Niall’s view:
“He's here.” I told Sam. She stopped the video game. She came up on the bed with me and we started to cuddle. She busted up laughing and I did too. It was quite funny to see us trying to do this. In the course of a couple of hours we actually found out we have a lot in common and she became a pretty nice friend.
“I'm home!” Harry yelled through the house.
“Laugh really loud.” I instructed. She did and it was believable. The door opened and Harry peaked in.
“Have you seen –” He stopped once he saw her cuddling me. I was only in my boxers but nothing actually happened between us. “I'm sorry. I didn’t know Niall had company.” He apologized.
“Yeah so can you leave?” I asked. She kissed my cheek. Before he nodded and shut the door he looked at her one more time. She was very fit and I could tell he wanted to talk to her. We both laughed and couldn’t stop.
“That kiss was sweet.” I smiled.
“You pretending pissed was… believable.” She said.
“It's because him and I are actually fighting right now.” I said frowning. I did hate fighting with him but soon enough it wouldn’t matter because Sam would be his and Claire, mine.
“Well now what?” She asked distancing herself from me.
“Go downstairs and get water.” She got up and slipped one of my shirts on. “Wait.” I called to her.
“What?” She said stopping. I got under the covers and took off my shorts and threw them at her.
“Put these on.” I smiled. She did and it looked pretty convincing. She left and went downstairs. I heard her ask for the cups and then some shuffling. I was at the top of the stairs eavesdropping.
“You and Niall…?” Harry asked her.
“What about him?” She was naturally sassy.
“You two get on?” He asked.
“No, no. We aren’t dating. He just knows how to make a girl happy.” She was milking this.
“Huh… okay.” Harry said stiff. “So is he your favorite?” Harry asked after a silence.
“No.” She was smiling.
“Then why would you go after him?” He asked. I couldn’t see where they were but he sounded intrigued.
“He’s my friend and we just decided to be together. It happened and it could with anyone.” She sounded casual.
“Hmm, well what if a real favorite could make you like him more?” He asked cheeky.
“Who Lou–” She stopped talking and I heard a gasp. “What the heck Harry!” She yelled. After a pause Harry spoke.
“Don’t tell anyone about this, especially Niall. He will think I'm trying to take another thing that’s his.” He sounded needy.
“That sounds like a personal problem.” She appeared at the bottom of the stairs and I went back to my room to wait for her arrival. When she shut the door we both laughed.
“He wants you!” I laughed.
“I know! His lips are so soft!” She sat on the bed and I pulled her into a hug.
“Thank you.” I sighed. She relaxed into the hug. I heard the floor creak and my door started to open. I took action fast and cuddled up to her acting like we were asleep.
“I don’t mean to bother you two but the other lads are home now.” Harry said. He was trying to make it look like he wasn’t looking but he was clearly.
“Ok.” I scoffed. I gave her one soft kiss and then rolled off of her. I put on some basketball shorts and a tee shirt. She was still in my clothes so she didn’t have to do much. We came down stairs and everyone looked at her. She must have felt the nerves kick in because she partially hid behind me.
“So this is Sam.” Louis said trying to break the ice.
“Yeah, she is a good friend of mine.” I smiled deviously. Harry looked like he was either entranced or gawking at her. I could tell he wanted her. He just couldn’t stand to let someone else have something nicer than him. I felt bad using Sam as an object but he was falling into this trap and she seemed to be enjoying herself around me, so it was a win, win situation.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Liam stuck out his hand. When she took it he looked at me and gave me an approving look.
“And you.” She nodded at him. Zayn was next to step up to Liam's example and take her hand. She was warming up to them and this was working in my favor.
“Harry be respectful and greet our guest.” Liam stifled a chuckle.
“We already got acquainted.” She gave Harry this look of sin. He blushed. Harry Styles blushed at her remark. I was in heaven. I pulled her protectively close to me and Harry looked away.
“So I'm sure Niall told you about tomorrow and that we have a busy day.” Liam was trying to tell her to leave.
“He did, he needed some help with all that stress.” She put a hand on my shoulder and down my chest.
“Eh hem.” Liam cleared his throat. “Well do you need a ride home or…” Liam trailed his question.
“No, I drove here.” She said and grabbed my hand. She should be an actress because this performance is great.
