All Hidden Away

Surprisingly not many fans were crowded around the cars when we got out, but many people did suddenly pitch as we headed inside. There were a few members of the paparazzi flashing their cameras so Luke was holding my hand. That’s the only reason he was holding my hand. For the cameras. That’s all…
“You seem nervous.” He says with a hint of a smile teasing me as we walk towards the club behind Liam and Louis.
“Really? Can’t imagine why.” I say sarcastically but still smiling. His smile lights up his face making his eyes sparkle and twinkle in the dim light. How could they be so blue even in this light? I smile and look forward as I can hear the over-clichéd thump, thump coming from the club.
“This isn’t going to be one of those overly typical clubs, right Li?” I ask raising my voice slightly as the noise increased.
“No. It’s amazing. And don’t stress, it’s really open and not too crowded.” He says turning around and smiling giving me a thumbs up. I shake my head and suddenly feel a bit more nervous. As if on cue, I feel Luke’s thumb gently rubbing my thumb with his. How does he know? I swallow. A few seconds later the room opens up and I see a group of people dancing, milling around and sitting on the furniture. I smile despite the small feeling of close proximity to so many people. It looked awesome! We walk over to what seems to be Liam’s designated place as he hugs and greats everyone. They all wave and seem really friendly. I look around and listen to the music trying to get my bearings.
“Want to get something to drink?” Asks Luke as some of the others move off to dance while Harry goes to talk to a group of girls. Niall, Mikey and Ash head off to the dance floor while Louis, Cal and Liam take a seat at an empty looking square of white tables. I look up at Luke and see his blue eyes looking back at me. I smile.
“Sure. What’s my poison tonight?” I ask not really knowing what famous rich people drink at clubs. He smiles and looks around.
“Uh… I think I’m just going to have a beer for now.” He says shrugging. I smile and nod. Now that is something I do know how to drink.
“Sounds good.” He smiles and lets go of my hand to fetch our drinks from the bar while I go sit next to Lou.
“Drinks?” Asks Cal standing as I sit down. I smile and point to the tall blond making his way through the crowd.
“He’s getting ours.” I say smiling as Cal gets the others orders and move off following behind Luke. I take a seat next to Louis and smile.
“You okay?” He asks.
“This feels so weird.” I say nodding my head. He looks at me slightly confused. “Being out with everyone. It’s, it’s so nice.” he smirks before pulling me into a hug.
“Yeah, well. Believe it or not. We kinda like having you hear with us.” Says Liam smiling.
“Yeah, some more than others.” Jokes Louis. I roll my eyes.
“He’s just doing his job, Lou.” I say scooting away from Louis and looking at Hazz taking pics with some girls.
“Tasha. Love. Take it from someone who knows. He’s putting in way too much effort for it to just be a job.”
“Yeah, well. We all know you’re lazy and don’t care enough to really do your job properly.” I say smiling and sticking out my tongue so he knows I’m only joking.
“Well, well. Look at you. All sassy. Fame’s really changed you.” He says rolling his eyes and looking around the room.
“Come on, Lou.” I say standing up and grabbing his hand. “Let’s go dance.” I say when he looks confused, he knows I hate dancing in public. He smiles suddenly in understanding and follows me to the sort of centre of the room where we act like silly buggers for a bit. Dancing like lunatics and nearly knocking us and the people around us out…until I realise how thirsty I am and walk back to where we were sitting to get my drink, leaving Lou having fun with the people around him. I see some of the boys laughing and talking to each other while some girls try to throw themselves at the guys. I smile and shake my head as Mikey shoots the one red-haired girl a look of horror as she slips off her jacket revealing what looks like just a white bra and not really a top at all, barely covering anything… like… even Michael looked surprised by it… Stupidly it makes me feel self-conscious and I swallow but walk over to them anyway. I sit next to Niall and lean into him slightly. He smiles and drapes his arm over my shoulder like he always does.
“I thought you didn’t dance in public.” He jokes. I shake my head and laugh.
“You clearly didn’t see me out there if you don’t understand why.”
“No, I mean I know why you went to go dance. It just isn’t like you.” He jokes. I look across and I catch Luke’s eye and smile at him as the one girl is talking to him and Ashton. Luke smiles back and pushes my beer forward so I can reach it. I take a sip and smile at the familiar fizz and hops associated with beer.
“Thanks.” I say. He shoots me a subtle wink that totally doesn’t make my stomach flip.
“You know, beer has a lot of calories in it.” I hear a high pitch American accent from next to me. I look over to see a rather orange girl eyeing me drinking out of the beer bottle. I force myself to smile and try to ignore the not so subtle, subtle insult.
“Yeah, I heard so. But I also heard smoking helps you lose weight so I’ll bum a cig off someone later and I’ll be fine.” I say politely trying to ignore the need to now cover my stomach area before smiling as Lou walked back over to us.
“Mind moving over, please love? I’d love to sit next to my best friend.” She looks shocked but stands and walks away. “What a horrible person.” Says Lou quietly shaking his head making Ni and I laugh.
“Guessing you heard that then.” I say as I lean forward and catch Luke’s gaze. “Could I please wear your jacket?” I ask slightly awkwardly. He frowns slightly but nods and leans over to hand it to me.
“You okay?” He asks looking concerned. I force a smile and nod
“Yeah, it’s pretty warm in here.” Says Liam also frowning. I sigh and resist rolling my eyes at Liam’s ignorance to some things.
