Study of Life and Love

Riley

I could feel the heavy gaze of my father’s eyes as he scrutinized what he could see through the small laptop screen. He was still in his policeman’s uniform, the sleeves rolled halfway up his forearm and he looked tired after just finishing a night shift. I could see my older brother Tom puttering around in the kitchen behind him, stuffing all types of food into his mouth. He didn’t even live there anymore, yet he always came over under the pretense of missing his family. He only came to us for the free food.

“I’m fine Dad, really.” I reassured him, putting on the best smile I had.

“You look a little pale Riles. Maybe you need a break, I could ring your teachers and get them to let you have a couple of days off to come home.”

I shook my head as his hands reached out for the house phone. I wouldn’t put it past him that he hadn’t already run police checks on all of my teaching staff. He probably had their numbers on speed dial.

“My God Dad. Stop. I just look pale because of the computer screen. I’m fine really. A little tired, sure, but I’m not struggling with the workload and I’m having fun. Tom would you tell Dad I look fine.”

“She looks fine.” Tom yelled over his shoulder, not even looking at me. I glared at the blonde hair that stuck up messily over the back of his head. It was always a nightmare trying to convince him to at least brush the pieces down.

“Thanks for the help Tom.” I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest in annoyance.

“I worry about you Riley.” My father said, his eyes focused on the keyboard instead of at the camera.

My posture softened and I uncrossed my arms. “I know Dad. And I’m fine really. I’ve met some really great people and I’m having fun. I promise if I didn’t like it here or something was wrong I will tell you straight away, okay?” I smiled at him, wanting to reassure him the best that I could that I was perfectly okay.

I jumped in surprise as my bedroom door slammed open. Nina standing in the middle of the doorway, her hair wind swept around her face.

“Liam Payne is currently playing football shirtless. Shirtless! We need to go now!”

I widened my eyes at her outburst and cringed at the raised voices coming from my laptop.

“Is that a boy? What was his name? Liam, Liam what? I need to know his last name?” My Dad was yelling through, pushing his face closer to the screen while Tom came up behind him, glaring over his shoulder.

“You told me you weren’t seeing anyone! Riley you better not be lying to us.”

“Uh gotta go. Love you both and talk to you soon.” I said hurriedly before closing the call and slamming down my laptop lid.

Nina at least look apologetic. “Family? I just totally told on you, didn’t I?”

I nodded and sighed as my phone began to buzz. Incoming call from Dad. I pressed answer and pulled it to my ear.

“No I am not dating anyone and no I am not telling you anyone else’s name so you can do a police check on them. Pretty sure you aren’t allowed to do that Dad unless there is actual cause for it. And I am not enough of a reason. I will talk to you at the same time next week and I expect this to never be brought up again.” I spoke sternly into my phone before the feeble reply of both my father and brother came across the line.

“Good, love you. Have a good week.” I hung the phone up and turned towards an impressed Nina. “They’re protective people but they just need a stern talking to before they back down. My mother ruled with an iron fist.”

Nina’s face softened and a small smile settled on her dark features. “She sounds like a fierce woman.”

“She used to say to me that her hair was too red to let her flame be put out.” I smiled nostalgically. Eventually her flame had been put out, through months of chemotherapy in a hospital bed.

“Now what is this about a shirtless Liam Payne?” I forced a large smile to change the subject. Nina graciously took the change and ushered me out the door.

“He’s practicing on oval six with his team mates. Heaps of people are watching and the best part is they are playing shirts on skins. It’s like moving art.” Nina gushed making me giggle at her.

It was cloudy outside the last few bits of blue sky slowly getting taken over but the air was humid with a slight breeze beginning to blow through the trees. We made our way over towards oval six. A small crowd of people had gathered to watch the game. Some sitting in the stands but most sprawled out along grassy patches, chatting with each other and letting out occasional cheers.

I followed Nina while searching for Liam over the field. Half the boys had no shirts, their skin gleaming with sweat. The other side had shirts damp with sweat despite no sun beaming down.

“There.” Nina gestured to where a few boys were getting drinks.

I zeroed in on the small patch of hair that slid below Liam’s belly button into the top of his basketball shorts. His back was arched as he guzzled some water before swallowing. I tore my gaze away when he lifted one leg, beginning to stretch.

I narrowly dodged people sitting on the ground and muttered a quick apology, flushing at Nina’s laugh as she meandered her way through the sitting people towards the stands that were less occupied.

