The Secret Lives of One Direction (A Paranormal Fanfic)

Burning Loathing

Chapter Five

Zayn's P.O.V.

Niall stared at the roof above Harry's head, his eyes glistening with tears, as if he was watching a sad movie. We were all quiet for a moment, before Louis put forward a query.

"What happened to your parents?" he asked.

Niall kept watching the roof. Liam carefully shook his shoulder, pulling him back to reality. He shook his head and watched Louis, who repeated his question.

"Well, my father was killed in the war," Niall answered. "He stayed in the World of the Dead. And my mother killed herself soon after she received my letter. She remained with my father." He tried to hold back his tears, but a small sob shook his body. He swallowed hard, and most of his sadness seemed to be swallowed with it.

Liam looked at the hand he shook Niall with and raised an eyebrow. "Niall," he said, "if you're a ghost, how come I can touch you?"

Niall looked at him, a glint of loneliness in his eyes. "You're not," he replied. "That's a human-like forcefield. You think you can feel me but I can't feel you - I feel nothing other than emotions, which fluctuate rapidly."

We were all silent for a moment, until Niall stood up and clapped his hands. "Anyone want a drink?" he offered.

"I'll have a coffee," Liam requested.

"Me too," agreed Louis.

"And me," added Harry.

I shook my head, but quickly recalled something Niall had mentioned earlier. "I'll help you," I said, following him to the kitchen area.

Once Niall had turned on the kettle and I had spooned some ground coffee into three mugs, I leaned on the counter opposite Niall and watched him intently before speaking.

"Niall?"

"Yeah?" he sighed.

"Why don't you like me?" I requested, immediately laying it all out in front of him.

"What?" he said, surprised. "Of course I like you! You're one of my best friends."

"Earlier you told me you've always wanted to punch me in the face. I guessed you weren't so taken by me after that."

"Oh, no, no! I didn't mean it like that! I'm so jealous of your good looks, I want to punch you in the face to make the playing field more fair."

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I smiled at Niall and almost hugged him but I thought that might upset him so I didn't. Instead, we sorted out the coffees and sat down with the boys again.

Harry, Louis and Liam all took long drinks from their mugs. When they were finished, I studied Harry and Liam.

"OK," I muttered. "Who's next?"

Liam and Harry exchanged knowing glances. Liam nodded and turned to me.

"The thing is," he explained, "Harry and I already know what each other are."

"What?!" gasped Louis, Niall and I in unison.

"Why?" Niall asked, looking hurt - I suppose all three of us did!

"To explain that, we'll have to go back to the beginning..." Harry said mysteriously.

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Harry's P.O.V.

I couldn't believe it when I found out I had been put through to the Judges' Houses. I was on my way to being the next Justin Timberlake!

I must admit, I was rather disappointed when I was put in a band by the judges with four other guys. I was rather selfish; I wanted the fame for myself - I didn't want to share it!

But, for fear of leaving the competition, I reluctantly agreed, and now I was going to meet my new - probably best - friends: Louis, Liam, Zayn and Niall.

Outside the room, I could hear the boys laughing and joking, already breaking the ice. But one of their voices angered me. You know that one 'friend' that you just can't stand but have to tolerate because everyone else likes them? Well, it felt like that.

I took a deep breath and walked into the room. I looked over the faces of the smiling boys who watched the new arrival, a friendly glint in each of their eyes.

I started with the boy on the left. He had muddy blonde hair, deep blue eyes and an Irish accent. I shook his hand firmly.

"Hi, I'm Harry Styles," I introduced myself, plastering my face with my best winning smile.

"Good to meet you, Harry," the boy replied, beaming at me. "My name's Niall Horan."

"It's good to meet you too, Niall," I said kindly before moving onto the next one.

This guy had brown hair and soft brown eyes. He had darker, more tan skin than Niall.

"Harry Styles," I said simply as I shook his hand and smiled.

"Zayn Malik," he replied in the exact same way. He nodded at my head. "Cool hair."

"Thanks," I said, enlightened by his compliment. Zayn turned to Niall and they began to chat as I moved on to the next guy.

This boy had a very playful glint in his blue-green eyes. His brown locks bounced on his head as he ignored my handshake and enveloped me in a big bear hug.

"The name's Louis Tomlinson," he giggled, pulling away from me. "You must be Harry."

"How do you know?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"The process of elimination," he explained. He threw his arm around my neck and pointed to the others, saying their names. I didn't catch the last name - something like William? - but my stomach twisted in knots of dislike at the name Louis muttered. "Since I knew all your names, by the process of elimination, you are Harry!" he concluded.

I nodded in admiration of his intelligence. So far, Louis was my favourite. Back then, I didn't realise how good friends we would actually become. I know now.

After bidding farewell to Louis, I turned to the final boy.

And immediately, after looking at his face, I despised him. I saw a sense of loathing in his eyes and knew he felt the same way.

He had messy brown hair and hard brown eyes. I squinted at him, wondering why I hated him, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

*****************************

Liam's P.O.V.

I had been watching the curly haired boy ever since he had entered the room. Everything about him I immediately despised: his hair, his eyes, his mannerisms - even his skin! It felt like an explosion of hatred in my heart, spreading through my blood stream over every inch of my body. I hated him like he had done sonething awful like killed my mum with an axe.

But I didn't know why.

He greeted Niall, Zayn and lingered on Louis until he eventually got to me. When we made eye contact, I saw the same dislike that was broadcasted in my eyes swimming in his. I glared at him, but to make it seem like nothing was happening, we shook hands, squeezing each other's hands so hard I swear I broke one of his bones.

"Harry Styles," he hissed, as if I was not worthy of knowing his name.

"Harry," I spat, forcing as much spite into the word as I could. "Liam Payne's the name," I yanked his arm forward, pulling him closer, and I whispered in his ear threateningly, "and pain's the game, too." I stepped back and stormed off, back to the other three.

I didn't know why I threatened Harry. I didn't even know why I hated him! That was, until the next day.

A/N Ooh, cliffhanger! Anybody guessed why Liam and Harry hate each other? Don't worry, their relationship greatly improves!

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my second follower, @XxTeenageRunawayxX for following me! It really means a lot to me!

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