Niall’s view:
“We will see you in a week, ok?” Liam said to me.
“Ok.” I said sticking my bags in the van. I got in and Liam was the only one I had to say goodbye to so I just waved and called it done. I shut the door just as I got a call from Selena.
“Hey, is this Niall?” She answered.
“Yeah it is.” I said.
“How does that coffee sound Horan? The Starbucks we walked by before.” She asked expectantly as if she knew I’d say yes.
“Umm… good, I’ll see you in a bit.” I said.
“Ok, see you soon.” She hung up. It was weird seeing Selena since Justin isn’t with her anymore but we still have become friends regardless and I don’t want her to think anything has changed. The van pulled up, dropped me off, and headed to the airport for me with my bags. I walked into Starbucks and saw her sitting at a table with two coffees.
“Hey.” She smiled at me.
“Hey.” I sat down and took a drink of the cup with my name on it. “You know what coffee I like?” I asked shocked she got it 100% right.
“Yeah, all the coffee runs with Justin and you, I learned.” She moved her hair behind her ear. “So, I said a coffee date before you leave, are you guys heading out soon?” She started conversation.
“Well, I am.” I looked at my cup.
“Just you, why is that?” She asked concerned.
“The fame is getting to me again. My anxiety is through the roof and I'm blowing up on people. I need a break away from it all.” Lying wouldn’t get me anywhere.
“Where are you going?” She asked putting a hand on mine.
“I'm going to the house in L.A. to stay for a week until we shoot our new show. I’ll be fine I just need a break. Everyone does. Liam noticed something was wrong and I trust his judgment.” I did a half smile before pulling my hand back and smoothly reaching for my coffee cup. I looked at the time on my phone and it was already time to go.
“You have to go.” She knew the look.
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t mind walking there.” I smiled and stood up.
“I would love to accompany you.” She said snooty.
“Kay.” I laughed a genuine laugh. We walked in silence for a bit until we neared the airport.
“I guess this is bye.” She hugged me.
“Well, until next time Ms. Gomez.” I smiled at her. She smiled back then she started to walk away. “Hey, if you're in L.A., feel free to call.” I yelled back at her.
“I will Horan!” She hollered back. I nodded and headed through checking. Everything went well and I ended up on my flight. Once we were in the air I knew what the majority of my time was going to be. I had to find that piano girl. I pulled out my laptop and started a VMA’s search. They only mentioned Timberlake and awards given out. I searched pianists on YouTube and watched so many videos looking for that one, but I came up short. I should have just gotten her number. I'm such a wimp. I looked on more VMA websites until I got her name. Claire Elizabeth Chasez. I smiled, almost relieved for some reason that I wasn’t left in mystery anymore. Her name was connected to a link so I clicked it and saw something that hurt. Why, I couldn’t tell you but it hurt. It was Justin Bieber and her holding hands while walking out of a studio in L.A. Does this mean she’s his piano player? So many questions and the articles were already swirling around the internet. Paps followed them to a restaurant and got even more pictures of them eating and laughing together. It wasn’t just them so that made it better but I wasn’t okay with the possible relationship starting here. I don’t like her but Justin just got out of a relationship with Selena and he could be rebounding. That’s not ok. I’ll call him up later, when it’s not three in the morning there. If Justin and Claire are swirling on the internet does that mean…? I typed in ‘Niall Horan and’, the next thing that popped up was ‘Niall Horan and Selena Gomez’. I clicked pictures and it was our entire coffee date on camera. This was going to look bad. I hope Justin hasn’t seen this. I pulled out my phone and tweeted, ‘Coffee dates aren’t always dates.’ My mentions went nuts and I called Justin up. He didn’t answer. Three in the morning Niall, yeah, good luck on that one. I shut everything off and took a breath. This is exactly the kind of crap that I was trying to get away from, I didn’t want this drama. I slept for a good couple hours and awoke to someone shaking me lightly.
“Mr. Horan, you have reached your destination.” The stewardess informed me.
