Alayna’s POV:
“Who do you love?” They all looked at me, very intrigued at what my answer might be. “No one.” I was telling the truth. I don’t love anyone, well besides the ‘safe answer’ which is my family.

“Aw, c’mon. You have to love someone. Everybody secretly loves someone.” Louis looked at me, still. I shook my head as answer then he took a deep breath. “Okay, let me rephrase the question.” I sighed; I thought I was actually off the hook.

“Who do you like? Not just like like but somewhere between like and love.” I was about to answer when Louis held his hand up. “You can’t say no one! That’s the rule!” I thought hard enough and my heart thumped faster.

“Uhm, you don’t know him so there’s no use in saying his name.” My brain only shouted one name but I know that I can’t tell them; not now, not ever. “So there is someone. Well, could you at least describe him?” Liam spoke up and moved closer; everybody moved closer as if I was going to say something profound.

“Uhm, he’s not really interesting. Why don’t we just move on?” I put on a fake smile and hoped they will let this one pass through. “Hey, no pass! Truth or strip!” I looked at Louis wide-eyed. Did he just say strip? In front of them?!

“Uhm..” I looked down and I could feel my cheeks burning. “Just say it Alayna. We promise we won’t laugh at you no matter how lame he is.” Kacey patted my back and teased me a little.

“Uhm, okay. Well, he’s a boy.” Louis rolled his eyes with the obvious fact that I just stated. “He actually has the nicest smile that I’ve ever seen.” I smiled at that thought. “And he’s laugh..” I tried to think of a word to describe it but all I could do was smile just trying to imagine it.

“What else?” I looked up and forgot what I was doing. “Oh, uhm. He’s really annoying at first. Actually he still is but I can’t seem to stay mad at him. He also puts up this tough façade but really, he’s just a big teddy bear inside.” I laughed at what I just said.

“A teddy bear?” Zayn looked confused and so did the others. “Uhm, well he’s like a teddy bear. He tries to make everyone smile. He tries so hard that sometimes he, himself forgets to smile.” I looked up and caught Harry’s eyes. “And if he was actually here, I would tell him that I miss that smile of his. And also his laugh, his laugh that makes all the butterflies in my stomach fly all at the same time. And I am really thankful to him for making me feel all this feelings.”

I continued to stare back at Harry but he looked away. “That sounds like love to me.” I turned my head at Louis. “It is. Believe me.”

Harry’s POV:
“I guess you deserve to have a go at spinning the stick.” Louis handed the stick to Alayna. She spun the stick and after that, looked down. I looked at her, observed her. I was still at awe at what she said. I wanted to say the same thing as she just did but I know that I will never have the chance to.

“Kacey! Finally!” Everybody cheered as it was Kacey’s turn who, this whole time, has avoided being picked by the stick. “Dare!” She sat up straight and looked more ready than she has ever been.

“Okay. Give a kiss to the most attractive person for you. And ---” Kacey stood up even before Jade finished. She walked around us as if we were playing ‘Duck, Duck, Goose’. Finally, she stopped and knelt beside Niall.

“Oh no!” Niall laughed and Kacey gave him a serious look. “Oh yes!” Kacey kissed Niall for a good five seconds. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Everybody cheered and laughed.

“Well, I guess that’s a good way to close the night.” Jade stood up and everyone did the same. “Shall we put the fire out?” Liam offered to help with the fire. “Oh, uhm, I’ll do it.” I didn’t notice that Alayna was still sitting on the log until she spoke up.

“I’ll just stay for a bit.” She gave a nod at everyone and everyone went on their way. She stared at the fire and sighed. It was clear that she didn’t notice that I was still there; it was like she was in her own world.

“I’m sure that if he was here, he’ll say the same to you.” She flinched and looked up. “Oh, I thought I was alone.” She stood up but I stopped her. “He’ll say that he misses your smile, your laugh and even the way you shout. He’ll say sorry for not being by your side whenever you need him. And that he’ll do anything to be with you.”

“And I’ll say that he should stop ‘cause it’s probably better where he is right now.” She pulled her hand and I stood up. “But he’ll just tell you that anywhere is better as long as he is with you.”