I was really nervous for Liam's party. In front of lots of people or with new people, I'm super shy and nervous. Not to mention the fact that all of these people were going to be famous! I was certain I would do something to completely embarrass myself, it'd be all over Twitter and in the tabloids, and Liam would dump me. But I knew there was no way I was getting out of it, and I really did want to support Liam.
When the doorbell rang, I was so nervous I almost puked all over the dress Perrie had picked out for me. As we walked down the stairs, the boys all gasped and complimented us. We walked out to the limo and I sat next to Liam. My hand was really sweaty, but when I tried to wipe it on my dress it just slid off. Liam took it though and held it in both of his.
We arrived at the boys' flat and a chauffeur opened the car door for us. Within seconds camera lights were flashing and reporters were shouting questions. Liam put his arm around me protectively and I buried my face in his jacket. It was all just so overwhelming. Liam started yelling at them to move and leave me alone, but they just bunched around us even tighter. Finally Harry pushed through, making a path for the rest of us to the front door. We ran inside right behind him.
But inside there were lights flashing on the dance floor, music blaring, and people shouting to each other from across the room. I was planning on hanging out with Liam for the evening, but Perrie grabbed Audrey and I and made sure we met everyone. Emma Watson, Ashley Benson, Lily Collins, Sasha Pieterse, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez. Anybody who was somebody was there.
At one point I lost Perrie and Audrey in the maze of people so I just wandered around, sampling hors d'oeuvres. All of the noise and people were getting to me. I thought I might pass out from the tight dress and how crowded it was. I knew I needed to get some air, and just then I saw a door to the patio. I slipped outside, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. I plopped down on a big comfy chaise.
I had almost fallen asleep when the sound of footsteps on the patio woke me. I briefly wondered if I was even allowed out here.
"Pearl?!" I recognized Liam's voice.
"I'm over here," I answered. He came around the corner. He looked stunning in his suit.
"Where were you? Perrie pulled you away and then I couldn't find you!"
"I was with Perrie and Audrey for a little but then I lost them. But then the noise and people were getting to me and I thought I might pass out so I came out here to clear my head." Liam sat down next to me and held my hand.
"You're beautiful, you know?"
I blushed. "Liam, stop. I'm not pretty. I'm just another one of those girls with a nice personality."
"Pearl Julia Smith. Look me in the eyes." I slowly raised my head. "You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and ever will see. You are beautiful on the inside and out. Everything about you is beautiful. Your sparkling blue eyes, your soft brown curls, your freckles across your nose, the way your smile lights up your whole face. But your beauty isn't just skin deep. It's the way you stop to help an old person get something from the top shelf at the grocery store. The way you held those little African orphans the first time I saw you. Your gentleness with animals. How happy you are for Audrey and Niall. You're the only one who can't see your beauty, Pearl."
A smile started to tug at the corners of my lips.
"Pearl, I love you. I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met you. I can't even remember what life was like before I met you, or imagine it in the future without you. I know we've only known each other for a couple of months, but I know you're the only one for me. I've prayed about our relationship, and I know you have too. I just keep feeling like God is telling me that this is the right thing to do. That we're meant to be. I was planning on doing this with a romantic dinner and candles, but I guess now is a good a time as any. This is a promise necklace," he said as he opened a Tiffany blue box to reveal a pearl hanging on a delicate chain with tiny diamonds.
"Niall and I picked this and Audrey's ring out at Tiffany's together. It's so everyone knows you're mine, and you know too. It's not like we're engaged or anything. This is just until we are."
"Oh Liam, it's beautiful!"
"Not as much as you." With that, he pulled me in for a kiss. It was like nothing I had ever felt before.
I knew that Liam would always love and protect me. I knew that adjusting to the life of being famous would be hard, and I would get a lot of hate from the fans, but Liam was worth it, and he would help me. God would be with us every step of the way.
