Somehow the press got a hold of Liam’s and Gray’s relationship being back on. They had been in Australia for four days now and the amount of people wherever they went was mad. Many seemed to be nice about the whole situation, but there was a small group that would always be quite rude in the things they shouted. Gray tried to not let her bug herself, but it didn’t always work. They traveled to Melbourne yesterday and rented out a penthouse suite there.

“New plan all. We are going to move the girls later, after you all have left,” Steve dictated. Everyone sat around eating breakfast that Gray made again.

“What do you mean later,” Liam asked. Something was up, he could feel it.

“Due to the size of the crowds, it’s better to separate Gray and Perrie and have them come after.” Gray sent down the dishes in the sink and took her spot next to Liam. The whole group stared at him, knowing Steve was hiding the truth.

“Steve, spit it out already. We aren’t that dumb,” Louis joked.

“There have been some new threats since last night.” Gray’s face went white. Liam quickly grabbed her hand to try to keep her sane.

“We have gotten a couple of death threats that were worse than before. The kind that could be true,” Steve quietly whispered out. Gray felt like she was going to vomit.

“What do you mean before? How many are we talking about,” she asked. Liam squeezed her hand again. She never knew about any of them.

“We are up to 15.” Gray gasped. Fifteen is a big freaking number. She assumed Liam felt the need to keep this quiet and protect her too.

“Fifteen huh? Nobody felt the need to tell me this,” she barked out. Her blood was already boiling in anger. Everyone stayed quiet.

“Gray..” Liam started.

“No, you can shut it. I’m talking to Steve now, since he won’t keep it from me.” Gray turned back to Steve’s full attention and pulled her hand away from Liam. She knew he was protective, he liked to shelter her, but when it comes to your life being in jeopardy, it’s something Gray should have known about.

“We get them all the time for everyone, not just you. Usually they are some crazed fan and never follows through with the idea, but the ones we have received now seemed a little more planned out. So for the safety of us all, the boys will leave in the front of the building, ladies, you in the back.” Gray stood up from the table seeing red. She didn’t want to overact, she had to stay calm.

“Works for me, I’ll go get ready,” Gray barely spit out before heading down the long hallway. She heard a chair from the table move, knowing it was Liam.

“Mr. Payne I suggest you stay there and continue your breakfast,” she yelled down the hallway, not turning around. The last thing she wanted was him trying to comfort her. He should have been honest from the start. Having your life threatened is a big deal. Perrie and Gray had been too relaxed if that was the case. Both of them went shopping yesterday without any security and had been far too vocal online about their pictures. Gray’s hand shook as she tried to turn on the shower. What if someone tried to hurt them yesterday? They would have been screwed.

Gray took her shower, dropping the shampoo and conditioner bottles at least twice with her shaking hands. To be honest, she was terrified right now. What kind of sick person would try to kill her? Gray got out of the shower, quickly wrapping up in a towel to try and calm herself. She walked out into the bedroom to see Liam sitting on the bed. He opened his mouth to talk but Gray cut him off.

“Let me guess. You are sorry and you were just trying to protect me by not telling me,” Gray barked out. She walked past him to her suitcase and picked out clothes for today.

“Gray,” he whispered. She turned around to look at him and his puppy dog face.

“Liam, I completely get your want to make sure nothing happens to me and that I am safe, blah blah. But when it comes to threats against life you may want to tell me. Actually I demand you tell me,” she told him. Liam continued to stare at her. They eyed each other down from opposite’s of the room.

“You have nothing to stay to this?” Gray trembled out, trying to get her clothes on. She dropped her underwear on the floor again from her hands.

“God damn it!” She screamed. Her body collapsed onto the floor and she put her head in her hands. Liam quickly rushed off the bed and sat next to her on the floor pulling his body into hers. She shook in sobs as he held onto her tighter. Liam said nothing until she finally calmed down.

“The ones before were harmless, honest. Just stupid kids. This time is more serious though. I would of told you about this one but Steve beat me to it,” he quietly told her as his fingers ran through her hair.

“You have to tell me these things Liam, I have to know. What if something would have happened to us yesterday when me and Perrie went shopping? Alone? We never would have gone if that was the case. You can't keep anymore from me.” Liam stayed silent. Gray could see his free hand was balled up, she knew he was more than mad.

