Rumor Has It (HIATUS)

Chapter 28

-Lauren's POV-

*2 weeks later*

It's been a week and 3 days since Niall's been gone. Maura took it really hard the first few days, and so did I, but we comforted each other and grew closer.

Niall leaving made me realize that I didn't have very many friends. I only had his mom and my mom as friends. What a life I live, right?

Eventually this led me to becoming closer and closer to Piper. She was so optimistic, and just great to be around, I thought as I set up for our second sleepover in the past two weeks. We were going to watch the boys go through boot camp.

I texted Niall all day yesterday, and today, and got no response. I had no idea if he made it through or not, or if he just didn't want to talk to me, but it would have been nice if he answered.

All the 'what if's' began flowing through my head as I was taking a shower, and changing into this: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=69...

I filled my cats' bowls, and put a bag of popcorn into the microwave. That's when the bell rang. I opened it, while standing behind the door making it look as if there was no one there.

"I can see you, genius." Said Piper walking over to me with her hand positioned on her hip.

"You could have just gone along with it," I replied, shrugging.

"I'm going to take a shower." 

"Why didn't you take one before you came here?"

"I like your shower better!" she said, as we both immediately burst into a series of laughs.

"Knock yourself out." I said, but she was already halfway down the hall. "Hey, Piper?"

"Yeah?"

"What's Harry's number?" I asked.

She hesitated at first, and then gave it to me. "Why?" she asked.

"Well, I haven't heard from Niall for the past two days, and I was hoping he'd give me some info. Do I sound like a crazy girlfriend? I'm just worried. I'm not trying to be a stalker or anything, I'm just-"

"Lo, calm down."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I'd be the same way with Harry."

I smiled, and thanked her.

I texted Harry, and asked if he's heard from, or seen Niall.

No response.

This is great. Just great.

Piper came out of the bathroom 15 minutes later dressed inhttp://www.polyvore.com/piper/set?id=... 

She's only known me for about three weeks, but she could already read me very well. "No luck?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"It's okay Lauren. I'm sure he's fine."

"I hope so."

We got settled on the floor with our sugared popcorn, and tea.

It started off with each of the contestants singing a song as their first challenge.

Niall and Harry did great!

A guy named Liam also did amazing. I recognized him because he tried out a couple years ago, but didn't make it past the Judges' houses, which was a shock.

After singing their song, the contestants learned a dance to Lady Gaga's 'Telephone.'

It got dramatic when they couldn't find Zayn. He thought he couldn't dance, so he decided he wouldn't try. They went to look for him and encouraged him to come back out and give it a shot so that he didn't ruin this for himself.

After that, it came time to reveal who would be moving on to the Judges' Houses and who would be going home.

I grabbed the bowl of popcorn, and began eating comfort.

Many names were called, but neither of those names were Niall or Harry's.

Eventually, there was only one spot left.

I took a deep breath in and got completely still.

"And the final contestant through is..."

Please be Niall. Please be Niall. Please be Niall.

"Tom Richards."

"That's it guys. I'm really, really sorry."

I dropped the bowl immediately, and brought my knees up to my chest, and watched the rest of it, not saying a word.

Harry came on the screen being interviewed while crying, and Piper was bawling, which made me really sad.

Niall came on.

"It's the worst feeling I've ever had in me life. Standing there and waiting for your name to be called and then it's not. Ugh, sorry." He said, and began crying.

My heart dropped to the floor, and Piper and I hugged and cried on each other's shoulders.

"We'll be right back." Said the announcer.

About two minutes later, the show was back.

Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and a guy name Louis were called back to the stage, as were four other girls.

"We've decided to put guys into two separate groups."

They all began to jump up and down, screaming.

Piper and I literally threw the bowl of popcorn across the room and began screaming like 5 year-olds.

"THEY'RE GOING TO THE JUDGES' HOUSES!!!!", We yelled in unison.