Ready to Run Part 2

Chapter 2

Liam

After the hellish few days I've been through, I couldn't have been more excited to see Olivia. I was so focused on following everything I was reading about us on Twitter I hadn't noticed our new guests at first. When I finally heard the commotion I looked up and there she was standing right in front of me. I didn't even think about what I was doing until she was already in my arms. It was too good to be true. I finally felt whole again. We stood there wordlessly until all of a sudden I remembered that she wasn't mine to embrace. She wasn't protesting because she didn't want to hurt my feelings, I'm sure, but having my arms around her was probably the last thing she wanted. I let her go reluctantly and let everyone else have their turn at greeting her.

Even though I knew she didn't want me I still couldn't help myself from touching her as we were squeezed onto the small couch. Whether it was my leg, my arm, or my hand, I never lost contact with her. It was comforting just having her there next to me. When she started to get up to leave I panicked. But then she agreed to talk to me tomorrow and I swear I could've done backflips. Her small smile and gentle touch gave me hope that maybe our relationship wasn't so doomed after all. I'm reflecting on all of this when Niall breaks me out of my trance.

"Oh Harry! I'm so glad you're back from the bathroom! I missed you so much!" He says dramatically as he flings himself at Harry and wraps him in an embrace, mocking me.

"Cut it out Niall, the boy is in love." Harry says as he disentangles himself.

"He can be in love all he wants. Just don't be so dramatic about it! You gotta tell her how you feel and then just kiss her!"

"I tried to tell her. She didn't want to hear it." I reply, thinking of when I saw her before we left London. She looked so defeated then. I could definitely tell a difference tonight but was it enough?

"You've just got to make her listen. We all have faith in you." Harry reassures me as he settles into the bed opposite mine.

"No offense Liam but I'm gonna share with Harry tonight. I really don't want your boner to end up against me while you're dreaming about Liv." Niall says as he climbs in next to Harry.

"Shut the hell up!" I yell while I launch a pillow at his face. This only makes him laugh harder. Harry is trying really hard to keep a straight face but he breaks into laughter eventually too. Even I can't keep the smile off my face as I turn off the light. I don't know what I'd do without my brothers by my side. If the past few days taught anything, it's who my true friends are.

The next morning when I wake up I can't contain my excitement. Not just at the thought of seeing Olivia, although that's a big part of it, we also have a show tonight. I wake up early, unable to sleep any longer. Nobody else is awake yet so I take the opportunity to go to the gym and use up some energy. After that I head back up to the room to shower. By the time I'm done, the other boys are awake. We head to the venue to get settled and do sound check before the show tonight. I keep hoping to see Liv but she still hasn't shown up. When I asked Paddy he said the girls are still back at the hotel. Is she blowing me off?

As the day goes on I'm in full blown panic mode. Whatever I sensed last night was clearly my imagination. She hasn't changed her mind about me. She just didn't want to hurt my feelings. I worry about this all day but as I'm getting changed for the show I realize I need to focus. This is our first official show without Zayn. And it's in South Africa, a place we've never been to for crying out loud. I feel like all eyes are on us to see if we will succeed as a four piece or crumble and fail. By the time we are approaching the stage and the first few chords of Clouds plays, I'm in the zone.

The show is going great. Better than anyone could've ever expected. The crowd is absolutely insane. Louis, Harry, Niall and I are feeding off their energy. They're so excited so we are giving it everything we've got to make this show great for them. I'm actually so into what I'm doing that I don't notice a familiar face in the front row until we are singing What Makes You Beautiful. Liv is standing there next to Gemma. She looks so beautiful in her simple, white dress I'm not sure how I missed her in the first place. As we are getting into position for Harry's solo I feel a buzz in my pocket. I take advantage of the fact that I'm hidden and quickly look at the message I just received.