The Setup

Niall gets off of me and lets me shower first. But before I go he hands me one of his old shirts to wear. I smile and take it. I head off to the bathroom. I finish and change back into the shorts I was wearing and threw on his shirt. It was smaller so it fit better than the ones he let me borrow. I step out and go back to Niall's room to get my phone. He was still in there so he comes over and kisses me on the cheek. "You look beautiful without any make up on." Then he left to go shower. I don't know why but I liked when he called me that. Oh no. This can't be happening. I can't like him. I can't…but I do. Crap. I grabbed my phone and purse and went downstairs to see Greg and some girl with a baby in her lap. Maura was kitchen cooking. Greg spots me and comes over. "Well well, I never would've thought I would see you again." I looked at him. Why the fuck is everyone saying that? I was never dead. I mean I just never showed my face around here again. Jeez. "I figured I'd grace you with my presence again." Greg snorted at me. "Well how kind of you. Denise this is Cleo…Niall's new girlfriend…and old childhood friend. Cleo this is my wife Denise and my son Theo." I sit down at the table and say hello. Denise seemed nice and Theo was pretty adorable. He looked like Niall a bit. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Babies were just too cute. Niall comes down and instantly take Theo out of Denise's arm. "There's my favorite little man!" I got up to excuse myself. Niall sets Theo down and goes after me. I go to the living room and sit down. I felt so awkward. I text Mickey but I'm not sure if he will answer. He's awful when it comes to texting. Niall comes in and sits down next to me. Greg and Denise follow. Great. Not what I wanted. I left the room to get away from them. Niall puts his arm around me and kisses my head. I hear Maura yell that food is ready. I get up and go into the dining room. I see a whole bunch of food that I mostly likely won't eat. I sit down a pour a glass of orange juice. Niall notices that I've been quiet. "Hey you okay?"
"Huh? Oh yep I'm fine." I flash him a smile. He hands me a plate…but I usually don't eat breakfast. "That’s okay I'll just have juice."
"But all this food…" Niall looked at me with confusion. God I did not want to go through this. "I'm fine." Everyone was looking us now. Niall still left the plate in front of me. My phone buzzed and I saw that Mickey texted me. "Um excuse me…I have to make a call." I quickly stood up and went to the living room. "Hey Cleo! Sorry I was doing a photoshoot."
"Its fine Mickey. But I'm hurt that you didn't respond right away like you promised." He laughs
"I wasn't exactly clothed…"
"Oh you got that Burberry job?!"
"Yep I sure did. So tell me why you called." I breathed in. I had to tell him that Niall figured it out but I was worried at how he would react. Mickey was like the big brother to me but not. I don't know how to explain it. "Cleo you can tell me…"
"Niall figured it out…" There was silence on the other end. That wasn’t the reaction I was expected. "How did he take it?"
"He was pretty upset…" I sit down on the couch and waited for Mickey to respond. "Well I guess that's good. I mean now you don't have to hide it anymore. How did he figure--"
"I saw my mom." Then I got the reaction I was waiting for.
"What did she want? She didn't try to pull anything did she? I hate her." I laugh at him.
"No its all good Mickey…" I look up to see Niall there and he didn't look to happy. What's his problem? I sigh again. "I have to go…I'll talk to you later okay?"
"Yep sure! I'm going to nap I think. Maybe have Lola come over and make me some food."
"You have fun with that. See ya."
"Bye Cleo! Love you."
"Love you too Mickey." I hang up and look at Niall. He doesn't say anything so I get up and go back into the dining room. Denise speaks up when Niall comes back. "So Cleo what do you do? Are you in the music business as well." I hate small talk. But I know I have to be polite or Niall might stab me with a fork. "Oh no. I can't sing. I'm a model."
"Well that explains why you aren't eating." She laughs like her joke was funny. But it wasn't. Lola was once anorexic just to get a job. But since I've become friends with her she's stopped. I look at Denise. "Haven't heard that one before. Good one." I stand up and go outside. When can we leave? I'm glad Niall didn't follow me though. After I've calmed myself down I go back and finish my juice. I drink another glass and then put my stuff in the sink. I stayed in there and helped Maura with dishes. "Cleo honey. You know Denise didn't mean it." I sigh and put away a glass. "I know…but I know a lot of girls who struggle with eating disorders so I don't like those jokes." Maura just nods. We finish and go out to see Niall playing on the floor with Theo. Denise notices me and comes over to apologize. "Its fine. I know you were kidding." Niall was looking at us but went back to his nephew. God how much longer are we going to stay here? I just want to leave and never come back. Niall notices that I want to leave I think because he stands up. "Mom we should really be getting back. I have to practice. But it was so nice to see everyone." Thank god we are leaving this place. Niall hugs everyone while I just stand there awkwardly. We get to the car and the drive is pretty quiet. Good I'm going to nap. Right when I was about to fall asleep Niall pokes me. "What?"
"Denise didn't hurt your feelings back there right?" Ugh why does everyone care?!
"No I just don't like those jokes. Its like saying all popstars sleep around."
"Yea I know…I was just making sure…um do you want to talk about anything else?"
"Nope I just want to sleep." Niall lets me sleep but wakes me up when we get back to our hotel. We get out and all the boys come over. God I am beyond done with people for today. I try to leave but Harry stops me. "Wait! You and Ellie are going to come and watch us practice." I look back at him and groan. But he smiles and leads me back to everyone. Niall then glares at him and slips his arm around my waist. "Cleo. You should really stay by me."
"Why? I can do whatever I want."
"I know that. But I just want to keep you close." I look at him and smile. Stop it Cleo. You can't fall in love. Everyone I have loved from my past has hurt me.

Notes