I wrapped my arms around my dad as tears slipped down my cheeks. I'd said goodbye to the people I loved so often that you'd think it wouldn't be quite as hard for me now wouldn't you? You'd be thinking wrong.

I hated breathing in my mum's scent and knowing I wouldn't be seeing her for a while. I hated awkwardly hugging my dad and knowing that he'd have to comfort mum after I'd left. I hated it and the only thing that got me through it was knowing I'd be with my friends and the boys. This time, though, I had other things to worry about and I wasn't sure whether I wanted to leave the safety and security of this house yet. Truth be told I wasn't sure about anything right now.

El thanked mum and dad for having her and allowing her to stay with us while she was in town and my mum assured her she was welcome any time. My dad, in typical fashion, just stood there looking like he'd rather suck a lemon before allowing anybody else tied to One Direction to set foot in the house again. I honestly didn't know what his problem was but he'd always seemed to hate that my role meant that I was constantly under the watchful eye of the public. I think he was glad that I was nearly fired.

I hadn't breathed a word of all of this to anyone, not even El knew, and the fact that my dad was pretty much pleased to see me almost lose my job hurt bucket loads. I'd always believed we had a pretty good relationship but he had told me he didn't believe being a stylist was a suitable career option especially since I had graduated early at just sixteen.

Nobody knew that apart from Simon. Lou didn't know, Niall didn't know heck even El didn't know that one and that was one part of my life I was determined to keep secret. I wasn't your typical nerd- if I'm being honest I can't understand how I managed to graduate so early myself. I wasn't amazingly smart but, and I'm not being snobby here, I could score much higher on tests than my classmates. Apparently my school thought I was good enough to attend university and dad had said I should use that opportunity to do something good, like becoming a doctor.

Fortunately, mum knew of my dream and she managed to stop my dad from kicking me out when I announced that I would be studying that specific course at uni and warned him he mustn't interfere and that it was my own life and I would do with it what I pleased. She didn't mean go crazy and get drunk every night or get a tattoo but she meant that I should be allowed to be free and do what I wanted in life.

So three years later I finished university and was asked a month later to apply for the job as One Direction's stylist as an opening had appeared. Needless to say, I got in and that was when a new chapter of my life began. In fact, I was fairly certain a new story of my life had begun because I definitely wasn't cut out for the fame that came with it when I was 19.

I'd met Niall completely by accident. I'd walked into a shop at the airport to grab some food for the flight and bumped straight into a hooded figure. It ended up that we got talking, he revealed who he was and that was that. El had a much better story behind her and I remembered fondly walking into the clothes room at a venue where she was. She was helping Lou with Harry because Lou's assistant hadn't turned up and that was how I met her.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to those simpler days. I wish I could just return to a time where the world was my oyster and I didn't have these ridiculous abilities or false Twitter accounts using my name. I still couldn't get over that fact- people had FAN accounts based on me? I mean, I knew Lou had them so I shouldn't have been that surprised really when the first one cropped up but come on! It's not everyday that happens, is it?

I grinned at El as I struggled to wave goodbye to my parents. My dad really shouldn't have been that cold towards poor Eleanor and I would have to remember to apologise on his behalf later on. We trundled towards the waiting taxi and said hello to the driver who then promptly took El's bag and shoved it in the boot. He took mine a little more harshly next, practically throwing it into the boot and probably making my souvenir snow globe shatter. I sighed inwardly and shook my head as we climbed inside.

"Where to?" The driver quizzes El, blatantly ignoring me.

"The nearest train station please, we have to get to London." She replied, a little coldly.

"Of course, miss. Um...would you mind signing something for me please? My little girl is a massive fan of yours?" He licked his lips nervously.

"No I jolly well will not." El glared furiously. "You treat Kayleigh like that and then expect me to sign something for you? I advise you to check your mirrors and then check yourself, buddy."

Meekly, the taxi driver turned back so that he was facing the mirror and shut the slider door, cutting us off from speaking to him anymore.

"He shouldn't have been like that, Kayleigh. Honestly, some people have so little respect for others it's unbelievable." El sighed.

"It's not your fault. Besides, I knew this was going to happen. Did you not see all the glares we received when we went out shopping five days ago?" I quirked my lips to the side. "People have respect, El, they just lost it for me when I was wrongly arrested."

"Even so. Did you tell the boys about your suspicions?" El quickly switched topics.