“This way he should notice you quicker.” She took a seat on the grandstand only two steps up and patted the seat next to her expectantly.

Despite the match only being a training session no one was holding back. I winced at the harsh tackles, feet flying through the air, shoulders making impact with other bodily parts and tense yells from Liam as he tried to both captain the team and play at the same time. I had to agree with Nina, it was like art in motion. Seriously I wanted to paint this.

“You should.” Nina said. Making me flush when I realised I had said the last part out loud.

“It wouldn’t be creepy at all.” She added. I rolled my eyes and elbowed her stomach before turning my attention back to the game.

“Oh shit, don’t groan out loud but Danielle has spotted us.” Nina whispered into my ear.

I inwardly groaned and tried to ignore her as I felt her come up beside me, her shadow falling over us.

“Enjoying the view are we girls.” She said pleasantly, falling down into the seat next to me. I shot her a sweet smile, hoping it at least looked genuine.

“Just enjoying a game of rugby is all.” Nina responded from the other side of me.

“Can’t say I was ever really one to understand the game.” She laughed. “How exactly do you get points?”

I began to explain a few rules to her, pointing them out if they played out in the game.

She winced at one particularly hard tackle. “Are they allowed to do that?” She asked.

I nodded and shrugged at her surprise. “When you tackle you’re hoping that they’ll drop the ball so your team can grab it or that their number of tackles run out before they reach their goal. But you can’t force them to drop the ball.” I explained as Liam passed the ball to another boy in his team, yelling out an order to the side he was playing on. They seem to be trying out different tactics on each other.

“And they have no protective gear?” Danielle asked.

I shook my head but Nina answered. “Genital protection.” She waggled her eyebrows making me snort out a laugh.

Danielle joined and turned her attention back on the game, occasionally asking questions but mostly staying silent. I felt bad for disliking her, she was friendly and gentle but I couldn’t help but worry about what she had told me and why she had told me. Whether she truly wanted to warn me that Liam could be just trying to get me kicked out of Grace or whether or not her goal was something else. She didn’t know Liam anymore then I did so why would she just assume he was capable of being that horrible.

Nina had told me to ask Sidney but I couldn’t figure out how to ask her properly without giving away that I was interested in Liam. I didn’t want her to think that I would sacrifice my place in the house just for a boy. But I also knew that if Liam ever asked me out I would have trouble saying on. There was something about him, for a boy that I barely knew, that was almost magnetic.

“Have the Kings boys been bossing you around since the volleyball game yesterday?” Danielle asked after a short period of silence.

I shared a look with Nina. Sidney had warned us last night that the bet had been made and to be wary of the boys. The fact that no one in the house, as far as we knew, had been told to do something was only making Sidney more and more worried.

“No what about you guys?” I asked Danielle, who shook her head; she had the same look of fear in her eyes that I imagined was reflected in mine.

“They’re trying to scare us on purpose.” Nina murmured, her chin falling onto her propped up hand, her eyes scanning the field.

I leant back against the step of the grandstand behind me glancing up at the sky I noticed how dark the clouds had grown. It was definitely going to rain.

“It’s supposed to storm badly tonight.” Danielle voiced, leaning back to see the clouds better.

It didn’t take long before small raindrops gently hit bare skin, making everyone rush to stand and make their way towards cover. I stood with Nina and Danielle deciding to head back to Grace house. Liam hadn’t noticed me and I was starting to feel pathetic as my heart jumped every time he neared where we sat.

We said goodbye to Danielle as we passed her house and the raindrops grew heavier and quicker. We jogged back to our own house as a few other Grace girls appeared rushing through the front door.

“Riley, Nina!” We both looked up at Sidney yelling our names. “Can you go through your dorms to see who is missing? There is a huge storm coming and the University wants everyone in doors and safe.”

We nodded and rushed towards our hallway, knocking on doors and popping our heads through to take account of who and who wasn’t here. Most girls were there, lazing around on beds after a long day of the festival yesterday, everyone was exhausted today. By the time we counted other girls were piling in, hair dripping down backs.

“Everyone is here!” I called to Sidney as she rushed down the stairs while the doorbell rang incessantly. She shot me a smile before quickly pulling the door open. Her gasp of shock made me rush to her side.

I was met with the view of many, many, wet and smiling boys standing on our front step.

“Water got into a leak at our house and we lost power. No one can come out to fix it until tomorrow so we are sleeping at yours.” Louis said cheerfully, adjusting the bag on his shoulder.

