More Than This *Larry Stylinson* Boyxboy

Chapter 3: More Than This

                We all sat down and I rubbed my palms on my pants. I always got a little nervous right before we aired live. I tend to not think before I speak, and since we’re live, anything I say is immediately broadcasted to the world. The interviewer seemed nice, but she hadn’t asked anything hard to answer yet. Just the usual, how do you deal with the fans, favorite song off the album kind of things. I was relaxed, along with the rest of the band. Except for Niall.

                Niall was in his own little world, and we had to shake him a few times to get his attention when Carla, our interviewer, asked him if he would ever date a fan. “Eh, sure, fine.” He mumbled faintly, and went back to staring at the wall. Carla shrugged.

                “Now, Louis, there have been some rumors that you’ve been on a few dates recently?” She leaned forward excitedly, her eyes gleaming with something rather dark. I take back what I said about her being nice. She kind of seems like a bitch now. Carla motioned towards her tech guy, and a picture of my sister and I at a park filled the screen, along with a picture of my cousin and I. My mouth dropped open, along with the other boys. Zayn burst out laughing.

                Carla snapped her head towards him, as Zayn clutched his knees and howled with laughter. I was still shocked, and rubbed my eyes, convinced I was dreaming. The paparazzi weren’t that stupid, were they? Lottie is twelve, for God’s sake. “Is there something wrong, Zayn?” Carla asked suspiciously.

                Tears glistened in his eyes as he breathed in and out deeply, and shook his head. “I apologize, Carla. It’s just, that’s Louis’s family.” He took one look at the screen and fell back against his chair, cackling. I swear. It wasn’t that funny. I was going to give this ‘Bradford Bad Boy’ a stern talking to when we got back in the car. Oh gosh, I sound like Liam.

                Carla blushed. “Ah. I see. Well,” She turned back to me. “Are you dating anyone, then? Are any of you in relationships?”

                Why did we always get asked these questions? Liam raised his hand. “My girlfriend, Danielle, and I have been together for about two years.”

                Carla nodded, encouraging him to go on. “Well, do you think you’ll stay together?” She prodded. Liam turned red.

                “Well, yes, but I’m not very comfortable having you ask these personal questions.” He blurted. Carla flinched.

                “Fine. What about you, Zayn? Any special women in your life?” She asked, switching her facial expression to something she must have thought was cute and endearing, when in reality she looked like a demented squirrel.  Zayn shrugged.

                “Uh, I’m close with my mom?” He tried, and Harry snorted. Zayn always tried new techniques to keep his private life, well, private.

                The interview finally finished with the five of us singing the chorus from ‘What Makes You Beautiful’, and Niall rushing out like someone set fire to his heels. The other boys were too busy eating to notice, but I stealthily followed him. Well, maybe not so stealthily. Harry caught my eye, and nodded towards Niall. He slipped away from the other boys, and we ninja rolled into the parking lot and behind the limo, where that obnoxious driver was still sitting. Surprisingly enough, Niall was sitting in the passenger seat, apparently talking to the driver.

                Harry and I crawled behind cars, and I prayed we wouldn’t get hit. I’m not religious or anything, I just hoped that if there was actually some divine presence, it would hear me and keep both Harry and I safe as we eavesdropped on one of our best friend’s most private conversations. The windows were down, and if we sat very still in a certain position, we could hear it perfectly. The position, however, was just a bit compromising.

                I had to straddle Harry, and press my ear to the car, while his back was against the car. We had made quite a loud thump attempting to get into the position, and I was a bit surprised no one had noticed us. Harry winked at me, and pointed to the car with his thumb, noiselessly telling me to listen.

                “I really do mean that I’m sorry!” Niall protested. I could hear tears in his voice. I clenched my teeth. Whoever this driver was, he really had it coming to him. No one messed with my friends.

                “Why didn’t you keep in touch, Niall? There were thousands of ways you could have contacted me. But, no. Instead, you replaced me with these,” he paused, and I could just imagine his sneer, “people.”

                “Those ‘people’ are my best friends!” Niall fumed, and the driver scoffed.

                “For now. It’s pretty obvious how quickly you begin and end friendships.” The driver said scathingly. Harry and I locked eyes. We needed to get rid of this guy. He was not good for Niall. Plus, he was a complete jerk.

                Niall recoiled, and his Irish accent became more noticeable. “Listen up, Seamus. I’m only going to say this once. I’m extremely sorry we lost touch, and I know it was worse because there’s pictures and videos everywhere of me with my band. But, if you could have gotten in touch too. What’s happened to you? The Seamus I knew would be bouncing around the car listening to music and honking at ducks. Now? You’re just waiting for me to come out of my interview so you can yell at me.”

                Harry and I fist bumped. Niall could be one bad ass when he tried. He was our little blond Irish mofo. Seamus snorted.

                “There’s a lot you don’t know about me anymore, Niall. Obviously, we’ve both changed a lot.” Seamus enunciated each word carefully. I rolled my eyes. This fellow seemed a bit over dramatic. Sure, we all left behind some friends back home, but it wasn’t such a big deal.

                Harry caught my eye, and made a panicked motion, waving his hands violently under my chin. I glanced down, and I knew. I knew we were about to be caught, because Harry Styles, the beloved member of One Direction, was about to have a gigantic sneeze.