“Thank you.” I squinted to see her. She smiled kindly and left to wake other sleeping passengers. It was noon in L.A. meaning I lost sleep. I packed my carry-on bags and walked with everyone off the plane to a corridor and out into a busy lobby. I found my new driver holding a sign saying ‘Horan’. I walked to him and he gladly took my bags, something that actually bugged me. I followed him to the limo and got in. Everything seemed to drift by fast as he drove. I nodded in and out of sleep until he came to a stop. I shot my head up and saw the home I have grown used to seeing. It was a two story house on the outskirts of town so no attention was drawn to it when we were here. It was big enough to fit us and maybe three extra people when needed but other than that everything was just enough for us. I walked in and smelled the clean fresh air. I honestly felt better already. I turned on the stereo and let it play some Michael Bublé classics. I went to the kitchen to find it wasn’t stocked with anything, nothing, not even juice. Guess I'm going shopping today. I grabbed a pair of keys from the bowl and went to the garage to get in the oversized SUV. I drove slowly into town enjoying this time. I had a week to pull myself together for the show. I walked into the market and started throwing random things into the cart. I didn’t bother about prices or what it even was, just the fact it was food was good enough for me. I saw a blonde walk past me and I stopped to stare at her. “Hey!” I sounded urgent but uncertain. She turned around and it wasn’t her.
“Oh my god, you're Niall!” She smiled. I guess I made her day.
“Yeah, I am.” I blushed.
“Could I get a picture –?”
“Yeah, c’mere, I’ll take it.” I waved her to come over to me. She was hesitant but did and took a selfie.
“Do you need help with anything?” She looked at my cart already full.
“I think I'm good. It was nice meeting you –”
“Kayla.”
“Kayla.” I mimicked her name.
“You said my name.” She was fangirling.
“Uh… yeah, I did.” I laughed. She watched me walk away but I had to hit up the ice cream before I left. I grabbed two tubs one chocolate and one vanilla then headed to check out. I had clerks help me scan everything while I paid at two different registers. That’s what happens when you can buy what you want. As I loaded up the car my phone started buzzing. I picked it up and didn’t even look at the ID assuming it was Liam or Harry. “Hey.” I said casually.
“Horan what is this I hear about you and Selena?” I held the phone back to read the ID now, Justin Horan.
“What do you mean?” Playing stupid isn’t going to get me anywhere. Also the Justin Horan thing is a brotherly joke; I'm Niall Bieber in his phone.
“It’s all over in L.A.” I couldn’t tell if Justin was mad or ok with what he assumed to be going on.
“Well we went out for coffee in the morning before I got on my flight. It’s not what they make it out to be.” I said loading my groceries in the back.
“Oh, well be careful, people are starting to talk; she isn’t good to be around.” Justin warned.
“What about you and Claire, that piano player from the VMA’s?” It was my turn to accuse here.
“She’s so cool. She played for my musicians and she’s been playing some amazing songs. You would love her Niall. She is the most grounded person. She’s living with Timberlake now so she is stationed in L.A.” He was gushing about her. “Wait, how did you know about her?”
“It was all over the news in Brazil when I was there.” That totally wasn’t true. I had to dig to find the small story I did but that was just to make it sound better.
“Where are you at now?” He asked.
“I'm in L.A.” I got in the car but didn’t start it yet.
“Are all the boys here?” He asked. “Selena told me you guys were to be there a while.”
“No, it’s just me here. I needed space so I came home early.”
“Well that’s great, I have to go. Claire is here.” He said rushed. “Bye, talk to you later.” He hung up.
“Great.” I mumbled and drove to the house. It took five trips to get all the bags but I did it and wanted to just sleep. My anxiety was getting better though. I felt at home and not so closed in. It’s been hours and I already felt a small amount better. She’s here. I'm so excited that I found her. I finally found her.
Claire’s view:
“Great job everyone!” I said as I clapped for them. They all looked “musiced” out and ready to leave. “Hey Justin, could I talk to you really quick?” I asked.
“Sure Claire, just a sec.” He swigged some water then jogged over to me and everyone left for a break.
“In a week I can’t be here. I have auditions for some show. My uncle wants me busy while he’s on tour.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Justin asked a little loud.
