Katy and I arrived at the park half an hour before the text said to be there. Ally and Chloe insisted on coming too, so I told them to meet back at home. I sat in the shadow of the biggest tree, and anticipated what the day could bring. Ten minutes after we arrived at the park, Katy had to go somewhere, which left me alone. The next twenty minutes were spent relaxing, or relaxing as much as I could. Yesterday's events were still racing through my mind, which didn't help my concentration at all.
All of a sudden, I saw a shadow coming towards me. I grasped at the air, trying to grab the mirror blocking my view. There wasn't one. Tara was standing in front of me, looking down at me. After a lot of intimidating stares (from both of us), Tara sat down across from me. I didn't let down my stare. "You don't like me, and I don't like you" she said. "You don't say" I muttered in reply. "I know what you're doing. Trying to steal everything I have, I know what your game is, Ashleigh." Confusion swept over me, followed by a wave of realization. "Ohhh, you mean because everyone knows you're a user? Using everyone to make a name for yourself? If you know my game, you'll understand that I know everything you're up to". Anger was building up in Tara's eyes with every word either of us said. "That's it. Every little thing I can do to make your life a living hell, I'm going to do it. See you later, Ashleigh." Then, Tara got up and left.
After ten minutes of waiting, to make sure there was no risk of a surprise attack, I got up and began to head home. "Wait, Ashleigh!" a voice called from the distance. I turned around, trying to find the person. "Where are you going? Sorry I'm late, I got held up at home" Louis said, then ran to catch up with me. "Didn't you wait under the tree?" he said with a laugh. That meant Tara wasn't the one who sent me that text. But, how did she know where I was?. Anyway, Louis and I sat under the tree and had a long talk. Not about anything in particular, until he said "So, ever since you came to the signing, the boys and I kind of count you as a friend". I replied "But, that's the worse way to meet someone isn't it? Being mistaken for someone you're not?". "I suppose so, but we all talked it over and decided it wasn't your fault, you just got caught up in it all purely by mistake. But you two could be twins". Here we go again, another reference to Tara.
"Yeah, so I've been told" I replied. Louis laughed, and said "So, the reason I asked to meet you was because I wanted to thank you in person." I was desparately trying to think of what I'd done that was worth being thanked for. "Thank me? What for?" I asked, with more confusion than intended. "Niall came to talk to us all last night. He explained everything, and he said it was all down to you, Ashleigh. He said you talked everything over with him and convinced him to come and talk to us, and you have no idea how thankful we all are for that" he said, his classic smile taking over his face. "So, we're having a party tonight, to celebrate the reunion of the band and everything, and I just wanted to invite you" he said, pushing a piece of paper into my hand. It was delicate, and had the unmistakable handwriting of Liam, and all the boys had signed it at the bottom. An invite to a reunion party. "I'd love to come!" I said cheerfully. "Oh, but I promised my best friend we'd go out for dinner tonight" I said suddenly remembering the plans Katy and I had made before she left. "Bring her too!" Louis said immediately. "Really? Because she'd love it so much!" I replied, getting my phone out ready to text. "Yeah! We'd all love to meet her! And you need to come, whatever happens. It would make us all really happy, especially Niall. You're the whole reason this band is still going strong!" I felt myself blushing, which was weird.
"Okay then, I'll see you tonight!" I said. Then, we both left. As I was making my way home, my phone rang. No-one calls me unless it's really important. Without looking, I answered it immediately. It was Niall. He just called for a chat. After half an hour, he finally got on to the topic of the party. I was invited again. He said he would look out for me, and that he had something really important to tell me. This just made me more and more excited. As I was nearly home, my phone buzzed. It was Katy, being excited, more so than usual, about the party. We scheduled to meet at my house so we could drive to the shopping centre for a outfit. I could suddenly be bothered to drive again.
