Hate Love

The 'Under The Sun' video premiered at six o’clock AM on a Monday morning. It was noon and there were already over eight million views. The magazine was in stores as well. Plus 'Your Eyes Only' had finally been released and tickets were on sale for various signings. We had flown back to the States for an appearance at a movie premiere that one of our songs was in. It was literally premiere day for us. I sat in my condo browsing on my laptop when something caught my attention on Twitter. Something that let me know there was more to this day of premieres than originally thought.
@1DMixerMaker: I can’t believe @zaynmalik cheated on Perrie with @RealMelanieO :(
@GetMoreTonight: @RealMelanieO is such a home wrecker!
@MusicalGenius101: @zaynmalik and @RealMelanieO are cute together too bad he’s back with Perrie. #ZelanieShipper
@304MusicRoad: It was wrong, but I’m a #ZelanieShipper ( @zaynmalik @RealMelanieO ).
I was in complete shock. Instantly I went to Google and searched my name (kind of a cliché). Several links for different gossip sites appeared. I clicked on the first one. There was the picture of me and Zayn kissing that Tanya swore she got rid of. I read the article that went with it.
Did Zayn Malik from One Direction cheat on longtime girlfriend Perrie Edwards (Little Mix) with Melanie Ortega from M.A.K.E? That’s what the rumors say anyways which are hard to deny with pictures like this going around plus the fact that not even a week ago Ortega tweeted her own picture of a shirtless Malik fast asleep. The story broke during the premiere of 'Under The Sun' where the two have an intimate scene (we’re talking intense eye staring, hand holding, goodness). We here at Celebrity 101 broke the news of the Zayn and Perrie break up after the Teen Choice awards, but we also reported on their reuniting the next day. Apparently the two have been on again off again causing the Bradford bad boy to turn to new best friend Melanie. It’s too bad Zerrie reunited recently because we ship Zelanie so hard.
I didn’t give myself a chance to digest what I had read before moving onto another. The next story was on Perez Hilton’s website. He used the picture of us kissing and the one from the photo shoot that Tanya picked out along with a collage of the wet clothes pictures we tweeted seconds apart.
Naughty girl or at least that’s what baby face Melanie has been. One-fourth of M.A.K.E and one-fifth of One Direction have gotten to know each other well, if you know what I mean. I wonder how Perrie feels about this seeing as how she and Zayn were spotted yesterday holding hands and enjoying each other’s company. Rather the rumors are true or not no one has confirmed. But let me say this, that isn’t her face he’s staring at.
I was in a state of panic. Everyone knew about us, but they had it wrong. It wasn’t like we were top secret from the beginning. We were spotted together in public. I tweeted a picture of him and even our friends knew there was something going on between us. None of that mattered though because I didn’t help him cheat on Perrie. They were broken up when this thing between Zayn and I started. Now it seemed they were back together yet again as I was warned. My brain searched for answers while there was a knock on my door. I opened it to see Ava, Kaylee and Erin holding a tabloid. I groaned and threw myself on the sectional.
“I’m sorry,” Ava rubbed my back comfortingly.
“Tanya’s going to have to work miracles with this one,” Erin commented.
“How come I didn’t know about this?” Kaylee asked. I sat up to face her. “I mean I’m not stupid I saw that you two had become close, but I didn’t realize you were more than friends.”
“It wasn’t serious,” I answered pulling up my legs to my chest. “Just something that started after the Teen Choice Awards and should have ended then.”
“Whatever, that can be ignored. The true problem is that Tanya expects us to do a Twitcam thanking all of the fans for viewing the music video and buying our album.” Ava reminded us.
“Let’s do it,” I decided getting up to retrieve my laptop. Business came before pleasure (or should I say drama).
“Are you sure?” Kaylee asked with concern laced in her voice.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I shrugged as I logged onto our group Twitter. We all knew the password along with our team. It was used to connect with our fans and promote our music.
@MAKEOfficial: Twitcam now come watch Makers! twitcam.com/MAKEofficial
The viewers instantly started pouring in as we set up in the kitchen. We pulled up stools to the island and sat around the laptop making sure we could all be seen. A group live stream was nothing new to us. We had done it countless times before.
“Hello,” Kaylee started taking charge like she usually did. “We just want to thank you all for the views, downloads and sells today. To show our appreciation we will take a few questions.” She explained.
“Let’s get started,” Erin cheered. We all mock clapped and whopped with her.
@Number1Fan: @MAKEOfficial will there be another tour?
Kaylee bit her bottom lip carefully thinking of an answer, “Um, we aren't exactly sure rather there will be a tour or not.”
@IloveMava: @MAKEOfficial are you actually doing MSG???
The four of us exchanged confused looks before shaking our heads. Ava explained that we had no knowledge of an opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden.
@1DMixerMaker: @MAKEOfficial is there a Zelanie?
The girls looked at me. Several people had asked that question. I sighed and forced a smile. This was going to be a long day.
