Tomlinson was the best thing to happen to me (Watty's '13)

Gotta Be You

"Have fun doing the music video, then. Don't do stupid things and don't give Paul any trouble."

"I don't think that's possible, not with Louis."

"Whatever you do, don't try eating people up if they take your food. I hear of that, I'll eat your head."

"Do you even know what the song is about?" I shook my head in answer. "Hope, I suppose. Hope in finding love again with someone who they might have wronged."

"How are you guys?"

"We're tired, but alright," Liam replied, his voice distant. Something's wrong with this call.

"Is this on some sort of speaker or something?"

"Yeah, we can all hear you!" Paul exclaimed distantly.

"Liam, can you take this call off loudspeaker, I want to talk to you about stuff alone."

"Alright," he says. A few clicks later and a shut door, I can hear his voice, calm, unlike the other boys. Not that I don't like that, but there's a time and place for hyperactivity and it's not now.

"So what's the exact meaning behind Gotta Be You?"

"Why are you asking? Did Niall say something about it?"

"Yeah."

"Well you're a little blind to the world. He's making a move on you. He mentioned hope, right?"

"Yeah."

"That's him. It's his hope in things." Laughter erupted in the background.

"Where are you?"

"Within the hotel, I'm in the toilet, the others are all outside in Paul's room."

"Where's Niall?"

"Out there with them."

"Well, just between you and me… no one else, not Harry, not Louis… I get scared whenever he tries to make a move. I don't know how to react at all for starters. Maybe I just don't know how to deal with it. Or… I dunno."

"It's 8 over here… it's nearly midnight over there! You should be getting to bed, Annabelle."

"Liam! Who is it?" I could hear Niall banging on the door, presumably.

"It's Annabelle."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Well, Annabelle?"

"Yeah, okay then." The door opens, and Niall takes the phone.

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm alright, it's quiet, back over here. You guys done any filming yet?"

"Not yet, but it's directed by the same guy who did What Makes You Beautiful."

"I really don't know how that song even goes. I heard it on the radio the other day, and I can't say that I was any good at knowing the words. Zayn did a good job on that song, you've got to tell him that." I steered clear of Harry. After the long walk together, I don't think he's very happy with Harry.

"Alright then. What are you doing right now?"

"I'm just sitting on the sofa. I've brushed my teeth."

"I just got myself a pair of Beats."

"What in the world are Beats?"

"Headphones. They're an American brand and they're brilliant."

"Alright, but I don't see why you'd need them to listen to Justin Bieber."

"Look, Louis' staring at me like he really wants me to pass the phone to you."

"Alright then."

"Hey!"

"Hey," I answer flatly.

"Are you tired? Or are you still angry at me?"

"If you'd just not bring up that topic, we'd be on absolutely fine terms. Pass the phone back to Liam, I don't think he really wants to play 'Look for you missing mobile while they wrack up a massive bill'."

"Hey! I got my mobile back. Look we're wracking up a mahoosive bill, if there's nothing else you want to say, then go to sleep now! It's way past your bed time."

"Good night, then. Tell Niall I wish him good night when he sleeps."

"Alright then, bye."

I tune in to the television, and XFactor is on. It's a live show, four girls are singing. From what I hear it's on the brink of my comfortable range, but I could possibly manage it. I like this song. And then there's a sudden change. Hm. That girl group seems pretty popular. Rhythmix. Interesting name, I suppose. Still, doesn't sound like the name of a band I'd like.

I weave through the aisles, dressed vaguely female for the first time in a long time. I need to get food. There's a gang of teenage girls, fans, I suppose, hanging around. They're talking about the boys. And you know what I hear? "You know, if they kicked out Neill… and maybe even Lewis… that would be awesome. I mean, when you think about it, it's not like you can even hear Lewis when he sings."

"Hey missies," I poke my head between two of the girls'. "You don't even have the names right. It's Niall and Louis. Louis' my friend, and I'm from Doncaster. Don't diss those two. You," I point at the girl trashing Lou's volume (or lack of it). "Yeah, you're right about his voice not being particularly strong. But I bet you weren't in a musical, playing the lead role." I turned, walking on to continue with shopping. I could hear them laugh behind me, almost as if I was crazy.

The radio station that the supermarket is tuned to announces, "And here we have, One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful." The riff blared, then the distorted voice of Liam plays.

As I leave, paying, the song is about to end. I know the words better, that's certain.