So… you’re basically living your life’s dream.

You’ve loved music since you were little, and you’ve always dreamed of becoming a singer, but you never really thought you’d have a chance. You threw a shot in the dark and auditioned for the X-Factor thinking nothing would come from it as you’re only 16, but now you’re here, living in the X-Factor contestant house, and you actually have a shot of winning it all.

As much as you’re here for the singing, something else has seemed to have caught your eye. Or more accurately, someone else…

Niall Horan. The blondie. He’s one of the members of that boy band the judges formed, One Direction. Not only do you love his voice, but you’ve seemed to have been drawn to every other part of him as well. He’s just the kind of person who lights up every room he walks in, a smile that spreads to everyone around, and the most contagious laugh you’ve ever heard. You’re supposed to be here to get a start to your career, but your heart has seemingly gotten distracted with a crush.

After yet another long day of rehearsals and vocal lessons, all of the younger contestants decided to unwind together with a bonfire outside and some drinks, even though a good portion of you aren’t even old enough to be drinking yet.

Normally you’d just go to your room to relax, listen to some music and read alone, but you decided to join everyone this time. Of course, right in the center of it all was Niall, sitting there, looking perfect as ever, holding a guitar and playing whatever songs come to mind, his hair slightly tossled and that hoodie fitting him a bit too good. You couldn’t help but keep looking over at him, watching him from a distance as he laughed and joked around with his friends. God, this crush just won’t let up, will it?

As the night progressed and drinks flow, someone comes up with the smart idea to play a game of ‘7 minutes in heaven’. Everyone seemed all for it, but something inside you tightened at the thought. You’re not the kind of person to play spin the bottle and just kiss someone like that. I mean, come on, you haven’t even had your first kiss yet…

‘Couples’ go in and out of the shabby shed out here that’s been chosen as the ‘heaven’, people ‘ooooing’ and ‘awwwwing’ with every pair. You had just hoped everyone would get bored and move on to something else before you got picked.

You weren’t even paying much attention to who had just gone, but your eyes land on the bottle as it lands directly on you. Everyone immediately starts excitedly talking, clearly thrilled that you’ve been picked.

The tips of your ears are burning from all of this attention on you, especially since it was the one thing you didn’t want to happen. You try to hide the shake in your hand as you reach over for the empty beer bottle, spinning it with the flick of your wrist, anxious about who you’ll be embarrassing yourself in front of. And who does it land on.

None other than Niall.

You might just die right here.

Niall just laughs a little nervously as all of his friends start nudging him and making comments, the slightest red flushing his cheeks as he brushes them off and stands up, a shy smile on his face as he looks over at you. The people around you do the same as you stand up, your heart feeling like it's about to beat out of your chest as they all tease the two of you.

Once the door to the shed shuts, the sounds of the teasing become muffled, and its just the two of you in this small, dimly-lit space. Shelves are half-empty, forgotten lawn supplies and tools covered in cobwebs filling the spaces. It’s quiet for a moment, both of you just standing there across from each other, not quite sure what to do, your eyes looking just about everywhere but at him.

Niall eventually clears his throat and speaks up, sounding almost… Nervous?

“...Ignore everyone out there, they’re just a bit too tipsy and rowdy. Have you, um… have you ever played this game before?"