That Girl Band (Liam Payne)

Part 19

When our show was over, I showered and changed back into Beth. I was getting faster at removing makeup and was ready by the time the boys were singing "Little Things" which was one of their hits and a slow, love song. I followed the security 'moat' until I was near Paddy, Liam's bodyguard. He smiled at me, and let me stand, leaning on the stage, trying to catch Liam's eye. The next song was called 'Moments' which was one of my favorites. It was also a love song. He'd been begging me to come watch him sing forever and I was finally here, but I couldn't catch his eye. Paddy finally whistled, which made Liam look over at him. He knew Paddy's whistle. Spotting me, he smiled and worked his was over while the beginning of moments played. He starts the song and as he walked, he sang, looking at me.

When he got to the line, "trembling hands touch skin" he sat on the edge of the stage and took my hand. He finished his last line, then jumped down, giving me a quick kiss. He whispered into my ear "Thank you." before Paddy pushed him back up on stage.

When the show was over, I headed back to his dressing room. He pulled me into his arms, kissing me. "I'm going to hurry, so we can go to the bus. It's my movie pick and I pick no movie except for background noise." He grinned at me. "I'll see you in a bit."

"We never see you anymore." Max complained.

I laughed. "You never liked me anyhow."

"Not true. I just didn't like you for the first 10 years of your life. Mom promised me a little brother and you are a GIRL. I'm over it now." Max pouted. "Did I tell you that I finally got Harry to ask me out? We are going to a club in Chicago. Tomorrow night."

"That is so awesome, Max! I didn't think he was your type."

She shrugged. "He's cute."

"I'd say something, but I'm nicer than you." I stuck out my tongue at her and went to Liam's bus. I climbed into his bunk, pulled up a loud movie and waited. It wasn't a long wait. Liam's head appeared under the curtain.

"I've got KFC and I'm looking for a shag." he said.

I laid up on my side and smiled at him. "Well, that's the going rate in this bunk. Come on in." Liam climbed in, already in his underpants. "Not even bothering with clothes?"

Liam looked down. "You know I like to sleep naked. Why bother? And I have on underpants!" He climbed in the bunk and onto me, kissing my neck. "I'm pulling the curtain and the bus is currently empty besides Paddy, who is up front."

"You really know how to turn a girl on." I said.

"I know." he said. "I'm super sexy." I could only laugh.

We made it to Chicago early in the morning. I had an entire day planned. I was going to take Liam to Navy Pier and tell him who I really was on the Ferris wheel, so he couldn't get away. If he was angry, he'd have to hear me out. If he tried to leave, he'd fall a gazillion feet. It was my perfect plan.

Liam and I dragged ourselves off the bus and got our keys. We were staying for a few days and I really wanted a long hot bath. It had been a while since we'd actually stayed in a hotel. The bus was so much easier when it was just one night. He gave me the spare key to his room and I promised to meet him in a couple of hours. He wanted to nap anyhow.

After my soak, I dressed and hurried down to Liam, using my key to open the door. "Hey, Bean!" I called. He was sitting on the bed, head in his hands. He looked up at me, not smiling. "What's wrong?" I asked. He looked next to him. I looked, too. Sophia was standing there. She stepped out  from around the wall and stood in from of me.

"So, you are the tramp all over twitter with my boyfriend. This..." She swung her finger between Liam and me. "...whatever it is...is over. Do you hear me? O. V. E. R."

I felt my throat close. I looked at Liam. He had his head back in his hands. "Liam?" I said.

"Don't talk to him. This is between you and I." Sophia said, holding up her hand. "Like I said. Over. You can go. Don't come back. Don't call him. Ever."

I ignored her. "Liam. You said you were broken up. You promised me!" My voice was starting to raise. "You said you loved me. You said you wanted us to always be together." By the end of my rant, I was yelling.

Sophia pushed me back. "I said DON'T TALK TO HIM. This..." she pointed to Liam. "is what happens when I leave him alone for more a week or two. He gets lonely. I mean, look at you! You are the right size. The hair is right. I'm sure he just closed his eyes and pretended."

I turned to her. "Shut up! Shut up! I heard him tell you to move out. I heard him tell you!"

Sophia just laughed. "He does that all the time. I just call him back and we work it out."

I pushed Sophia out of the way and walked over to Liam. "Liam?" I said. He looked up at me. "What is going on? Tell me the truth. I'll believe you if you tell me the truth."

"Go ahead, Liam. Tell her." Sophia said, mocking me.

"I don't want you anymore. You need to go and not come back." he said. His eyes looked cold. Mean. Not the warm brown eyes of the man who said he loved me.

My mouth fell open. I couldn't even speak. I couldn't even breathe. "I...I..."

"You heard him. Get out. Don't come back. Oh, and look. He gave you a cheep necklace. Bet you think it's from Tiffany, right? I bet he has a draw full of cheap necklaces. Puts them in a nice box so you think he cares. It's the 'I slept with a pop star' souvenir that he gives all the girls he does this too. I think I'll even let you keep it, if you get OUT! NOW!" she yelled. All of her composure was coming apart. I could see that she was close to ripping my eyes out. But, something in me knew that Liam was lying. He didn't want her. He didn't look happy. He wasn't telling me the truth.

"Don't lie to me, Liam!" I was losing it, too, screaming at him. "You love me! You know you love me! You chased me for weeks! You just need to say it, Liam. I'll listen. I swear, Liam. I swear!"

Sophia looked at Liam. Liam looked back at her. He stood up. "I'm sorry I lied to you, Beth. I don't love you. I was just using you. Can't believe you fell for it, honestly. It was too easy." He started to laugh. The Sophia joined in. I looked at her and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Shut up! Shut up!" I yelled. I could feel the tears coming. How could I have been so wrong? None of this made sense.

Liam was still laughing. "Come on, Beth! I told Lou I was just using you. And you still fell for me."

"You can leave now." Sophia pushed me backwards, taking the key out of my hand. She reached behind me and pulled open the door and shoved me into the hall. "Come to think of it, No. You can't keep the necklace. I changed my mind." She reached up and ripped it from my neck before stepping back in the room, shutting the door.

I just stood there, staring at the door. What was a supposed to do? I didn't know if I should scream or cry. I wasn't sure if I should run or walk away. I felt like a lead weight, all of Liam's words washing over me. He was using me. He didn't love me. He didn't want to see me anymore. How? How could that be the truth? It wasn't. It couldn't be. I burst into tears and ran down the hall into my own room.

Our hairdresser was unpacking. I walked over to her and reached into her bag, pulling out her scissors. "What are you doing?" she asked me. I didn't even answer. I just grabbed an handful of my hair and hacked at it. I didn't want to be Beth anymore. Stupid Beth who thought at a beautiful man like Liam would want me. Stupid Beth who went and fell in love with a lie. Stupid Beth who should have listened to her sister. Stupid Beth who was going away. Forever.

"Dye it." I said. "Dye it right now. Blue. Dye it." She took a step back. Handfuls of hair were laying all around me in piles. I was red in the face from crying. I must have looked crazy, but I didn't care. "DYE IT!" I yelled. She nodded and dug round in her bag looking for dye. She pulled out a bottle of lightener and pointed to the bathroom and I walked in, determined to walk out a different person.

Not sorry. You knew. I need to get a new plot.  - Eva