All Hidden Away

I walk back into the kitchen with a more relaxed looking Luke following me.
“Everything okay?” asks Ash sceptically. I nod and smile and help him clean up the rest of the kitchen.

As I walk back outside I walk behind Mish and knock her on the side of the head.
“You still love me.” she mumbles.
“What was that for?” asks Jar looking at me.
“She knows.” Is all I say before I sit on Niall’s lap, needing a Ni-Hug after talking to Luke about Stu’s ex. I look at Stu as Niall wraps his arms protectively around my waist. “Need me to drive you back?” I ask as everyone continues their conversations. Stu places a hand on Jar’s thigh and leans into him.
“Hm?” he asks his opinion. Instinctively I look at Harry to see him looking a bit down. I look back at my two friends and decide I’ll chat to Hazz later.
“Would you mind? Or we can get a taxi?” he offers. I smile.
“Not at all.” I say before I hear a phone start to ring. Considering its nearly ten, it’s rather late for a call and I see Mikey stand and walk off slightly. I look at Ash and ask, he simply shrugs before continuing his conversation with Cal and Mish. I look over to see Liam, Jar and Stu also in discussion and laughing every now and then. I see Luke talking to Hazz and Lou and make eye contact. He smiles slightly and I smile back knowing he’s not talking to them about it. I feel Ni squeeze my waist affectionately.
“You got very quiet…” he notes. I huff a breath of air out my nose.
“Tired.” I say simply as I realise how sore my eyes are when I blink and how my mind is wondering.
“Want me to drive the boys back?” he asks. I shake my head and look back at him slightly.
“Nah, it’s cool. I need to fetch some stuff for tomorrow anyway. But thanks.” He nods and I lean my head against his shoulder. A thought pops into my head. “Are cousins this affectionate with each other or are we going to have to stop this too?” I ask. He chuckles.
“If we are this affectionate as brother and sister, I don’t understand why we as cousins can’t be.” I smile.
“Yay. Niall cuddly time.” I say quietly.
“But I’m sure they’ll want you to cuddle with your boyfriend more than your cousin.” He says smiling. I sigh.
“Yeah… hopefully it’s not long till I’m this comfortable around the Aussies.” I say with my eyes closed.
“I’m sure it won’t take long.” He teases.
“Tasha?” I hear Mikey call and look up to see him walking forward with his phone held slightly away from his face. “Uh, it’s the radio interview place for tomorrow. They want to know if you want to come.” I feel my face stiffen and I quickly look at Luke for help. He shrugs and also looks panicked.
“Uh… dah… uh, what time tomorrow?” I manage.
“Seven in the morning.” I look at Hazz who gives me the ‘it’s up to you’ look.
“Should I?” I ask. Ash nods.
“it’ll be more fun if you’re there.” He says giggling slightly.
“Oh… Ahh, okay.” I say finally.
“Yeah. Hey. Yeah she’ll also be coming… Okay. Great. Thank you.” Says Mikey before hanging up.
“Yay. Your first interview.” He says smiling. I gulp and try to pretend that doesn’t scare me.
“That’s okay right? Don’t feel pressured to do it if-” I smile slightly.
“It’s fine thanks, Luke.” I say looking at Niall’s hand still holding me tight. “Anyway. Sorry to cut this short but I’m going to be too tired if I don’t take you boys back now.” I say smiling at Jar and Stu.
“Tasha- you’re not driving if you’re tired.” Says Harry frowning at me. I shrug.
“So, do you or one of your verging on drunk friends want to take them back?” I ask laughing.
“Not if you’re too tired. We can crash on the couch.” I stifle a yawn but nod at Stu’s suggestion. I stand up and walk to grab myself some water. I pick up my phone and see I have three emails from Claire. I groan as I walk outside.
“Ah shit…” I say sitting back in the open chair next to Luke and Mish. “People got a picture of my failed ollie…” I grumble showing him the pic. He laughs.
“Oh god. Is there one of mine?” he asks snatching my phone and going through the pictures Claire managed to prevent from going viral. “Oh. My. God.” Says Luke, his jaw dropping looking at a picture.
“What?” asks Mish leaning in. Luke continues to stare before handing the phone over to her without me seeing. I start to get nervous as Mish has the same reaction. I try grabbing my phone and failing between the two tall munchkins.
“What is it?” asks Cal coming over and leaning over Luke’s shoulder to see. He pulls the most ridiculous face at me while gasping. “What the hell?! This isn’t fair!” he says making everyone look at us expectantly. Mikey rushes over to get a look and has a similar reaction before handing Harry the phone and looking at Louis.
“Since when could you skateboard?” asks Niall laughing.
“Could I get my phone back?” I ask laughing. They hand it back to me and I see the nicest photo of me I have ever seen. I’m kitted out in skate gear jumping up in the air mid ollie, arms up and head looking down.
“Wow…” I say raising my eyebrows.
“I ask again… since when?” asks Niall. I shrug.
“Since today.” I say still looking at the picture. “Is it bad I’m kinda mad people won’t see this pic?” I ask laughing before putting my phone away.
“No! Are you kidding me?” says Mikey.
“Maybe we should leak it?” suggests Mish.
“Yeah!” Says Michael high fiving her.
“Or not.” I say laughing before trying to cover up another yawn.
“All right. We need to get some sleep for tomorrow.” Says Ash standing. Luke, Cal and Mike follow him and say goodnight.
“I’ll wake you up.” Says Ash smiling after hugging me goodnight. I nod thankfully.
“If you’re coming I suggest you get some sleep.” Says Mikey hugging me. I nod. Stu and Jar go to set up in the lounge while Mish goes to shower quickly, leaving me with just my brother and his band.
“You should go to bed.” Says Lou smiling at me. I nod.
“Just wanted to make sure you were okay… I saw what happened earlier.” I say looking at Hazz. I know he knows what I mean.
“It’s difficult, but I’m fine.” He says smiling. I nod and say goodnight before changing into my Pj’s and getting ready for bed. Mish and I share a bed and sit up talking for a while. Catching up on each other’s lives until we are both half asleep. I turn off the light but before I fall asleep I hear her randomly say:
“He likes you…” and I don’t have time to process before I’m asleep.


