The Way Things Change

Chapter 26

I must say it was awesome to work and live with the guys. But sometimes they were joking around more than what they were supposed to be doing. Like working out. That could really aggravate me! I was trying to do my job and they wouldn’t listen to me. But somehow I always forgave them. What can I say? They had that effect on me. And if I couldn’t take it anymore I just went for a run. That always helped me clear my mind.

The boys were very busy. They had to perform at the Olympics and they had a new album coming up. They had to do a lot of interviews and photo shoots as well. Sometimes they wanted me to go with them, instead of just sitting at home. It was fun to be there, but then the paps and some fans took pictures of me hanging with the boys. Rumours started spreading about me and even though the boys tried to hide most of it from me, I wasn’t stupid. I knew that not all that was said or written about me would be positive. When the rumours became too much the boys decided to tell about me in an interview. They just told that I was a friend and personal trainer and that I was currently living with them. They told nothing about my past or how we had met. I was happy about that.

As time went by I grew more accustomed to the boys and they started treating me like and equal, I was still the girl but still an equal. I had so much fun and I noticed that, when I was around them, my insecurities slowly disappeared. They made me feel appreciated and beautiful, I don’t know how they did it, but they did. I could not imagine a life without them anymore.

Eleanor and Danielle still came around when they could, but they were busy as well, so I didn’t see them as much as I would like to. And Perrie was of traveling the world with her band to promote ‘DNA’, their first album.

I still hadn’t forgotten the bet I had made with Liam and one day at the gym I decided to win it. I made an excruciating routine, which I knew was going to hurt. Very dedicated evil personal trainer, I know. I joined in on the exercise most of the time, but this was really about pushing him to the fullest. I wanted it to really hurt. I started yelling at him.

“Come on. Is that all you got? Give me 10 more!”

“Don’t be a baby. Keep going!”

“I thought you wanted to get in shape? Come one. Keep up the pace.”

I normally didn’t yell like this at any of them, it had never been my style. But now I was pushing him and kept pushing him, I wanted to win the bet so much. Finally he cracked after an hour and a half of strength training.

He fell to the floor breathing heavily, trying to recover. His muscles were twitching and he was sweating like never before. I giggled a bit, morbid I know, but I knew I had won. And he still had no clue why I had been so hard on him. That was the fun part.

When he recovered enough and sat up, I went over to sit next to him and handed him an energy bar. God knows he needed it.

“What has gotten into you today?” Liam asked. He was still trying to get his breathing under control.

 “What do you mean?” I said innocently. I knew exactly what he meant, but I wanted him to tell me.

“You just kept pushing me, even when you knew I couldn’t do it anymore. You never take it that far, you always know when to stop. But I’m sure you know what you are doing, but damn it hurt. It still does. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk for a while.”

“Sure you will. Your muscles are just burning now. You just have to get in the ice bath and you’ll be fine. And I’ll make you some food so you can recover correctly, okay?”

“Fine. You know best. But it still hurt like hell!”

“So I hurt you? Really?” I tried to stop my giggling, but it was impossible. He was looking at me confused.

“YES! You hurt me. And why are you giggling? It’s not funny!” he said with a hurt expression.

“Oh but it is though! I just won the bet!” I really couldn’t stop laughing.

“What do you mean? What bet?” He looked even more confused, if that was even possible.

“Remember before you went on tour? When I started talking again? We were in the kitchen and you didn’t believe that I could hurt you! But now I proved you wrong! I WIN!” I said triumphantly.

Liam’s facial expression changed when he realized what I was saying. And he was in shock. His mouth fell open.

“But… What?.. How?” He couldn’t form a coherent sentence. At this moment I was laughing so hard, my stomach started to hurt.

“Damn you’re good!” Liam mumbled when he recovered from his state of shock.

“I know! And I am kind of sorry for doing that to you, but not really. It’s too bad we didn’t bet anything. But I guess I already won a prize” I giggled. Again. I just couldn’t stop.

“And what’s that?” Liam asked confused again. He looked so cute when he was confused.

“Are you kidding me? I’ve got my dream job, working with celebrities. And not just any celebrities. I work with five idiots, who just so happen to be my best friends as well. I have the privilege of not paying rent and somehow I managed to make an arrangement so I can travel the world for free. My life is kind of perfect right now!”

“We’re not 5 idiots” Liam laughed.

“Yes you are!”

“Okay I guess we are… But do you really think your life is perfect?”

“Well, it’s better than I ever imagined it could be. I guess there will always be things you would like to change, but meeting you guys was definitely the best thing that happened to me. Even under those circumstances.”

Liam embraced me in a sweaty hug. I didn’t care. I was sweaty and disgusting as well.

“I’m glad we could help. And I’m glad to call you my friend. Even though I hate you right now!” he laughed, letting go of me. I got up and put my hand out to help him.

“Come on. We need to get you to the ice bath. Otherwise you are gonna be really sore tomorrow!”