Chapter Eight: Let the Adventure Begin!

Sitting around the table eating dessert with the boys was an interesting experience. An awkward silence hung over all of us. I definitely didn't know what to say, just an hour ago I thought we would be enjoying a hotel in London. Now we were going to be living with One Direction for an entire summer. Who knows what might happen? I took the last bite of the dessert, stood up, and said, "That was delicious, Harry. I'd heard you were a good cook. Now it's been revealed to me that it is true." I winked and noticed Anne was done with hers as well. "Here Anne, I'll take your dishes to the sink."

Anne looked up and smiled at me. As she handed me her dishes, she said, "You're such a sweetheart, El." I smiled back and kind of chuckled to myself as I went over to the sink. Once there, I rinsed off the dishes. When I was almost done someone came up behind me. I didn't dare turn around to see who it was but I knew it was one of the boys because of the slight tickle to my nose from his cologne. I could feel his body heat from how close he was standing behind me.

A hand reached forward and I immediately knew it was Harry from his bracelets. "You don't need to do those. You're the guest. I'll get the boys to come and help. David will show you girls to your rooms and you can get settled if you want," he said right next to my ear. Chills ran up my spine and I was confused. I didn't know if he was hitting on me or what, but I will admit it was strange. I nodded and quickly moved away before he got any closer and headed out of the kitchen. I knew my friends were following me from the patter of the shoes. I also heard Harry say, "Liam, come help me with the dishes."  Then Liam said, "Harry, what was that all about?"

Then I was out of hearing range and both friends asked at the same time, "What happened?" I shook my head and they knew we would take up in a room where it was more difficult to be overheard.  So far this first night was strange and awkward. I hoped the entire summer wouldn't be like that.

We reached where David was and he said, "Follow me ladies. I will take you to your rooms. You each have your own room and bathroom. Each room is joined together by a common room in the middle. The boys wanted you guys to have your own private live in area where you could have personal bonding time if you wanted."

"Thank you. We really appreciate all you've been doing for us, David," I said as I put my hand on his arm. He nodded and led the way up the stairs.

He stopped outside a door and said, "This will be your chambers, Miss El. The next door is Miss Anne's and the one after that will be Miss Becca's. I hope you enjoy your stay at hotel One Direction." As he bowed at the waist and as he walked away, I believe I heard him chuckle at his own joke.

I smiled and shook my head. I turned to my friends and said, "Meet in the commons room in fifteen minutes. I'm going to get ready for bed." They all nodded and we each entered our own rooms. When I took my first step in, I gasped. This was a princess room! I couldn't believe this was my room! It was beautiful. I walked in and sat down on the bed that would become my bed for the summer. This room was huge and the bed was soft. I laid down with my legs still bent over the edge and sighed. I sat back up again and went over to my suitcases. I opened the one with my clothes and pulled out my pajamas, which was simply a t-shirt and my soccer shorts. I grabbed my toiletries bag and on my third try I found my bathroom door. I opened it and  got ready for bed. I tied up my hair so I could wash my face. It always felt refreshing to get all my makeup off. I loved the me without the makeup because it was me just me with no cover up. I brushed my teeth next. I kept my hair up in the messy bun and searched for the door that led into the commons area. There was one closet with extra blankets and towels inside, one to hang my clothes up in, and then the last one was the door that led into the commons. I grabbed my favorite snuggle blanket out of my suitcase and went in.

Becca and Anne were already in there waiting for me. I paused at the threshold. There was a projector and a white place on the wall for it to project on. The couches were high class and looked very comfortable. They weren't leather but a soft material which I was thankful for. No one enjoys getting stuck on leather. I walked over to the couch and plopped myself down. There were bookshelves full of books and a bookshelf full of movies. I had a feeling we could spend an entire day in here just having fun. There was also a popcorn maker machine, and a bar area which we probably wouldn't use. You could definitely entertain in this room. I laughed when I saw a pool table. Pool was fun and an easy way to pass time and totally felt British to me. "So.. what happened in the kitchen, El?" Anne asked with a sly smile on her face.

"Nothing. He told me I shouldn't be doing the dishes because I was a guest," I said shrugging off the butterflies that immediately accompanied the memory.

"How can you just shrug that off, El? Harry freaking Styles was hitting on you!" Becca protested.

