Hi //: n.h (COMPLETED)

-Chapter 44-

!!!Unedited!!!

-Chapter 44-

Niall's POV:

Meeting the Duke and Duchess had been amazing and such an honour, but now the nerves had really kicked in. Thankfully, we were one of the last to preform, but I knew I wouldn't be at my best tonight, not after what had happened with Cora.

We haven't spoken since that night, and I'm not sure where we stand. Are we together, or are we broken up? 

I can understand that she is upset, but the things that she said really hurt me. I hadn't slept in two days and forced some sleeping pills down my throat last night so I wouldn't be a zombie today. Lou had covered up the bags under my eyes and to the untrained eye I looked well rested.

Thankfully the adrenaline pumping throughout my body was keeping me wide awake, otherwise I think I would be a sleepy mess.

The music had started and this year's host, Michael McIntyre, was prancing around on stage introducing the acts. 

Cora was up first, and I was watching her in awe from a distance. She was standing with her vocal coach and they were warming up her voice. Her assistant was standing next to her, Avaline, I think, and caught me staring. She smiled in hello and turned her head away without saying anything to Cora, thankfully.

"Stop staring." Liam whispered in my ear, making me jump. I blushed and looked over at him.

"I'm not staring." I lied. Liam gave me that look you give to someone when you know they are lying —yes, the one you are imagining in your head right now.

"Fine. I was, but she is beautiful." I whispered.

"Keep your voice down, there are people all around us who would happily tell everyone about your little secret." Liam reminded me. Don't worry, he was referring to Barbara and I fake dating, nobody knew about Cora and me. Apart from Cora, Barbara, and me.

I nodded, understanding where he was coming on, but it still hurt me that he almost told me off.

"But you are right, she is beautiful." Liam smiled, turning away to talk to Louis. 

"I'll be right back." I said to nobody in particular. I stood up straight and walked over to where Cora was waiting near the stage. She had a microphone in hand and her hands were visibly shaking. 

Before I could stop myself, I had wrapped my hands around her's. Cora's blue eyes darted up to meet mine and she smiled uneasily.

"I was hoping to see you." She admitted in a small voice.

"Can we talk after the show?" I asked, and she nodded. The lights dimmed and it was her cue to go on. "Good luck, Cora, I love you." I whispered the 'I love you' part so nobody heard. She smiled, and mouthed 'I know' before heading out onto the stage.

"What was that?" A voice said behind me.

I swirled around and came face to face to Harry. 

"Oh, Cora was just nervous so I told her she was going to do great." I half lied, and if Harry didn't believe me then he didn't say anything.

The screen lifted, and an unfamiliar tune flooded through the room.

"I guess the rumours were true, she is preforming a new song." Harry pointed out and I nodded in agreement.

Cora walked towards the microphone and took a deep breath before starting.

"Nobody sees, nobody knows, we are a secret can't be exposed. That's how it is, that's how it goes, far from the others, close to each other." Cora started, and my heart skipped a beat. I moved away from the pillar I was leaning against and opened my ears wide.