where you’re going, M! What happened to you? Why are you all wet?” I asked raising my voice amused.

“I decided to take a swim,” she said as a matter of fact.

“What? You jumped in willingly?”

“Mhm.”

“With your clothes on?”

“Mhm?”

“By yourself?”

“Yeah? Why? Did I do something wrong?” she slurred, revealing how much she’d had to drink.

“No, no. Of course not,” I said before desperately glancing around the pool area. No offence, but I really didn’t fancy playing mummy to Maria right now. “Uhm, where’s Liam?”

“Dunno. How should I know?” she said.

“Well, you’re always glued together, so I figured he’d be here somewhere.” She almost sounded offended. “What about Sarah? Have you seen her?”

“Yeah, she’s with Niall somewhere,” she said shrugging. Hah! Sarah must be hiding from Ashton with Niall. I knew it for sure as soon as Ashton came and Sarah looked like she could die of awkwardness right there and then. It was obvious that she was hiding something earlier in my flat, and I grew suspicious when she was so reluctant to going to this party in the first place when I knew how much she used to enjoy hanging out with him. However, seeing their faces when they saw each other earlier was priceless. Priceless! The other day she made me promise not to pursue anything with Harry, and then for her to go and do it with Ashton Irwin, and lying about it to my face! I never thought I would see the day Sarah ended up with a one-night stand! Don’t get me wrong. I was not upset. However, if she ever tried to talk me down or stop me from doing anything like this again, she could forget about it. Maria scratched the back of her head before continuing, “I think. I don’t know. Why are you asking me all these questions?” Honestly, I have no idea. This was clearly not going anywhere.

“Never mind,” I sighed. And just as I was about to make my escape, Liam showed up, not looking too happy.

“Thank God! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Maria. Christ! What the heck happened to you?” he said as he came up to us. Maria stayed silent, making an innocent face.

“She decided to go for a swim. Don’t ask why. She’s drunk. She’s yours now – I’m off,” I said as I ran away before he could ask me any other questions. Childish, I know, but I had found who I was looking for. Harry. He was standing on the other side of the pool with a drink in his hand and his phone in the other, deep in thought.

I skipped along the poolside, careful not to slip on the wet spots. Thankfully, I had chosen to wear converse today instead of my usual high heels. “You having fun over here by your lonesome?” I said as I neared him. Harry raised his head and eyed me down. Oh no. Not that look.

“Well, I’m not lonely anymore,” he said putting his phone away.

“Oh, really? Good, then my job here is done,” I said cheekily as I spun around in my heels, headed back for the house. However I came to a full stop when Harry grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

“Hey! Don’t leave me. I was waiting for you,” he said as he pulled me close.

“Were you planning on waiting here all night, or? Because I had no idea that you were out here,” I said confused.

“I was just texting you,” he continued.

“Oh. Right then. Well, I’m here now!”

“Yes you are.”

“So, what’s up?” I said not really sure what to say at the moment.

“What’s up?” Harry repeated before laughing at me. I looked down embarrassed trying to hide my smile. “I haven’t seen you since… well, yeah… since,” he stuttered.

“Since you kidnapped me?” I said, not so embarrassed anymore.

“Yes, since I kidnapped you… and that’s all you have to say? ‘What’s up?’” he said back to laughing at me.

“Well, you said you were about to text me and that you were waiting for me. So, what’s up?” I said now ignoring his cheeky grin with a smile of my own.

“Nothing much. Just wanted to say hello and ask how you were doing.”

“Really? Well, I’m doing just fine thank you Mr. Styles,” I said remembering our little nicknames the other night.

“Good to know, Miss Atkins.” I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one...

“How about you? Are you having fun?” I said as I looked up at him.

“I am now,” he said giving me a smile and making my head spin. “I’m just finding it a little weird being at the same party as my sister and watching her flirt with my friends.”

“Oh, yeah. I heard your sister’s here. I haven’t met her though. But why is it so weird that she would flirt with your friends? There are a lot of hot guys here tonight, so I can understand where she’s coming from,” I said trying to look serious.

“First of all, she’s my big sister – of limits. Second of all, ‘a lot of hot guys’?” he said now back to showing his dimples off.

“Yes. There are!” I said still trying to act serious, only no make him laugh.

“Really? So are you interested in any of these guys or?”

“I might be,” I said, trying to look unaffected by his charm.

“And who might that be?” Harry said with confidence as he took a step closer to me.

“Oh, I think he knows,” I said finally looking up at him. Just then, I became completely oblivious to the fact that we were standing in the middle of Niall’s backyard filled with familiar faces. We were standing so close and all I wanted to do was move closer. I swallowed hard, trying to hide the sudden nerves that had surfaced, all humour gone.

“Well, I think he wants to leave. Do you want to leave?”

“Okay,” was all I said.

“Like right now, I mean.”

“Okay,” I said yet again.

“Okay. Lets go,” he said before he broke our stares and glanced around. “I can have a car here in about ten minutes. Do you want to go inside or?”

