-Maria-

“Nooo”, I said under my breath as I turned around in my bed not wanting to get up. Have you ever had that feeling of not ever wanting to get out of bed because you love the way the duvet is protecting you from all harm and the way your pillow is both hot and cold at the same time? The smell alone in the room is fresh and you see no reason to ever leave it behind? Well, that’s exactly how I felt until someone grabbed my leg while shouting at me…

“Maria, sleepyhead! You have to get up…”

“No, go away,” God she sounded like my mother…

Was it so hard to understand? “Well, we thought you might be hungry, so we made you breakfast!”

Suddenly I was up and smiling, “well, why didn’t you say so?”

I heard the girls laugh at me, but only ended up joining them as we walked out to the kitchen area.

After we’d each had a cup of Yorkshire Tea and eaten some toast, I felt much better. We didn’t talk much up until this point seeing as neither Sarah nor I were morning persons, and Emily was occupied reading something on her laptop. Yeah, we’re very social, I know…

“So, are you excited about today?” Emily said while taking another sip from her teacup.

It was only then that I realised what my plans for today was. I had a date. Well, not just any date. I had a date with Liam Payne. I remember my little sister showed me one of their songs about over a year ago – Story Of My Life, and I loved it. It was really good. Other than that I was pretty clueless regarding the bands history. I had however noticed that they were all extremely good looking… And that did not help the fact that my nerves were eating me up from inside.

“Yeah, I’m just so nervous… What am I going say? What are we supposed to talk about? I haven’t been on a date in ages. How do they work? Do I hug him? …oh my god, what am I going to wear?” I started to freak out, but was suddenly cut off by Sarah,

“Just calm down, okay? You’re going to be fine! Just act normal,”

“Normal?! How is any of this normal?” I talked back.

“What she’s trying to say is that you should just be yourself.” Emily said while looking over at Sarah who shrugged. “…You talked at the club remember? He obviously found you interesting. Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked you out…”she continued, now looking at me smiling.

She had a point. Not that I could see any reason why someone like him would find me interesting. I was just a normal girl from a small town in Norway. I hadn’t been traveling the world or anything like that. But again, what could I do? He did ask me out. Me. “I guess…”

“And we’ll help you find something to wear. Don’t worry! You look so much prettier when you smile that gorgeous smile of yours!” Sarah said in a baby voice while pinching my cheek. I could not help but smile in return. I loved how they always knew the right thing to say.

---

“Perfect!” Emily said while looking proudly at my outfit. She had picked out a pair of black skinny jeans, a white fluffy top and a long grey cardigan to go with it. “Not to much, but still smart.” I looked in the mirror and saw myself staring back. I looked good. Like she said, casual, but it still looked like I’d made an effort. “Now, to top it off… here’s a necklace to go with it” she said while giving my one of her favourite ones.

“Thanks, Em!” I said pulling the over my head.

“Do you know what would be really cool? Wearing that hat you brought with you!” Sarah said, pointing at the hot laying on top of my suitcase. She’s right. That hat I bought from Zara would go perfectly with my outfit.

I put the hat on and took a twirl. “How do I look?”

“Stunning! Now, you have to get going, otherwise you’re going to be late and no one likes tardy people…” Emily said giving me a wink.

I took a look at my watch and she was right. I had promised to meet Liam down at the Black Sheep Café in twenty minutes. I put my sandals on and waved at the girls as I ran out of the front door.

---

I felt a little lightheaded as I walked down the street and saw the café. My butterflies had returned and I was wondering if this was really a good idea. But, honestly, how bad could it be?

I pulled the door of the entrance towards me, making the bell ring as I walked though. I scanned the small café for a minute, while taking small nervous steps.

I saw someone waving at me and smiling from the far end of the room, and I smiled back saying hello to the waitress who had greeted me.

“Hi,” I said as I approached the table.

“Hi, you! It’s so nice to see you! You look wonderful” Liam said while pulling out my chair. Wow, these British people do have manners.