“Boys, just let her wear the jacket…” says Lou shaking his head before leaning into my side slightly. “Sorry, Love.” He says genuinely looking sad having realised what was going on. I shrug and smile at him as I slip Luke’s dark denim jacket onto my arms. I feel comforted at having something covering me. I sit and watch the room for a bit while I sip on my chilled beer. Lou and Niall are talking across me about something, I think football related while Luke, Ash and Mikey seem to be reminiscing, laughing manically at each other. Liam’s gone off somewhere but after looking around the larger room I see he’s smiling and taking pics with groups of people. I also see Hazz at the bar talking to some people but decided that it’s not my monkey and therefore not my circus. Everyone seems happy and so relaxed. It makes me sad that I’m going back to my rather empty and quiet flat tomorrow. Yes, Stu and Jared are there and I have a lot of fun with Stu…but they’re a couple now. They’re going to be doing couple things. Like going on dates and constantly reminding me though PDA, that even though the mass public thinks I’m currently seeing someone, I’ve been single for a good near two years now… and that kinda sucks. I take another sip of my beer and notice it’s nearly empty and that everyone surrounding me is already on their second drink. I look up and catch Luke’s glance at me. I smile and look around trying to find Hazz, worried about the story that would pop up tomorrow if anyone sees him with an older woman. I find him dancing like a lunatic with a group of people and smile at the huge smile plastered on his face.
“Does this normally happen?” I ask leaning into Lou’s side. He smiles knowingly.
“He likes just being one person in a crowd every now and then.” He says stretching out a bit and watching Harry spin a shorter girl.
“None of you smile and joke around like you used to. You’ve all become so serious.” I say quietly enough for only him to hear me.
“Oh, and you’re so much fun. Going back to varsity to get a head start on the term.” He says rolling his eyes.
“Lou –”
“Come on, Love. Let’s just enjoy tonight. Get some shots and get pissed. Go hook up with someone- wait. Don’t do that, you’re not single. But let’s get some drinks in you until you can take off that bloody jacket.” He says standing. I smile and watch him turn to wait for me. “I’m sorry, did I give you an option.” He says making me sigh. I stand up and slip off Luke’s jacket before handing it back to him. I mouth thanks and then turn to everyone.
“Tequila, anyone?” I say making everyone smile and cheers. I walk over to the bar with Lou and lean across to get the barman’s attention.
“18 tequila silvers please.” I say when he comes over. He smiles at me.
“Guessing it’s not all for you?” he asks as he starts to pour but I feel slightly uncomfortable at the guy next to me clearly checking me out.
“Eyes off mate. She’s not yours.” Says Lou placing a hand on his shoulder. I look away and swallow. Nope. I’m not anyone’s…
“Make that 19 please.” I say as he passes me the tray piled with salt and lemons. I raise the one glass to Lou and throw it into my mouth. Smiling at the burn I put it back and its soon replaced. “How much?”
“Free for you.” Says the barman. I smile and pull out a tenner and leave it for him while I grab the tray and walk back to the group.
“You sly little fox.” Says Lou walking next to me. I smile and see Hazz and Liam taking pics with some people.
“Go call them?” I ask smiling. He does as I walk back to the group with cheers as I put the tray down. “This is not what we were expecting from you.” Says Michael standing and coming to lean against me.
“Yeah, we expected to have to throw this stuff down your throat.” Jokes Ash before giggling. I smile and shake my head.
“Well, I’ve already had one so-” I hear Harry laugh from behind me.
“What happened to my innocent little sister?” He says grabbing the salt and licking his thumb before shaking some on.
“She grew up.” I say taking it after him and licking a line from my wrist to my thumb, feeling a few eyes on me. We pass it around and hand out some lemon, joking and smiling.
“To an amazing tour, with this little munchkin.” Says Hazz rubbing the top of my head before we down the shot. Various gasps and faces echo the group as we put down our glasses. Ash whips out his phone and he and Liam start snapchatting. I step away from Hazz and smile as Luke takes a step towards me.
“Having fun?” He asks smiling as I eat a lemon wedge. I smile.
“Yeah, it’s more fun with you lot than with Stu. I don’t have to play as his wingman.” He chuckles.
“The worst wingman ever is Calum.”
“Hey, I heard that!” says Cal sounding upset.
“But it’s true.” Says Mikey laughing. We decide to do the next shot before going and dancing for a bit and after the fifth shot it’s all kinda hazy for me until I’m sitting outside with my head against someone’s shoulder. I notice the jacket wrapped around my shoulders fighting off the cool night air.
“You okay?” I hear a familiar voice ask. I smile and respond quietly.
“Yeah. The fresh air is nice.” The person behind me shuffles slightly so their arm is around me. I feel warm and comfortable both inside and out. Their hands come around my shoulder and rub and sooth me comfortingly.
“Well, Hazz and Lou went off… and Cal left with the blonde. Mikey is off doing who knows what and everyone else is still inside.”
“And what are you suggesting?” I ask smiling.
“Well, you said you wanted to go home early so you could pack in the morning. I was offering if you wanted to go home.” They say chuckling. I sit up and notice I’m not that drunk anymore. “Come on. I’ll message them and say we got a taxi.” I feel a hand wrap around mine and pull me gently up. We walk and hail a taxi. I slide into the back seat as he drapes his arms around me. I feel safe.
“Thank you.” I say quietly as my eyes close. I feel someone kiss the top of my head before I fall asleep.

Notes