Fame High

Paparrazi

I was pushed against the wall swiftly. I wanted to gasp from the impact, but my lips were covered. I opened my eyes. Her hands were covering them. Disappointment pulsed through me for a quick second but I couldn't detect why. I tried talking but my lips were smushed too tightly.

She used her other hand to make a shushing movement. I stop struggling... She points upwards. Wha?

On top the high wall, there was a rustle from the tree next door. It was too loud to be a squirrel or bird but not loud enough for anyone but us to realise.

Suddenly, a black, shiny object peeked out. It totally camouflaged with the darkness of the night. The only way I noticed it was the teasing light reflecting off the lens. Camera. My heart skipped a beat. Paparazzi.

We slinked against the wall as much as we could. Paparazzi like these were only out to spread bad rep. And if he did so much as to just look vertically down from the wall, he would see Avril and I. The next day headline for whichever gossip magazine would then read: 'Avril and Niall dating?'

If that would have happened, my manager would slaughter me. I was supposed to keep a low profile for my relationship status. Zayn? He had to date Perry. For popularity. Simon's word. Harry, he got any girl he wanted. Maybe I'll introduce him to Taylor Swift. She seems nice.

I took out my phone and texted Justin.

There is paparazzi here. They're sneaking up on the tree, taking pictures. Down by the pool. Currently hiding with Avril. Tell the others about it.

He replied immediately.

Shit! The neighbours rattled me out. Fucking billionaires. Can't get enough money can they. Okay, I'll call security. Get as many off the scene as you can.

Snap! Snap! The paparazzi was already taking photos. Damn it, Justin would take too long to call security. The ninja/paparazzi would have completed his mission by then.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind as I found a soccer ball lying against the wall. I had to reach it. 

"What are you doing?" Avril whispers and I quickly closed her mouth. The clicking had stopped. We waited, and then the clicking continued.

I pointed at the other side of the wall. She should be at the other end just in case I get caught. Well, I was definitely going to get caught but all the more reason she had to be away from me. She looks at me, not knowing what I was about to do but then nods reluctantly. She will just have to trust me. I had to trust myself too.

I silently ran for the soccer ball, trying not to slip on the way there and got out in the open so I could have a good shot. Aim on the gleam, aim on the gleam. I put the ball down and took a breath. One, two, kick!

The aim was perfect. I heard a crack and a curse. The camera was pushed off with much force. The camera being probably being strapped to the person, cashed him to fall. How did I know? There was a loud thud and a loud cry in pain. The wall was really high. Ouch, but he deserved it.

Right then, Justin's security arrived.

"Where is the little prick?" Justin is upset.

"Probably on the ground at the other side of that wall. I kinda kicked a ball at him and he fell."

"You kicked a ball and-" From upset, Justin's face suddenly contorted into a massive grin. He closed his eyes and covered his face, laughing loudly. He stares at me, then grabs my hand, shaking it and then snapping his fingers. A hand shake. "You're cool, my man. Cool."

-----

Avril joins us. "So what are you going to do about him?"

"You li'l bitch!"

I smile. The paparazzi turned out to be  a 32 year old man. Justin had called the police on this 'fool'. Justin showed the evidence of the camera to them and they took the man away.

After that, however, Justin had taken the camera off the man and holding it by the strap, slammed it against the brick wall multiple times. We had went through the photos, deleting them one by one. This man was very good at his job, taking very good photos of the party-goers private lives. There was a memory card that he made sure was crushed. Avril crushed it with her heels. I cringe looking at her do it, but I didn't stop her.

Justin says he'll get a restraining order on the man. Apparently, this party was top secret. Justin had rented the whole mansion for it. He provided the police all that they needed to know. It turned out the neighbours were not home so the man had sneaked in. That house breaker.

And now we're on the way back from that bomb party. Besides the intruder, everything else was relatively awesome.

The helicopter had dropped us off at the helipad in school. It was early in the morning.. Around 3am?

I was about to head back to my dorm, after waving to Avril who had to go the other way to her dorm when Avril calls out my name.

"Niall.." Her normal voice seemed to be magnified by the quite surroundings.

"Hmm, yeah?" I spun around smoothly.

She looked conflicted at first, but then jogged up to me. I got confused. Why is she..?

She places a soft kiss on my cheek.

Instant heat rushed through me and my eyebrows shot up. She rushes off quickly. I didn't even get see her expression or anything.

"Wait!" I called out to her, wanting her to come back. I was in shock. Avril kissed me? Did that just happen? I held my cheek, silent as I stood there for a while.

I walked into the dorm building, dazed. First, that girl seemed so unapproachable, then uninviting, then wary, then smart, fun and really cool, and now.. This.

I unlocked my room door. One thing's constant with her though, she's a mystery. I didn't bother to turn on the lights.

I thought about her even as I got out of my clothes and laid down on my bed, willing myself to get some sleep. It would be Sunday, but I still needed a good nights rest. I closed my eyes and smiled to myself.

She's a mystery alright. A bloody fucking mystery.