“Louis.” Sidney said slowly, her voice full of warning.

Louis ignored her though, stepping past us throwing a wink down at me.

“You have to do everything I say now, remember Sid?” He sung over his shoulder while dripping wet King’s boys gradually piled into the house chatting amongst each other.

I smiled weakly at Harry while Sidney fumed by my side. I spotted Liam, talking to Thea at the bottom of the stairs, his black shirt clung to him, the muscles of his arms highlighted and I couldn’t help but frown as he followed Thea up the stairs.

“No boys in rooms!” Sidney yelled, watching both Liam and Zayn head up after Thea. Niall wrapped one arm around Sidney’s waist and the other hand across her mouth, pressing a wet kiss to her cheek. She turned to glare at him and I took my chance to slip away from her to where Nina stood in the doorway of the freshmen hallway. Her eyes wide and confused. I could see most of the girls trying to peer behind her.

“King’s boys house lost power or something so they are crashing here for the night.” I told them all. A few letting out squeals while others groaned making me laugh at how delightfully diverse we all were.

“I bet you Sid locks us in our rooms like underage princesses.” Leah murmured as she peaked over Nina’s shoulder. I frowned, hoping that I would at least be able to see Liam a couple of times tonight.

It didn’t take long before my wish came true. Sidney knocked on the walls to let us know dinner was ready. We poured our way into the kitchen and dining area while the King boys mingled amongst us; Harry calling out my name and rushing to my side, Luke was right behind him.

“Haven’t seen you in ages! How have you both been?” Harry asked, grabbing a plate and reaching over to grab food from the platters set up on the kitchen counter.

“We’ve been good. So tell us honestly Harry did the power at Kings really go out?” Nina leant over me to scrutinize Harry who paused under her gaze.

“Of course it did.” We all looked up to see Louis frowning at us disapprovingly. “Are you saying I’m a liar?”

I could practically hear Nina gulp in fear next to me but Sidney saved the day by hip checking Louis out of the way.

“Don’t worry girls, that is exactly what I will be finding out.” She shot a glare to Louis who just smirked and began filling his own plate.

Harry and Luke followed Nina and I to a table that Leah had been keeping for us. The noise in the dining room was louder then normal, echoing, as we had to fit double the people. Desk chairs were being carried downstairs and into the room, even the chairs from the back porch that weren’t wet were being pulled in. Everyone was squishing where they could.

“So why hasn’t Louis or any of you demanded anything from us yet?” Leah asked, her eyes narrowing in on Harry and Luke. They both shifted in their seats, uncomfortable frowns crossing their features.

I looked towards the door as Caydance walked in, Liam and Thea either side of her. They were laughing about something while Caydance leant heavily on her crutches. She looked tired this morning, exhausted from using them so much the day before.

“Have you talked to Caydance since yesterday?” I asked.

He frowned and shook his head, turning to see where she was. “I didn’t want to annoy her with texts but she hasn’t exactly messaged me either.”

“Well now is your chance to annoy each other.” I murmured when Caydance’s gaze fell on us, her crutches turning towards our table, everyone automatically moving out of the way to let her through.

I giggled as Harry flushed a light pink and turned to smile happily at Caydance; it was too adorable for words. My wide smile spread across my cheeks as I watched Harry nudge Luke along so Caydance could sit next to him.

“Hey guys. Harry.” Caydance leant over and pressed a kiss soundly against Harry’s lips, his face shocked and eyes wide open before leaning forward into it. Nina snorted in amusement next to me and I quickly coughed to hide my own laughter. I had a feeling Harry was going to be surprised a lot when it came to Caydance.

“Are you no longer talking to Louis?”

I jumped at Liam’s voice and two plates clattering down on the table. One placed in front of Caydance and the other in front of the only other free seat, right in front of me. I smiled quickly at Liam before focusing on my food. Shoveling some pasta in my mouth and ignoring the jabs Nina was making against my thigh.

“Nope.” Caydance said, pulling her plate of food closing to her and beginning to pick. Her tone was firm and final.

“Well he kidnapped Thea.” Liam motioned behind him where Louis was pulling Thea into the chair next to him. Thea looked shocked but not against the idea of sitting next to Louis.

“Saw the game you boys played this afternoon. Your tactics are pretty good.” Leah spoke to Liam. Changing the subject.