“I can see if I can find spare time but it may be hard.”
“Hey, we’re working together so if you find a time and day we will try our best to be there.” He was always so positive about things.
“Thanks.” We hugged.
“Everyone, Claire won’t be here next week or any time after that. We need to make our time with her useful that means work harder. We are done for today but next time I expect us to be keeping up. Good job everyone.” Justin announced. I smiled as a burst of butterflies flooded my body, he called me Claire, a nickname someone would only feel comfortable using once they got to know me. He’s a good friend, and I was happy I finally found a true one. Lou ran up with a confused expression.
“Why won’t you be here?” She sounded disappointed.
“Timberlake is making me audition for some talent show thing so I have things to do when he’s away on tour. He’s my crazy uncle.”
“That’s stupid. What if you told him you were busy with us?” Lou asked.
“I would love to Lou but I can’t because he already filled out my application and sent everything in. What’s done is done, but I don’t mind because it’s a way to get my name out there.” I shrugged.
“Well good luck with your audition, just remember if you choke, we’re still in need of a song writer.”
“Thanks.” I laughed.
“Claire do you want a ride home?” Justin asked.
“I think I’ll walk.” I smiled at him.
“No, the paps will attack you, come with me.” He said.
“Ok, but I need to go right home.” I stared him down.
“This won’t be like last time,” He winked. “And it won’t be like the time before that, and the one before that.” He smiled.
“Yeah, I have to see Justin off. He leaves today to head out for his first concert.” I said as we walked out of the studio. The same girls were there every day, same time hoping to get something from Justin. He signed what he could and took the pictures he could.
“Are you dating Justin?” Someone yelled. Justin looked at me and blushed bad.
“Erm… no, we’re just friends.” I said and left it at that. Hanging out with Justin has showed me what to do and say in the presence of paps. I have learned more from him than I have Timberlake.
“Come on.” Justin said from the car. I hopped in. We were glad to get out of there. “Sorry for that. This break up with Selena has everyone suspecting another girl in the picture.” He looked at me then back to the road.
“Hey, it’s no big deal. I'm not looking for anything right now. I'm taking what comes my way and giving back to those who need it.” I shrugged. He had the driver drop me off at my house like I told him to do and then said a goodbye to me through the window. As soon as I walked in my uncle Justin was in front of me.
“Spending a lot of time with Bieber, huh?” He nudged me and raised his brows up and down.
“To help his musicians, calm yourself.” I said and he backed off quite fast.
“So I'm leaving in 30 minutes for the airport. I’ll call when the time zones aren’t way off. If you need anything Jessica is going to be here. Except a few dates because I'm flying her out to see me. On the days you are alone have someone over or something. I don’t mind if anyone stays the night just take care of the mansion, she’s my baby.” He hugged me.
“Get out of here pop-star.” I smiled and playfully pushed him out the door. Jessica wasn’t here now so she must be meeting him at the airport for goodbyes. I was officially going to be alone for months because he was gone. Why my grandma couldn’t keep me I don’t know and won’t ever know. I know she is terribly ill but I don’t even care. I would much rather be with her than staying with someone who has no rights to tell me how to live. “What to do. What to do.” I looked around. I’m living in a mansion so big, yet I have nothing to do in it. I never got to work out today besides messing around with Justin's crew so I might as well sweat some and then shower up. I grabbed Justin's head phones and slipped them into my phone jack and closed the door behind me. I was still wearing the same already sweaty clothes and sweating more. By the time this audition runs around I'm going to be fit. Running became jogging and jogging became walking. I walked to the outskirts of town and passed this quaint little yellow house. There wasn’t much decoration or anything on the outside but it still looked homey. When I got to the end of this road I turned around because I was getting farther and farther out of the city. Cars passing me honked and I waved. Today was going to be boring and nothing great was going to happen but later tonight I'm going to call Justin Bieber and see if he wanted to hang out. I showered up and went to take a nap because I have done nothing but worked all day. Slowly but surely I managed to find my way into a comfortable nap.

Notes