“I'll walk you out.” I whispered in the crook of her neck. She giggled and started to lead me out the door. Once we got to her car I felt like someone or Harry was watching us. She got in and rolled down the window. I stuck my head in and talked to her. “I owe you big time.” I said smiling at her.
“I like this. It's a lot more fun than I thought it would be.” She giggled.
“Well seriously whatever you want, you name it and it's yours.” I didn’t expect what she said next.
“Well if this works and Harry starts to date me that will be good enough. I couldn’t even begin to ask for anything else.” She looked at the wheel.
“Do you really like him?” I asked.
“You have no idea.” She bit her lip and looked up at me.
“Well, I'm hoping this works because then the two of us will be happy and it would be nice to make up with Harry. I kind of miss him.” She laughed.
“Hey, do you mind giving me some gas money? I feel terrible asking but it's a bit costly driving this far to screw with your friends.” She smiled.
“Yeah, it's no problem wait here.” I ran in and saw Harry “casually” standing by the window. I grabbed a fifty out of my wallet that was in the bowl we put that kind of stuff in. I ran back out to her. “Here.” I handed it to her. When she unfolded it she looked quizzical.
“I need gas money not a pay check.” She said handing it back. I laughed.
“A pay check is a good ten million US dollars.” I smiled and she looked at the bill again. “Just take it.” I smiled and kissed her cheek. She kissed me back on the lips.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“I said I didn’t want anything because I'm going to drag this out and have fun.” She winked and rolled up the window. I stepped back dazed, watching as she drove off. I came in the house with swift movements.
“So you are paying her to have sex with you? You do know that makes her a prostitute?” Harry said with folded arms.
“Harry don’t you think you have pissed me off enough?” I shot back tired of fighting, but its crap like that that makes me want to drag it out longer.
“She deserves better.” Harry scoffed. That was it. I know Harry can easily take me down just because of his height advantage but I had had enough. I flew at him as he tried to walk into the kitchen. “Niall what the –” He said before my fist rammed his jaw. He looked at me in complete and utter shock. That facial expression faded quickly and he fought back. He started to push me around the kitchen by my shirt.
“Liam!” Zayn yelled a loud as he could throughout the house. Liam came down stairs fast but I was too focused on messing up Harry's precious face to care.
“I hate you!” I screamed as he held my shirt. I hit him and he kneed me.
“You are a worthless piece of crap!” Harry screamed in my face.
“You just are jealous because I get the better girls!” I pushed him on the ground.
“Claire isn’t yours you idiot!” He spat in my face. I took a hit to my cheek.
“You guys are both stupid!” Liam dragged Harry off of me and kept him from coming at me again.
“I'm gonna kill him!” I tried to fight Zayn but with the extra help of Louis I wasn’t going anywhere.
“You guys are going to have to figure this out because it's late and tomorrow we have a show to record!” Liam bellowed. Harry was breathing heavy and with one last glare at me he went upstairs with Liam.
“Niall, what in the world has gotten into you?” Louis looked so disappointed. That look hurt me more than any throw Harry aimed at me.
“Why does he hate me?” I almost was certain now Harry had some built up anger and hatred towards me and I wanted to know why.
“Harry doesn’t –”
“Don’t lie.” I said. They softened their grips on me until the ultimately let go.
“Come here.” Zayn helped put me on the counter. Louis got a cloth and some creams. I didn’t care what I looked like and the physical pain was nothing compared to the mental agony.
“I'm sure he doesn’t hate you.”
“Louis he called me a –”
“We know. He is probably upstairs telling Liam how crappy he feels.” Zayn got another cloth wet.
“And if he's not?” I cringed when Zayn touched my cheek.
“Then he has a serious problem.” Zayn seemed to be angry with Harry more than me.
“Harry needs to understand that he can't always get what he wants.” Louis creamed my lips.
“No kidding.” I chuckled but then felt pain and groaned.
“But you also need to know that you can't call dibs on someone that doesn’t even know you.” Louis finished. I sulked down. He was right.
“Well technically she knows him as a psycho lunatic that kidnapped her.” Zayn laughed. Louis stopped moving and stared at Zayn. Zayn covered his mouth.
“What are you talking about? Louis what is he talking about?” I asked Louis as if Zayn wouldn’t answer me.