“Yes I heard it brought a lot of girls to the yard.” Caydance teased, elbowing Liam in the ribs. He flushed and took a gulp of his drink.

“Riley was there.” Liam said.

My mouth dropped open as everyone’s attention turned to me. I quickly recovered and shrugged nonchalantly.

“Only for a little bit, but then it started raining so we uh headed back here.” I murmured mostly into my food.

“I bet.” Caydance snorted, placing a loaded fork in her mouth. I turned my eyes back to my food and dug in. A foot nudged against mine under the table and I glanced up in surprise to meet Liam’s eyes. He offered a small smile and a wink. His foot gently tapping mine as if in comfort.

I bit my lip trying to keep the wide manic smile that wanted to take over my face. Instead I nudged Liam’s foot back gently, thanking him.

There was loud coughing coming from another table and Louis stood up, tapping his glass with his spoon. Sidney reached up to take the glass out of his hand, throwing him a glare. They had the whole rooms attention.

“I would firstly like to thank the house of Grace for putting us boys up for the nigh. You’re ever so kind.” Louis mock bowed to Sidney while the other boys cheered.

I shared a nervous look with Nina, this wasn’t sounding good.

“But I do believe the night is missing something. Apart from the fabulous food that’s been cooked there seems to be no entertainment.” Louis spoke directly to Sidney now, a small smirk sitting on his lips. Her eyes practically burned a hole through him. “You wouldn’t want rumours of your bad hospitality to go around would you? Entertainment is such an important role of dining. And there is also that little pesky bet that my house won…” Louis trailed off, his eyes shining with glee.

“You want us to perform for you?” Sidney voiced, incredulous. Louis just nodded and sat back down in his chair. Relaxing back with his arms crossed, expectant. Thea was next to him slowly shaking her head into her hands.

“Shall I give you five minutes to sort yourselves out?” Louis offered, reaching forward to get his glass and take a drink, one hand settling along the back of Thea’s chair. He was the picture of relaxation.

Sidney looked around the room in despair. Everyone was still quiet, no one eating a thing.

“I’ll sing.” Rhiannon stood up, her face confident. Another girl stood up not too far from her, Olivia, another senior. Sidney sighed, not wanting to give in to Louis but knowing she had to.

“Excellently, go set your music up then. We expect a grade-A performance.” Louis cheered, most of the King boys joining in. Both Harry and Liam earned a slap from Caydance for joining. Leah threw a piece of sausage at Luke.

“I am going to murder each and every one of you in your sleep tonight.” She hissed at them. Liam ignored her and Harry looked only half-apologetic.

Olivia and Rhiannon sung, then Lisa did a dance. Sidney looked five seconds from stabbing Louis with her fork and Niall’s hands were clasped tightly around her fists.

Talia stood up, announcing she was going to do stand up comedy. She had the whole room laughing within minutes, constantly picking on the Kings house, which they took in their stride. Another girl got up to show her gymnast skills. More singing and a recited monologue from a Shakespeare play.

Louis eventually called enough when his desert was finished and everyone was full and relaxed in their chairs. The last girl bowed to loud cheers and a crack of thunder before all of our lights went out.

Nina screamed in my ear in shock, her fingers digging into my hand. My heart pounded from the surprise and loud screams.

Almost in sync, phones appeared all over the house, torch apps turning on and lighting up the dining area.

Sidney stood up, controlling the room’s attention. “Alright freshmen, start grabbing candles from the kitchen cupboard and any other candle you see in the house and start lighting. I want this whole house lit up. Seniors, there are torches in the laundry, go grab them and doll them out. All my other Grace girls are to start cleaning up this room. King’s boys will help you before congregating in the first living room.” The moment Sidney stopped directing there were scraping of chairs against floor and clangs of dishes being collected.

I shot Liam one last smile, my foot bumping against his before chasing after Nina to grab as many candles and matches as we could carry. We raided all rooms finding candles on vanities, in drawers and desks. Handfuls were in each bathroom and set up around baths. Torches were handed out while we moved, phones finally being put back in pockets now that a stronger light had been provided.

Upstairs glowed dully from the candles set up along the hallways. Rooms had extra candles and spare matches for when everyone headed to bed. Most of downstairs was finished when Nina and I climbed down the stairs.

“Your boys won’t be in any freshmen rooms is that clear.” Sidney was telling Louis at the bottom of the stairs.

“They’re not going to do anything bad Sidney.” Louis rolled his eyes, exasperated.

