Dibs *IN EDITING

Chapter 14

*Annie’s POV*

I ran out of the room, tears running down my face. How could he? So when, we get in a fight, he just goes and cheats. What an asshole. I ran down to the steps outside our flat and cried so hard. Am I not good enough for Liam? I sat there, my hands holding my head, and just simply cried as my heart shattered into a million pieces. Liam wasn’t supposed to be the type of guy to cheat.

I looked up to the night sky, the stars covered by the city lights. I wiped away my tears and decided to go for a walk. It started to rain so I sped my speed up into a jog, trying to get to the Starbucks down the street. I started to jog backwards, trying to distract my brain on the way to the coffee shop. I tripped over something and fell straight on my bum. I stood up and took off; not bothering to see what it was that I tripped over. All I wanted was hot chocolate.

I sat down with my drink, and pulled out The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Yes, I am that girl that loses her head in books. My addiction is reading romance novels. It’s like you get to fall in love without the bullshit of a real relationship. “Hey.” A voice male called. I looked up to see piercing blue eyes, shaggy brown hair and full pink lips, almost like Harry’s.

“Um hi. Do I know you?” I asked. Do I just have a bad memory or what? He sat down in the seat across from me. People should know that when I’m in my fantasy world, don’t bother me. There is a reason I read, to get away from the real world. Ugh people these days.

“Nope, but you tripped over me back there.” He pointed behind him. Whoops. I probably should’ve stopped and apologized, but when you’re heart is in a million pieces, it doesn’t occur to you to show compassion or sympathy.

“Oh I’m so sorry about that.” I said. I looked back down to my book to keep reading. This is the part where the guy is supposed to leave me to my book. He just sat there, watching me as I read. I kept looking up at him, every time without fail, he would smile at me. He’s creeping me out. After getting annoyed, I finally put my book down to get him to go away.

“Can I help you?” I was no longer Mr. Nice Guy or Ms. Nice Girl, whatever.

“Well, I saw you crying earlier. Are you okay?” You know how the say the eyes are the windows to someone’s soul? It’s true; you can see the compassion in his eyes. He was actually a very handsome guy. I took note of details in his face as I studied it, thinking of an answer. “Why did I say that? Of course you’re not, you were bloody crying! I’m sorry, I’m stupid sometimes. Do you want to talk about it?” He rambled. I giggled at him, it was funny!

“I would, but I don’t feel like I should just pour my heart out to someone I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders, sipping on my hot chocolate. Gosh, Starbucks makes the best hot chocolate ever.

“I’m Austin.” He smiled really big, reaching out his hand to shake mine. Well mannered, not something you see often.

“Annie.” I replied and shook his hand, returning the smile.

“Since you now know me, you can tell me.” So he’s going to make me talk. What’s his deal? I’ve never gone up to a stranger and made them tell me their problems; that’s just weird.

“Fine. So my boyfriend Liam and I went to record our new song and our manager, Simon, told us we couldn’t date in public. We got in this big fight, I had to walk back to our flat and when I got there, he was in bed with someone else.” At first I just talked, by the end of the explanation, I was sobbing again. Austin came over and just held me. He rubbed my back as I cried.

“Wait, you’re dating Liam Payne?” Well, shit. Maybe I should’ve left out names. Note to self: next time you tell a stranger your business, don’t include names. Scratch that; don’t tell strangers your business.