I Promise // l.p.

Chapter 17

"Liam!" I push past the crowd of paparazzi that doesn't seem to end. There's no way he can hear me with all the reporters shouting at him. I'm starting to worry that he's getting mobbed.

I finally get to the front of the circle and stop dead in my tracks. I feel like falling to the ground and letting all these reporters trample over me. It'd be better than the pain I'm feeling now. There's no way this is real, but it's happening in front of me right now.

Liam and another girl, connected at the lips.

I won't cry. I can't. Not in front of him. Not in front of paps. Not in front of her.

I quickly rush up and tear Liam's keys from his pocket, turn around, and sprint towards the doors.

I stop running once I get to the parking lot. Then I realize I've been followed.

"Katie, wait!" Liam calls after me.

"Go back in a smile for the camera with your new girlfriend." I spit.

"Can we please talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about! I know what I saw and you know what you did. End of story." Tears begin to fall.

"No, not end of story." He catches my arm, "You can't walk away. Not after all we've been through. I need you." His eyes start to turn red.

"What about when I needed you! You don't have a valid reason why you've been out for more than a week, leaving me to think of all the things Riley could do to me anytime! He's running around somewhere in Australia and I've been paranoid about it!" It didn't really bother me until after that nightmare.

"I'm so sorry. But this was out of my control, please understand that." His voice cracks and his eyes tear up.

"Liam Payne, you will not cry." I warn.

"I love you. I always have, I promise!"

Bullshit.

"I'm done with promises!" My anger overpowers my other emotions and I slap him across the face. Of course I instantly regret it, but I turn and walk away before I can give myself a chance to apologize.

I run to Liam's car and drive back to the hotel, leaving him shocked in the mall driveway.

My tears keep flowing and I rush upstairs to the hotel room. I keep fumbling with the key, I can't seem to get it in right. I've been at this for so long that it has sent me over the edge with frustration. I scream and kick the door.

"Woah, Katie slow down," Louis pulls me away from the door and his eyes go wide when I turn around, "What happened?"

I throw myself into him and ball my eyes out, "Liam's cheating on me. I caught him this afternoon with another girl."

I pull away to see his reaction. Louis doesn't seem surprised at all. "Why doesn't this seem like news to you?" I give him a confused look.

"Liam has had it rough with-"

"You knew! You knew he had a girlfriend the whole time, didn't you?" I cut him off.

He gives me a look.

"Didn't you?" I repeat.

"Yes, but," He starts to explain.

"I can't believe this! I trusted you, Louis!" My anger fades and I begin crying again, letting my back slide to the bottom of my hotel door.

"There's a reason behind it, I swear."

"Then what is it? Why did the loyal, caring Liam I know cheat on me?" I wipe the tears from my cheeks.

"It's for him to tell you." Louis says.

"Of course it is." I roll my eyes. I never want to talk to Liam again, so I guess I'll live without knowing. "I just don't know what to do now, Louis." I put my head in my hands.

"Come here." He sticks his hand out and I take it. Louis pulls me into a hug that I really need right now.

"I want to go home." I cry.

"I know you do." He pulls away after awhile. Louis looks into my eyes and pushes my hair from my face. He leans in and crashes his lips on mine.

I instantly push him off of me, "What the hell?"

"I shouldn't have done that." He looks to the floor.

"No, you shouldn't have." I can't believe he would take advantage of me like that.

I suddenly don't feel comfortable around Louis, and I walk down to Harry's hotel room. "Can I please stay with you tonight?"

"What's wrong?" He raises his eyebrows at me.

"Harry, please." I dodge his question.

"I don't mind." He shrugs.

----

I haven't moved from this spot on Harry's couch for hours. I can't seem to think about anything else but that kiss.

"Will you talk to me yet?" Harry walks in with a banana.

I shake my head no. He sighs and then walks over to his bed.

I jump at the sound of my ringtone. It's Caitlyn.

"Are you doing okay?" Her voice is slow and calm.

"I'm fine, how are things in London?"

"Really, are you okay? Harry told me something was up."

I hesitate before replying, "I had a falling out with Liam, it's nothing."

"What happened?" She asks.

"He just did something unforgivable." I shrug.

"Whatever it was, I think you should give him a chance." She suggests.

"What?" Did she not just hear me say the word 'unforgivable'?

"He forgave you for that whole article thing, right?"

"Yes, but that was just a misunderstanding." I explain.

"Maybe you're looking at this situation wrong, like he did." Caitlyn says.

"Who's side are you on?" I raise my voice. The other end is silent. "Sorry."

"Just think about it, yeah?"

"I don't know," I sigh, "I think that I want to come home."

"To London?"

"No, Wolverhampton."