Hiding in the Shadows

What Now?

Niall looked between Simon, Liam, Louis and Harry. He was fuming. He couldn't believe what had just taken place. Why had this meeting been held? He thought that everything had been going well, up until this week that is, but otherwise – great. Now Simon was trying to change everything. It'd never work. Why were they even bothering?

"Niall." Simon snapped.

Niall jerked his head around to face Simon. "What?" he sneered.

Simon narrowed his eyes. "Careful with your tone. I asked you what you think of all of this?"

Niall took great personal offense when the man trying to control his life and then scolding him on his tone. "What the hell does it matter what I think?"

"Niall." Liam scolded.

"Screw you!" Niall screamed turning to the boys. "What does it matter? What does any of this matter? Is it because I said I want to quit? Is that why you're doing this? Well fine! I won't quit so long as you all leave me the hell alone!" With that Niall made to stand up and storm out of the room – he didn't make it far.

"Sit down!" Liam insisted. He hovered over Niall and shoved the boy back down into the chair by his shoulders.

Niall barely hid his flinch as the bruises on his shoulders reminded him of Liam's strength as they screamed in pain. Good news for him was that he was extremely adept at hiding his pain. Bad news, Louis was starting to pick up on some of his tells.

"Niall?" Louis asked gently. He didn't know what was up but something was bothering Niall. Over the past few days Louis had noticed that when Niall was truly upset or freaked out he would go absolutely still.

Niall ignored Louis. He didn't want to deal with him. He didn't want to deal with any of them.

"Niall, I'm still waiting for an answer." Simon said.

"I gave you my answer." Niall said simply. "I want to be left alone. I'll do everything I'm supposed to. Be at all the meetings and interviews and whatever else. Otherwise, stay the hell away from me."

Simon shook his head, "Niall you know that isn't going to happen."

Niall was becoming enraged. "I don't give a shit what you want to..."

"Niall James!" Louis scolded. It didn't matter where they were or who was in the room, there were rules and Niall had just broken one. Louis was standing in the blink of an eye and he'd brought Niall up with him. He landed five successive swats on the younger's backside before settling the boy back down. "I've told you many times that there's no cussing."

Niall was furious with Louis, had many choice phrases for the man, he just didn't feel like being put over Louis' lap for said phrases. In lieu of responding as he saw fit, Niall just crossed his arms, turned his body as far away from the others as possible and pointedly ignored everyone in the room.

Sighing Louis turned to Simon. "I'm sorry of the interruption. I don't think we'll be getting anything out of Niall at the moment, however."

Simon nodded; he had to agree with Louis. "Very well, then I will tell all four of you how things are going to go from now on."

Liam, Louis and Harry all gave Simon their full attention while Niall remained resolute in his refusal to acknowledge any of them.

"I honestly can't believe the three of you!" Simon started lecturing. "How can you go five years without realizing that Niall was slowly killing himself!"