"No. I was going to tell them when we got back home and had our meeting together to review everything we'd done so far." I shrugged.

"Good. Don't forget, I've got that appointment in two days that we've got to get to."

"I won't El. I still think you should tell Louis, you know. I mean, the poor lad's probably going to just hurt even more if it gets out and he didn't know."

"NO!" El yells, causing me to jump in my seat. "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that. But I'm not telling Louis. This will crush him and I'm not ready to do that, Kayleigh. I don't think I'll ever be ready."

"Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." I shrugged, falling back into my seat.

Five minutes later, the taxi swung around into the lay by and pulled up outside of the train station. We clattered out of the taxi and retrieved our bags from the boot, pulling at them both and lugging them to the edge of the pavement. El wandered over to the driver and pulled out her purse.

"£13.61 please miss." The driver said, glancing at the metre on the dashboard.

El scoffed. "You can have £10. And that's only because I'm feeling generous."

She threw the flimsy piece of paper into the taxi and we began to walk up the steps to the train station entrance in silence.

I'd bought the tickets online a few days before so all I had to do was hand the receipt I'd printed off from an email to the lady and we were given the orange passes. We wandered down the platform and waited until the train smoothly slid in on the tracks, a door pulling in about a metre away from where El and I were currently stood.

We boarded and chose seats near the back end of the train, me tugging out a book while El plugged in her headphones and took out her sociology text book. Wow. Looked like it would be a very social ride then.

---

When we arrived at West Ham, El and I got off the hot train, leaving behind a trail of annoyed people because my bag kept bashing them in the leg. The sweaty tourists passed by us in a blur as we ran down the stone steps into the main section of the station. We flashed our tickets and passed easily through the gates though we were being given some awestruck stares by people I presumed were fans.

When we finally made it through the crowded station to stand outside on the gravel, I swung my eyes around and looked for Niall. He'd promised he'd be here to pick us up and he had texted to let El know he was bringing Louis. Suddenly, El dashed away from my side and I angled my body so that I could see what she was running to. Louis.

I watched as they embraced each other tightly and felt slightly sad at how loved up they looked. It had been over a year since I had had somebody who would do that for me without questioning it and, truth be told, I missed it. I paused for a few minutes,melting them have their reunion and wondering where Niall was. I raked a hand through my hair and quickly threw it up into a ponytail, using the hair band I had been playing with on my wrist. I nibbled my lip before gathering the confidence to walk over there but, out of the blue, I felt two arms grab my shoulders and spin me around.

I acted on instinct, naturally, and grabbed the perpetrator's hand, flinging him over my shoulder to hit the ground.

"Oomph." An Irish voice groaned when I slowly opened each eye. "I won't be doing that again."

I was horrified at what I saw. There, on the floor, lay Niall.

"Sorry," I winced, bending down to help him up "I didn't know it was you!" Niall brushed his jeans off and grinned at me. I saw he was wearing a hoody and glasses, like Louis, to stop a mob so I immediately realised I was going to have to avoid using their names. A tad hard since I could see, from the corner of my eye, people were covertly taking photos of us.

"No worries," Niall shrugged "I didn't know you could do that."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Niall." I grinned, giving him a playful wink.

"So how are you?" He asked shiftily, slipping his hands into his back pockets obviously uncomfortable at my gesture.

"Oh, I'm good. I....um....I figured something out about Anni."

"You did? That's great! Can you tell me?"

"At home."

"So my house is your home now is it?"

"Think about it, Niall. I spend more time with you than I do at my real home so I would say it is, yes."

Niall half smiled, a playful glint in his eye, as he began scuffing his foot on the ground. "Shall we interrupt those lovebirds then?"

"I think that would be best. They can....err......catch up at home, if you get my jist."

"Eww! Kayleigh! Yes, I do get your jist! You're gross!" Niall practically squealed, pulling a face as he watched El and Louis. "But you have to admit they're good together," he conceded.

Inside, I felt depressed. After what El had told me and the way she had acted whenever I mentioned Louis, I had a feeling this was going to affect their relationship. In more ways than one. I tried debating in my mind whether I should tell Niall what El had told me to get some advice about what to do. Then, however, I reminded myself that Niall was rubbish at keeping secrets, especially around his mates. So I settled with a more cryptic question instead.

"Niall," I began, my eyes fixed on El and Louis who were talking animatedly about something "what would you do if you knew something about a close friend that would affect the way another close friend felt about them? Would you tell them? Or would you stick with what your friend wanted to do and not tell them? Even if it means, you know, the possibility of death?"