“I don’t care if they do something but as house mother I have to kick any freshmen girls out if they get caught in a compromising position with any of them. So please don’t make me kick anyone out.” She turned to Nina and I.

“Make sure everyone is clear on that. You can hang out with the boys but not within rooms or secluded areas.”

Nina and I nodded, rushing past Sidney who look too wound up from the nights events. Louis knew exactly how to rile her up.

Harry and Luke grabbed us before we disappeared into our hallway.

“Someone started watching Lion King on their laptop so a heap of us are going to go join, you girls coming?” Luke asked. He and Harry had pillows tucked under their arms, already in their pajamas.

“Save us a spot.” Nina said as we rushed forward into our room and changed before grabbing pillows and stripping our beds of their quilts to drag them out into the back media room.

There was already a large amount of people filing in and finding seats. Thea was in the middle of the center couch as everyone began to settle around her. She looked towards Nina and I and frowned.

“I was trying to keep away from everyone so I put the Lion King on my laptop and was going to watch it quietly.” She told us. I laughed and fell onto the floor beside her feet, between Harry and Nina.

“Disney movies always attract everyone.”

I looked over my head as Liam walked behind the couch, helping Caydance into the end seat before falling to sit next to Thea, his knee right near my head. Caydance settled herself against an armrest, one of her hands falling down to instantly tangle into Harry’s hair. He smiled and relaxed back against the chair.

“Animal Disney movies attract even more.” Louis bounded in and grabbed the spare seat next to Thea. She flushed and once everyone who seemed to want to join had settled she re-started the movie.

Chocolate was eventually passed around, Sidney and Niall coming about the same time, claiming a block for themselves and settling into a bean bag near to the front. It was actually a warm, comforting atmosphere and Harry’s head gently fell against my shoulder halfway through the movie, his breathing even. I snorted at his wide-open mouth but settled myself further against Nina.

My eyes were slowly drooping as the beginning music of Can You Feel The Love Tonight began to play. The warmth of the comforter pulled tight around me and warm bodies squished me from all sides, someone’s hand gently traced a trail out on my neck.

Nina nudged me when the edits began to scroll down the screen and I blinked dazedly as torches lit the room up again. Harry grumbled under his breath and began to lift his head from where it had rolled to rest against my waist. Luke was still out like a light next to him. Harry nudging him a couple time in the waist before he even made a move to get up.

“I need to pee.” I murmured to Nina, climbing off her and stumbling over the blankets, getting tangled with pillows, blankets and people as I tried to escape the pile of limbs we had created. My bladder was full and pressing as I hurried to the downstairs toilet and placed my lit up torch on the vanity. It was creepy in the dark while the wind whistled and thunder crackled outside the window. I hurried to wash my hands before quickly slamming my way out of the room and into a body.

“Shit.” I cursed, my nose smacking against a hard chest. I pulled back, scrunching it up and rubbing it. Liam’s laugh caught my attention and I flushed in the dark.

“You okay? You ran out of there like someone was chasing you?” Liam peered around, his torch flashing into the empty bathroom behind me. I flushed darker.

“It was dark.” I defended, my shoulders drooping at how childish I probably sounded to Liam. He laughed with a teasing tone, his attention focused back on me.

“Did you enjoy watching the game today?” He asked. I could see his eyes searching my face in the low light emanating from the candles sparsely lit across the hallway.

“Yeah, you guys are um really good.” I said lamely, all too conscious of how close Liam and I stood to each other.

“You should come to our first actual competitive game. It’s on next Friday.” Liam smiled, his hands coming up to clutch my shoulders. I froze at the touch but tried to keep my breathing neutral.

“Sure.” I squeaked, my voice unnaturally high. I cleared my throat. “Uh, I mean I’ll see if I can get some girls and make a night out or something maybe.” I trailed off, wishing I hadn’t opened my mouth, or even gone to the toilet at this point.

“Great. I’ll keep an eye out for you.” Liam said smoothly, his own posture relaxed, that small smile playing across his face. I realised I was staring at Liam’s lips too long for it to be socially acceptable and quickly pushed my eyes up to meet his. Only to notice the way his eyes gazed at my lips.

They fell open in shock and I became self-conscious as Liam’s eyes narrowed in on my parted lips. His head moved forward, only inches but I knew where this was going. And this wasn’t allowed. I was standing in the middle of a hallway in my own house and if anyone caught us I would be done, out of this house and away from all the great friends I had made and all the great opportunities that this sorority guaranteed me. My future could be jeopardized and Liam was still moving closer.

