Gotta Be You

Niall's Coping Mechanism

Niall's POV

I️ didn't mean it, any of it. I️ made a mistake, I'm human. When I️ finally cleared my head and realized what I️ was doing, of course I️ walked away from Mila. What was I️ thinking? I️ had a girlfriend, a beautiful and smart girlfriend that I️ loved. I️ threw it all away to a girl that I️ promised Kimberly never to worry about. A fake girl who was worried about nothing but materialistic goods.

I️ wanted to blame Mila but I️ couldn't. It was my fault. I️ made the choice to ditch my girlfriend and class to hang out with Mila. What would posses me to do that? It was like I️ was drawn to this foreign beauty. I️ liked that it was risky and new, but when I️ realized that the cost was losing Kimberly, I️ immediately stopped hanging out with Mila.

If only Kimberly would give me a chance to explain myself. I️ know I️ can make this better.

Suddenly, I️ hear my doorbell ring. I️ jump up to answer the door thinking that there may be a chance that Kimberly is the one standing on the other side.

I open the door to find Mila, leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey there stranger, I️ haven't seen you in a while, I️ thought I'd just stop by to see how things are going, maybe catch up a little," she purred.

"Uh, now's actually not a good time," I️ start, "see I️ kinda got in a little trouble with my girlfriend for-"

"Oh honey!" She exclaims, letting herself into my house, "girlfriend problems are my specialty! You know, us girls can be so petty sometimes. I️ bet she's just on a little bit of a jealous binge."

"Look, Mila, I️ appreciate you wanting to help, but I️ just don't hunk it would be a great idea for us to hang out anymore," I️ reply,

"Niall, you can't let your girlfriend rule your life," Mila responds.

"She's not ruling my life," I️ say defensively, "she's looking out for us and our future, that's not a bad thing."

Mila smirks. "Telling you who you can or can't hang out with? That sounds pretty controlling to me. And then dangling your relationship as bait to force you to stop seeing certain people, aka me? Come on Ni, you have to admit, she's not looking out for your relationship, she's looking out for herself and being greedy," Mila says.

I️ knew that she was manipulating me, but I️ couldn't help it, it started to make sense in my head. Hearing her call me "Ni" reminded me of Kimberly and I️ just couldn't help but give into her lies.

"Don't you see Ni, you can achieve so much more if you take control of your own life. You don't need anyone else, you don't need anyone to tie you down. You're a celebrity now, if Kimberly can't handle you hanging out with a nobody like me, how do you think she's going to react when she sees you with other fans, or other celebrities?" Mila asks, coming dangerously close to me. "You don't think she's going to okay with it do you? Is she going to ask you to give up your fans for your relationship? Your career? I️ mean, Ni, where are you going to draw the line? Kimberly just can't handle the pressure of dating someone like you."

She comes a little bit closer and puts her lips on mine. I️ don't know what it was, the pain of losing Kimberly, the new and exotic feeling of my lips on hers, the feeling of giving into her lies and deceit, or maybe this was just my new coping mechanism, but I️ kissed her back.