“We will just have to think more before we go places,” he said trying to be calm.

“And you will start telling me all this B.S. from the beginning,” she dictated to him. Liam said nothing.

“Liam.” Her voice warned, he needed to agree to this.

“Yes, fine, I will attempt to tell you things.” Gray finally smiled, baby steps for him.

“Are you sure you just don’t want me to stay here?” The boys had another radio interview this morning, followed by a small photo shoot in the afternoon. Perrie and Gray were going to tag along, but Gray was starting to think it was a bad idea.

“You have to come, and that’s not my decision. It’s Steve’s. He would rather have us all together,” Liam told her. Gray rolled her eyes.

“Great, then they can blow up all of us and I can get blamed for it all. Grand plan,” she muttered standing up to finally get dressed. Liam laughed at her.

“Wear your sneakers just in case you need to make a run for it.” He kissed her on the lips before heading to the bathroom.

“Real funny jailbait!”

----

Steve’s grand plan actually worked out quite well. Instead of running into at least fifty fans, they only had to deal with five, all who were extremely nice. It felt weird to ride in such a huge van with just the two of them in it. Gray and Perrie stayed quiet, their crazy fun seemed to die with the news they got this morning.

“You okay,” Gray asked Perrie. She hadn’t been this quiet in a long time.

“Just worried.” Perrie sighed.

“I got back to London the day after next.” Gray felt sad on the inside, her partner in crime was leaving.

“Hey, that’s okay. I will be fine here with all of them. Plus I may need to come visit,” Gray smiled. She didn’t need Perrie to be sad.

“I worry about you Gray. You are so strong, but when you break you break. Don’t be surprised if I call you twice a day freaking out,” Perrie said. Gray looked at her.

“Sometimes I think you all forgot I’m the oldest one here.” It felt like she was going on 16, not 26.

“Of course not. We just all worry about you a lot. It’s called love,” Perrie joked.

“Or strangulation.”

----

By the time they got to the arena for their show, Gray was burnt out. The constant presence of people around her was driving her nuts. She actually hid in the bathroom at their photo shoot playing Sudoku trying to hide. It didn’t even last ten minutes until Perrie came looking for her. Gray needed a break from them all. She needed to run badly. Since getting there it had been on her back burner.

“Steve, I need to run,” Steve declared to him in the hallway. The boys were out on stage running through sound check and everything else they needed done before the show.

“Well run then Gray,” he laughed at her. Gray rolled her eyes. Apparently she needed to be more specific.

“Where?”

“Do the arena, why not? No one else is around.” Gray thought about it for a minute. It made sense to her. Stairs, hallways, and more stairs. It was a perfect way to get all sweaty and a burn going. She quickly ran into the dressing room where her bag was stored and changed into a sports bra and shorts.

“Whoa, you lose your clothing,” Perrie asked as she walked into the room.

“I need to run. I’m losing it,” Gray huffed. She started to stretch out her muscles, ready to get the fun started.

“You are going out like that,” Perrie motioned to her outfit.

“Pea, it’s the guys. They have seen me in my bra.”

“They have, but not when they were trying to work. You are going to make them all stutter and trip over each other,” Perrie giggled.

“They will have to deal. Catch you later.” Gray threw in her ear buds and heading out of the room at a light pace. She headed into the arena, not even paying attention to her surroundings. When it came to running, all that mattered was her brain and the music. She ran through the upper level area before starting to running up and down the aisle stairs.

“Oh boy,” Louis whispered seeing her. Even though Gray was like his sister, it was incredibly hot.

“Hey Liam, check out Gray.” He pointed to her in the crowd. Immediately all the guys stopped to look and couldn’t stop looking. Gray was in her element, flying through the steps as she remained focused on them.

“Alright, look away, look away,” Zayn yelled to them all. Nobody listened. Liam’s mouth went dry watching her.

“Eh! Eh Gray! Hellooo!” Zayn shouted over his microphone. Gray heard the noise and stopped to look at the stage.

“The boys here cannot focus with you running!” Gray took out her ear bud to hear him. She shrugged her shoulders back. Adult men should be able to control themselves.

