Chapter Seven:
Paige’s POV:
“I….I don’t really know what “Fun Direction” is Liam, but I like your song..I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.” How awkward was that? I have no clue what to say to him, but sitting in silence while he drove us who knows where was so much worse.
He laughed.
And laughed.
And laughed.
And just when I thought he was done.
He laughed some more.
“Li-Liam..are you okay?” I ask, hesitantly. Maybe he’s lost it. Maybe he….
His chuckles finally died down enough for him to answer me.
“I’m fine, Paige. And..HAHAHAHAH….!” He started to speak and just when I thought he was ready to have an actual conversation he burst into another fit of cackles.
I went to speak again, but Liam held up a hand and made a motion which I assumed meant he was going to say something.
“You….you didn’t upset me Paige. You have no idea how happy I am that you actually know one of my songs –let alone actually think of it as your favorite song. And I’m sorry for laughing it’s just I can’t believe you haven’t heard of us and by the way it’s “One Direction” not..” he cackled again “..”Fun Direction”.”
Oh. I am so dumb.
“No you’re not.”
I actually said that out loud. I really need to stop doing that, I say; AGAIN.
“Liam?” I ask.
“Yes, love?”
“Are you really like really famous or are you like a local band?” I wasn’t trying to be rude, but I think I had the right to know if I was sitting next to a celebrity; even if he would only be famous for being in a boy band.
He looked a little nervous.
“Uhm..are you sure you want to hear this, love?” He asked me almost as if he was hoping against all hope that I would say no.
“Yes.” I simply say.
He took a deep breath and looked as if he were mentally preparing himself to tell a small child that their puppy just died.
“One Direction, is international. We’re not just known locally, or even nationally. We get recognized all over the world. So in answer to your question, yes, Paige, “we’re like really famous””.
Whoa. Just my luck. What if he thinks I knew this whole time? Or what if his band mates do? What if I cause a fight between them? What if….
“Paige? Paige, love, please say something.” Liam brought me out of my thoughts.
Liam’s POV:
Is she going to say something? What is she thinking? Does she hate me now? What if she…
Screw it; I’m just going to say something. I can’t take this silence any longer.
“Paige? Paige, love, please say something.” I begged. Surely she wouldn’t resent me just for being in an internationally known boy band sensation? I’ve never ran across someone who hasn’t even heard of us; sure, I know not everyone is going to be a fan, but they still know who we are.
“Li-Liam….maybe you should take me back to Starbucks..” Paige said quietly.
WHAT?! Is she serious? What did I do? Is that it? Is she not even going to give me a chance?
“What?! Paige, c’mon, you can’t be serious. Where are you going to go? Please, love, just give me a chance.” She can’t do this to me. I want –no, need- to help her. She can’t leave now..
Paige’s POV:
“What?! Paige, c’mon, you can’t be serious! Where are you going to go? Please, love, just give me a chance.” Liam pleaded with me.
I wasn’t trying to be hostile but I would have never taken Liam up on his offer if I’d known he was famous. Him even being seen with me could ruin his and his bandmates careers and I did not dream wrecking on my conscience.
“Liam, please just take me back to Starbucks. I have a place to go. I’m so sorry that I bothered you. Please don’t hate me. I just don’t think I should go with you. I can’t let you complicate your life with me. I could ruin your career. Please, just take me back. I’m sorry.” I whisper brokenly.
Sure, I was lying but I couldn’t tell Liam that I had nowhere else to go; then I’d have no chance of him turning around. I still didn’t even know how much of a chance I had.
So I gave him one last push.
“Liam, please turn around. I don’t want to be here. Please. Just turn around and we can pretend like this day never happened.”
And he did.
I almost didn’t think he would. But what international superstar wouldn’t put their careers before a broken stranger who had the potential to not only turn theirs and everyone’s life around them upside down but also ruin it?
Liam flipped on his turn signal and suddenly we were on the other side of the road driving back the way we came. The silence was brutal; but the ride was quick.
He pulled up into the same parking lot we seemed to have just pulled out of and I jumped out. I was afraid he was going to say he’d wait for my ride –which wouldn’t be coming- to get here, but instead he just said, “You have my number if you need me.”
I nodded and started to turn away and just as I did he pulled out of the parking lot and sped off.
Pity, I thought, I almost thought he cared about me.
Almost, but not quite.