“Thank you! Sorry, if I’m late… I had trouble finding the place,” I lied thinking that was for the best, rather than saying that I was actually having a nervous breakdown back home.

“No, you’re not late at all. I just got here myself.” He was so kind. Oh, and his eyes… “So, how was Boujis? Did you have a good time?”

“Oh, we had a great time! The girls and I didn’t stay too late though. We were a bit tired from the traveling so we took a taxi home around 1 am.”

“Oh, yeah. I remember you said you’d just arrived… I’m sorry, where were you from again?” He looked nervous.

“Oh, uhm, Norway” I smiled back, “yeah, Sarah, my friend, and I are staying with our other friend, Emily, for the summer. She lives not far from here actually…”

“Wow, Norway? I love Norway. It’s so beautiful. They have beautiful girls there too,” he said smiling and looking me in the eyes. I could feel myself blushing…

“You’ve been there? Where did you do?,” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“Yeah, me and the boys went there on our first tour. We only got to see Oslo though, but I remember it well. My and one of my band mates took the boat out one day and went fishing.”

“Really? And did you catch any?”

He started laughing before saying, “well, only if you count my band mates bum.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing back. That was actually a good story.

“Anything I can get for you?” the waitress asked only looking at Liam. How rude. Well, who could blame her? Here I, Maria Boch, sat with one of the probably most wanted men in the world.

“I’ll just have a cup of ice tea and the club sandwich, please.” Liam said, not taking his eyes of me. Wow, he was good. He knew exactly how to charm a girl.

“And you?” the waitress asked while directing her look towards me for the first time.

“Uhm… I’ll just have what he’s having, thanks!” I said, as I hadn’t had time to look through the menu yet.

When she left us Liam and I started talking again. I was surprised of how well this was going. I wasn’t nervous anymore and the conversation was actually flowing pretty well if you asked me.

---

“What?! Someone just stole your boxers?” I said, nearly choking to death from all the laughing.

“Yeah, after I came out of the hotel room, I saw that my boxers where gone from the balcony where I left them to dry. We’d been surfing earlier on you see…”

We were both finished eating, but still kept on talking. I’d been here for a bit more than an hour and a half. “Oh my god, that’s hilarious! I guess your admirers are well and truly happy now that they have a pair of boxers from their idol” I said as I took a sip of the coffee he had ordered for me.

“Well, my bodyguard actually found them in the hands of some teenaged girls later on when we were walking down at the beach. So I, no… What a shame, ay?” He said smiling. God, he was so cute when he smiled. His eyes got pressed into thin lines and he showed a couple of dimples at his cheek. He was so comfortable to be with. Who would have known?

“Aww, poor girls!” I said, trying to act sad on their behalf’s.

“So, any chance we can meet again? I had fun spending time with you!” What? Is he really asking me out on a second date?

“Yeah, that would be great. I like spending time with you too,” I said trying to hide my excitement.

“Well, me and the boys are going out tomorrow evening at another club. You could bring your friends, Emily and Sarah, and we could all go together” he said making it sound like a question.

“Yeah, I’m sure the girls would love to come” I said before realising what I was saying. Maybe I should’ve asked them first…

“Okay, great! Then we have deal. I’ll text you the details when I know more?” he said happily.

“Yeah, sounds perfect!” Hope the girls are okay with this…

We both got up from our chairs and headed for out the door. Once we were outside I turned around to say goodbye, only to receive a kiss on the cheek and a hug from him. Wow.

“Okay, so I’ll see you tomorrow then!” He said still hugging me.

As he let go, I tried not to fall over or faint, “Yeah, see you then!” I smiled awkwardly.

“Great! Okay…. I’m gonna go now… See you!” he said, sounding a bit nervous again.

“Bye…” I said and we both turned and walked away. My butterflies had resurfaced and I suddenly felt lightheaded again. Oh my god, that was the best date ever. I can’t wait to tell the girls!

Notes

So, what do you guys think? Is Maria and Liam a good match? What will happen to them? x