Someone Like You: A Niall Horan Love Story

Chapter 15: Because It Sucks

Niall's POV:

Piper and I have already performed and now we're down to the eliminations, everyone's least favorite part.

We're all in a line onstage, waiting to be told if we're making it through to the judges' houses.

I'm standing next to my roommate Liam (who I'm sure will go through) and about 20 other guys. I feel like I must definitely be the youngest, and smallest, guy here.

"Alright guys, let's start," Nicole says in that weirdly timid/high-pitched/girly voice she has.

My heart is hammering so hard in my chest I feel like I might faint. I wish Piper were here.

"The first person going through is..." I bite my lip so hard I think it might be bleeding. "John Wilding." My heart sinks even though I tried to keep my expectations low.

They start firing off names and the room erupts with tears of joy as I try to fight off tears of...well, rejected-ness.

"Nicolo Festa."

"Paije Richardson."

"Aiden Grimshaw."

"Marlon McKenzie."

"Karl Brown."

"Matt Cardle."

I can hear Liam sniffle next to me as they read off Matt's name. He's the next to last one to make it through to judges' houses.

"And the final person who's made it through is..." Simon says dramatically. I suck in a loud breath. "Tom Richards."

The tears come before I can get off the stage. I've never been more embarrassed in my life.

The whole group of rejected guys walks off, trying not to cry. I see Liam and Harry Styles get stopped by camera crews to get interviewed along the way.

My hands are shaking and I can only get short breaths. I feel like such a failure.

"Niall, how did it feel onstage?" I look up and see a large camera, microphone and a guy with the clipboard hovering close to me.

"It was the worst feeling I've ever had in my life. Like, standing there and waiting for your name to be called and then it's not." I start to cry again. "Sorry," I mutter, pulling my sweater up to wipe my eyes as I walk away.

How am I going to face Piper?

It's a case of twisted fate that I literally bump into Piper as I'm wiping my eyes.

"Niall! Oh my god, what happened? Did you get through?" She stops short when she realizes I'm holding back tears. It doesn't really help, though, since my cheeks are blotchy and my eyes are no doubt red.

"They don't want me," I reply, my voice hoarse and thick.

"Oh my god," she whispers before wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.

I bury my face in her mass of soft ringlets, strangely comforted. Her hand brushes over my back in soothing circles as she murmurs that the judges made a mistake.

Honestly, the last thing I want to do is think about The X Factor. All I want to do is stay right here forever.

"I have to go, Niall. Wish me luck." She gives me a small smile and walks away to join the rest of the girl acts.

I feel someone put their hand on my shoulder, surprising me. We both didn't get through so I feel like we're even better friends just because of that.

"Hey, Niall. Did Piper get through?"

"She hasn't been judged yet."

"God, I hope she gets through." I look at him in slight surprise.

"Why?"

"Because it sucks getting rejected." He couldn't have said anything more true right now.

-•-

I don't even need to ask Piper what the judges said just by looking at her. Her good mood was obviously squashed and the first thing I think is "join the club."

I jump up from where I was sitting and immediately hug her.

Her muffled sobs echo through backstage, mingling with the sounds of other crying girls. There is no sound more heartbreaking.

"They're idiots, Pipe," I whisper. I think I might cry, seeing her like this.

She looks up at me with watery brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," I say with passion all of a sudden. "I'm sorry we came out here just to feel like crap and for other people to tell us we aren't good enough." She smiles weakly and takes my hand in her warm one.

"I lo-"

"Niall Horan!" someone yells loudly from down the hall, cutting her off. "The judges want you onstage." I'm whisked away from Piper immediately.

Wait, no! What was she about to say? I love you?

I curse loudly, realizing that I'll probably never find out.

-•-

So I know I'm getting this whole X Factor boot camp process wrong but I wanted to condense it so we can get on with the story. I know it's not exactly (or even very similar to) what happened on the show but oh well.

Also can you check my message board for one of my recent updates and tell me which of the names I posted you would like me to use for my main character in my new story. Thanks!!