"I don't know. I am still trying to get used to the idea that we are going to spend the entire summer with our idols. I don't know what to think about what happened. It does effect me, I just... I don't want to read too much into it,"-I paused-"Plus, they didn't talk to us much during dessert. It was kind of awkward."

Anne giggled, "That's because they didn't realize how hot we were!" We all laughed at that one. The excitement began to build up from there and I finally allowed myself to relax.

We chatted for at least a half an hour before Becca said, "I confess, I am exhausted. We should get some rest. We have an adventure ahead of us. We are going to want to be refreshed." Anne and I voiced our agreement. We all hugged and said goodnight then went into our personal rooms.

When I entered mine, I didn't feel the slightest bit tired. I sat on my bed trying to think of what to do. I decided to unpack. I put clothes in drawers, bathroom stuff in bathroom, hung up clothes in the closet, shoes in closet. Once all done, I still had more energy. Wrapping my blanket around me, I glanced out the window to see what the backyard looked like. I smiled when I saw it and I knew I wanted to wonder around on the grass in my bare feet. It was one of my favorite pass times. I exited my room. There weren't many lights on, I could see across the way to the boys' rooms I guessed and there were some lights on and others off. I tiptoed downstairs, I heard some chatting in a closed room with a light on. I continued to make my way to the back doors. They were french glass doors, I unlocked them and slipped outside. Once out there I sighed and walked over to the grass. There was a huge pool with a diving board, a small garden to one side, and a huge grass field. "Perfect for playing soccer," I breathed. My heart swelled at that thought. I loved soccer. It was my outlet for stress and I definitely felt stressed. There were goals on either end of the field and a bag of soccer balls next to one. I giggled as I ran to the field. I tossed my blanket on to the ground and grabbed a ball out of the bag. I jogged to the middle of the field and dropped the ball.

I took in a deep breath breathing in the chilly air, my foot on top of the ball and my eyes closed but raised to the heavens. I sighed and looked down the field towards the goal. In my head, I was back at the state championship game and it was up to me to drive in the last goal so we would win. I began to dribble the ball down the field as hard as I did at the game. I did tricks and flips working out my stress and energy left over from this crazy day. I drove myself hard to the goal, when I reached it I paused, took a breath, kicked the ball into the air, flung myself up and did a side-kick into the goal. I came back down on the ground on my feet. I stood there breathing hard and smiling. I was still so absorbed in my memory that I didn't notice the clapping to my left. When I finally did, I turned to see Harry. I started a bit and said, "You scared me. How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to admire your football skills," he chuckled. "Where were you playing? Last time I saw anyone drive that hard was during a game in the last seconds."

I shrugged and went over to pick up my blanket. Suddenly it was very chilly. I glanced back over at him as I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders again. "It was the last goal I scored at the state championship for my school this last year."

"I take it you won," he smiled.

I smiled back unable to fight off his infectious attitude. "Yeah, we did. It was an exhilarating moment. When you are in the situation it's just you, the ball, and the goalie standing in your way. My coach had given me the go signal to just drive the entire way and score. So,"-paused because I was now standing right in front of him. So close I could smell his cologne, which was intoxicating. I gazed into his eyes and continued,-"I went for it and we won."

"Sounds like it was quite the experience," he said leaning down a bit.

I took a step back automatically while wondering why in the world I would take a step back especially from Harry Styles. "It was," I replied.

He smiled again, his eyes staring clear into my soul or so it felt. Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "What are you doing out here anyways? I thought you girls went to bed," he inquired raising one of his eyebrows.

I caught my breath. Gosh was his gorgeous! "They did. I couldn't sleep. I had too much energy and stress flowing through my veins after today. Soccer always helps me relieve that stress. I think I might go to bed now though," I breathed. I started to walk back into the house and he followed me.

"Mind if I escort you," he chuckled.

I stopped. "Are you hitting on me or is this just the normal you?" Maybe I was being a bit straightforward but sometimes a girl has to be.

He blushed. Harry Styles actually blushed, which totally made my head spin. Gosh dang it! Why did he have to be so gorgeous! "I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we," he said as his eyes sparkled.

I just shook my head, trying to clear the fuzziness. I didn't know what to think but I had a feeling this summer was going to be one to remember...