The Setup

It was the morning before the concert. The morning before I left the UK and headed to the mainland of Europe. Which meant today was the last day to go visit the orphanage. Shockingly I have no recollection of a nightmare. But that doesn't mean I didn't have one. I look over at Niall. His dyed blonde hair is all messed up. He's laying on his stomach and his limbs are all over. Good thing this bed is fucking huge. I slowly get out of bed and go shower. I get out and realize I forgot to grab clothes. Shit. I peek out and see he is still fast asleep. So I go to my suitcase. I put my box of pictures on the bed and grab some clothes. I quickly go change and dry my hair. Then I come out and see Niall holding the box. He looks up at me. He only wears boxers to bed so right now I only see his exposed chest. And his chest hair that I didn't expect him to have. I look from him to the box. "What is this?"
"Nothing. Why do you have it?" I quickly go and grab it from him. I am hoping he didn't open it. Maybe I should just get rid of it. "I pulled the sheets and heard it fall. What's in it?"
"None of your business." I shove it back into my suitcase. I go back to the shower and put on some makeup. I hear Niall rearrange the sheets so I assume he is going back to bed. Which is strange since it is almost 10am. I peek out and see him laying on his side watching me. Why is he watching me? I decide to French Braid my hair. So after I finish up with that I go over to my side of the bed and put on my combat boots. I feel someone behind me. Then suddenly Niall's legs were beside mine, his hands were on my hips, and his chest was pressed against my back. "Where do you think you are going love?" I couldn't help but shiver. His voice was still a bit husky from sleep. God I just needed to get out of here. "To the orphanage. I'll be back in time for your performance tonight I promise."
"You're promises don’t mean much to me anymore…so I'm coming with you." I don't know why but his words hurt me more than they should have. His hands were still on my hips. Neither of us moved. I know he was waiting for me to object. But I couldn't focus on anything but the promises thing. "Why don't my promises mean anything?" I stand up and look at him. He looks down at the ground and runs his hand through his hair. "They just don't…I just can't trust that you will come."
"Why not Niall?! Huh?! Go ahead tell me! I would love to hear why." I was pissed now. See my mom was right I do have an anger problem. Like I am seriously thinking about grabbing the lamp and smashing it over his head. "Jesus Cleo don’t get all pissy! I mean why do you think I can't trust you? You said that you would see me tomorrow but you just left me. Without a single goodbye and then you never tried to reach out again. And now you hate me! I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING! You just have that look in your eye. You're like calculating when to vanish again. To leave me again." While he was yelling back at me he got dressed. "I DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE NIALL! You know what I don't need this shit. Have fun at your dumb ass concert! I am leaving. GOODBYE! There you got one this time." I stormed out of the hotel room and headed for the orphanage. I heard him follow me so I run. I make a mad dash to a place I once called home for 6 months. I get there and am kind of out of breath. I pretty much barge in. Ms. Haddie looks up and smiles at me. "Cleo! Darling I didn't know if you would make it another time!" She comes over and hugs me. I put my purse where I usually put it. "Of course I would come again! I was just busy yesterday that's all." I smile at her. Ms. Haddie looks almost exactly like she did when I first came here…maybe a few more grey hairs but other than that she was still the sweet, gentle, loving lady. I go into the common room and all the kids come running over. "Auntie Cleo!" I pick up one of them and sit down. "Now why doesn't everyone tell me what has been happening?" I smile and all the kids start to talk at the same time. "Whoa! One at a time guys. Auntie Cleo can't hear everyone all at once." So they went around the table each sharing stories about what they have been up to. I loved being here. Sometimes I wished I could just move back in and help out. It would be the bomb. But then I don't think I am well qualified for this stuff considering I don't know how to change a diaper. But the talking and playing part I have got down. We had lunch together and played outside since it was sunny. I got up to use the bathroom but really I went to check my phone. Yep just what I expected. 3 missed calls and about 12 messages from Niall. I check the time and it was almost 4. I should really head back. I go and tell them I had to go and that I wouldn't be able to come back for awhile. Which made some kids actually cry. I hugged Ms. Haddie and headed back to the hotel. Ugh I don't want to be here at all. I got to the lobby and Eleanor comes running over. "Cleo! Guess what?! The next hotel we are staying at you and I totally need to have a girls night!"
"Uh…okay sure. I'll see you at the concert I need to wash up quick." She smiles and lets me past. I get to my room and open it. I step inside and then the bomb goes off. "WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU RESPOND?! I have worried sick CLEO! God you can be--"
"I didn't have my phone and maybe if you weren't such an ass this wouldn't have been a problem. But I'm back for your concert just like I promised so you can just shut the fuck up now." I smile at him then go and change. I put on a cobalt blue skater skirt and a tight white crop top. I put on my trusty white converses. Niall sits down next to me. "I'm sorry…I just don't want to lose you again."
"You need to stop trying to control me. When I make a promise I mean it. I don't just break them. Promises mean too much for me. You know my mom promised that we would run away together but then she just ditched me on the side of the road in Dublin."
"I…I wish I kidnapped you when I was younger." I laugh at him. That would have been something. Kidnapped by my own friend. I just lean my head on his shoulder. I know that we should be leaving soon. And right on cue there was a knock on the door. "NIALLER COME ON! WE HAVE TO GO!" Harry banged a couple more times then stopped. I stood up and looked down at my wrists. I put my leather jacket on over. There now no one can see my scar smattered skin. Niall grabs his phone and looks at me. "Why did you put one the jacket?"
"Because I wanted to." I walked right past him and out the door. He closed the door behind us and followed me. When we got down to the lobby there were a shit ton of paps. Good thing I put on my jacket. "Alright lets get this over with." I was the first one out the door. I was prepared to push my way to the car when Niall grabs me by the waist and puts his arm out to make people move. I shrink into him. This was crazy how could anyone live like this? We get to car and I stay close to Niall. I was holding on to his hand as I watched fans run after the car. Crazy bitches. We get to the stadium and there was more people. "Maybe I'll just stay in the car."
"Cleo…its fine I'll protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"What about at the airport?"
"I thought you were right there I swear!"
"I know I'm just teasing you. Lighten up a bit." He just scoffs at me and gets out. He is holding out his hand for me when I get out. I grab it and let him lead me backstage. Louise Teasdale comes running over and hugs me. "Oh look at the happy couple! I am so happy you two got together. You are just so adorable." Niall is sitting in his chair waiting to get his hair done but I can see he is blushing. "Um thanks…" She just smiles and does Niall's hair. After Louise does everyone's hair Eleanor and I go to our seats and wait for the concert to start. "I never get used to this…all the fans."
"Yea it is a lot. But the boys seem to handle it well at least."
"Ha well yea but I can see that it gets to them…but they adore their fans." I just nod and see that it was about to start. The concert was pretty good but I only knew like one song. But Eleanor sang along with everyone. Basically I am a shitty girlfriend. I only knew one song and I barely knew the words to that song. "Come on! Time for the after party!" The WHAT?!

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