“Liam, I uh…” I couldn’t find an excuse or any reason to stop him. So I closed me eyes and titled my head and enjoyed the feel of his lips gently brushing against mine; pressing down and pulling back before pressing down again, his tongue swiping over my bottom lip before pulling back when I gasped.

“You should probably go back to everyone else. They might get suspicious.” Liam murmured against my ear, pressing a kiss below the lobe, his teeth grazing against it gently. My arms felt entirely useless as they swung at my side and Liam began to step around my body.

“Goodnight Riley.” He murmured before shutting the bathroom door behind him.

I let out a sharp breath of air I didn’t realise I had been holding in before leaning my whole body against the closest wall. I needed at least two minutes before I would be able to move my feet again.

-

Yelling echoed through the house, pulling both Nina and I out of sleep. I blinked my eyes open slowly, turning to Nina. We couldn’t make out the words but I could hear the girls in the rooms all around us beginning to stumble out of beds and opening doors.

“Wassa time?” Nina asked, slurring as she tried to untangle her legs from the bedspread. I grabbed my phone and blinked tiredly at the numbers flashing.

“It’s seven in the morning.” I groaned throwing my phone on the bed next to me and attempting to pull myself out. The yelling had gotten louder, more voices joining in.

I sighed and grabbed a bigger jumper to slip over my singlet and followed Nina out in the hallway. The yelling was clearer from here and it was definitely Caydance’s voice that echoed throughout the house.

We pushed our way through the crowd milling in the hallway door. We could see Caydance straight away, her red hair wild and tangled around her shoulders, Harry’s jumper shrouded her form and she held one crutch up like a weapon. A weapon aimed directly at Louis with a white sack hanging over his shoulder.

“You are a sexist pig!” She yelled, making a jab but he jumped out of the way.

“I’m not being sexist Caydance. I’m merely cashing in on the bet. You did wish I would win.” Louis smirked.

“What is going on down here?” Sidney stumbled down the steps, Thea next to her, both were half, dressed, Sidney’s hair was braided neatly down her back whereas Thea’s was pulled into a messy bun. Both blinked wearily at Louis, distrust being everyone’s first instinct when it came to Louis.

“Louis, the wonderful gentleman that he is,” Caydance’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “has decided to cash in his bet and demand that we wash his and his whole houses clothes as the housewives that we apparently are.”

Louis rolled his eyes and dropped the white sack on the ground. I realised it was his clothes. “I did not say it like that. I merely said since our power is still not back all of you will need to wash our dirty clothes, as part of the bet so I’m not exactly asking you to do it.”

I gaped at Nina, really not wanting to touch anyone else’s dirty underwear. Sidney sighed and walked over to stand in between Louis and Caydance.

“We have to do it Cay.” Sidney frowned at Louis, her eyes narrowed and furious. Louis just grinned clearly happy with how this turned out. Caydance sputtered in annoyance.

“And I ban you from doing anything to our clothes. I expect them back in perfectly clean condition, no stains, shrinkages or anything else you think of.” Louis said directly to Caydance before kicking his bag forward and taking a step back calling out to his house.

One by one we all watched in aguish as every single boy living in King’s house walked in with a loaded sack full of dirty clothing and dumped it directly into the foyer, each with a smile and certain type of smugness that made us all bristle in rage. I hated that we were unable to refuse.

I brightened when I noticed Liam walk in the door. His eyes roaming the foyer the whole of Grace house stood in before he found. I smiled when he made his way towards me before faltering as I realised that he too carried a sack of dirty clothes. A sack that he proceeded to dump directly at my feet, he winked and turned back to the door.

I scowled at his bag, kicking out at it in annoyance.

The house was almost silent after all the boys had finished, the door closing shut behind the last one and we were left with this mountain of washing.

“I’m going to turn Louis’ clothes pink.” Thea was the first to talk, surprisingly.

“You can’t. He banned us from doing it.” Caydance frowned, completely dejected and slumped over her crutches.

“No. You can’t.” Thea replied, an uncommon smirk sliding across her features and transforming them into something much more mischievous. “Louis was talking directly to you when he said that. I, on the other hand, was not even looked at or mentioned.”

Caydance turned gleeful, her back straightening while Sidney laughed from next to them. Shaking her head but her smile was wide.

“You know I love you right?” Caydance dropped her crutches to jump on Thea.