Small Bump [Liam Payne]

Part Seven

Liam dragged a hand along his face, trying and failing to suppress a yawn. He really should have listened to Anna this morning when she told him to take some coffee with him, that just a cup of tea wouldn't be enough. But he had brushed it off, kissed her cheek, told her he'd be fine. Yet here he was, sitting next to Zayn in uncomfortable radio green room chairs, struggling to stay awake.

"You boys ready?" Someone called into the room, and he stood, following Zayn back along the narrow hallway to the recording room. It was a routine he'd done a thousand times, sometimes shoving nearly nine people into a tiny room. Unfortunately, it was only him and Zayn this time: there was no Louis to make awkward situations hilarious and to deflect the questions they weren't really supposed to talk about.

"Hellooooo London! Welcome welcome, hope everyone's still having a great morning. Sam here, and I've got a couple very special guests who swung by this morning! Everyone say hello to Zayn Malik and Liam Payne of One Direction!" The few people in the room clapped and Liam leaned forward to speak.

"Thanks so much for having us here, Sam." Zayn nodded, and Sam jumped straight into the interview.

"So it's been about a week since your last tour ended, correct? And how was that?"

Liam and Zayn alternatively spoke for a bit, telling the same mundane tour stories they were instructed to tell. Unfortunately, they had to leave the funniest ones out, because those involved Louis and Harry and they weren't allowed to talk about those two together. Liam couldn't wait until they got a new management company.

Soon, the questions faded to Zayn and Perrie's wedding plans, and Liam knew it was only a matter of time before they asked about Anna. Simon had made it clear that he didn't care what he said about Anna, but under no circumstances was he allowed to mention Taylor until he had come to the decision of whether he was going to put him up for adoption or not.

"So, Liam, are you going to have a plus one for their wedding?"

Liam laughed a bit, "Who knows? Might just end up taking Louis or Niall."

The radio host laughed politely, then said, "Well what about the girl you're rumored with? Apparently someone saw you and this mystery girl out shopping together for baby clothes."

Liam glanced out of the corner of his eye to Zayn, who was giving him a smirk. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"S' just funny, mate."

"No it's not."

"What is?" Sam asked, "What's so funny?"

"Well, that mystery girl is actually Perrie's cousin." Liam started, and Zayn's head bent in silent laughter. "So careful what you're thinking. Zayn just might have my throat later if it gets too dirty."

Sam laughed again, then continued, "So, what's going on with her? Is this your new girlfriend?"

If Louis had been here, he would've dropped the word nanny, and that would have been one of his many messes Liam had to clean up. Maybe he was glad it was just him and Zayn. "Ah, no, not really. I mean, we're just good friends."

"But hasn't she been staying at your place?"

Zayn's hand clapped over his mouth to stop him from laughing, and Liam asked casually, "Has she?" Apparently, he put enough innocence in it that Sam stuttered, unable to come up with a follow up question.

"Nah, mate. She's visiting me and Perrie for a few weeks." Zayn leaned forward, still smirking. "She's a pretty cool girl, and we all get on with her really well. So they went out to dinner once, she came over for a few beers, and that's about it." Liam shot Zayn a look of thanks and he nodded, looking back to Sam as they moved on to the last topic for the day. Once they were done, they thanked the host and left, walking out through the crowd of girls that had gathered outside of the station.