I Will Always Love You - A Niall Horan Love Story

Chapter Sixty Seven

As we step out of the car -- Zayn first, then Me, Niall, Liam, Stacey, Harry, Eleanor and Louis -- the screams of fans waiting outside the arena get louder.

Zayn walks towards the red carpet and the boys get pulled over by an interviewer. When they finish the two minute interview they continue to the red carpet, and we finally get there.

Niall places his hand on the small of my back and we stop for a few pictures with the others in it as well. Then Stacey, Eleanor and I walk a little further ahead so the boys can get a few pictures as a band.

A few paparazzi guys motion for me and the girls to pose, so we stand and smile at the cameras, but aren't sure which camera to look at. When we feel they have enough pictures of us, we wait for the boys, and Niall pulls me back for photos of just us two. He puts his arms around my waist and I smile a genuine smile.

"Come on, let's go." Niall says, his arm still wrapped around my waist as we make our way down the red carpet. At the end, they get a few more interviews while El, Stace and I wait patiently. Then they sign some autographs -- and so do Eleanor, Stacey and I -- and we finally make our way up the stairs and in the arena. 

The girls and I walk ahead of the boys to our seats, as they wait back for a few small interviews.

After half an hour of sitting and talking, the boys finally come and sit in front of us. Niall gives me a quick kiss and then sits directly in front of me.

The show finally starts as they introduce who will be performing and the rest of the celebrities attending. Management was able to get them not to announce my part, though, as I wanted it to be a surprise for the fans and Niall.

I cross one leg over the other as the DJ -- David Guetta -- starts some music and the host -- Miley Cyrus -- comes out. She waves and says hello and the show officially starts.

An hour later, the boys have won two awards and presented one award. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I took it out.

Message from Patricia: It's time to come get ready. 

Message to Patricia: Really? I'm not meant to perform for another fifteen minutes.

Message from Patricia: Exactly, that's not far.

Message to Patricia: Ok, I'll be there soon.

I tell Niall I will be back soon, and turn to Stacey and whisper, "Remember, it's for Niall. Make sure he knows that."

She nods and I go backstage, where Patricia greets me and takes me to a dressing room. She shows me where my outfit is laid out on the sofa and leaves the room. I lock the door behind her and get changed into: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=61406231 and keep my jewellery on. 

I allow Patricia to come back in and she takes my perfect hair out. She curls it a bit, and leaves it to hang around my shoulders. Even though I absolutely adored the other hairstyle, this was nice as well. She didn't change my makeup and we quickly rushed under the stage. 

I remember practising for this about a month ago, but I told them I didn't want to practise closer to the day, as Niall will be suspicious. 

They place a headset microphone on my head and adjust the mic to sit at my mouth. I could hear the deep voice over the speakers introducing me to the stage.

"And now for the girl who won X Factor in the UK last year. Since then her hit single 'What the hell' has reached number 1 on the Billboards in 19 countries. She is here to perform her new single that is released on iTunes tomorrow, 'DNA'. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... Charlotte Smyth!"

And like that, the little Ballerina twinkling sound at the beginning of my song starts, and I am slowly released above stage.

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