"What the hell are you on about, Kayleigh?" Niall looked at me as if I'd gone insane. I probably sounded like I had, actually. "It depends what the thing you knew was." He sighed "Why? Do you know something about Eleanor?"

His sharp remark and use of El's full name made me turn to him first and then back to Louis and El. I couldn't tell him. "N...no." I mentally cursed myself for stuttering. "No, I don't know anything."

Niall narrowed his eyes further. "Was she with you all week?"

"What the bloody hell is this? The Third Degree? Because I don't remember you getting the job of High Inquisitor. So piss off, and leave El out of this." I yelled, suddenly annoyed.

"I'm just trying to stop her from hurting Louis!" He screamed back, causing El, Louis and a few random strangers to glance at us. This had escalated fast and I reeled in shock at his response.

"Why would she hurt him?"

"Leave it, Kayleigh. You wouldn't understand. Besides, you'd cover for her anyway. You're that sort of person." He turned and walked away, opening the car door and slamming it shut. His last remark cut deeply. 'You're that sort of person'? What was he trying to imply? Ugh! That man was annoying! I stalked over to El and snapped at her.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"What happened with you two?" She asked, touching my arm gently and glancing across at the car where Niall sat.

"He started giving me the Third Degree about where you were all week. Said he wouldn't let you hurt Louis." I glared at Louis who had his hands in his pockets and looked shifty. "So if you said something to make him act like that, so help me mister, I will kick your arse!"

"I didn't say anything!" Louis threw his hands into the air. "The only thing I said was.....you know what? It doesn't matter. I think it's time we all went home, don't you?"

"Yes, I think that's a wonderful idea, babe. I'll go see if I can talk to Niall." El smiled warmly as she trundled over to the parked car. As soon as she had gotten into the car, I turned to Louis, glaring.

"What did you say to him? I know it isn't nothing Louis, so don't give me that shit. What did you say to him about El?"

"Look, Kayleigh. I understand why you're made but there are some things guys only share with guys." Louis half smiled. "Sorry."

"Fine, you know, whatever. I don't want to get into a fight with you, Louis. But please to God tell me you don't think she was blowing you off for another guy." I conceded.

"No!" He exclaimed, shocked. "I trust El and she needed a break."

"Good. Just....just don't upset El over all of this, okay? Whatever it was that made you say what you did to Niall, you better fucking believe she wouldn't do it. You only have a short time on this earth, Louis. Use it well." I turn and stalk away, dragging my suitcase behind me.

Louis and I so rarely fight and Niall and I hardly ever row either. I love both of them to bits and I'd do anything for them but, come on, they're twats. I know I'm not exactly innocent in all of this, especially since I practically just told him what's up with El, but who says they're worried about their girlfriend hurting them? It's not exactly the act of Louis and I'm fairly certain something has been said to trigger this- but what?

I open the boot with a huff and chuck my suitcase in, not really caring anymore. I slam it shut and look over at Louis who has his hands knotted in his hair and is stalking towards the car. I soften my features and move over to apologise to him. I'm a real believer that you should never let the sun go down on a fight and you certainly should never leave the other person involved in pain if they don't deserve it. And Louis really doesn't. Before I can speak, however, Louis grabs my shoulders and quickly speaks.

"I'm sorry for being a damn jerk, Kayleigh, I truly am. I shouldn't have said what I did to Niall because I really trust El. I'd give my life for her and I don't know what I'd do without her. You're right, I need to apologise to El because she didn't deserve for me to not trust her. She's never given me a reason not to." He spoke in a rush, words tumbling out of his mouth.

I smile softly and hug him. But it's a hug filled with, not just hope, but sadness. Because Louis has just told me how he's going to act when El tells him what's up. I just hope he doesn't go berserk about it. I step back from the hug and apologise quickly too.

"I'm sorry too, Louis. It wasn't my place to intervene and I could have really hurt you and El had you not been close enough friends to know I was only looking out for you. I'm so sorry." I spilled out.

"Good. Now let's see if Niall is going to apologise." Louis grinned.

"Shouldn't I be apologising to him....?" I wavered, slightly unsure.

"No!" Louis said, a little incredulously. "He shouldn't have said half of the things he did and you only responded in the way any of us would. No. He should be apologising to you."

