“Holy, sh-” I cut Liam off by hugging him. “Hi Liam, I missed you.” I said. “I missed you too. You look gorgeous, I feel so underdressed now.” He said as he was checking out my outfit. “That’s what I thought would happen. I’m going to change into something else.” As I turned to walk towards my closet I felt him grab my hand. “Please wear this, I really like it.” Liam pleaded. “Fine, let’s go. Just so you know you’ll have to talk to Simon first before we can leave. He’s going to act like my father this whole season.” I laughed. “Well I’m glad that people are watching over you, hopefully he remembers me.” He said.
We walked down to the lobby where Simon was waiting. “Ohhhh, this Liam. I remember him very well; how are you doing?” Simon asked Liam. “I’m great, thanks. How are you?” he asked in return. “Wonderful. You know I was this close to letting you through to the next round. It was such a tough choice, but I’m really glad that you’re back again this year because I have a really good feeling about you.” He said, getting Liam’s hopes up. “I can’t wait for you to hear him, he’s definitely grown since the first time he was here. His voice is lovely.” I looked at Liam who was blushing. “I'm looking forward to that, you kids go and have fun. I’ll see you both in a few hours.” He said and walked back to the elevators.



As we were eating our meal, I could tell that Liam was over thinking the auditions so I grabbed his hand. “You’re going to do great.” I reassured him. “I-I’m scared that I won’t make it past the…the judges houses again.” He was psyching himself out so bad he was stuttering. “Hey” I stood up, moved my chair next to his and continued “Don’t do this to yourself, Liam. You’re incredible so don’t doubt yourself. Even Simon is excited to have you back…so please relax, you’ll do great. I have a really good feeling about this year.” I was rubbing his back with my hand still holding his and I could feel his grip loosen. As I moved back to my spot, he looked me in the eyes and I knew that he was very thankful I was here for him. “I wouldn’t have even showed up if you weren’t here. You give me so much strength and motivation, I couldn’t imagine my life without you.” He smiled as the waitress brought us the check. “Here you lovebirds go, have a wonderful day.” She walked off leaving us awkwardly chuckling and looking away from each other. “£54?!” Liam whispered to himself and took out his wallet. “Oh stop it. You don’t even have £10 in your name.” I joked and took out money from my purse. “Oi, I resent that. I do have the money, but...not much. Don’t you dare pay, this is on me.” He protested. “No, I took you out so it’s on me. Please let me pay for you, it’s the least I can do for everything you’ve done for me.” I said.



Thankfully he let me pay and he left the tip. We went to take a tour around the city and he fell in love with it right away. “I could get used to this.” He said. “This is just the beginning, Liam. Who knows, maybe you’ll tour the world once the X-Factor is over.” I tried to fill his mind with positive thoughts. When we got back to the hotel, I showed him around and brought him to his room. Afterwards I showered and changed into a casual but cute outfit for the day. We only had about 30 minutes left so we sat on my bed and talked about the whole X-Factor experience. I told him the ins and outs and he was instantaneously attached to the show. He wouldn’t go home without winning…he just felt that he couldn’t.



We went our separate ways; I was headed to makeup, he was headed to check-in. After I was done, I sat in the familiar judging chair I was in the day before. My stomach was in a million knots for Liam, I was so worried he wouldn't know how to handle the stress. When the lights and camera’s started up, the intro song played and the host introduced the show as well as all of the judge’s. Contestant’s came and went, some were accepted, most rejected and I found a few girls that I knew would help me win this competition. I was feeling pretty confident with the girls that had auditioned and made it in, but the one that was suffering the most was the groups. “Uh oh Simon, it looks like you won’t be winning this season.” I laughed and nudged him. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve, I’m just waiting for the right moment.” He replied. I wasn’t sure what he meant but I knew there were some surprises in store for this season.

Liam came out and my heart stopped because of nerves. “Hey, Liam. What will you be singing today?” Simon cut to the chase. “I’ll be singing Cry Me A River.” He answered. ‘He didn’t sing this for me. What if it’s the wrong song choice? I guess he wants to be fair to the other contestants.’ I thought to myself. The music began and the intro was suspenseful and long but when he opened his mouth I could tell what was about to come out of it. "And now you say you’re lonely, you cried the whole night through." He began, and my jaw dropped. This wasn’t the Liam I heard before, but I loved it. "Well you can cry me a river..." people started standing up for him, screaming and clapping. "...cry me a river. I cried a river over you." Simon had a grin on his face and I knew he would make it, no doubt in my mind. As he finished, everyone was screaming at the top of their lungs. When they died down I said “Liam, I have to say, I wasn’t expecting that from you at all. You were absolutely amazing and I say YES!”
“You’re incredible. I remember you from the first time I heard you, and wow what a voice you have now. It’s a yes.” Louis said. “It’s a yes from me as well. Good job, Liam.” Simon said. “Thank you so much!” he walked off stage and the camera’s turned off. “Alright everyone, 20 minute break.” A producer said. I got up and ran backstage to find Liam. “LIAM!” I jumped on his back. “Nevaeh!” he pulled me off and in for a hug. “Thank you so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you’ve done.” He said. At that point, I felt like I hadn’t done enough.
With the talent that I’ve seen in the past two days I could tell that he wouldn’t make it to the end. It was heartbreaking because I knew this would ruin him.