“There is not nor has there ever been a ‘Zelanie’,” I answered using air quotes. “Don’t believe everything you see Makers.” That seemed to open the flood gate even more questions about me and Zayn rolled in. “Okay you guys here’s the story.” I cleared my throat, “Tabloids and bloggers always need something juicy to keep attention and this is one of those times. Zayn did not cheat on Perrie with me and the more you spread those rumors the more people are hurt. We’re just friends.”
“Well spoken,” Kaylee complimented me. We ended the Twitcam with an hour to spare before Hannah arrived. Tanya appeared first with our dresses. Mine was a sheer goddess dress with champagne lace covering and peek-a-boo sides in the silk slip.
“This should be helpful,” I muttered as I carried the dress to my room while Hannah did Ava’s hair.
“I warned you Melanie,” Tanya called after me. “I’ll do the best I can to salvage your reputation, but there really isn’t much that can be said. A picture speaks a thousand words.”
“And our manager speaks none,” Ava snapped. Tanya looked at her with attitude, but she had found her match.
Tanya rolled heavily rolling her dark brown eyes. “That's not the point. I have news. You have been offered a slot at Madison Square Garden.” She announced.
“So the fan was right,” Erin muttered. “Did that already get announced or something.
Tanya shrugged, “The venue has advertisement for the performances already.”
I nodded, “When is this supposed to happen?”
“The tenth of September, two weeks after your performance at the Video Music Awards.” Tanya informed us. That gave us a little over eight weeks to prepare. However, we were all too annoyed to be excited about reaching such a huge mark in our careers.
~~*~~
Walking the red carpet was eventful. There were several photographers and they were all shouting the same things. It ranged from asking about our album to asking about the “Zelanie” thing. I kept a forced smile on my lips and tried to ignore it all.
“Are the rumors true?” They shouted in my direction to which I responded with no comment and kept it moving. It would be a blessing when they moved onto the next story. There was just a little too much attention on me today.
“Get a real job you annoying pricks!” Erin shouted as we were ushered into the theater. We all laughed slightly looking around the busy lobby where there were more photo ops present.
Kaylee pursed her lips, “You never realize when you want to be a star the mess that comes with it.”
“Oh no, I did, that’s why I quit the first time.” I corrected her moving towards a small table that held refreshments. Ava followed after me. She was quiet with a thoughtful expression. I glanced at her as I nibbled on a cheese cube, “What?”
She sighed, “You know we’re always in your corner, right?” Her eyes were pleading.
I smiled grabbing her for a hug, “I love you midget.” I squealed squeezing her tightly. Ava groaned pulling away adjusting her perfected hair and black designer cocktail dress.
“You are so weird.” She grumbled looking around for familiar faces.
“You love it.” I nudged her as Tanya waved us over. She was standing with a reporter and we all knew what that meant. A collective groan escaped our lips. “Here we go again.” I muttered as they came into hearing range. There was never a dull moment in the life we had chosen.
~~*~~
The next morning I went out for a run with Erin. We had to call Rufus because some protective Directioners showed up with enough hate for the world. By the end of the week I was fed up and hadn’t left my condo more than twice. Eventually One Direction arriving in LA for work proved to be more important. I hadn’t talked to Zayn since we left London and I didn’t plan on it. For the second time he had went back to Perrie and I found out from someone else. Imagine my surprise when there was a knock on my door and instead of finding Ava I found Mr. Malik himself.
I sighed and gripped the door, “What do you want?”
“We need to talk,” he answered trying to step around me.
“No we don’t,” I tried to close the door, but he stuck his foot in. In the end I was much weaker than him which meant he got inside. I frowned and sat on my sectional refusing to acknowledge him.
“You must be angry,” he commented sitting far away from me.
I put down the remote down and turned to face him, “You think!”
“For what, Melanie? I can’t control what other people say or do.” He shot back obviously prepared for this confrontation.
I shook my head, “Forget the tabloids and pictures. That stuff I’m becoming use to. You went back to her as soon as I left and you didn’t even have the decency to tell me.”
“The press got it out before I could even pick up my phone,” he argued.
“You still could have been considerate enough to call. Granted, I wouldn’t have answered.”
“I’m sorry,” he sounded genuine. “You’re a good friend and I don’t to lose what we have.”
“You can’t have it both ways Zayn,” I was getting angry. “You can’t have whatever with me and then go and be her ever-loving boyfriend. Nope, it does not work that way.”
“Perrie and I are done. We split the next day.” He informed me in a sure voice.
I rolled my eyes, “I feel bad for you and all, but that doesn’t change anything. You can’t be in a relationship one day and then decide you want to continue whatever it is that we are doing the next. It’s not fair.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.” He defended himself. His voice rose slightly as he got flustered.
“Yes it is!” I took a deep breath. “Yes it is and you’re hurting people in the process.”
He scooted closer to me, “I don’t want to lose this.”
I looked down shaking my head, “But you love her.” I reminded him in a low voice. This was a lot harder than it should be.
He lifted my chin, “Then why am I here now?” He looked into my eyes. I could hear it in his voice that he was serious, but there was still a part of me questioning it all. Was it only a matter of time until Zayn and Perrie got back together?

Notes

Woo hoo two updates in one night!