Act Like You're in Love {Niall Horan}

Chapter 13: Got Your Back

Mariah's outfit is the picture to the side (if you're on a computer)! :)

~Mariah's P.O.V.~

The creases in my dress start to bother me along with my nerves. Blue, silky material runs between my fingers while I even out the folds in my dress nervously. My hair is smooth under my touch. Then I move my hand to my right ear lobe and pull lightly on it out of habit.

"Are you guys sure this is the way to do it?" I ask the boys. Even I can hear the worry in my own tone.

"Yep," Harry popped the p. "We can show you the text from Paul, if you want. Again."

"No, I'm good. I'm just nervous. I mean, I'm not used to this, and I don't like crowds. That's why I didn't try for Broadway or something. I like cameras better, but there's still paparazzi and other people, and I don't know how I'm going to make it through this, and just that thought makes me even more worried, so I'm really not helping myself here, but I feel like I can't stop talking," I titter.

"We kinda noticed, love," Niall chuckles.

I stop breathing for a second when that last word comes out of his mouth. Love. He called me love. That's the first time any of them called me love, and it seems so wonderful and just perfect coming off of Niall's lips.

"I thought only British people say love," I comment when I begin to breathe.

"Eh, we've influenced him a bit over the past three years," Harry replies.

I shrug my shoulders and then remember why I have a bad feeling in my stomach. "So, when are we leaving? And can we review the plan once more please?"

"We should leave in about three minutes," Liam responds after giving his watch a quick glance. "And certainly. So, we'll leave the flat. You and Niall will act like you're dating, of course. We get into the car and go to the plaza and walk by the home-furnishings store once, to let Paul know we've arrived, since he'll be in there. Then, we'll all walk to the movies, which is about two minutes away on foot. We'll buy tickets, get our food, go into the theater, get up during previews, stuff like that to get a little bit attention, since this is the one day we actually want the paps to notice us. Finally, I'm sure as we walk out there will be a small mob, and then they'll ask the question and you'll answer...," he trails off and waves his hands at me to show that I should say my line as practice.

"That yes, Niall and I are indeed dating," I reply in automatically, and Liam nods in satisfaction. I hold up my hand. "But wait, how do we know that they'll even ask if Niall and I are dating?"

"We're just sure," Harry smirks a little, showing off a dimple.

"And besides," Louis hops up off of his seat and comes over to the couch where Niall and I are seated. "You two would be so cute together!" he grabs my cheeks and pulls them like I'm a cute little baby.

Rising in my cheeks is heat, and probably some pink. I see Niall's cheeks have already been tinted with pink, too, so I feel a little better.

"Uh, thanks?" I say more like a question.

"Well, best be off now!" Liam announces.

I hesitate, not really ready for a paparazzi attack.

Niall holds back, too. "Mariah?" He comes back towards me. "Hey, c'mon. I'll be there the whole time. I mean, we're dating anyway, we've got to stick together." Niall winks and I feel some butterflies in my stomach.

I still don't really budge, though, so he tries again. "Riah, I could tell you that I was scared the first few times that paparazzi and fans crowded us, but that would imply that I'm used to it by now. Really, I'm not. Actually, Liam and I were kind of mobbed awhile back here in New York, and it scared the bejesus out of me."