A week or so later boot camp started up and I had a really bad feeling. Each category had to learn a dance, choreographed to the song “Telephone” by Lady Gaga so the judges were allowed to come in later since the contestants had to practice for awhile. When we settled in, all of the contestants came out onto the stage. The first category to dance was the girls; the point of this was to see how well each person from each category could present themselves, even if they couldn't dance. If they made it entertaining and sold it, then that was exactly what we wanted. Some girls looked like professionals, some were entertaining and some were terribly awkward. Next up was the boys category and I didn't know what to expect because I've never seen Liam dance. As the music started up I watched Harry, and Liam. They were both very good, especially Liam so I was pretty surprised. The confidence they had was great and they sold their dance. I watched all of the other guys and I could see there was some intense competition. We all discussed who we liked and noticed that one boy was missing. "Zayn Malik? Where's Zayn?" Simon asked. "I'll go get him." he got up and went backstage. "I wonder why he didn't come out." I said to Louis. Liam looked at me, puzzled but I only knew as much as he did and I shrugged, just as puzzled. When Zayn came out, the guys had to dance for a second time and Zayn was put in the front; he wasn't too great but he didn't suck like some of the guys. You could tell he was really tense from nerves, I just wanted to give him a hug.


While the dancing and singing came to an end it was time to decide who would stay and who would go. The last catgeory was the guys so they all filed onstage. It wasn't up to me; I had absolutely no idea who was going through and that was the worst part.
Simon called the very last guy who had gotten through to the next round and I saw both Harry and Liam tear up. "I can't do this right now. I'm sorry." I said and left to go to my dressing room. I felt so bad for them, mostly Liam but I knew they all wanted this so bad. I decided after a few minutes to go out and apologize to Harry and Liam but they were gone. "Don't worry, your friend is getting a second chance." said the producer. "What?!" I questioned, confused. "Simon wants to make a group of boys. Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan are now a boyband." I was so happy, I kissed the producer on the cheek and jumped around. "Do they know?" I cried. "No not yet!" he said. I waited where I could see them and the second that they found out they were still in, they jumped and hugged each other. They all ran off the stage and Liam came straight up to me, dipped me back like he had just come back from the Navy and kissed me really deep and passionately. When I was upright, we looked at each other and I had no idea what to say. "We made it, Vae!" Liam hugged me tightly. I could see Harry watching us and he looked upset, so I mouthed the words "Talk later" to him.


Back at the hotel, Liam kept talking about how excited he was to be in a boyband. As happy as I was for him, I wanted to talk about the kiss. "Liam...I hate to change the subject, but why did you kiss me?" I asked. "I've always wanted to, but I've never had the courage to. I know that you didn't want it but I was just so happy I had to kiss you for everything you've done." he said without making eye contact with me. I walked over to him, sat down by him, grabbed his face and kissed him. My reason was because I wanted to see if anything was there. Our kisses got deeper and we ended up laying down and caressing each other's bodies; but as soon as he tried to unbutton my jeans, I knew it was wrong. I broke off the kiss and said "I'm so sorry, Liam. It just feels so wrong, you're my best friend and I don't want to jeopardize our friendship. You're so good to me and I can't do this to you." My heart broke as I said those words to him but I knew it was for the best. "I understand completely. I'm sorry for starting this; I was hoping that something could happen between us." he said. There was nothing I could do or say to make anything better so I stroked his cheek and tried to cheer him up by singing "You Got A Friend In Me" to him. "Now's not the right time for that song." he gave me a half smile. "...Well then, you better get some sleep and I should too. We have a long week ahead of us." I said. "I know, I really hope tonight doesn't change anything between me and you." he stood up and was getting ready to leave but I stopped him. "Not at all, Liam. Don't worry. If I feel like something's there I'll let you know the second I feel that way, but please don't wait for me. I'm a mess and you could do so much better." I replied, hugging him goodnight. "Stop selling yourself short, you're perfect. Goodnight Nevaeh" he said. "Goodnight Liam."


I got ready for bed and heard a light knock on my door. When I looked through the peephole I saw that it was Harry. 'Oh God. I look like shit. What do I do?!' I had no idea how I could pretty myself up in time, so I opened the door anyway and stepped outside. "Harry, I'm really sorry." I said. "For what?" he had a cheeky grin on his face. "Well, I don't want you to think I'm with Liam because I'm not. We're just really good friends and he let his excitement get to him. We actually just talked about it so I wanted you to know that." I replied. "It's alright, you don't have to explain anything to me. I barely even know you, so you have every right to do whatever you like." he said. He was right, I was acting like we were together. Now I felt stupid, and I had to find a way to get away from him as quick as I could. "Oh God, I'm sorry! Okay. Goodnight, then!" I laughed awkwardly, quickly ran into my room and shut the door.
I looked through the peephole again to see him looking straight at me and he gave me a wink. "Goodnight." he mouthed and walked away.

"You are such an idiot, Nevaeh Beaumont." I said to myself as I threw my body onto my bed and covered my face with the quilt. I've never been so embarrassed in my life.

Notes

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