The Story of us

Chapter 20: You're better off hiding how you feel

Liverpool, Pennsylvania - 413 miles

It was all Travis' fault if you thought about it, really. If he hadn't suggested getting tattoos, I was ninety-nine percent sure that none of this would have happened. Not the needles, not the opening up, not the kiss, and certainly not the aftermath.

But I guess that there wasn't much that I could do about it now except for break it all down. Well, boys and girls, it all started on a rainy June evening, with four bored "adults" and one persistent teenager slash stripper. I like to call this one: "The Second Time Harry Styles Broke My Heart."

Because it's true, Harry. You really did break my heart, and the worst part of it all was that I actually believed that that night was honestly as bad as it would get.

It's funny how quickly our minds are able to change, isn't it?

+++

"Guys, it's pouring outside."

I looked up at Travis with a bored expression on my face and said dryly, "Yeah, no shit. Want to predict something else for us, O Great One? I haven't heard my daily horoscope yet."

He gave me a playful shove and then smirked, "Careful, Lexi. Today isn't supposed to be a good day for Libras." He glanced down at his phone and read out loud, "You will be fooled by someone that you thought you trusted."

I rolled my eyes at him. "And what does yours say? 'You will come to terms with the fact that everything you say is bullshit?'"

Travis laughed good-naturedly. "Don't insult my practice, Lex. I have a feeling that my prediction for today will come true."

"So basically, you want me to get screwed over?" I asked him. "Oh yeah, what a great friend you are."

"The best you'll ever have," he grinned at me.

"I wanna know my horoscope!" Niall cried. He was sitting behind me, resting his head on my shoulder, and when I pushed him away, all he did was shoot me a wicked grin. Then, he turned to Travis and said in a high pitched voice, "Come on, baby, predict me like one of your French girls."

This time, it was Travis' turn to roll his eyes as Niall and I both exploded into fits of laughter (it was acceptable for me to do so, but not him, because only assholes laughed at their own jokes). "Shut up, both of you," he shook his head. "When's your birthday, Ni?"

"September 13," he told him. It was almost troubling how excited he looked to receive his horoscope for the day. I wanted to tell him that there was nothing to be enthusiastic about, but I figured that Travis might throw a pillow at me if I made one more snarky comment about his astrology.

A minute later, Travis read aloud, "Look closely. The love of your life is closer than you might think."

All three of us were silent for a moment before Niall poked me in the side and grinned, "I think that you're the love of my life, Lex."

"For Christ's sake, Niall–"

"Hey!" He held up his arms in mock defense. "If my horoscope said it, then it must be true!" 

"I feel like that was a dig at me," Travis spoke up, but we both ignored him.

"C' mon, Lexi, give me a kiss," Niall cracked, making a face at me and batting his eyelashes flirtatiously.

"You're actually crazy," I told him bluntly, but I was laughing.

"Crazy in looooooove."

"Could you guys be any louder?" Harry huffed from the other side of the room. "I'm trying to watch something."