You're Pretty From Afar

I had been back at work for almost three weeks and I was completely shattered; when I wasn’t at work all I wanted to do was sleep. I hadn’t really done much since I’d been back at work, Mia and I went out once or twice but that was about it, it was kind of mundane really. Dan and Chris had taken me to lunch once but other than that I hadn’t really seen the guys either, they were crazy busy with promo and stuff around the country but today they were booked in the studio so I was ridiculously excited to see them.

“Hey, remember us?” A voice said from behind me as I was doing some filing.

I turned around and saw four guys grinning at me wildly. I literally squealed and jumped over the counter to hug Matt and the rest of them, all for the exception of Josh of course. I had missed them so much.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you!” I exclaimed.

Dan laughed as we let go from each other, “We’ve missed you too Lils!”

“We better start practice now guys,” Josh’s rough voice said from behind the rest of them, not looking at me.

The guys all rolled their eyes, obviously frustrated with how pathetic he was being.

“Come on then,” Matt lead them out of reception towards their room, “lunch is on us!” he called back to me.

The rest of the morning went pretty quickly, I had a tonne of work to do and my boss wasn’t in today so I was basically in charge, it was a nightmare. I heard my stomach growl loudly and I felt my cheeks turn pink, despite no one being there. I was so unbelievably hungry yet I didn’t have time to go and get myself lunch or go out with the guys if they offered, so I guess I would just have to last on coffee.

As I was busy concentrating on some paperwork that needed to be done I felt a body loom over my desk and stare down at me.

I looked up to see Josh staring straight faced down at me, “I know Max usually does the food run but sorry, it’s my turn today- do you want anything?” he asked calmly.

“No, I’m fine thanks,” I lied, turning back to my work. I know I was starving I just didn’t want Josh hanging around anymore.

I could feel Josh smirking at me, “Really? Because I know how much you love Nandos.”

“Like I said, I’m fine,” I said bluntly.

Josh just laughed, “Suit yourself,” and he swiftly exited through the door.

Argh, why did he have to be so cocky? He thought he was so clever and smug, it frustrated me so much! I was so pissed off I just rushed through my work as quickly as possible with a hard face on, he was such a twat. Time must have flown by because Josh was back in what seemed like five minutes. He strolled through the door clutching onto two bags of Nandos takeaway and the smell hit me right in the face. It smelt so good, why did I have to be so stubborn and decline his offer? I was so hungry and I almost jumped over the counter to grab the food but I managed to refrain myself from doing so. My stomach decided now was the time to growl again and I saw Josh try to hide his grin, I hated how he got satisfaction from this.

I took a quick break and went out to the back room to make myself a cup of coffee, returning to my desk as quickly as possible. When I walked back into reception there was a paper bag placed next to my work with a post-it note stuck to it reading:

I figured you might want some :)

I instantly knew Josh had left the bag of Nandos on my desk due to his scrawny handwriting but I couldn’t help but smile to myself and I hated myself for it. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice so I tucked into the chicken pitta and peri-peri chips, it was a cute gesture I would admit that and I smiled at the fact he remembered exactly how I like it, I couldn’t help it. Stop it Lily, stop it now I thought as I continued to smile.

The boys left at around six and invited me out for a drink with them at the pub and so I hurried to shut up and practically ran to the pub, I was gagging for a drink, it had been a long day.

“Hey Lils,” Mia smiled at me as I sat opposite her and next to Chris, “I got you a drink,” she smiled.

“Thankyou, I need it!”

I didn’t realise how much I had missed hanging out with the guys. I missed the fun we had on tour despite all the drama and it was nice to finally be with everyone and have it back. Surprisingly there was no bad tension between Josh and I, despite earlier; I think it was because we were all drinking and in such a relaxed environment it was easier to forget all the shit. It was actually a nice feeling to be able actually enjoy each other’s company to an extent, even if we didn’t directly talk; he wasn’t glaring at me and I wasn’t jumping down his throat, it was comfortable and I knew everyone appreciated it. Josh would even smile at me when he caught my eye as we laughed at Max and I wouldn’t hesitate to smile back which I, myself, found strange.

The whole group were causing attention in the small pub because we were laughing so much, I genuinely hadn’t laughed so much in my life; Matt and Max were just providing us quality entertainment the whole night and it was brilliant.

“Do you want another drink?” Josh asked me as he headed towards the bar.

I was taken aback by his politeness but I accepted his offer anyway, “Yes please,” I smiled.

“Coming right up!”

Dan looked at me strangely, “What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he smirked to himself, I hated it when people did that, “you wouldn’t mind go and getting me a packet of crisps would you please Lils? You’re nearest the bar.”

I rolled my eyes, “Fine, you’re such a lazy shit though,” I laughed.

I got up and walked to the bar and stood next to Josh, “Can I please have a packet of salt and vinegar crisps please?” I asked the barman.

Neither Josh or I said anything to each other but it wasn’t awkward in the slightest. As I waited for the crisps though I kept facing ahead and said, “You know I really didn’t want that Nandos,” I couldn’t help but smile as I said this.

Josh turned to face me with a cheeky grin spread across his face, “Oh so you didn’t eat it?”

The barman returned with my crisps and I handed him the money and turned to Josh with an equally cheeky grin on my face, he knew I would eat it so he didn’t even have to ask, I just walked away grinning whilst he giggled to himself.

I returned to the table with the same grin on my face and I felt both Mia and Dan looking at me with the same expression, “What?” I asked again.

The both looked at each other, “Nothing,” they said in unison but I could see smiles creep up on their faces.