*Two weeks later*

I have never been the kind of person that goes around bragging about how confidents she is. I’m not brave, I hate conflicts. When ever I broke the rules at home, when I lived with my mom, I would always blame either the cat or the neighbors. I couldn’t argue with someone because I always ended up crying. So when I tell you that I still hadn’t talked to Louis about us, can you honestly blame me? What if he questioned me about why I didn’t want the paps to see me with him? Even though he knew why what if he was super offended by it? Even thinking about him getting heart broken because of a stupid decision I made a long time ago made me cry.

And to do a quick recap of the past two weeks. Louis and I went on a few more dates. Either we had them here and threw Harry out or we stole one of the boys apartment. Oh yeah, the boys now knew. They figured it out after Louis kicked Harry out the first time. The day after they all cam crashing into my room. They had been expecting to see Louis sleeping in my bed. I had told him the day before that I wasn’t ready so he slept in his own room. The boys had found that strange but I didn’t care. It would’ve been more embarrassing if he had slept in my bed. Just the thought of it makes me blush.
I had kept on going to my singing lessons, I had paid for about ten of them so it didn’t cost me anything. The boys had started asking me questions about where I was going so I had to make up lies about it. I usually told them I was going to meet Yvette for coffee or something like that. They believed me most times but they knew something was up. What killed me was the looks Louis would give me every time I left the house. It looked like I was leaving him for another man but that wasn’t true. I wanted to tell them but I simply couldn’t. I wanted it to be a surprise for Lou but I was also afraid of that if I did tell them they would want to hear something. And I didn’t think I was good enough yet.

And back to present day. Today was a Saturday, the 15th of December, and I was walking over to Nialls flat. I was going to talk to him about Louis birthday party that was happening on New Years Eve. This meant I was telling him about me singing. It was nerve racking and I was sweating. I knocked on his door silently and waited for him to answer. When he did he didn’t have a shirt on. I rolled my eyes and walked past him.

“You do know you can just walk in right?” He spoke as he closed the door.

“It doesn’t seem right to do it though.” I shrugged and turned to look at him. “It’s fine when you guys do it but I don’t feel privileged to do it yet.” I gave him a big smile as I leaned against the couch. I looked at the floor as he laughed lightly.

“The sooner you realize you’re one of us the sooner the pain goes away, or something.” He shrugged and began walking into his kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?” I nodded.

“I would love some tea, with honey. Feeling a bit sore in my throat.” I gave him a weak smile and he nodded and began preparing the tea.

“So, what brings you over? Not that I mind, you’re fun to hang out with but this is like the second time you’ve come over.” I laughed lightly and remembered the first time. I came over to hide from Harry. He wanted to paint a room and I really didn’t feel like it.

“I need your help with something.” I trailed off, not really wanting to continue. Niall turned around as he waited for the water to boil. He nodded for me to continue. “We are celebrating Louis on New Years Eve, and I need help with his gift.” I smiled and Niall looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“If you’re asking me to help you take nude photos or something I don’t think I’m comfortable with that.” I gasped and my mouth hung open.

“Niall!” I blushed bright red and looked at the counter. “It isn’t anything like that.” I felt stupid for even asking him. I just wanted to walk out of here and forget about this whole thing. I could think of other presents to Lou. Plus I had stage fright, what was I thinking?

“Oh, sorry.” He shrugged and turned around once again to fix the tea. “I guess I’m hanging out with Harry too much, ey?” I gave him a smile as he handed me the cup of tea. I shrugged at his statement.

“Nah, never mind.” I shook my head and began drinking my tea. He set his cup down on the table we were now sitting at and looked at me with stern eyes.

“Johanna, what were you going to ask me?” I looked up at him for two seconds before I averted my eyes to the table.

“I’ve been doing this thing for about two months now.” I looked up at him and he nodded. “It’s why I’ve been gone some days.” He nodded again, patiently waiting for the point. I took a deep breath and blurted it out. “I’vebeentakingsinginglessons.” I said it so quickly I was sure he hadn’t heard it. And I was right, his face looked really confused as he tried to think about what I just said.

“What?” I laughed an awkward laugh and scratched the back of my neck.

“I’ve been taking singing lessons…” I trailed off and his face turned from confused to shocked. I let out another awkward laugh and waited for him to recover. He did so very quickly and gave me a bright smile.

“I didn’t know you could sing!”

“I can’t.” I shrugged and he gave me a skeptic stare. “I just really like it. I’ve gotten better.” I smiled and he nodded.

“Okay, so what do you want me to help you with?” He drank from his tea and I did the same. I tried to collect myself and smiled to him when I was ready to tell him.

“I want to sing at his party.” He tilted his head to the side and gave me an ‘Aw isn’t that cute’ smile. I shook my head. “I want to tell him and you guys how much you mean to me. Even though it won’t be a total surprise for you.” He smiled and leaned back in his chair.

“Sounds like a great idea. How do you want to do it?” I played with the spoon in my cup, thinking about how I actually wanted it to be.

“I want to sing a song for him first. Since it is his birthday party.” I smiled down at my cup and continued. “And then I want to do a song for you guys. I was thinking maybe you would comp me on your guitar? And maybe sing with me on the second one?” I gave him a hopeful smile and waited for him to answer. Finally he nodded and I practically screamed.

“I’ll do that for you.” He gave me a brighter smile than before and I jumped up to hug him.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I jumped up and down and couldn’t contain myself. I calmed myself down and sat down on my chair again. I couldn’t stop smiling as I began planning in my head what song I wanted to sing. I was so excited that I didn’t notice Niall talking to me.

“Jo!” I snapped out of my trance and looked at him

“Yeah?” I smiled and he rolled his eyes.

“What songs were you thinking about singing?” I smiled a little shyly and blushed as I though about the song I wanted to sing to Louis.

“I was thinking about doing a slow cover version of an old song of yours actually.” He nodded as if he liked the idea.

“Which one?” I smiled so big my teeth showed.

“C’mon, C’mon.” His smile grew too when he thought about the idea. He nodded and gave me a thumb up.

“Sounds like a plan!” I smiled and nodded. “When do you want to start rehearsing?” I thought about it and checked my phone.

“I know you don’t have an interview today and I’m not doing anything either. So how about now?” He nodded and stood up to go get his guitar. I really hoped this would turn out good.