Saving Mattie (nh)

Chapter 7: Take Off The Mask

*James POV*

I licked my lips and softly closed the door behind me as I left. Damn, these contacts were annoying. They made my vision all blurry. Thank god I knew my way around this place, or I'd be a bumbling idiot.

I blinked rapidly, struggling to rid myself of the blurry film covering my eyes. I padded along the hall, my hands feeling along the wall for the bathroom door. Fingers brushed along the oak wood, and I grabbed the handle and tugged it open. I stepped onto the tile and made my way to the sink. I leaned over, and took in my appearance in the mirror.

My hair was up in a red beanie, which made no sense, seeing as I was indoors. I then took in my eyes. These damn coloured contacts made me look like a french rapist. They looked fake. Too... bright, maybe? I dont know, but something about them was off. The black moustache rested on my lip.It was itchy, so I peeled it off. Man, that felt better. Now to just take off these contacts.

Tilting my head back, I laid a finger on my eye, and scraped the plastic doo-dad off my cornea. Instantly my eyes felt much better. I could see clearly now that the plastic wasn't stretched over my pupil. I grabbed the red beanie and shook my hair out of it. Only then was I actually able to recodnize myself in the mirror.

I shook out my blonde hair. It was not as blonde as usual now, I needed to re-dye it soon. We have photoshoots and stuff coming up, maybe I could just ask a stylist to do it. I ran my fingers through it quickly, before just looking at myself. Being scrutinized by the public eye wasn't easy, and now I did this regularly.

My blue eyes were sightly brighter than usual today, the skin more energized. My nose was still slightly too large, my mouth too small and seemed sightly puckered for no reason. I didn't have nearly enough muscle, I was pale, I'm a tad chubby, and have zero good looks. Really, the only thing I like about myself is my eyes. I should feel... happy, I guess, seeing as I am Niall Horan. But these damn insecurities kept me from really being happy with myself.

I yawned and began getting changed for bed. After I'd finished getting changed, I quickly leaned over the sink and grabbed my green toothbrush. I squirted toothpaste onto the bristles, and ran it under some water before begining to brush my teeth.

The minty paste foamed around my mouth, dripping down my chin slightly. I brushed quickly, so I could wipe the bubbles off my chin. I spit into the sink. The minty bubbles swirled down the drain, making a funny gurgling sound. I chuckled at that, before taking a cloth and wiping down my face. I was dog tired. It had been a long day.

Really, I don't know what made me go to Mattie's flat and get her. I had been waiting outside for a few minutes, it had been getting cold, and my original plan was to merely enter the building and warm myself up. But when I got inside, I overheard a man and woman discussing bumps, and screams coming from the McGregor apartment. Intrigued, I asked them who lived in the flat. When they said Mattie and her mother, I knew that it was my duty as a friend to find the flat and help her out, find out what happened, and make sure she was alright. I didn't know that I would walk straight into a bloodied mess.

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair once more, and padded along the hall, towards the living area. This flat was far too big for just one person, and that had always bugged me. Sometimes I got Louis or Zayn over, just to keep me company. We needed to stay in these flats between tours. The lads rented theirs, but I had bought mine. Why bother renting and following rules when you can own and do whatever the hell you want, right?

I yawned once more, scratching the back of my neck. I was about to flop into bed and get some shut-eye, when my door flew open. I flinched at the sound, but relaxed when I saw it was just Harry.

"Harry, mate!" I hissed, "What are you doing here? I was going to sleep."

Harry yawned. He was just in a thin white shirt, and black boxers. "Can I stay here tonight? Lou's being a bloody tosser."