Mia’s POV
“Is everyone packed??”
“Where is my phone?”
“Harry, did you take my green shirt?”
It had been four days since the café incident. The boys and I were getting ready to head back home with Jess and Alice, who had quit their jobs to come with live with us in London. We had all talked about it, and decided that we needed a fresh new start. What a better way to start over than to move to a different country? It was a dangerous decision, of course, especially since we weren’t positive about the turnout of our future. But it was a risk we were all willing to take.
Ruth had offered to let us stay at their place while we found an apartment of our own. I figured it would be pretty awkward to continue living with Liam’s family. Nicole had come back, newly engaged with her boyfriend. Liam and the boys had their own apartments to reside to.
They had suggested an apartment for us that was located in their personal building. It was unavailable to the public, but was perfect for family or friends of One Direction. The thought of living next door to Liam made me smile. I would be able to see him even more without shipping him across the country.
“Guys, come on or we’re going to be late. The paparazzi are outside, and Paul said we can have ten minutes at most to sign autographs.” Liam walked into the room, dressed in a casual blue plaid button up shirt and faded jeans. I smiled up at him, standing up from the couch and accepting his embrace.
“All packed?” he asked, pressing his lips against my cheek. I nodded, pressing my fists gently against his lower back. “And you?” Liam smirked down at me. “You watched me packing, silly.” I giggled, leaning up to kiss him.
“Mia, did you get all the.. OMYGOSH.” I pulled away from Liam, grinning sheepishly as Jess walked in the room, looking up from her phone to see me in Liam’s arms. “You two, I swear.” I giggled, letting go of my laughing boyfriend before walking over to my best friend.
“I was gonna say, did you pack all of our quotes and posters and such? It’s little but still.” I nodded. “It’s all in the boxes that left this morning.” “Alrighty, cool. I’ll, ugh, leave you two to it then.” I laughed even harder as Jess slowly backed out of the room, winking at Liam.
After everyone was packed and ready, we allowed security to take our suitcases to the cars. Since the boys had their own private jet, we didn’t need to worry about lines at the airport. Jess walked in front of Liam and I, Niall’s arm snaked around her waist. Liam held my hand tightly as we approached the lobby.
Paparazzi and fans were visible through the clear doors, already beginning to shout the boys’ names. Alice and Harry were behind Liam and me, Harry’s arm strung around her shoulders. Zayn and Louis took up the back. Paul was leading us all, suddenly stopping when we reached the exit doors.
“Now listen, all of you. Boys, security protects you but you protect your girls. Zayn, you can protect Lou.” A whisper of giggles spread through us as Paul winked at the boys in the back, who accepted the joke by whooping and jumping in the air. “Alright, alright now. Ten minutes to sign and take pictures, but then I need you in the cars. Got it?”
Everyone nodded, and I took a deep breath. Liam squeezed my hand, following Jess and Niall as they entered the throng of people waiting outside. Instantly, flashes went off in my face, and I squinted to try and see where I was going.
“I’ll be right back,” Liam whispered in my ear before walking over to the fans. I watched the girls squeal and laugh as he came over to them. I couldn’t believe that just a year back, I had been one of them.