“Good job Zayn!” Louis yelled.
“It was meant to lighten the mood.” Zayn defended.
“And now the mood is just in the dirt!” Louis said.
“Guys, what is going on?” I asked.
“You got drunk and met some girl from the liquor store.” Louis said apprehensive.
“Sam.” I said.
“Wait, that’s Sam?” Zayn got off topic.
“Never mind, what else?” I said.
“She ticked you off and then you were in the van you drove there. I guess paps left after a while because nobody knows but us and Claire.”
“What happened?” I was getting irritable waiting.
“You basically kidnapped her. She and Harry went to find you and they did. She went up to the van and you grabbed her and handcuffed her to something. You drove off and Harry somehow got her back and you home.” Zayn said. I'm such an idiot. Now it makes sense why she likes Harry.
“And no one thought to tell me this?” I stood up and felt pain in my stomach. I brushed it off and went outback. They really didn’t think I would care to know that I basically emotionally scarred the girl I have been trying to figure out how to get with? They’re all idiots! But then again I’m the one who got drunk and kidnapped her. Even if it was only for a bit, I still did it.
“Niall…” I knew who it was without even looking. I looked at my lap through the glass table in front of me. “We should talk.” Liam said.
“I guess.” I sighed.
“What happened?” He asked.
“Forget what happened. I want to know why Harry hates me so much.” I said looking into the sorrowful brown eyes.
“He doesn’t hate you. What he said was completely out of line but you know he has anger issues.” Liam reasoned.
“Do you think I'm a worthless p –?”
“Niall, you know you’re not so why would you even ask.” He interrupted me. He sighed heavy. “I just need to know what happened in our kitchen won't happen on set tomorrow or again for that matter.” He didn’t look at me stern this time. Usually it's only scolding looks I get from him but I think this was the point for him to see how I feel.
“It shouldn’t.”
“Niall...” He only did this with me because unlike Harry’s soft spot mine was way bigger.
“It won't. Tell him that Sam wants me to get his number for her though.” I said. I was playing into this plan still.
“I thought she was like your –”
“No. We are just friends. She likes Harry.” I half smiled at the way she looked in the car when I asked her about it.
“Stay away from Harry. Tomorrow you are going to stay by Zayn. Louis is going to watch Harry. I'm taking charge of this game, or whatever it is, before someone gets hurt even more.” He stood up. I did too but I felt that tingle of pain ring through my stomach and grabbed my chair for support. “Are you ok?” He grabbed my arm and steadied me.
“I'm fine. I’m just a bit sore here and there.” I said waving him off. I walked with this weird stiffness but it was helping ease the pain so I just ignored Liam as he watched me as careful as ever. I went straight to my room and took a cold shower. I felt better after that but still not entirely fixed. My mind decided that the best thing was to keep thinking about was everything Harry said.
“You are a worthless piece of crap! Claire isn’t yours... SHE’S MINE!” I could clearly hear these phrases on replay as I lay in bed trying to sleep. I regret a lot of things but in order to keep from hearing those words ever leave Harry's mouth I wish I would’ve just walked to my room. I could have never hurt Harry or myself as much as I did if I just walked into my room and slammed the door like a normal person. I can't believe I was stupid enough to actually think I was capable of hurting Harry. There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” The door opened and since my light was off I only saw a silhouette then darkness as the door was shut.
“I thought maybe you could use some ice.” The voice was unmistakably Zayn.
“Thanks.” I felt the air for a bit until I found it. There was shuffling and then Zayn closed the door.
“Goodnight.” He said and then I was alone again.
In the morning I woke up feeling all the pain. Everything that was hurting yesterday was magnified two times today. I felt everything and I haven’t even moved yet. I got up as slowly as I could to try and avoid pushing limits on my body but failed anyways. I went straight for a cold shower hoping it would ease the pain. I managed to numb my body in the shower and that gave me the strength to get a few things done. I stopped in front of the mirror and wiped away the fog that had smeared it. On my stomach was a nice purple bruise. It felt deep and hurt to look at. Harry had kneed me good.
“Niall, hurry up. We’re trying to keep on schedule.” Zayn said into my room.
“This is going to be a long day.” I whispered to myself.