“Tasha… Tasha wake up.” I hear someone whisper making me shoot up.
“Hmm?” I groan looking around and finding Ashton standing next to me.
“Time to get ready for the interview.” He says smiling. I nod and check the time. It’s just after five,
“Thanks.” I say groggily. He smiles and walks out into the half illuminated doorway. I decide to leave Mish sleeping while I go shower, quickly washing my hair and shaving. I step out of the bathroom in a towel wrapped around me. I go to the dresser and pull out a pair of undies and a bra, clean pair of black jeans, my plain white tank top and my black leather jacket. I tried to make as little noise as possible but soon Mish was awake and talking to me while I got dressed.
“What shoes are you wearing?” she asks going through my cupboard as I finished applying a little bit of concealer, eye liner and some mascara.
“Ehh… mustard yellow boots.” I say. She grabs them for me and walks over fingering through my hair before starting to blow dry it. It dries into its natural curls with the pretty purple peeking through and we head downstairs for a quick cup of coffee and some breakfast before the interview.
“Morning.” I say cheerily to Cal sitting at the kitchen counter. He waves back barely looking awake.
“Coffee?” offers Ash walking out of the pantry with a two mugs.
“Please.” Both Mish and I say.
“What time do you need to be off?” I ask throwing her an apple.
“About eight. I have a lecture at twelve.” She says biting into the granny smith. I nod.
“Any idea about what time we will be back? … Thanks.” I say taking my coffee from Ash.
“Around nine I think.” I shoot a pout at Mish.
“Chilled. Just come say goodbye before tour.” She says shrugging. I nod and sip on the coffee as Luke and Michael come down greeting us and smiling.
“You look nice.” says Luke ploughing into some cereal. I smile.
“Thanks.” I say taking a bite of my apple as a slightly awkward silence falls upon us. “Nearly ready to go?” I ask checking the time. Its nearly six thirty.
“Yip.” Says Cal popping the p. I nod and throw back the last of my coffee.
“Just gonna say by to Hazz quickly.” I say running to their room. I walk in quietly shaking him awake.
“Hazz… Hazz I’m going now.” he mumbles as I wake him up. He sits up and hugs me before wishing me good luck.
“Mish is leaving at eight. Make sure you say goodbye.” I whisper as I close the door quietly before running to the kitchen. Mish stands and pulls me into a hug as.
“Keep safe. Don’t say anything stupid.” She says squeezing me tightly.
“Don’t do anything stupid.” I say back before pulling away and the boys calling me to hurry up.
“Love ya.”
“Love ya too.” I shout running to the car. Luke stands back and opens the door for me, letting me hope into the middle between Mikey and him.

