come closer || nh au

twenty-five

"So, my Mom said that it's okay for us to go to the beach house for our birthdays", I tell Niall, as I enter Justin's house with him.

"Awsome, so, I'll send out invitations and everything and you just take care of sending me a list of people you want at the party", Niall smiles.

"Sure."

We both move down into Justin's basement, where Mere and Justin are already seated at their places.

"Hey guys", I speak up.

I walk over to Mere and hug her before walking over to Justin and hugging him. He also kisses my cheek, making me blush a little. I don't really know how to deal with such small gestures. I sit down on a chair Justin put at my usual spot which is slightly behind Niall on one level with Mere and Justin closer to me because I play bass but still a little behind me.

"So, we have about two weeks until Homecoming. We sound really good together, so I think we should just clear up some questions and then discuss what we could wear at Homecoming. We need to look good as one band. And we should finally find a band name. We've been in this band since Sophomore year and we still don't have a name", Mere explains.

"That's true", Justin chuckles.

I also agree. Niall just nods.

"We should play our duets for you though", Niall speaks after a short minute of silence.

I agree. I already warmed up my voice on the way over in the car. Yes, I drove all by myself today. Wesley didn't need the car, so I took it. I don't want to be dependent on Niall and his car.

"Good idea", Justin smiles, giving me a slight side-eye.

"Then let's sing this through and then let's decide on some stupid band name", I exclaim, getting off of my chair and setting it next to Niall.

We both quickly get our guitars. Mere and Justin on the other hand stay at their places and look at us. I close my eyes.

"This is 'I Fall Apart' by Post Malone", Niall speaks up.

I start strumming my guitar. Niall joins in soon after. I begin the song. Soon enough Niall starts singing his part, so I open my eyes and look over at him. There is a vein bulging from his neck slightly. His jaw is also very tense.

"Never caught a feelin' this hard, harder than the liquor I pour. Tell me you don't want me no more but I can't let go. Everybody told me so, feelin' like I sold my soul. Devil in the form of a whore", Niall sings, pressing out the words, putting so much emotion in it that I see Mere slightly shift uncomfortably in her seat from the corner of my eye.

I continue playing on, letting Niall sing most of the song. I jump back in at the last chorus.

"Ooh, I fall apart, down to my core. Ooh, I fall apart, down to my core. Ooh, didn't know it before. Surprised when you caught me off guard. All this damn things I bought, you was my shorty, I thought", we both sing together.

Justin and Mere just sit at their places, silence filling the room.

"That was great", Justin speaks up, clearing out the silence.

"What songs are you also going to do?", Mere asks.

I look at Niall, so he can answer. He puts a light smile on his lips.

"'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis and 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran", he answers for us.

Mere throws a knowing look at me but makes sure Niall doesn't see anything. Justin and Niall are speaking but Mere and I just have a staring competition, seeing who would give up their thought on Niall.