Locked up for Love

Chapter 1. - Hesitation.

“Are you still mad, Nialler?” A soft deep voice sounded around the room, as Liam sat down next to his friend. His brown eyes were focused on Niall’s face and he put one arm around him protectively. Niall just sighed and closed his eyes for a while.

“I am not mad”, he answered calmly and he slowly put down Liam’s arm from his back. “It’s just… Well, why would I even explain it to you again, I already did.”

It was only a few days ago since the boys heard about the concept of ‘Locked up for Love’ for the first time. Their manager, mister Dallas, had explained everything once more very carefully and didn’t leave any details behind this time, so the lads would know what to expect. Because Louis and Liam already had their own love lives, they would function as the hosts of the TV show, which Louis immediately approved.

“Finally I’m going to make my presenter debut”, he had said with a wide grin on his face as the others disapprovingly shook their heads.

During the explanation, Niall eventually came to listen to it as well. Nobody had said anything about him being away or his reaction to the idea earlier: he just sat down and listened to the manager with his friends. Mister Dallas had only glanced at him quickly and continued his story straight away:

“During your stay at the villa, we will of course have tasks to complete for you and the girls together. The show will be aired once a week, but, certain cameras through the whole villa will be immediately connected to the Internet and have their own livestreams that can be watched online everywhere around the world.” Zayn, Niall and Harry had to swallow once to that sentence and Zayn pursed his lips, thinking about what that meant exactly.

“The girls will be able to audition by sending in pictures they took, stories or letters they wrote to you and even videos they made”, mister Dallas had said. “Of course I’ll leave it up to you which girls to choose…”

Anyway, Niall still wasn’t sure about the whole thing.

“It’s all right…” Liam said to him. “I kind of…understand. But think about it for a while, you-…” The door that suddenly opened interrupted Liam. He kept silent as Zayn, Louis and Harry walked in as well, all dressed up in sweatpants. Harry sat down on the soft, purple carpet and rested his head on the couch behind him, staring at his phone screen.

“Problems, again?” Harry said uninterested. He was wearing a dark grey beanie and his brown curls popped up from beneath it a little. His eyes looked tired and his mouth was opened a little while scrolling through his messages. Zayn lay down on one of the couches on his back and yawned, as he closed his eyes like he secretly didn’t want to be involved in this conversation.

“Kind of…” Liam mumbled and he quickly looked at Niall.

“Seriously, I thought we had it all figured out now?” Louis said and he raised one eyebrow, relaxing on the couch.

“Niall still doesn’t think it’s a good idea”, Liam said and Louis goggled, turning around to look Niall in the eyes.

“Look Niall,” he tried, “this is the ultimate opportunity for all three of you. And remember, you did say you would date a fan…” Louis pointed at Niall accusatorily, so he squinted and faltered:

“Yea, I know… But like I said: it doesn’t feel right to me to try and find a girlfriend during a television show! It’s just…too commercial and stuff. And who would apply for me anyway?” Caused by that statement, Zayn moaned frustrated and covered his face with his hands. Niall ignored it.

“All right, if you won’t agree and believe us…” Louis said and he shook his head, grabbing the laptop from the coffee table in front of them.