“I’m fine with whatever. Although, I should probably text the girls this time. My sudden disappearance the other day wasn’t so popular with everyone,” I said now unsure of what to do, or what to say to the girls. “Any ideas?”

Harry thought about it for a second. “Tell them you’re tired and that you want to go home early?”

I laughed a little of this stupid suggestion, but after giving it a second thought I gave up. “Since I have nothing better to say, it’ll do.” I quickly picked up my phone and began texting.

To: Sarah, Maria:
Hiii, girls! I’m tired and just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving. Don’t worry about coming with me :) I know how much fun you must be having, so enjoy! I’ll see you tomorrow! Xo

There. Sent. Fingers crossed they wouldn’t notice my absence back in my flat. However, I did have a feeling that Maria would be too drunk to even care – that’s if she even decided to come home at all.

---

We had managed to escape the house without anyone noticing us leaving together. At least that’s what I thought before I heard someone yell my name from behind. “Emily Atkins! Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

Oh, crap! I know who this is! Sarah... I looked up at Harry who had frozen beside me and looked at me with big eyes.

“I think we’re busted,” I said making the same facial expression.

“Answer me, Em. Where are you going?” she said now only a few meters behind. Harry and I both turned around to face one angry Sarah.

“Home,” was all I thought of saying. I just texted her telling her that I was going home.

“And what is he doing here?” she said pointing her finger at Harry. How rude.

“He’s…” I began only to be cut short by Harry himself.

“Making sure she get’s home safely.” Smooth Harry. Smooth.

“Sure he is,” Sarah continued to ignore Harry’s presence. Harry and I stayed silent. “You’re not going home are you?” she said staring into my eyes. Shit. There was no way I could lie myself out of this one.

“No,” I said feeling Harry’s stares. Seriously, what did he expect me to say now anyway? “I’m going over to Harry’s. We we’re tired of partying and wanted to get out of here. We’re probably just going to watch a film or end up talking,” I said trying to find a way out of this situation.

“The hell you are.” Wow. She was really pissed. To be honest this was really starting to piss me of as well. “Tell me. Look me in the eyes and tell me, are you lying to me?” I looked up at Harry desperately, but he was too occupied watching crazy Sarah.

I turned to look at Sarah, but then thought to myself, ‘what the hell does this have to do with her anyway?’ “Why? It’s really none of your business what I do anyway,” I suddenly said with a stern voice.

“So you are lying!? You have been lying all this time! I bet it even was his sweater that I found this morning, wasn't it?” I looked down feeling a little ashamed. I hated lying to the girls. “Wait. Have you guys slept together?” Before I had the chance to even react, Harry spoke up.

“This really is none of your business. Emily can do what she want’s to do, and who are you to come questioning her like this?”

Sarah looked at Harry for the first time, however her look was not at all as welcoming as you’d expect to greet someone. “She’s my friend. I have the right to speak to her however I want to speak to her,” she said cutting him off before she turned back to me. “Oh, and by the way Em! Friends don’t lie to each other.”

That’s it! I’ve had it with this nonsense. I was just about to start questioning her about her own little lies now that I know for a fact they weren’t just in my imagination, when I saw someone approach us. I had to be quick. “You’re calling me a liar? You’re such a hypocrite! I know for a fact that you didn’t just end up sleeping at some random guys house the other night. You slept with Ashton. Either you remember it or you don’t, but you know it’s true. Now stop lecturing me and start focus on your own business,” I said before looking at Harry. “Come we’re leaving.” He looked at me with confused eyes but quickly nodded in agreement.

Like a miracle, the car showed up and we hurried towards it not giving Sarah a second glance as we left the party behind. Right now all I wanted was to be with Harry. I could deal with a more sober Sarah tomorrow.

---

-Sarah-

I stood there. Frozen. Not ably to move a single muscle or talk back at her as Emily and Harry walked away and got inside the car. How did she know? How could she say that in front of Harry? How could she just walk away like that? She was right though. I was being a hypocrite. The thing is, I never wanted for this to happen. She on the other hand is down right pursuing it. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and decided not to think more about this tonight. I’d had way too much to drink. However, all I wanted right now was more drinks. I wanted to forget these last five minutes ever took place.

Then, I heard someone lightly chough behind me, making me jump. I turned around only to be met with a pair of two blue innocent eyes. Niall. “Is it true?” was all he said with a stern and sad voice. Oh, no. No, no, no, no. “Did you and Ashton sleep together?”

I take it back. Please, for the love of god! I want to forget that this whole trip to London ever took place.

Notes

So, so, so sorry for being terrible at updating! I really am. I hope you'll forgive me and that you enjoy this chapter. It's a bit longer than what I usually write, but I thought I owed you one for being so late.

Tell me what you think and if you haven't already, please vote! :)

Oh, and while I'm updating my next chapter, take a look at this fanfic (Dreaming Of You)! You'll love it! xo