I had spent the next few days getting the cold shoulder from just about everyone. Nathan looked like he was going to cry everytime he saw me, Max wouldn't look at me, the other boys were keeping the small talk to a minimum, even the CREW had been acting strange. It was like they thought this was WWII and I was a traitor who couldn't be trusted. But that was okay with me, because I had made a decision. I was not going to let everyone keep walking all over me and make decisions for me. I was not Germany. I was Switzerland. And everyone needed to fucking deal with it.

I walked into the bathroom in my room that Nathan moved out of and began taming my curly hair. My phone buzzed:

From: Louis Tomlinson
Leaving Belfast tonight. It's the last time we'll be in the same country for 3 weeks. Please let me take you out?

I smiled and added up the pros and cons in my head
Pros-
Cute
nice guy
food
getting away from everyone who doesn't want to see me

Cons-
fueling the fire
possibly losing Nathan all together
my brother swooping in and killing at least 1/5


I weighed the options out in my head before responding:

To:Louis Tomlinson
Alright Tomlinson but I gotta find a good way to get out of here unnoticed.


From:Louis Tomlinson
Princess need help escaping from her tower? I'm sorry this is so hard :(


To: Louis Tomlinson
Please, you can't save the damsel if she likes her distress ;) meet you at 4

I put my phone down and finished up my makeup. For the first time since we've been on tour, I'd actually enjoyed getting ready and doing my hair/makeup. I felt pretty. I heard a knock at my door and climbed over the mountain of clothes I had gone through for my date today. When I opened it, Nathan was eyeing me up and down.

"Oh uh… Hey Nate," He just stared blankly at me.

"Do you wanna come in?" He nodded and brushed past me. He looked like he hadn't slept in a couple of days. I sat down next to him on my bed and brushed his cheek with my hand.

"You look like shit Nathan.." I said quietly.

I could tell he didn't want to crack a smile but was definitely losing the battle. I began to giggle and after a minute, he did too.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered huskily in my ear, "What am I going to do with you Sophia. You drive me crazy."

I smiled and kissed his cheek, "You're going to take a shower and a nap and get on with it, yeah?"

He groaned, "Fiiine!'



Max walked in next, staring at the tornado that had gone through my room then at me. "You look pretty Sophia," he said in an attempt to play nice.

"Thanks Max," I walked over to the mirror and put my earrings in.

"Where are you going?" Max asked.

I rolled my eyes and flipped my hair one last time, "Out with Louis."

Max got up and began his usual demonstration of anger, pacing the room looking for an answer to a question that was none of his concern. "You'd really go out with some guy you barely know?" He asked.

I grabbed my purse and walked towards the door, "Can't be worse then the guys I DO know."



I went down to the lobby and saw Louis waiting with Harry.

"Hey guys," I began.

"Harry are you coming out with me and Louis?" I asked, hoping he would say no.

"Oh no way. Just waiting for Niall to hurry up so we can go golfing. You two have fun!" He winked and walked away.

"So where are you taking me Mr. Tomlinson?"

He grinned and took my hand, "To lunch at my favorite restaurant here in Belfast."

---

We pulled up to a cute little hole in the wall apartment in the middle of residential Belfast. The sign outside of it was dark and worn, You wouldn't have noticed it unless you were looking at it. When I got out of the car there was paparazzi everywhere. I covered my face in hopes no one would get a clear picture of me. Louis took my hand and led me inside to a corner table far away from the windows.

An older woman, probably in her 50's came up to the table and gushed over Louis. "Louis darling!!! I've missed you!"

He stood up and hugged her, "Mrs. Callaghan!"

She held his face in shock as if she hadn't seen him in decades. "I didn't know you were coming in! Word in town is you were here but I figured I had missed you!"

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "I promised I'd stop by didn't I?! I want to introduce you to my friend Sophia."

She wrapped me in a hug and kissed both of my cheeks, "Darling it is a pleasure to meet you! Louis she's beautiful!" She gushed.

