The Love Behind Everything Else

(Elizabeth's POV)

"Good morning." Alexia groaned as she walked into the living room.

"More like good afternoon. When did you sleep last night?" I asked, turning my attention to her.

Her blonde hair was all frizzy and looked pretty tangled up. She was still half asleep, yawning as she made her way towards the couch. Alexia slumped down, not noticing anyone around her.

I glanced around the room, searching the facial expressions of the boys'. They were still staying at my place and it was almost hectic.

"What did you do to her?" I raised an eyebrow curiously. "Nothing. We just went to a club last night. All good vibes; everything was totally safe." Louis replied casually.

"What the heck, Louis?! You went to a club. Ugh, how are you still fine?" I inquired. His smile faltered a bit, obviously knowing I was talking about him drinking.

"I stayed way below my own minimum amount!" he objected.

"Yeah, he stayed clear, we all did. But I'm sorry to say Alexia did get a little overboard." Liam nodded.

"Some girl challenged her, when she was alright. Alexia had gotten pretty angry, I think they knew each other. She accepted her challenge and yeah. But on a side note, Alexia actually won!" Harry explained.

"Someone she knew? Well she's still hungover, no point of asking now." I sighed, getting up to bring Alexia a glass of water.

As I entered the kitchen Niall turned around, smiling at me.

"And what are you doing?" I smiled as I received a kiss on the forehead. "Nothing. What about you?" he said lazily.

"Well we have a hungover Alexia in the living room and I came to get some water for her." I answered, as I filled a glass with water.

"Whatever the reason is..." he said, swiftly planting a quick kiss onto my lips. I playfully rolled my eyes as I pushed past him.

I walked into the living room to see the boys all covering the T.V. screen. Alexia was still on the couch, now fast asleep. I placed the glass on the small table beside the couch and ascended towards the boys.

"Hey, can you make some room?" I pleaded, trying to push Louis and Liam aside.

"Oh, sure!" Liam smiled, making some space for me. "What are you guys watching?" I blankly stared at the screen, not knowing what had gotten all of their attention.

"There was news about some girl. She was seen last night at the same club we were at and to our surprise, it's the same one that challenged Alexia." Harry explained as he ran a hand through his long hair.

"Why is she on the news? And who is she?" I inquired, confused.

"Her name's Aria Hart, the daughter of millionaire Carlos Hart. They're both holding some huge event and well it must be really something to have reached the news channels." Louis removed his eyes from the screen and onto me.

"Aria, Aria Hart. Where have I heard that name?" I thought out loud.

"Uh, Louis just said it." Niall joined in on the conversation. I shook my head. The name was familiar. I remember I knew her from some place, but where? Soon, it hit me.

"Oh my goodness! She used to go to the same high school we did!" I exclaimed.

"She's the same Aria Hart?" Louis scratched his head. He used to despise her, we both did. She was what one would remember as the popular mean girl who was filthy rich. I nodded, still finding it hard that it was her.

"Well, we are invited to the event, we might as well see what happens." Harry said. "We're invited?" Louis
and I looked at him and then each other.

~~~~

"This is not good! This is so not good! Did I mention this isn't good?!" I panicked, walking back and forth in my bedroom. It was all of a sudden; realizing Aria found a way back into our lives, this felt horrible!

"Oh, come on, Liz! It's not that big of a deal!" Niall tried to calm me down. He sat me down on my bed and then sat beside me.

"Okay, now take a deep breath and tell me why you don't like her. From the start." he said sternly, but then smiled sweetly. I did as he said and began the story.

"Well, you already know she's a rich girl. She's also quite spoilt and she has this arrogant attitude I hated so much. She was really snobby and terrible to literally anyone who messed with her. Unfortunately, she had a crush on Louis and I suffered the consequences for him having no interest in her. All those years in high school; living with her constant bullying, it wasn't pleasant. Louis was with me. He always managed to protect me from her and I'm really grateful for that. But when he left for the X Factor... God, those were the worst few weeks of my life." I sighed, running my hands through my hair.

"Aria became even worse than the monster she already was... Let's just say you wouldn't want to be in my shoes. Anyway, Alexia soon transferred to our school and we became best friends. She was somewhat like Louis, always there for me especially during one of the many difficult times in my life." I concluded.

I looked up to face Niall, who in turn looked really upset. I reached for his hands, squeezing them. He looked up to face me, worry written all over his features.

"You went through all that too?" he whispered, moving his head forward so that our foreheads touched.
"It's not a big deal." I sighed, staring into his blue eyes.

"Maybe you shouldn't go, Liz."

"I'm going, Niall. If she somehow remembers me and I don't go, she'll think I'm too weak to face her again. I'm stronger and much braver than I was before and I'm gonna let her know that."

"That's my girl." Niall smiled as he cupped my face and pressed his soft lips against mine.

Notes

Sorry for the horribly late update, guys! My exams had started and I didn't have time to update, but I'll try to update more often now because I'm finally on summer vacation!!!! Anyway, hope you lovelies like this chapter and please remember to comment, vote and subscribe!