“Okay, so question… What exactly is happening today?” I ask leaning against the back of the chair.
“Well, we kinda just gonna lie the shit out of you and spill the beans on you.” Says Ash smiling at me through the review mirror. I flinch.
“At least we don’t lie as much as your brother’s band has to.” Shrugs Mikey. I laugh.
“Yeah because Harry can lie so well.” I say rolling my eyes.
“I’m scared I won’t be much better.” Says Luke playing with his lip ring. My heart flutters slightly with worry.
“Uh… well maybe, maybe we should go over what we going to say if they ask?” I suggest playing with my fingers nervously. I don’t even notice my leg bouncing up and down in nerves before I feel Luke places a hand on my knee stopping it. I can feel his warmth through the cut out in the jeans.
“Okay. Well if they ask... I’m going to say I’m dating the most amazing girl.” I turn my head to him and see him looking at me directly and that his hand hasn’t moved. “Who plays guitar fantastically, makes the most amazing meals, is hella fun to be around, loves to do dangerous things that makes other people’s heart stop. A girl who is so awesome that she throws my best friend in the pool and walks in the rain without umbrellas, who is the best friend anyone could ask for.” He says his eyes not moving from mine making me swallow quietly at his intense glare, not helping by his deep blues. I look away and at the road.
“Well one thing is for sure.” I say looking straight ahead. “No one will have a problem believe that.” I say making everyone laugh nervously. I see Mikey shooting Luke a glance I can’t figure out.
“Okay, well then… uh… how did we meet?” he asks clearing his throat before moving his hand from my knee, leaving the patch of exposed skin cold.
“Yeah, they normally ask girls that stuff so guys don’t get it wrong.” Jokes Cal.
“Wait… ask the girls? I thought I was just pitching! Not talking!” I say sitting forward and feel anxiety make its way into my system.
“Hey, its okay. You don’t have to say anything… I just think it would be more believable than just me and the band talking about some mystery woman.” Said Luke.
“But you’ve never had your girlfriends on radio sessions before right?” I point out.
“Yeah, not normally. But normally they don’t come with us… we’ll sort it out, Tasha. Don’t stress.” Says Ashton comfortingly.
“Uh, well we told Claire we’d tell the sort of truth… so I say we stick with that.” I say shrugging.
“Well, what are the details? What happened?” asks Michael smiling. I shake my head.
“Okay… so I went to the coffee shop. And my second cousin once removed, Niall made me go with Paul. Uh… then four idiots walked in and created a scene making the coffee shop fill with people which started me having a panic attack…” I say thinking how to spice this up. “And then Paul managed to get me out but this tall guy with a blond quiff came out after seeing Paul. He helped me calm down –”
“You’re going to tell this boring story after Luke proclaims his love for you in the way he just did?” asks Cal laughing. I laugh.
“Fine then… you tell it.” I say smiling.
“Okay, so Niall sent you to the coffee shop with Paul because of a crazy ex-lover of yours that –”
“Nope!” Luke and I both say.
“Why not? Come on, that would be brilliant!” He protests.
“No it wouldn’t. It would make it look like I was using Luke as a rebound.” I say making Cal go quiet and eventually nodding his head.
“Okay… well, what if it wasn’t Paul that managed to get you out. But rather Luke? Like what if you had already been dating a for a bit… You know. Make him look like a super hero.” Say Ash shrugging. I smile.
“Okay, so Luke takes me outside and manages to calm me down.”
“Something that not even your best friend Niall can do easily.” Say Michael in a girly voice.
“Oh god… I don’t have to talk like that right?” I ask looking at him. Everyone laughs and shakes their heads.
“No.”
“Okay, so then Luke calmed me down and then what?” I ask looking at him.
“I made sure you were okay and then out came Paul, and I realised that I was staying with you Harry and Louis for a bit.”
“Can’t mention Louis.” I say sighing making him roll his eyes.
“Okay but if you’re already dating how did you meet?” asks Ash.
“Shit…” I say thinking. “Well maybe it wasn’t for long… like a week tops… and maybe like only not in person… like maybe we had just been talking for a while after I stole Niall’s phone one night and prank called you guys?” everyone laughs. “What?” I ask smiling.
“It just sounds like something you would do.” Says Mikey laughing.
“Okay, so everyone then stayed with Harry for a bit while we were planning tour. And although we already really liked each other, you truly wooed me over by beating Mikey at Assassins Creed, your sketching, hearing you sing and play guitar… and your cooking of course. So I asked you out and we payed laser tag – which I beat you in – ” I laugh.
“Uh, uh… let’s call it a draw.” I say smiling. He shrugs and smiles looking out the window.
“Fine. And then I took you out for a fancy dinner and wooed you with my amazing jokes and wit and caring nature.”
“And eyes.” I say absentmindedly. “Your fans would shoot me if I didn’t mention your eyes.” I say not making eye contact with anyone.
“Okay… ?” Says Ashton trying to supress a giggle.
“And then we went out for a run together with Ashton third wheeling hectically. And then did some shopping together for a dress after you invited me to the awards show tonight. To which I said yes reluctantly… because of the anxiety thing. And ever since my anxiety has been cured immediately like in all the fanfic about the boys.” I say swallowing.
“You read fanfic?” Asks Luke with raised eyebrows and a smile playing on his lips. I nod.
“Sometimes when I’m really stressed they help… I know that sounds stupid but reading Harry comforting a fake me while I have a fake anxiety attack helps. I know it’s stupid.” I say quietly. “They won’t focus to much on that part right?” Mikey pokes me in the side comfortingly.
“They might. But we’ll be there.” He says smiling. I nod.
“Uh… okay. So then we went skateboarding and yeah... happy lovey dovey shit.” I say shrugging.
“Yeah…. Sounds good to me.” Says Luke smiling at me. I return the gesture.
“Cool… so we’ve been dating for about two weeks now?” I ask. “Doesn’t seem serious enough for me to be on a radio interview.” I say shrugging.
“True… but I’m madly in love with you, Tasha. And I want the world to know.” The boys snigger at his comment, but something about it seemed out of place. He was too good an actor. And I was trying really hard to ignore butterflies in my stomach and how cold my knee felt from where his hand was. Putting it down to nerves, I reach forward and turn on the music in the car and connecting my phone to the jack. Happy, I lean back and listen to Metallica’s Fade to Black play through the speakers as we sat in thought for the last ten minutes of the drive.

Notes

Hey all, thank you for the votes,all the subscribers and comments. Makes my heart swell. Let me know what you think xx L