When we arrived, we immediately started scanning the shops. Three hours later, we had both found perfect outfits. Katy had chosen a silver, flowing dress with matching accessories and shoes, and had decided her hair was going to be in a perfect bun. I had chosen a purple flowing dress, but with multicoloured jewellery. I was never one to be completely matching. I decided my hair was going to be curled. I had chosen a bracelet that had different coloured beads, which actually matched the dress. There were only two left. Whilst we went shopping for anything else we might need, Katy said "Ash, I seriously love that bracelet you've got. Do you mind going back, so I can get the other one?". "Of course not, let's go!" I replied, and we ran back. But the bracelet was gone. I went up to the counter, and said "Excuse me, but you know the other bracelet identical to this one-" I lifted up my wrist to show the bracelet. "Where did it go?" I asked politely. "Well, it's gone." The cashier replied. "Gone? Who bought it?" I asked, not as politely. "You did" the cashier said, losing patience. "No, I only bought one, this one." I said, also losing patience. "Then someone who looks identical to you bought it then" the cashier said. "But who do you mean-" Realization hit me. "Never mind. Thankyou." I said. I grabbed Katy's arm and we drove back to my house.
We decided to get ready at Katy's house, because it was quieter, and there was no chance of sisters barging in when they're not wanted. By the time we had got ready, it was 7pm, and the party started at 8pm. So, we got in the car and I drove to the party venue as quick as I could. We arrived with fifteen minutes to spare, so we had time to get a table. But, the next ten minutes were spent telling the security outside we were actually invited, and we should be allowed in. The security didn't believe us. Suddenly, Louis appeared, and said "Don't worry, they're with me." The security guard nodded, and we were finally granted access. When we walked in, the place was packed. Every inch of the room was filled with people. "Whoa." I said. "I know, it's like- actually, I don't know. I've never seen this many people at a party before." Katy said at the side of me. "Yeah, we made the mistake of letting Harry mail the invites. He's a popular guy" Louis said with a sigh. "I can see" I said. The DJ said something that Katy and I couldn't hear, but Louis did. "Look guys, I've gotta go, but trust me, I'll see you later!" he said, than ran off. I noticed the people in the middle of the room started to filter to the left and right, leaving a pathway from the doorway to the stage. Katy and I were stood at the end of the pathway. We quickly jumped to the side, thinking it was the right thing to do. It seemed like it was, as a security guard came running in, panting. "Boys, we need your help, it's chaos out there. So many people saying they're meant to be here, we can't hold them all" As soon as he finished his sentence, Louis, Harry and Zayn came running to the doorway, each greeting me on their way past.
Twenty minutes of pure silence passed before they came back inside. They ran back to the stage, and suddenly Niall and Liam joined them. Then, Zayn said "Welcome everyone! We're going to treat you all to a mini concert" Besides, you guys are the reason we're doing what we love!". I turned to Katy and she was staring at the stage, watching intently. I was tempted to call Ally, but she would be turned away at the door, and I couldn't face being responsible for that. Getting her hopes up.
Thirteen songs later, the boys came off the stage, greeted by all the guests, giving praise. Katy and I included. But the packed party had it's effect on us, and we needed to go outside to get some fresh air. We stayed outside for ten minutes, and decided to brave the crowds again. But it was a completely different atmosphere. A slow, romantic song was playing from the speakers, and couples dominated the dancefloor. We thought this was the perfect time to get something to drink. As we passed the dancefloor, and our sight was magnified compared to what we saw at the doorway, we saw the infatuated looks on everyone's faces. The couples were swaying to the music, looking into each other's eyes. As we were in the queue for a drink, right next to the dancefloor, Katy nudged me in the arm. "Hey, Ash, that girl has the exact same dress as you." I looked where Katy was looking, and the girl was wearing the same dress as me. "Oh god, a little embarrassing, but I can live with it, it's pretty dark in here." I said. "Wait, she has the same shoes and bag as you too" Katy said. I nodded, not really understanding, I was too focussed. "Wait here. I need to investigate" I said, leaving Katy to get the drinks. "Detective Ashleigh... It has a cool sound to it" she said from behind me. I didn't hear her, though, because I was studying the girl's outfit. She had the same dress, the same shoes, the same accessories, the same hair, the same makeup, the same multicoloured bracelet...
Tara. She had copied me down to the last detail. But why? Suddenly, a familiar voice rang through my ears. "Ashleigh, I have to tell you something, ever since we met at the coffee shop, I kind of can't get you off my mind." Wait. That was Niall's voice. But he wasn't speaking to me. He was speaking to...
I moved to a different spot, and saw Tara and Niall dancing close, and saw them leaning closer, closer, and then they kissed. It felt like a dagger had been stabbed in my chest.
Ooooh suspenseful right? I actually love writing this fanfic, I hope you enjoy reading it!