“Can you put a shirt on?” Gray rolled her eyes. Children, they were all children. She quickly smiled, and evil thought crossing her mind. Gray bent down very slowly and very seductively to tie her shoe. Her butt was facing the boys, sticking out for all of them to see. Her running shorts barely covered it as it was, so she knew there was skin showing. After tying her shoe, she slowly stood up again, making sure her butt was still sticking out. Gray looked over her shoulder to see all of the guys looking at her with their mouths open. She brought her head up in the air, flicking them all off before throwing her ear buds back in and continuing her run. Serves them right for gawking.

“Liam, close your mouth, bugs will get in,” Harry laughed to him. He quickly took out his phone to snap a picture before Liam came back to reality.

“That’s a twitter picture,” he murmured. He quickly typed out the tweet and got back to work.

@HarryStyles: Someone got sidetracked from working #gram

----

“Don’t leave me,” Gray pouted. Perrie was leaving today, going back to London. Her bags were packed and placed by the door making Gray feel incredibly sad. She was back to being just the only girl again.

“I know love, now how will you get in trouble,” Perrie joked. Last night they ambushed the boys with water balloons Curtis scored. It turned into a big, wet, sloppy mess.

“I won’t.” Perrie pulled her in for a hug, holding on extra tight. They had grown so much closer since Gray came back.

“Remember, I am just a call or Skype away. Besides, if you get bored with Liam you know where I will be.” They pecked each other on the cheeks before Perrie and Zayn left. Gray’s heart hurt. It was so hard to say goodbye to people who were your family. She went and sat down on the couch between Niall and Liam. Liam grabbed her hand to comfort her.

“When do we go?” She asked. They had one more show in Melbourne before heading to their last stop in Brisbane then to New Zealand for ten days. Gray was exhausted. Their schedules were nonstop, and now that she couldn’t stay at the hotel while the guys were gone, she couldn’t seem to stay up with it all.

“Couple of hours probably. Once Zayn comes back from the airport,” Liam told her. She stood up and yawned.

“I need sleep.” She made a very poor attempt at waving to them all before heading to their bedroom. Gray closed all the curtains and climbed into the hug bed. She closed her eyes, letting herself get eaten up by all the covers.

“Gray? Gray baby.” Gray moaned hearing her name. It felt like she just fell asleep. She opened her eye to see Liam sitting on the bed staring at her.

“Nooo,” she groaned. With him sitting there she knew she had to get up.

“Sorry love, we have to go.” Gray sat up and stretched extra hard. Her cat nap made her feel even more tired. She got out of bed, throwing on her sweatshirt and leggings before following him out to the main room.

“There she is! Let’s roll,” Niall sarcastically cheered.

“I’m sleeping on the bus,” Gray yawned.

“We have heard that before.” Gray flicked him off grabbing her purse and following the rest downstairs. They assembled their line as always, putting Gray in the middle with Louis in front and Liam behind. It had only been a week or so and Gray was already sick of it. She loved their fans too, but having to hold your breath and pray you weren’t attacked was hard. Steve gave them the signal to move on out and they followed along. As soon as they were on the sidewalk the group of fans crowded them in more making Gray feel very claustrophobic and frightened. Liam grabbed her hand and Louis grabbed her other one to get through faster.

“You slut! You are sleeping with both of them!”

“Gray is a whore!”

Gray grabbed Liam’s hand tighter, just to hold herself back from reaching out and bashing in the fan. Enough was enough. They jumped on the bus and Gray ran back to the bunks. The anger soared through her body. How dare those people think she is some sort of whore, just because she touched Louis. It was asinine.

“Gray,” Harry shouted down the bus.

“I’m fine, I’m going to finish my nap!” She said, trying to be cheery. The last thing she wanted was the guys seeing her upset.

“You sure?”

“Of course, wake me up for the show.” Gray climbed into the bunk and shut the curtain. She covered up and rolled to face the wall just in case any of the guys opened it up to see her crying.

