The Setup

It takes everything in me to get off of Cleo. I go and try to find her an old shirt for her to wear. I find just a striped pocket tee for her to wear. I let her shower first because girls take longer. I was digging through my clothes to find a shirt that would still fit me. Yes! I found one. Man is she done yet? Then she comes in. Probably to grab her phone and purse. I can't take my eyes off of her. She is breath-taking without makeup on. I walk over to her and kiss her on the cheek. "You look beautiful without any make up on." I go to shower. I hope she will wait for me to go down. Greg knows her and I'm not sure what he will say. I shower pretty fast and go back to my room to find her not there. I quickly change then go and dry off my hair. I run some gel through it. I still can't believe that Cleo was abused. But it explains so much about how she acts now. Why she is so closed off. I'm going to get her to open up. And then we can go back to being how we used to be. I mentally prepare myself before heading down. I instantly lock onto Theo. God he was so adorable. I go straight to him. I hear Greg introduce Theo and Denise to Cleo. Thank god he is being nice. I go reach for Theo. "There's my favorite little man!" I was holding him and making funny faces at him when I notice Cleo get up. She leaves the room so I give Theo back to Denise and follow her. She's sitting on the couch and fiddling on her phone. She's so cute. I sit down next to her. Greg and Denise come in as well. I hear her sigh. What's her deal? Then I realize this might be awkward for her. But I'm sure everyone likes her. I mean I like her so then they should. My mom I think has warmed back up to her. So that’s good. I was about to start a conversation but then I hear that the food is ready. Cleo bolts right in there. I see that she has already poured herself a glass of orange juice. I sit down next to her. She has been really quiet and it's starting to make me nervous. "Hey you okay?" I look at her for some answer. But she gives me nothing. "Huh? Oh yep I'm fine." She flashes me one of her smiles. I can tell that she isn't though. What is going through that pretty little head of hers? I just hand her a plate but she doesn't take it. "That’s okay I'll just have juice."
"But all this food…" I just gape at her. She can't be serious. Just juice. Breakfast was the best meal ever. "I'm fine." I put the plate in front of her anyways just in case. Everyone was looking at us. This is awkward. Then Cleo's phone buzzes and she gets up. She excuses herself and goes into the living room. She was acting very weird this morning. I load up my plate and start eating. "So Niall how'd you find her?" I look at Greg. I just wanted to eat my food in peace. "Um…I saw her on a magazine and then I met up with her. Yep." I continue to shove my face full with food. "And you convinced her to date you after she disappeared and never tried to talk to you again?" Before I answer my mom cuts him off. "It doesn’t matter Greg. She is here now and I know that Niall is very happy. So lets just drop it yea? Niall why don't you go get Cleo to make sure she's okay. She seems a bit quiet." I mentally thank my mom and go to the living room. I stop because I know who she is talking to. Fucking Mickey. I hate him. Even when I know what happened to her she still would prefer to talk to him than me. I get mad with jealousy. She notices me and quickly hangs up but not after saying that she loves him. Lucky bastard. She looks at me with those stupid hypnotizing eyes of hers. Cleo then walks right past me and back into the dining room. I follow her after a couple of seconds. I just needed to regain my composure. I walk in and sit down right when Denise decides to speak up. "So Cleo what do you do? Are you in the music business as well." I look at Cleo. Mentally begging her to just say model and end it there. Just for once please be nice. "Oh no. I can't sing. I'm a model." I smile and then go to put more food in my mouth but I stop when Denise says probably the worst thing she could have said. "Well that explains why you aren't eating." I just sit there with my jaw hanging open. I can't believe she just said that. I look at Cleo who I know is probably about ready to lash out. "Haven't heard that one before. Good one." She stands up and goes outside. She slams the door. "What the heck Denise?! What were you thinking saying that?! Are you freaking kidding me right now?!" I keep my language under control because Theo was in the room. Denise is beet red. "I was just making a joke…you know lighten the mood…I'm sorry Niall!"
"This is a disaster." I groan and continue to eat. She comes back in and finishes her cup and pours another. Then she leaves and puts her stuff in the kitchen but doesn't come back out. I shoot another glare at Denise. I take Theo and play with him while my mom goes in to the kitchen to reason with Cleo. We were playing with a toy car when my mom and Cleo appear. I look at Denise. Who looks at me then gets up and apologizes. Good. I look at her and notice she still looks uncomfortable. Maybe it's time for us to head out. I get up and hand Theo to Greg. "Mom we should really be getting back. I have to practice. But it was so nice to see everyone." I go give everyone hugs and kisses. Cleo is just standing by the door holding her wrist. I notice she is tracing that nasty scar. We get to the car and pull out. We drive for a while. Cleo still hasn't said anything to me yet. So I poke her side. She groans but answers me. "What?"
"Denise didn't hurt your feelings back there right?"
"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." I sigh but let her sleep the rest of the car ride. Its probably for the best. I know that she gets a tad cranky when she doesn't get enough sleep. We get to the hotel so I wake her up. Everyone was in the lobby waiting for us to show up. Everyone was going to the practice today. And I mean everyone. Cleo makes a beeline for the elevator but Harry stops her and brings her back over to me. I notice he is holding her hand. I felt that pang of jealously again. So I snake my arm around her waist and pull her close. I whisper into her ear. "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." That was the truth. I wanted her close by because I just want the Cleo I knew back. Not this distant wounded one. I want to heal her. If only she wasn't so closed off…

Notes