Hey, Love (One Direction)

Eighteen: Rap-

Eighteen

Olivia's POV

Back at the boys apartment, I excused myself and wandered into the bathroom. Not because I needed to actually use the toilet or anything, I just needed time for... me. Which I hadn't really gotten the chance to have lately, as I'd always been around someone. Sleeping in Liam's bed- and sleeping was all we did, I promise. The only time I ever really got time to myself was when I showered or went to the toilet.

So I went to the toilet.

Not literally, I went into the bathroom where the toilet was...

Anyway, back to the point.

I stood in front of the vanity, staring at my reflection as my thoughts wandered. Going Adventures? Hey, Love? I mean, getting to produce a single of my own had always been a dream, but, like I said, it was a dream. Not reality. Part of me sort of figured that this train of neverending dreams- meeting One Direction, producing a single..- I just had a feeling it'd all end soon.

And it was a bit overwhelming, really. I mean, I knew the others were really talented and deserved it, but I had my doubts about myself... I don't know why, I've been complimented on my looks and talents all my life, but none of the words ever seemed to get through to me... Jaz had said it was because I didn't believe in myself, and maybe she was right. I don't have a very high self esteem.

Thoughts swirled through my head and I struggled to bring myself back to reality. I turned on the tap and splashed some cool water onto my face, waking myself up. It did help a little- I felt more refreshed, but not a whole lot better.

I'm not going to cry I repeated to myself over and over again. It didn't help much. 

A knock on the door jerked me back to reality, and I straightened out and cleared my throat. The voice I loved to hear the most came from the other side of the door.

"You okay in there, Liv?" Liam's voice rung out. "You've been in there for almost fifteen minutes, and not even Louis takes that long to poo."

"Hey!" I hear in the background.

I shake my head and stiffle a small laugh. Even I'm surprised at how small it is, especially for me.

"Can I come in?" Liam asks.

I nod, then realize he can't see me and mentally slap myself. "Yeah," I say, trying to make my voice sound even. I press my hands against the bathroom counter and stare down at my feet. Behind me, I can hear the door open, footsteps, and the door gently closing again.

From the other side of the door I can hear Alex's muffled voice. "Oh my god he's probably going to rape her."

And Jaz's. "It's not rape if she enjoys it."

I roll my eyes and slowly tilt my head up, my gaze finding Liam's. He's standing a few centimeters behind me and watching me curiously. I turn around so that I'm facing him.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"I-" I touch my cheek, and realize that a tear has leaked from the corner of my eye. Hastily, I rub it away. "Nothing. Just tired."

He gives me a funny look. "Because everyone cries when they're tired..."

"It's an Australian thing?" I try.

He laughs and shakes his head, taking another step towards me until he's so close that I can hear him breathing, the sound comforting, and suddenly I yearn for his arms to be around me. We hadn't actually kissed or anything yet... Just sort of been cuddle buddies. I didn't know what we were relationship wise, but I considered him as a really good person and knew I could confide in him.

He takes another step forward and wraps his arms around me, and I join the embrace, resting my head on his shoulder. And suddenly, I can't control the tears anymore. I feel the warmth of them trickle down my cheeks, and shut my eyes, enjoying his embrace. I know I'm being stupid... crying over nothing, really. But I can't help it. It's a way of relieving all of my stange emotions.

We stand their for a while, him just holding me, until I finally managed to stop the flow of tears pouring from my eyes and started to take deep breaths, regaining control. Liam took a step back, one hand moving down to my waist as he uses his other to gently wipe away some of the tears that have streaked my face.

"Hey," he says, his voice soft. "Whatever it is that's got you down, I understand that you might not want to tell me." I'm unable to pull my gaze from his, his warm, dark eyes boaring into mine. "But, I want you to know that no matter what you think, your amazing." He continues on before I can interject. "You are beautiful, kind and I've just discovered that you certainly have a fantastic voice. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about you, and I know every single one of those people out there love and care for you dearly. So don't ever doubt yourself, okay? Just promise me that."

"I can't-"

"Please," he cuts me off. His dark eyes are almost pleading, and I practically melt under his gaze. "Promise me."

I study him for a few seconds more, before reluctantly nodding.

"Say it for me," he says. "Say it like you mean it."

"But I nodded..." I say. "Isn't that enough?"

"I want to hear it from you. I want you to look me in the eyes and say it so I'm sure you're not going to doubt yourself."

"I can't..."

"Please," he says. "All you have to say is 'I promise, Liam.'

"But-"

"Please."

And with that one word, I know I can't refuse. I don't know what it is about him, but there's just something about the way his gaze meets mine and makes my knees buckle, and his voice, so soft and soothing that makes my heart flutter. But I know I can't refuse him.

I take a deep breath, and finally look him in the eye. "I promise, Liam."

His gaze turns from serious, to playful in almost less than a second, and he takes a step closer, his nose brushing against mine. "Good, because now that I know that, I can do this..."

Before I can ask him what he 'can do', his lips are on mine. Warmth encases my body as both his hands wrap around my waist, and somehow my hands gracefully make their way up to his kneck, our lips moving together softly. It's a nice kiss- not lustful, but passionate and true.

I know we could have been like this for hours on end, maybe even gone further, but, of course Louis and Jaz decided to come and see what was going on in the bathroom.

"RAPE RAPE RAPE!" Jaz exclaims.

Louis puts a hand over her mouth and Liam and I pull apart, both of us looking flushed. Louis turns to Jaz, "Shoooshhh, if they see you they'll include you."

The look on Jaz's face makes me laugh- one of pure horror and terror as she backs away and runs back out into the lounge. I expect Louis to follow her, but instead, he walks up to Liam and I, placing a hand on each of our shoulders.

"It's about time," he smiles.

I smile too.