Foolish (James McVey)

Chapter 13

We stood infront of the car and I felt James place his hand on my lower back as he whispered in my ear, "Show time."

The red carpet went a lot more smoothly than I thought. James acted as if nothing had happened between and whenever a camera was on us or we were surrounded by people, I allowed his arm to slip around my waist and recieve the occasional kiss on the cheek from him.

As soon as we entered the movie theatre I tried keeping my distance from James and trying to walk with a girl who had came as Connor's date, but James wouldn't allow that. He would pull me back into him and whisper into my ear, "It's all for the cameras babe." The more times he did this, the more it would piss me off.

I had no idea what had happened between us. We first met and we hated each other's guts then after a few days we were acting as if we were a couple and now we're back to disliking each other. At least I was. I was trying to avoid the feelings I had boiling up inside of me for this boy band member. I just had to help him and his band get their good image back, get my paycheck then leave. Sounds simple right? Let me just add in the parts that I have to pretend I don't have feelings for James and lie to everyone around me. Now it sounds a lot more difficult.

I tried all I could. I pretended to like James for him. For his band. For anyone but myself but his words from the other night stuck in my head so strongly.

I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't notice the lights dim and the movie start to begin as we were sat within the theatre. I felt James' fingers weave theirs through mine but I couldn't manage it, I pulled my arm away and sat as far away as I could in my seat.

All throughout the movie I put my attention on anything but James. The girl who came as Connor's date, Kelly, would occasionally make jokes about certain parts within the film which made me chuckle, and everytime I chuckled I felt James' eyes lay on the back of my head.

What seemed like hours later after the movie, speeches and random awards for members of the creation cast, we were finally let free from the cinema and taken to the cabs outside.

Due to Joe and Lisa's demands, James and I rode the car together to the after party. The tension was so thick I'm sure even the driver could sense it. Minutes dragged on before James cleared his throat.

"So what do you think of the movie?" He awkwardly adjusted his jacket before leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah it was good. It was good." I mumbled, keeping my gaze upon the outside world.

Silence fell upon us again and I could only pray that we were closer to the venue of this after party.

About 30 minutes passed and we arrived at a building surrounded by paparazzi as well known celebrities entered the party for a night of celebration for the new movie.

I went to leave the car before James did but he pulled me back, "El, please. I can't go on like this."

"And you think this is easy for me?" I snapped, whipping my hand out of his grip.

"You know I meant nothing of what I said. I wasn't thinking straight, you know how I am..." he coughed so that I understood what he meant.

"Don't you dare bring your medical condition into this James. You know very well what you said and why you said it." I pushed my way past and exited the car, faking a smile as James' hands slip into my own.

Once again we are faking it as we smile at each other and enter the building. As soon as we are in I am swept away by the other girls who came with the band as James is taken by the rest of the lads.

"So, what's goin on with James?" Kelly asks as we are handed some shots from the bar.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on. We're not stupid!" Jess, Tristan's date complained.

"I, we're just going through a few difficulties. That's all. It'll be better tomorrow." I pick up the shot glass placed infront of me and down it as quick as I can.

All three girls exchange glances before downing theirs too.

It was heard that this after party was a bit more formal than the usual kind of club. Celebrities of all talents gathered under the flashing lights as drinks were handed out to anyone that didn't have one.

I hadn't seen James all evening, and even though I was still angry at him, my heart yearned to know where he was.

I needed to visit the restrooms, so I excused myself and turned the corner into a quiet yet dimly lit corridor. Hurrying down I turned the corner towards the door marked with 'females'. As my hand hit the door to open, I was pulled around the corner by a pair of hands.

I looked to meet two pairs of eyes, one pair of green and one pair of brown.

"Who are you?"

The two men chuckled but didn't let go of me. Struggling all I could to fight their strong hold on me, a tear slipped from my eye as I wondered how my life went from simple to complicated.