The Setup

I watch her as she appears to be talking to some blonde. She was wearing shorts again. They showed off her toned legs. I just wanted her to talk to me. I noticed that she was sitting alone so I went over. I just had to make her listen to me. Let me explain kind of. I don't like the fact that she is pissed at me. So here I am walking over attempting to do some damage control. "Cleo…its been so long." I see her whole body tense up. Damn she must really not like me. ""I don't remember meeting you before so it really hasn’t." Ah I see she was going to pretend we don't know each other. What a load of bullshit. "You and I both know that was a lie. But fine play dumb." She just glared at me. I was leaning on her makeup counter. She wasn't going to answer me so I decided to find out some info. "Why did you start modeling?"
"Why did you want to be a pop star?" She quickly snapped back at me. Well great. We were getting nowhere. I'm sure that anyone looking over thinks I am bothering her because of her facial expression. I decide to comeback with something she always said to me when we were younger. "You always said I had the voice of an angel."
"I was 10 Niall. I didn't know jack shit." I was about to respond when the makeup chick came over and shooed me away. I looked back and saw Cleo watching me leave in the mirror. She seemed relieved. I sighed and headed back to the boys. "How'd it go?" I looked at Zayn and shrugged. "Okay I mean it could've gone worse." Louis chucked and slapped me on the back. "That's the spirit Nialler." Suddenly both the blonde and Cleo were coming over. Well the blonde was dragging Cleo. She came over and just smiled at us. We looked at each other clearly not knowing what to think. So we introduced ourselves. Then she spoke. "Nice to meet you…I'm Lola and this is Cleo! She's the bomb. Such a good model." I knew that Cleo hated being in the spotlight so it didn't surprise me when she rolled her eyes. I did notice that Harry was staring at Cleo though. Damn him. Cleo noticed as well. "What? Stop staring. That’s rude."
"I'm sorry its just you are very lovely."
"Thanks I guess. Its just the makeup though."
"No you were pretty before the makeup as well." I glared at him. He needs to stop hitting on my girl. Am I even allowed to say that? Probably not but its not like anyone can read my mind. I hear her respond. "You're cheeky." Yea he was a cheeky bastard. The photographer came in and gave us who we were working with. Liam, Harry and I were with Cleo. He tells me what to do and what Cleo should do. She goes to start unbuttoning my shirt and my hands are on her waist. Holy shit. I think I am starting to be attracted to her. I mean Cleo is beautiful and growing up I was always super happy whenever I was with her. But right now all I can think about is kissing her. Then I get yelled at. "Pretend you're trying to stop her Niall! Not pull her closer! Yea there ya go!" I do what he says even though my whole body is saying to do something different. I blame this stupid position he has us in. Finally we get a break. Cleo is getting her makeup touched up. I try to make conversation with her again. "So this is what you do everyday?"
"Not usually. But sometimes I work with dudes. Most of the time they are shirtless…those are my favorite shoots to do." What? She is only…21 so I guess its not that big of a deal but still. I don't like the idea of her and other guys shirtless. I choked a bit when she said it. Then she only made it worse. "Its just pictures anyways. Nothing racy. Although for Burberry sometimes I have to be nude."
"What?! You are not doing that anymore! I won't let you." Those words came flying out and I instantly regretted them. Damn it. She looked like she was about to explode at me. "Excuse me? Its no--" Thankfully the photographer cut her off. But I could tell she was mad at me now. Great. Stupid hormones. I just didn't want her to do any jobs that she might regret later. Now she is all ticked off at me. After about an hour we finished and the photographer went to finish up with the others. Cleo was walking away so I shouted after her. "Wait Cleo!" I was relieved when she slowed down a bit to let me catch up. I had to apologize. "I didn't mean to upset you back there…I just don't think that you should do that stuff."
"Its not your decision Niall. I do whatever I can. That’s how it works."
"Oh…well I didn't know that…um…you look better without all that makeup." I could not compliment a girl to save my life. She looked at me then made a weird giggle noise and smiled. Great she was going to be fake around me. That’s not what I wanted. Its one of the reasons why I picked her. Why does she have to be so damn difficult. "Don't be fake Cleo. I don't want that."
"Isn't that the whole point? This whole thing is fake." I could still sense that she was angry over this. She finished taking off her makeup. Good now I could see all of her lovely freckles that smattered her face. Stop it Niall. You just need to get her to talk to you with looking like it’s the worst thing on the earth. She finished taking off her makeup and was getting up to leave. So I grabbed her waist and pulled her close. Damn she smelled nice. I whispered in her ear "I picked you because I knew I didn't have to be fake with you." Then I let go of her. Which really sucked but I could still smell her. She just stood there. "So I will pick up at your place at say…6? Here give me your phone number so you can text me your address." She was just gaping at me but still handed me her phone and I gave her mine. After I got my phone back I smiled at her. "See this isn't so bad."
"I still don't want to be your fucking girlfriend." Fuck. Just when I thought I was in the clear. When the hell did she become so stubborn. I just want to reconnect. Granted maybe forcing her into a fake relationship wasn't the way to go…but she could be with someone worse. The boys finished up and we all left. Harry and I got back to the apartment. Little over two hours until I have to see Cleo again. I know Harry can tell I'm on edge because he hands me a beer. "Thanks…"
"No problem. But listen I think she's cool. She'll warm up to you." None of the boys know that I have a past with her, why it hurts me to see she doesn't like me. Granted I don't like it when people don't like me in general. I just wish she didn't hide from me. Its like she is afraid to be with me.

Notes