----

BREAKING NEWS: Well I have news One Directioners from down under! Down UNDER the band that is! Reports are coming through that the one and only Gray Cameron has been seeing getting intimate with both Liam and Louis of the most popular band. We haven’t seen those pictures yet, but we wonder if it’s true? Gray and Louis have put up some pretty flirtatious things on Twitter lately and the picture of just them holding hands today on the way to the bus makes us wonder? Do I sense a new nickname of ‘Gray the Gold Digger’ starting? As always, we keep you posted all night long at the Pioneer.

Gray felt her phone go off in the bunk. She quickly rolled over and read the message. Tears sprang to her eyes. Sick, sick people to think she was dating both. Guaranteed the picture didn’t look good. Someone snapped it right at the worst time. Gray was indeed holding Louis’ hand, but not Liam’s. The way it looked like was her handing pulling away from his, when really she was just swinging her arm. Gray threw her phone out of the bunk, not caring where it landed. Life sucked right now. She jumped out, throwing her sweatshirt back on and finding one of Niall’s hats laying on the table. That will give the press something to talk about. As she left the bus, not many people were out thankfully. Steve was at the door and immediately let her through.

“They only have about twenty minutes left,” he yelled to her. Gray was shocked, apparently she slept through most of it and no one woke her up. Gray walked down the hallway to her usual spot and texted Mila.

Me: What time are you in? Can I call you in a while?

Gray had a hard time remembering the time difference between Australia and Chicago.

Mila: I see you saw the Pioneer. Jingle any time.
Gray: Complete bullshit. I’ll talk to you soon

Gray put her phone and continued watching the guys from a distance. Curtis was always willing to bring her out to the front, but without Perrie it felt weird. She assumed the crowd would have some choice words for her too. The guys finished and walked on back passing her. Liam came and gave her a smile but he could immediately tell something was wrong.

“Love?”

“More catty bull going around,” Gray turned to Louis,” apparently I am now cheating on Liam with you. Congratulations on the new girlfriend.” All the guys looked at her like she was crazy.

“Pioneer came to my phone, I forgot to stop the notifications. Someone posted a very shady picture of us walking out today,” she explained. Liam grabbed her hand and they followed everyone back to the dressing rooms.

“I’m going to call Mila,” Gray said leaving the room. The last thing she wanted was to have Liam stare at her for the next half an hour being all worried.

“Hi Lovely,” Mila said cheerfully on the phone.

“Hey girl.”

“So I take it you read it,” Mila asked. Gray huffed into the phone.

“I keep forgetting to take off the notifications. What the hell am I supposed to about this Mila? You know it’s a lie right?”

“Gray of course. Anyone who really knows you knows it’s a lie. They are just stirring up the pot on purpose,” Mila explained.

“Yeah, and making my life a living hell! I was called a whore today when we left. By a child!” Gray groaned to her.

“Well, she is a child, she has no filter. Gray don’t let it eat you alive, you’ll just make it worse for yourself.”

“What am I supposed to do? Should I go tweet something or just go lay by my dish,” Gray asked sarcastically.

“Wait, hold on Gray.” She could hear Mila shuffling the phone around. She was pushing buttons on her phone making very loud noises come through to Gray’s ear.

“Mila, what are you doing,” Gray laughed.

“Yeah, your boy toys beat you to Twitter there sugar. Take a look when we hang up,” Mila told her. A pit in Gray’s stomach appeared. She hoped they didn’t get too psycho.

“Hang in there okay? The people that matter know the truth and we love you for it.”

“I love you too Mila, I miss you,” Gray told her back. They said their goodbyes and Gray quickly brought up Twitter on her phone.

@LouisTomlinson: To set the record straight, One Direction DOES NOT date each other’s girlfriends. #lame #annoying #getyourfactsstraight

@Real_Liam_Payne: Think before you speak all, it does a wonder in life #truth

Gray sighed, at least they didn’t go completely crazy. She walked back down the hall and into the room.

“Settle boys and put your phones down, no need to start a tweeting war,” she laughed. Gray took a seat next to Liam and laid her head on his shoulder.

“You okay Gray,” Louis asked her.

“Of course, just annoyed, but that’s life.” Her phone started to ring again, showing her mom was calling.

“Hey mom.”

“Darling. How are my future sons in law,” Gloria joked.

“Just fine mom, thanks for asking,” Gray deadpanned.