Claire’s view:
“Wake up!” Justin flew into my room like a bat from a cave. “You’re late!” He screamed. I rolled over and looked at my Justin Timberlake clock. It read 12:45 and my audition was at 1:00.
“Oh, crap!” I jumped out of bed and went to my closet. I wanted to dress in a way that would impress people. So I put on my new dress. This time it was a blue sun dress and my black combat boots, which didn’t really go. It had a black belt and little blue buttons down the middle. I braided a quick French braid before running out the door.
“Grab a jacket!” Justin yelled. I went flying back and grabbed a red one that didn’t even match. When I made it down stairs Jessica and Justin chuckled.
“Let’s go!” I said out of breathe.
“You have time. We changed your clock.” Justin snickered.
“Why?” I whined.
“You weren’t getting up all the other times we tried.” Jess smiled and bit some fruit. I sat down and started to eat the mixed fruit and yogurt they had out.
“I'm just going to act like the last ten minutes didn’t happen.” I pouted.
“Just eat and get ready because we are leaving in thirty minutes.” Justin patted my back and left to do something.
“So, are you nervous yet?” Jess asked.
“Should I be?” I asked curiously.
“Probably...” She said and rinsed her dishes. She was gone and Justin was back, dressed and clean.
“Better hurry.” He said and started to put away the breakfast one of them made. I left and passed a pretty pregnant Jess on the stairs. I picked out a small black sweater that matched and changed my shoes to my new blue flats. I let my hair down and ran it under the tub, then scrunched it with some styling cream. As I brushed my teeth I heard the car honk. That was my cue to head out. I spit, rinsed, and ran to the car. The car ride wasn’t long, yet still, no nerves set in. We entered and there were a bunch of people standing around. All of them looked older than me. I got some glares and I politely nodded back, in return getting a scoff.
“I don’t think these people like me.” I chuckled. Jess rubbed my back. We signed in and got taken to a back waiting room.
“Claire Elizabeth Chasez.” A girl with a clipboard called out. Justin pushed me towards her when I didn’t move. I looked back and they were walking out of the room through a different door. Now I was getting hot. I took off my sweater as we walked. This was all new to me so I did everything I was instructed to do. A lady started to do my make-up. She moved black eyeliner towards my face.
“I don’t wear that.” I said pushing her away.
“Well when you’re onstage the lights will drown your complexion out. It's just a bit.” She smiled. “Also, I was instructed to give you this.” She handed me an envelope. I opened it and recognized Justin’s handwriting right away. It read:
Claire,
I wasn’t exactly fair to you. I let you believe you would be playing piano here but this isn’t just any talent show. You are an amazing pianist but before you book jobs doing that, you have to get out there for something else. I want you to trust me and trust that I know something about this business. Yes, this business as in singing. You are going to sing in a few minutes and I wanted you to be prepared so I picked a song you won't have any issues with. I have heard you in the shower and I guess this will be a true test to see if you can roll with the punches. When the music starts just take a deep breath and do it how you always have. Good luck.
P.S. You should be nervous.
Xxx. Justin and Jess.

I'm gonna die. This isn’t happening.
“Sweetie, are you ok? You look a bit pale.” The lady doing my make-up asked.
“No, I'm nervous now.”
“A bit of jitters is always good.” She smiled at me.
“Not for me.” I said truthfully. I recalled the time I became extremely nervous while talking to a crush of mine. Everything was great until he asked me to sit at the piano with him. He played for me and said he liked my songs so it seemed like a perfect fit. Then he asked me to play piano for him and show him how to do a certain chord. My mind drew a blank and I puked all over his Baby Grand. He never spoke to me again. I was not about to sing on national television. On top of that, what song does Justin think I know? I know like two songs. None of which I would have picked for a singing competition audition.
“You're done.” She said. She had put on me some black eyeliner, a light eye shadow, and plenty of mascara and blush. Truthfully, I liked my appearance, but that didn’t help my nerves.
“We are ready for you.” The same lady with the clipboard came in. I followed her and waited for instructions. “So, in two minutes just walk up that ramp. Everyone will cheer and nod when you are ready for the band to play your song selection.” She was gone. I watched the clock for two minutes and waited another minute before my shaky legs walked me up that ramp. People cheered as I walked into the blinding light.

Notes