Imperfect Reality ~ Ziam Fanfic

Chapter 6

I woke up to my phone ringing. I had fallen asleep on the chair in Niall's hospital room. I sloppily wiped the drool off my left cheek then checked my phone to see who it was. I was shocked to see who it was. Simon Cowell? Why the bloody hell would Simon call me? In my confusion, Simon hung up the call. I then remembered that I was in the same room as Niall. I looked at him, and he was still sound asleep. Jesus, that boy could sleep through anything.

I quietly crept out of the room into the hallway, then dialed Simon's number.

''Hello?''

''Oh hello sir, it's me Liam.''

''Ah yes, Liam.''

''So, why'd you call me?''

''I needed to talk to you in private. Could you come over to my office around 12:30? We can discuss it over lunch.''

''Sure.'' I said puzzled. What did Simon want to talk about?

''Good. I'll see you then.'' He hung up the call. I glanced at the clock. It was 11. I sighed and went to the cafeteria to get some lunch. I got a bagel lightly spread with some cream cheese. I took a seat and started munching on my food, as I noticed Harry and Louis sitting at a table two tables across from me. In my shock, some food got stuck in my throat and I started coughing. They looked over, then rushed to help me. My eyes got watery as I managed to swallow the food while Harry patted my back, and Louis got me a glass of water. ''Thanks.'' I mumbled reaching for the water. Louis was faintly blushing, as if he was embarrassed that I found him alone with Harry. Harry grabbed a seat then sat down and said, ''We were going to call you to have breakfast with us, but you were asleep so...''

''It's okay,'' I said with a wave of my hand. Louis looked down and said, ''I, uhm, excuse me, I'll be back.'' He dashed off. Harry looked at me and said, ''Sorry, he's not very, erm, comfortable with people knowing about us yet.'' I gave him a smile, ''I understand.'' 

There was a moment of silence, when I said quietly, ''Simon asked me to meet him for lunch.'' Harry gasped. ''He what?!'' He raised his voice, and I said, ''Shush, don't yell. I don't want any of the other boys to know.''

''But why?''

I looked at him with honest eyes, ''Because I trust you.''

He looked stunned, then I realized he was asking why Simon wanted to talk to me, not why I didn't want any of the other boys to know. I blushed and said, ''I mean I don't know why he wants to talk.'' He mumbled, ''Oh.'' I took a quick glance at my watch. ''Shit it's already 12,'' I muttered as I got up and said, ''I'll be back in about an hour.'' Harry grinned and said, ''Don't have too much fun.''

I winked and said, ''I won't.''

I got to Simon's office, and he buzzed me in. He motioned for me to sit in the chair. I did, a bit awkwardly though. There was a moment of silence when finally Simon said, ''Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Got it?'' i nodded my head and he looked pleased. ''Furthermore, I don't want you to interrupt when I'm talking.'' I got a bit startled and said, ''Yes, sir.'' 

''Good.'' He leaned back in his chair. And said, ''I'm just going to be very straightforward with this. I need you to be the lead man of the group. The one who keeps all the boys in order.'' He paused, and looked at my confused expression. ''Let me explain. The boys all have problems that need to be recognized. For example, I think the fame might get to Zayn's head. Niall is too naive, and we don't want him to be brought down by haters. And Louis and Harry, I worry about those boys. They seem awfully close.'' I held my breath, waiting for him to say something else. ''Then there's you. You came to XFactor as a solo artist, and I don't want you to try to take all the credit for yourself. You need to let the other boys take the spotlight once in a while.'' Reality hit me as I realized what he was saying was utterly and completely true. I shook my head as if I saw stars whirling around my head, and since I didn't know what else to say, I whispered, ''Sir, yes, sir.'' 

''Great. You can go now.'' I nodded and then silently walked out the room.