“When do you leave for Brisbane?”

“Tomorrow morning, what’s up?”

“The girls and I fly in the day after next.” Gray screamed out loud, causing everyone to jump.

“No way! Are you joking? Please don’t be joking!”

“Nope, we will be there with you soon.” Gray started to cry, she was so happy. Having her mom and sisters there was what she exactly needed.

“I’m so excited, you don’t know how much I need this,” she cried into the phone.

“Thank your boyfriend, he was the one who did it all.” Gray turned around and stared at Liam. He gave her a small cute smile, knowing exactly what was going on.

“See you soon hunny.” Gray hung up the phone and immediately hugged Liam sitting on the couch. He squeezed her back and kissed her head.

“Thank you… so.. so.. much,” she said, trying to control her sobs. She couldn’t believe he did this for her.

“You’re welcome Love.” Gray stayed there, holding on to him with all her might. She was afraid to let go and not be near him anymore.

----

Gray couldn’t settle down. Her whole body was wired waiting for her mom and sister to arrive. Ever since she woke up she was on high alert. They got to Brisbane yesterday and settled in for a day of nothing. It dragged for Gray, all she could think about was seeing her sisters. Luckily, even with them blocking off the whole floor in the hotel they were able to get the girls a room next to theirs.

“Gray, you are shaking the whole floor,” Harry joked. Her legs wouldn’t stop moving. She knew their plane landed over an hour ago and Steve went to pick them up, but right now it was taking forever. The elevator dinged from outside in the hallway. Gray tore off the couch and ran into the open hallway.

“GRAY!” Grace yelled running off the elevator. Gray scooped her up in her arms with tears falling.

“Hey girl, oh man I have missed you,” Gray said. Grace held her tight as Gillian came running up too.

“Oh gilly fish you look so grown up!” Gillian must have recently cut off her hair into a very cute teenage bob.

“Hi sweetheart,” her mom said walking over and peeking her on the cheek.

“Oh let’s get you in your room, then you can catch me up on life,” Gray said giddlely. They walked down to their room, passing the where the boys’ were too. Gray ignored them all for the moment while getting them in.

“I’ll be right back,” she told her family. She ran down to their room, pushing the door open causing it to hit the room and bee lined it to Liam. She grabbed his face with both hands and pulled him onto her. Gray kissed him with so much passion her body ached. Liam’s arms wrapped around her waist pulling her closer. She pulled away and stared into his eyes.

“Thank you so much,” she whispered, kissing him again. Gray pulled away without paying attention to the other guys gawking at her and left the room. She opened the door to her family’s room and sat down on the bed next to Gillian.

“Okay, fill me in on life.”

----

“I cannot believe your hair Gilly, you look so cute,” Gray gushed, still having a hard time believing they were here with her.

“Mommy said I look 12 now,” she giggled. Gray shook her head in agreement. Her phone went off in her pocket, she pulled it up to see Liam’s picture.

“Hey there,” she said.

“You and the ladies coming down for lunch?” She quickly covered the phone speaker and turned to the room.

“You guys want to eat with the boys or no?” She knew the answer, but it was still fun to ask.

“Eat with the boys! Eat with them!” Both of the girls shouted. Gray uncovered the phone.

“We are coming down.”

“Let’s go ladies.” They walked the short distance to the other room and Gray led the way inside.

“Grace! Gillian!” They all cheered. Grace immediately hid behind Gray’s legs, feeling shy.

“Oh come on Grace, I’m your brother you are supposed to like me,” Liam said bending down beside her. Grace stared at him.

“Do you like pizza? We have lots of pizza over here?” He held her hand out to her and she reluctantly grabbed. Liam quickly pinched Gray’s butt before leading Grace over. Gray glared and winked at him.

“Aren’t you two supposed to be in school,” Harry joked.

“We are, but mommy said Gray’s head was more important. Gray are you hurt,” Grace asked. Gray choked on her soda.

“Really mom,” she glared. Gloria put her hands up in front, not asking her.

“Grace, my head is fine. Mom just thinks too much.” She rolled her eyes and went back to her pizza. She walked over to the couch to sit beside Zayn, fully aware that Gloria and Liam were whispering about her.

