It's Gotta Be You

-41-

I hesitated, but knocked on the door. It took a few moments, but my father finally opened the door "Gracie, it's so good to have you home"

I was pulled into a hug that I didn't want, but I still awkwardly hugged back.

My mother walked up and I almost wanted to gag on her perfume "Sweetie"

"Hi, mom"

The rest of us walked in, going into the parlor.

"Oh sweetie, if you're going to wear a dress like that you really should wear something to tuck all that in; we'll work on that while you're here"

"Right" I muttered.

She looked the others over before smiling "Liam, it's so great to see you again"

I watched as she pulled him into a hug, which he wasn't expecting.

"Are you two back together?"

"No, mom"

"Well that's a shame. He was one of the good decisions you made" she took a seat on the couch "I don't know what you did, but you must regret losing him"

Nope. I want out. Now.

"I didn't do anything, Mom"

"We already know that Liam must have ended the relationship, because you wouldn't be foolish enough to let him go"

My father walked in, carrying a tray of drinks for everyone "I hope you're all thirsty"

"Honey, didn't they make a good couple? I mean, he could do better, but we hoped it would last"

My dad gave me a look.

I cleared my throat "Where's Robbie?"

"He's at soccer practice" my mother said, grinning "We're just so proud of him; he's clearly the best on the team"

"Well Gracie's album is climbing the charts here" Louis said, smiling, but obviously annoyed. 

"That's good and all, but sports are a real career"

"We're proud of you though" my dad said. 

"I just wish you didn't have to make all this music in another country" my mom said, taking a drink of her sweet tea.

I sighed "Don't act so hurt mom, you didn't even know that I was on tour until management called"

"Don't be so dramatic, Gracie; it's really not attractive"

"How about you all get settled in" my father said, walking to the stairs.

We went up the stairs, going to the many guest rooms in the house. I had only here once since they moved back to the states, and that was enough for me. 

Zayn poked me "Your mother seems lovely"

"More like vicious" Hayden commented.

I showed the others to their rooms, before going to my own. My door opened and Liam closed it behind him.

"Please promise you'll talk to me when it gets bad"

I nodded and pulled him in for a hug that I so desperately needed "Thank you, Liam"

He pulled away and gave me a kiss on the forehead "It'll be okay"

I walked Liam back to his room and started heading back downstairs.

"All I'm saying is that maybe we shouldn't have left her in England" my mother said. 

I wasn't even home for an hour, but it was already uncomfortable and I wanted to find a way out soon.

"It's her choice as a musician; if she makes mistakes, they'll be her mistakes" my father said. 

"She's already made enough mistakes, like losing Liam. With the way she dresses and acts, she will never find another guy who will treat her as well as Liam did"

Hearing this made me so upset. Of course they still assume that I was the one who messed up, as if Liam wasn't capable of making a mistake. 

"I just don't want her destroying her life" she continued.

I scoffed. The only thing destroying my life is the way she parents, which will lead me to therapy at some point. Oh wait, she already sent me to therapy because I wanted to be a singer rather than get a "realistic job"

Last time I checked, I am doing pretty damn well in this business. 

I rolled my eyes and walked back down the stairs, forcing a smile towards them.

"Are you all settling in?" my dad asked.

I nodded.

"Gracie, are you dating anyone?" my mom asked, cutting right to it.

I shook my head "No, um, not at the moment"

"You seem unsure" 

I bit my cheek "No, I just want to focus on my music right now"

"That's unfortunate"

"And why is that, mom?"

"Because it's one of the few things I have to look forward to for you"

"What your mother means is, we just want you to be happy"

"I am happy"

"Gracie and I are dating" an Irish accent said from the stairs.

Niall, now is not the time to dive in and save me.

Louis and Liam were behind him, and Liam looked quite mad.

I know that Niall means well, but he just started up a whole other problem for me. 

"And you are?" my dad asked.

"I'm Niall, Niall Horan" he said, walking down next to me and placing an arm around me.

Kill me now.

"A musician? Gracie that's not a stable choice" my mom commented.

I gave her a look "Liam's a musician"

"Yes, well Liam is an exception" she said, shaking her head "Although sweetie, they are in the same band. That makes you appear a little frumpy"

"Frumpy?" I asked. Did she actually just use that word to describe me?

"Have you been with anyone else in the band?"

"No!"

"Could you just stop treating Gracie like she's this disappointment?" Liam said, stepping forward "She's a beautiful and incredibly talented girl. How do you not see that?" 

I smiled at Liam.

"Oh and by the way, I cheated on her; it's my fault the relationship ended, not her"

"Did you cheat because find someone better?" she asked.

My mouth dropped, like actually dropped. Did she really just say that?

"Screw you" I spit out, before running back upstairs.

Even when I'm the victim in a situation, she will always find a way to make me the problem. 

I heard running behind me and soon felt arms around me. I turned around, burying my head against their chest. I didn't know who it was, but I was in too much pain to care.

"I'm so sorry, Gracie" Niall whispered "I'm always here for you"

I started laughing, which confused him "What?"

"We've been here for less than an hour and all this has already happened"

"And how is that funny?"

"They just broken their record"

He shook his head and placed his hand on my head, keeping me against him "I'm sorry"