I felt myself blush and laughed nervously, "Thank you ma'am. It's nice to meet you."

"Oh please! Call me Anne. It's so nice to see you Lou. I'll leave you alone with your bird and have Connor come and take your order, yeah?"

"That would be great. Thank you Mrs.Callaghan."

She walked away and Louis pulled my chair out for me.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"She seemed nice," I added.

"Yeah, she's lovely. Everytime I'm in belfast I come here. It's kind of my own tradition. The first time we came here as a band we got extremely drunk and sang karaoke for hours. Mrs. Callaghan gave us a place to crash so the paps didn't see us and I've been coming here ever since," I laughed and looked over at the woman who was in an in depth conversation with another customer.

"So Sophia, tell me more about you."

I scoffed, "You sure I didn't tell you enough the other night?" I asked.

"Well yes you did, but you don't remember it. So I don't think it's a fair playing field," he teased, raising his eyebrows.

"Fine, tell me about you then."

"Well I'm a pop star, your brother and his friends hate me, I'm on a date with a pretty girl and our album is currently number 1. I'd say life is good."

"You're really obsessed with yourself aren't you?" I asked, attempting to sound serious.

"Obsessed, no. I'm just pointing out the obvious."

"You're a pretentious little prick," I added nonchalantly.

"I'm Louis Tomlinson, your argument is invalid," he mocked.

I'm pretty sure I choked on my mimosa. But unfortunately, it didn't kill me. I wish I remembered the night I went out with them because I'm not so sure why I stayed and DEFINITELY not sure why I'm here right now.

"Actually, if I do recall.. Gaga bumped your album down to number two this morning. So actually Louis Tomlinson, YOUR argument is invalid."

He smiled mischievously and leaned back in his chair, "Touché Miss. George. Fine, let's play a game. I'll ask you a question and you have to answer it honestly. If you don't want to answer it, you take a shot. If you DO answer it, I'll take a shot."

"It's 4 pm," I retorted.

"Yes love but it's 5 o'clock in Manchester."

I folded my hands on the table and shot him a glare, "Fine. Bring it."

"Do you believe in fate?" he asked.

"Fate?"

"Yeah like destiny," he said.

"Erm.. no. Destiny is for losers. It's just a lame excuse for letting things happen to you instead of making them happen."

"I see... Connor!!!" he yelled over to the cute irish boy.

"Yeah mate?"

"Shot of something that wont kill us both, keep em coming."

The boy snorted and nodded, walking over to the bar.

"Your turn love."

I thought for a moment of my question then smiled, "Who's the bitch that broke your heart?"

"I don't know what you mean?" He looked confused and defensive which is expected of a boy who uses sarcasm and prick like tendencies to not have to deal with their feelings.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Her names Brea. I was 17, thought I was in love. She left me for some douchebag and ditched me at the prom.. now take your shot."

"That's it? Wow you must be insecure." I grabbed the shot glass and downed the brown liquid.

"Your turn."

"What's the deal with you and Nathan Sykes?"

I grabbed the next shot glass and let it slide down my still burning throat, "Not getting into that one. My turn. What's your issue with The Wanted?"

"It's not MY issue love, it's Zayn's. He doesn't like your brother. Started as playful banter and went too far. The second you try and call me gay on social media is where things get vicious."

"Vicious? You've all dropped it from what I can tell.."

"Love, Tom called me gay. I'm now on a date with his bandmates little sister. I wouldn't call that 'over'" I scoffed and stood up from the table.

"Nice seeing you Tomlinson."

He grabbed my hand in protest, "Sophia that's not what I meant, come on." I pulled my arm back and began walking out of the door.

He ran after me up to the door, grabbing the handle so I couldn't leave, "Where are you going Sophia!?"

"If you'll excuse me, I've got to go kill myself or max out my credit card. Whichever comes first." I swatted his dainty hand out of the way and walked into the street, hailing a taxi.

Notes