“You two can shut it,” she yelled. Louis sat down next to her with his plates.

“You know Gray, you have became a lot more vocal since the last time you went on tour with us,” he joked.

“Well, a girl has to fight for what she wants.” Preach, sister.

“Do we get to go to the concert tonight,” Gillian asked from her chair. Gray nodded.

“You do, only if you promise to not damage anything,” Gray joked and winked at her.

“We leave in 45 minutes,” Steve said, pipping up from the corner spot he was sitting.

“Two groups or one,” Gray asked.

“One, we can’t get a good spot in the back.” Gloria looked at them all in confusion.

“What are we talking about here? Is this code,” she asked. Liam was about to speak but Gray cut him off.

“Just making sure everything is a’ok.” She glared at Liam, secretly telling him to be quiet. Her mom didn’t need to know about the threats right now or possibly ever.

“Finish up girls, we will go get changed,” Gloria told them. She could tell something was up. Gray usually didn’t speak up that fast to Liam. Gloria made a mental note to corner him later, he couldn’t say no to her ever.

----

“Alright, line up.” Steve barked out to them. They all took their positions leaving Gloria and the girls to look at them like they are crazy.

“Is this a new line dance or something,” she asked.

“Oh yeah, forgot about you. Security protocol, it’s a good time. Steve where do you want them,” Gray said. He shrugged his shoulders at him, nobody thought that far in advance. Gray rolled her eyes and dictated the moves.

“Gracie baby go stand with between Harry and Niall. Gillian, you behind Harry and mom you in front of Liam.” It worked out well, every girl was covered except for Gray.

“This won’t work, you are not being in the back,” Liam demanded. She waved him off.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it, they are not.” The group walked closer to the front only to see the crowd. It was the largest one yet. The fans were so loud Gray could barely hear. Grace started to tremble in fear in front.

“I got you love,” Harry said, picking her up in his arms. She hugged around his neck tightly and buried her face in his neck. Liam gripped Gray’s hand behind them as they started out the door. As soon as the got past the front door, Gray knew she made a dumb mistake. Between the large amount of hatred coming from the fans mouths and nothing being able to see, Liam’s hand broke from hers. She kept one foot in front of the other, keeping her head down and trying not to listen to the crowd.

“Gray is a whore!”

“You are so ugly!”

“Fuck you, Liam is mine!”

She was used it, it have so frequent right now she didn’t even turn on Twitter anymore. Gray just prayed her mom wasn’t listen, she wouldn’t be happy. She looked above to see Harry and the girls already on the bus and her mom and Liam heading up the stairs. So close to home she thought. Gray kept going, only to feel something hit her back. It was cold, wet and running down her dress. She stopped, looking over her shoulder, only to have the same thing hit her on the shoulder.

A tomato. The wet, ripe tomato had exploded over her arm making it look like blood. Gray looked up into the crowd to see where it was coming from, only to have another two hit the front of her body. She turned, her body shaking and tried to take the last steps to the bus, but another flying object hit her in the face, knocking her off balance and to the ground. It felt like a scene from the movies. She could hear and see everyone around her, but the world was silent. Gray could see cell phones at her direction, just waiting to post it all online. She grabbed the red apple that hit her. Gray stood up wobbly, only to find Steve’s arms around her. He shoved her up the bus steps away from it all. Gray stood there, starting back at them. Everyone looked like they had seen a ghost. Liam came rushing toward her but she put her hand up to stop him.

“Don’t. touch. Me.” Gray said through her teeth. He came closer, not listening.

“Don’t fucking touch me Liam. I swear to God don’t you dare fucking touch me right now,” she yelled out, not even realizing her sisters were there watching it all unfold. Liam put his arms down, but his fists were still balled up. Gray pushed past him hard and ran for the small makeshift bathroom. She shut the door and looked in the mirror. Tomato guts covered her shoulders and the top of her dress. She leaned in more to see a nice oval shaped bruise forming on her cheek bone from the apple. Gray sat down on the toilet stunned. She couldn’t believe another attack happened again. Gray put her head in her hands and sobbed, ignoring anyone who came to the door.

Notes

Title Song: "Hurtful" by Erik Hassle

Best find some tissues..