I smiled a little before Louis opened the door and bowed, sweeping his arm in a gesture to allow me inside. I giggled as I stepped in and buckled up. El sat next to me and I turned to her, about to apologise. However, just as I opened my mouth, she interrupted me.

"No need. I fully understand why you did it!" She grinned and I laughed in response. I glanced towards Niall who was watching us in the wing mirror but I ignored him as he shifted lower in his seat. Fine. If he wanted to be immature about this, I would be the adult.

El and I struck up a conversation about anything and everything with Louis chipping in occasionally with some sassy remark. Niall sat in stony silence the whole ride and I caught Louis giving him a death glare several times. I chuckled inwardly because Niall did actually look quite scared by him but he still didn't do anything. I hated this. I had to live with him for the foreseeable future and most definitely this week because I was working. I wasn't going to be able to stand living like this.

Louis pulled the car up outside Niall's house. I had always loved his home because it had, while still modern, a faint aged look about it. A large house with a flat roof, Niall's house was pure white with a little paint peeling at the edges. Over the years, the sun had caused the white paint to turn a slight off white but it didn't matter. It still looked stunning. Large windows showed me what the inside looked like with cream sofas in the living room and an up to date kitchen in another room. The front garden stretched about twenty metres in front of the house and had a small pond in it that I always looked after while I stayed here because Niall was always 'too busy'. Huh. It was a wonder he hadn't starved his fish to death.

Inside, there were three floors with an old, duty loft at the top. I spent most of my free time up there, researching or completing online courses I'd started doing for fun and Niall would often join me when he arrived home, sometimes suggesting a game of Scrabble or Tumbling Monkeys. I loved the way his face lit up every time that game was mentioned, even though the box clearly stated it was for 3-8 years old. The object was to prevent any monkeys falling from the tree as you take its branches away. The loser was the one with the most monkeys at the end of the game when all the branches were gone. I often lost because Niall had, he had admitted to me privately, been practising against himself. It was kind of ironic how I was remembering all the good times when the prospect of a week with Niall had seemed amazing. Now I was dreading it.

We waved to El and Louis as they sped away and Niall stalked, annoyed, to his door and unlocked it. He stepped inside but didn't bother to leave the door open, instead leaving it without a doorstep and meaning that, when I got there, it slammed in my face. Wonderful. I trekked around to the back of the house and got in through his conservatory, making a mental note to warn Niall about the dangers of leaving his house unlocked like that.

I found Niall in the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water. He had his back facing me and I immediately wondered if he'd picked up any chocolate milk, my favourite drink. I rummaged in the fridge and found some at the back, frozen solid. Sighing, I chucked it on the side to defrost it and turned to leave the kitchen when a thought occurred to me.

"Where am I staying, Niall?" I enquired, my tone hinting that I was trying to be friendly.

"Upstairs, second floor, first room on the right. Your usual one." He said in a gruff tone. "But I wouldn't bother unpacking. I'm sure Louis will be inviting you over at some point." He rolled his eyes and I absolutely lost it.

"What the fuck is your problem, Niall? One, Louis and El are having this week to themselves. Two, I wouldn't be going over there because I'd much rather hang with my best mate. Three, stop being so fricking rude!" I screamed.

"I'm not being rude!" His eyes blazed with anger.

"Really? Because I think completely blowing your top with me is considered rude. Though I don't know what they call it in Niall World. Get your head out of your fricking arse and call me when you think you can have a mature conversation with me. Until then, stick to learning your ABCs." I told him simply, turning and leaving the room in a fit of anger, storming to my room with tears leaking down my face.

I opened the door and shut it behind me, falling down onto the plush bed and sighing. Shakily, I reached for my phone and dialled an all too familiar number.

"El." I whimpered when she answered.

"Oh honey." She replied sympathetically.

"What am I going to do?" I sobbed.

"It's not the be all and end all, babe. You two will work things out." She continued.

"I guess," I mumbled. "I have to go El. I'll call you later okay?"

"Okay. And Kayleigh?"

"Yeah?"

"Niall's a prat." Only El could make me laugh as much as she had done just then and I couldn't stop laughing long after she'd cut the call.

Notes

Hi!

So this argument has been a long time coming, sorry!

But don't worry, this is what helps develop the story later down the line!

So who do you think is at fault here? Kayleigh? Or Niall?

Comment, rate and subscribe!

Love y'all!

xoxoxoxoxo