Under the Spotlight (HS/LP FF)

Chapter 1

Liam's POV.

   "Harry!" Louis whined. "Give me my phone back! Give it back now!" He thundered in a high pitch voice, snatching towards it, trying to climb over a struggling Niall.

   Harry ripped it away from his grasp just in time, squinting at the screen with a smirk. "Ohh, Zaynie, look what he sent to Eleanor! I love yo-" He was cut off by a pillow being flung at his head. A scowl settled onto his face as he glared at Louis. "Ow, someone's grumpy!" His devilish smirk reappeared as he held the phone even farther from the Doncaster lad.

   "Give me the phone! Now! No, stop reading my messages!" Louis yelled, still trying to claw his way over poor Niall who now had his arms up to protect his face from Louis' flinging arms.

   Harry was still scrolling down the screen, and Louis began to yell again.

   "Shut up! Would the two of you just shut up?" I burst out in anger, rubbing at my temple, irritated by the headache they were giving me. I couldn't listen to another bloody word of their squabbling.

   Four pairs of eyes were glued too me, all shocked by my sudden out burst. I rolled my eyes.

   "Someone's got their knickers in a twist," Louis commented, folding his arms over his chest and raising his eyebrow with sass. He had seemingly forgotten about the phone that was so important just moments ago.

   I opened my mouth to reject the comment but Niall's voice was heard instead.

   "He and Danielle got into another fight," He explained, and the other lads all echoed an "ahh" of understanding.

   "We didn't get in a fight!" I exclaimed, though it was a lie.

   "Sounded like a fight to me," Niall shrugged.

   When you spent almost every minute if the day with four other boys, privacy is hard to come by. Especially when you're smashed into a tourbus with them. So it was no secret to anyone that Danielle and I were having problems lately.

   It was, however, a secret that we'd broken up.

   I understood why she did it. We'd started out in another stupid little argument - about something I can't even recall - and then it escalated to the same problems. Our schedules. It had been over a month since the last time we'd seen each other. The littlest thing would set one of us off, and without even realizing we'd be at each others throats, demoralizing each other all over again  

   It was the most mature break up I'd ever had. Once we realized what was happening the fighting just kind of stopped. We both agreed that it was time - a break she'd called it; I knew the difference. . 

   When you're splitting with someone, calling it 'a break' is just a way to soften the blow. Make it seem easier, like you bribe a toddler with sweets if they'll tidy up their toys. Calling it 'a break' sounded nice though. It's like a vacation from the harsh reality of dating. 

   To be honest, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I was obviously heart broken - I had loved her, and we'd been together so long. Not having her in my life was going to be difficult. But there was an added stress that had been removed from my shoulders. Touring and being in a relationship didn't go well together.

   Payzer was no more. The thought tugged at my heart strings, and I felt like crying all over again.

   "Earth to Liam?" Zayn was saying, snapping his fingers in my face. "Answer, you idiot."

   "You okay mate? Did you and Danielle make up?" Harry asked, eyeing me with concern.

   My eyes fell to the carpet and I swallowed hard. "Um, yeah no... We kind of...broke up.." I stumbled over my words.