Rachel's P.O.V.

"What about this one?" I asked, pulling yet another dress from my bag.

"Seriously Rachel? They all look gorgeous. Just pick one please?!" Skylar groaned.

She was flopped across her bed, bored at this point.

I rolled my eyes.

"Look you were the one who told me to go to the party. I need to look good" I mumbled.

"Why exactly are you so reluctant to go anyways?" she asked.

I sighed, unsure of what to say. Honestly, I was worried about how awkward things would be. Louis would be there of course and Ashton. And whenever I was around the two of them at the same time, I always felt uncomfortable. And I think Harry was starting to notice. I didn't want to make things weird between him and Louis.

"Well.. I don't know. Louis will be there. It'll be weird" I mumbled.

She sat up at that.

"Yeah I kinda picked up on the awkwardness. What exactly was it that happened with ye Rach?" she asked softly.

I bit my lip. I had never actually told her - or anyone for that matter - why me and Louis had broken up. It was honestly just too painful for me to think about. And as weird as it sounded, I didn't want them to look at Louis badly. He was a good guy, and I knew that.

"I don't really wanna talk about it. Hey I think I'll go with this dress. I do like this one" I quickly changed the subject, holding up the first dress I had looked at.

She sighed, nodding.

"Yeah, that one looks good" she replied.

I gave her a smile.

"Okay, you can borrow whatever you want. I know you'll be trying to impress a certain Mr. Hemmings" I gave her a wink.

She blushed ever so slightly, giggling.

It was then that the door opened and Lizzie walked in.

"Hey guys" she smiled.

"Hey, you coming to the party?" Skylar replied.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Party?" she asked.

"Yeah, a house party tonight. Some friends of ours know the guy who's having it" I explained.

She nodded quickly.

"Sounds like fun" she smiled.

And so, a few hours later we were walking in the door of the house Harry had texted Skylar the address of. I was feeling pretty nervous as I walked in, which was weird for me. I loved parties. They were most certainly my thing, but right now I'd much rather be back at the room, relaxing.

"Chill Rach, you look fantastic" Skylar told me.

I sighed, looking down at what I was wearing.

"Thanks" I mumbled in response.

We walked in and I immediately spotted Ashton and Calum standing against a wall, drinks in their hands. Skylar spotted Harry and headed off in his direction, Lizzie following along behind her. Louis was with him though so I walked right over to Ashton and Calum.

"Hey" I announced my arrival.

Both Ashton and Calum eyes flew to me.

I felt Ashton scan me slowly, meeting my eye with a smile.

"Rachel.. you emm, you look.." he trailed off, his cheeks flushing after he did.

"Hot" Calum finished for him. Ashton gave him a smack across the back of his head and Calum just raised his hands in surrender.

I giggled.

"Why thank you Cal" I replied with a grin.

I spent a few minutes chatting with them before taking off to get a drink, with a promise that I'd return to them in a few minutes. While getting my drink however, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around quickly to be faced with Louis.

"Hey" he mumbled. I could barely hear him over the music.

"Hey Louis" I replied.

He ran a hand through his hair quickly.

"How have you been?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"You've seen me. I've been fine" I told him shortly.

He rolled his eyes.

"I've seen you but we haven't talked. You've done a very good job of avoiding me" he reminded me.

"Can you blame me?" I muttered.

He sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry Rachel. Really I am. Sleeping with Eleanor was stupid and I really didn't mean to hurt you or anything. Seriously, I mean it I miss you, a hell of a lot. Can we please just start talking again?" he pleaded.

I folded my arms.

"I don't know.." I mumbled.

"Please Rach?" he met my eye this time and I couldn't help but give in.

"Okay, Okay. Look why don't we meet up tomorrow and have lunch? We can talk about things then" I agreed.

He smiled.

"But, from now on we're just friends Louis. No more.." I added, quickly.

He looked a little disappointed but nodded.

"Okay" he nodded.

"Okay" I replied, giving him a nod.

It was then that I headed back over towards Ashton and Calum who were talking in hushed tones. As soon as they saw me, they stopped talking and looked off in opposite directions. I raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"What you talking about?" I asked.

Ashton blushed slightly and Calum grinned.

"Nothing, nothing" Ashton said quickly before Calum had a chance to say anything.

I wasn't convinced but just shrugged.

"Okaay. Well I'm kinda bored so Ash, you wanna dance?" I asked.

Ashton's mouth formed a little 'o' and Calum smirked.

"Well that was easy" he mumbled.

"Easy?" I questioned, but Ashton just shook his head.

"Don't mind him. Let's go" he said quickly, grabbing hold of my hand to lead me away from Calum. I chuckled slightly, as he turned to me nervously.

"Relax Ash, it's just me" I laughed.

He smiled.

Notes