The Exchange

Chapter 43

"Guys!" Zayn exclaims entering quickly into the living room. All four heads look up from what they're doing and meet Zayns tired and frightened look. Zayn felt happy that Mira wasn't present but it doesn't make it any easier. "I know who was behind the story that introduced Louis and Mira!"

"Who was it?" Louis asks sitting upright.

"It was Eleanor."

"Big surprise." Niall says sarcastically, looking down at his phone again.

"I'm not kidding!" Zayn breathes, crouching down at the coffee table. "Danielle called Perrie this morning saying Eleanor sold the story. She was at the mall that day when she saw you and started following you around. The picture was taken with her phone and she wanted Danielle to be a part of it who refused, so she sent it to the magzine annonymously on her own." Zayn looked around, amazed that none of the boys looked like they could follow that.

"So you're saying that my girlfriend tried to make me look bad?" Louis asked trying to clarify.

"And she asked my girlfriend to help her?" Liam asked also raising a doubtful eyebrow.

"Yes! Doesn't it make sense to you?" Zayn exclaims confused as to why they aren't believing him.

"But why would she want to harm me?" Louis asks again.

"But did it really hurt you? Think about it, everything surrounding this whole story focuses more on Mira than you." Zayn replies.

"How was Eleanor supposed to know that that would happen?" Louis asks again.

"Yeah and I still don't know why Danielle would be in this."

"Or why Danielle would tell Perrie." Harry adds from the couch.

"Look I don't know all the details but she has had it out for Mira forever!" Zayn tries again

"That doesn't mean she would try to turn every single teenage fan in the world against her." Louis responds. 'Is Zayn really suggesting my girlfriend is that harmful?' He thinks feeling betrayed and upset.

"Maybe we should just go with it." Niall says from his current postition lieing down on the loveseat. Liam and Louis look at him shocked that he would so willingly believe their sweethearts could be so harmful.

"Look there are absolutley no other leads, at least it's a starting point." Niall responds. Liam and Louis look at each other trying to find some sort of comfort and advice in the others eyes.

"Just please, call Danielle and ask her." Zayn suggests, pleadingly looking up at Liam. Liam looks between Zayn and Louis. Both are begging him to do something different. He looks away from them to Harry and Niall who won't meet his gaze. With an exhale he pulls out his phone and dials her number. It rings and rings. Louis and Zayn wait patiently to hear their conversation, Harry sits down on the couch preparing to act as the mediator and Niall knocks on Mira's door, escaping the confusion in the living room.

"Danielle, I have something I need to ask you." Liam sighs after her voice picks up. Harry settles in the couch waiting patiently as Niall dissapears with Mira. Harry can't help but notice the pang of jealousy that runs through him as he hears Mira's kind voice welcome Niall in her presence.

"Do you know something about the magazine I told you about?" Liam continues, sounding ferocious. No emotions cross through his voice. It's just straight. No feelings, no emotions, no passions, no emphasis. Liam tries so hard not to feel anything, having to do this. He doesn't want to know the truth. He doesn't want to hear it, but he knows he can't avoid it.

A muffled "yes" speaks through the speaker followed by more muffled words that no one can be made out. Zayn nods at the 'yes' they all unmistakably made out to be the same word. Harry looks over at Louis who stares into space, thinking deeply. His world must be crushed. The girl he has loved for over a year has just been proven to be a disgusting hater. Now he has a difficult choice to make that he has been trying to avoid since New Years. Should he stay with this deceitful woman? Does he love this deceitful woman? Who knew it would be Mira who would show Louis the truth behind Eleanor?