10 Hours (HS)

6:55 pm

He didn't actually say that.

He did.

He didn't mean it that way. I misunderstood.

He did and you didn't.

"I apologize if I just embarrassed you. We agreed, honest answers, yeah? I mean, you were bold enough to say what you were thinking." He smiles.

We're still holding hands.

"No, uh, not boldness. That was me saying shit before thinking it through. I have a problem with that, actually."

"I don't see it as a problem. Take it from me, being able to say whatever you want, whatever you're thinking or feeling...that's a good thing. I would like to do that, but we have to be careful, as a band and individually. Guarded. If I say something I feel without thinking, or get photographed doing something questionable, it gets twisted and within hours it becomes big news. It can make or break us. This is nice, talking to someone....talking to you, and being able to let my guard down."

"Well, I can see that. I can't imagine having to always check yourself before answering questions or doing things in public. I don't think I'd make it as a celebrity." I say, laughing.

Oh my gosh I can't even imagine myself! I'd become a star, then ten minutes later get caught flipping someone off.

"It definitely took some getting used to." He says.

"I promise you, I won't tell anyone, anything you tell me. I mean, that's assuming we survive this because if we don't, it's really not a worry is it?" I say, realizing again the seriousness of our situation.

"We'll survive this. I promise. Let's start. If we get into it, it'll get our minds off it." He sits up, releasing my hand, and faces me.

Well, I know if we do survive this, I'm NEVER washing this hand, and you're NEVER getting this sweater back. Ok, what the hell.

I smile and sit up, sitting with my legs crossed across from him.

I can do this.

Regular guy.

"Did you always want to be a singer? When you were little, I mean, did you know even then?" I ask.

He smiles. "No. Not at all actually. I always LIKED singing, but didn't really think I'd do it as a career. I'm not even sure when I tried out for X Factor, I thought that. It was just really, could I do it, could I even make it on the show!"

"So you were surprised, as you got further along on the show, that you were still on it, and might actually go all the way?"

"Absolutely! I think not until close to the end, when we were put together as a group, did I start to get it, really believe we could go all the way." He says, stretching out his legs and leaning to the side. He pulls out his phone and sets it on the floor beside him.

"Ok, your turn." I say.

"How old are you, Liv?"

"21."

"Me too....ah, I suppose you already know this." He says, grinning. "When's your birthday?"

"June 5th. Who are you closest to in the band?"

"Who do you think?" He asks.

I look at him. There's so many theories on this.

"Well, I'm sure you've heard all the theories. I personally think Niall. You two just seem closer, well, at least from what the media shows us."

Please, do NOT let the Larry shippers be right.

"Yes, it is Niall. We like a lot of the same things, same personality, and yes, I have heard the theories. Just to be clear, nobody in the group is gay. Just really good mates." He says, smiling.