She's Not Afraid

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: STRONG

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: STRONG

"Nothing's fine, I'm torn!" I made a ruckus the next day.

"About what, love?" Zayn inquired.

"Between... getting a puppy or a hamster." I sighed heavily.

"WHAT?! That's all what this is about?" Louis sounded very disappointed.

"What else would it be about? Oh, right... I'm torn between cutting my hair and not cutting my hair too. Also between the custard flavored cream puffs or the chocolates ones. Ugh, so many frustrations! I can't make up my mind..." I ranted.

All five of them eyed me like I was a crazy chick or something but I don't care.

"How about you buy both flavors of the cream puffs? Honestly, that's all I can help you with." Liam clicked his tongue.

"Gee, thanks." I didn't really mean to sound sarcastic but I did anyway.

"I'll help you out with buying a pet!" Niall offered.

"Hey, I was about to say that!" Louis pouted.

"As for the hair, I think you're perfect just the way you are." Harry tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and looked me straight in the eye.

"Okay, we get your point, prince Harry. Anything else you want to add on your list of dilemma, Cher?" Zayn asked.

"Uh... that about sums it up." I sheepishly smiled.

"Great! Since we helped you sort out your problems, now it's your turn to help us with ours." Zayn coughs.

"What sort of problems? Washing your underwear for you? I didn't think you guys had ANY problems." I muffled out a laugh.

"No, that's what laundry is for. We can't seem to find the perfect girl for our new 'Strong' music video so you do it." Liam says calmly.

Not again?

"Or at least do the rehearsals with us..." Zayn pleaded.

"And why would I do that?" I stared hard into his face.

"Because you owe us, princess." Louis retorted.

*REHEARSALS*

'My hands, your hands tied up like two ships...'

Zayn and I touched our hands together with our eyes fixed into each other's gaze then separated them dramatically as he sung his part of the song.

'My heart, your heart sit tight like book ends...'

He then passed me to Liam who randomly popped a piece of cream puff into my mouth which I gladly accepted like a kid as he sung his part next.

He was keeping a straight face the whole time so it was hard not to laugh which is why I secretly bit my tongue in order not to.

'I'm sorry if I say, "I need you".

Liam then gave me a soft push towards Harry who cupped my chin all of a sudden but was relieved when Louis quickly grabs me away.

'Think of, how much love that's been wasted.'

He pinched my cheek which earned him a harder pinch in his cheek too.

I don't know why but out of the five of them, I find Louis' voice the most enchanting... maybe because it's high-pitched and soothing to the ears.

'I'm sorry if I say, "I need you".

But I don't care.

I'm not scared of love.'

Niall sang his solo last and he slightly caressed my face...

I couldn't help but almost drown in his sky-blue eyes which I just noticed now how serious-looking they were.

'Cause when I'm not with you I'm weaker.

Is that so wrong?

Is it so wrong?

That you make me strong?'

All of them sang the last part of the song as they surrounded me and all I did was just stand there like a fool with a stoic look on.

"AND CUT!" I heard the director shout.

"Wow, that was fast! Now it's your turn to shoot your solo footage as a hot female boxer." Louis informed me.

"Go change into your boxing clothes..." Liam said sternly.

"Only if you say 'pretty please' with a cute pouty face..." I demanded but then he just continued to stare at me which made me feel uncomfortable so I gave up.

"Nevermind." I went off to the dressing room.

*MY SOLO FOOTAGE*

I wore a gray sportsbra for work-out, a light-blue jogging pants with a simple pair of a white Nike.

The director specifically instructed me on what to do with the water bottle but I don't know if I can pull it off 'sexily'.

It was my first time on an actual match ring and I was prepared to do some extreme boxing on the punching bag.

The trick was to let all of your anger out to make it seem more believable.

"AND ACTION!"

I started boxing with a lot of speed and angst mixed altogether.

When the 'break' part came, I opened the water bottle and drank it first then spilled it slowly on my face like a pro would and that's when the five guys entered the set to watch from the sidelines.

Such perfect timing, indeed. (Note the sarcasm)

From the corner of my eye, I saw then gaping at me... or my body with their mouths slightly apart.

Typical guys... I just shook my head at their perverseness.