To Love A Fighter |||| l.p.

Shopping

Liam's POV

I couldn't stop grinning like an idiot as we went down to the lobby, holding hands.  Its funny how a simple act can be so meaningful. Holding hands. I get to hold hands with Stella. She was such an angel to me while I was in Houston. And now she's my angel to have in Miami. As we walk towards the entrance we see the lads waiting for us at the lobby. Harry looks at us and exclaims, "Heyyy! What do we have here??" Everyone else suddenly turns to look and exclaim cheerfully at the sight of Stella and I holding hands. It felt great to know that everyone just wanted what was best for me, and knew that Stella was the key. I know I can always count on them for support, even when I don't see it for myself. Niall comes up and pats my shoulder, "Good call Liam, it'll be nice to have you back to normal." I just smile and nod, I guess after the last breakup I must have not been myself very much. I was always just lost in a daze, confused, sad, angry. 

"Ok ok ok ok, guys guys guys, as happy as we are that Liam FINALLY got his head out of his arse, I'm STARVING and my girlfriend would like to add on to her already massive wardrobe before the parties tonight!" Louis lets us know not so politely. We all laugh and head out to two Range Rovers waiting for us at the valet. Zayn and I get the keys from the valet and we head out to lunch.

Lunch was like dinner take 2. It was what I originally wanted last night's dinner to be and so much more. Stella was just glowing and radiating joy, which just made me want to keep that going. She's so beautiful when she's happy, her smile and her adorable laugh, I never want it to end. The lads went on to tell her about all of our embarrassing tour stories and she told them funny stories about the first few days at the gym. She fit in quite nicely with the group. I noticed that she's quiet when she's serious, but really lights up when she's around a good group of people. It's probably why she's always so serious and quiet at the gym, because she's so focused on her training. I'm glad that I was able to bring out this side of her, something that I'm sure a lot of people at the gym would pay to see.

After lunch Perrie comes up and yanks Stella from my side, "Alright Liam, it's time for her to spend some time with girls and for you to catch up with your boys. We'll see you guys in a few hours and I promise I'll have her looking absolutely gorgeous by the time we're done." Stella looks slightly confused and a little nervous as she gets pulled away from me. I squeeze her hand to comfort her and kiss her forehead, "she's already gorgeous, but go ahead. Make sure you take care of her!" She looks at me, more nervous now, but I want to her to keep having fun and I know El and Perrie are going to bring her even more out of her cocoon. "Hey, don't worry, you're going to have a blast, trust me ok?" I reassure her. "Ah um, ok. See you later!" she pecks my cheek. "You two are going to make me puke, come on mate let the girls have their fun! We must drink!" Harry cheers. Zayn kisses Perrie goodbye and El blows a kiss to Louis and they take off.

Stella's POV

Ohhh Liam, sweet sweet Liam.

Why did you leave me so suddenly?

I've been in fights, I've been in competitions, I've fought with men, and I'm competed against women ready to take my head off. 

But I have never been more nervous than at the thought of going shopping with a british pop star and a model like we're gal pals.

I have no idea what to do, they seem really nice, and I've always wanted girlfriends, but....I don't know, girls and I...never really clicked! The ones I normally interact with are usually wanting to rip me limb from limb. I take a deep breath and hop into the back seat of the range rover that Perrie's driving. Eleanor looks back at me and starts off the conversation, "Stella you are fantastic, I'm so glad that Liam found you. Tell me about how you and Liam first met! I know you gave the overview,  but we wanna know details!" I'm caught off guard by her friendliness and blush. "Oohh Perrie! She's blushing! That only means one of two things, either it was adorable or embarrassing! Either way you MUST spill!" She giggles excitedly. "Alright Stella you got me curious too. You have to tell us!" Perrie calls out making sure her eyes are still on the road.

So I tell them everything, about Pat, about the roof, they get a kick out of me taking Liam down and nearly choking the life out of him, they even laugh harder when I justify it by telling them I thought he was a burglar, they aww when I tell them about how I saw Liam's loneliness and invited him to be my friend, and I finish it off by telling them how we've hung out every night since, right on that roof.

"And, well, here I am!" I tell them. "Well, that was both cute AND embarrassing," Eleanor laughs contentedly. "But, it sounds like you really looked out for Liam while he was out there, we really appreciate that. After him and Sophia broke up the last time he just wasn't the same," Perrie tells me from the driver's seat. We pull into what looks to be a high end shopping center. I look around nervously, I don't think I can afford ANYTHING from here. I hope they don't look down on me for it...I make enough to live a comfy life, not an extravagant one. Eleanor notices my look and pokes me, "hey! Stella! No worries love, look!" And she pulls out a credit card, "Liam gave us one of his cards! With specific instructions on getting whatever you want! Or did you think the royal treatment would end after he started holding hands with you?" I'm sure I must look shocked, but then I remembered this must have already been planned from the beginning, no wonder he seemed so at ease to let me be with the girls. I'll have to thank him later.

"Ah ok, but you guys will have to teach me how to shop, I don't get to do it much!" I tell them. Perrie scoffs jokingly, "you've come to the masters then!" We go into the first store and its filled with swimsuits and beachwear, I look at a price tag and about fall over. If I would have told 12 year old me that I would be shopping at places where t shirts are worth as much as my car with a british pop star and a model, she'd probably laugh at me and go back to playing her video games.

"Ok....hmm" Perrie turns me over and looks me up and down, Eleanor comes around and does the same, "what do you think El?" Eleanor looks deep in thought as she inspects me, "she's got a banging body, and she's a little more muscular than you and I, so no thick halter tops," El evaluates me as I get extremely self conscious. I feel like I'm at a security checkpoint. "Yea, nothing bandeau either" Perrie continues. Wait, "are you guys talking about swimsuits?" I ask them. They both look and and answer in unison, "yes!" "I think a teeny bikini it is then!" El declares and skips off. "Umm guys I don't really wear swimsuits like that," I tell them, hoping to change their minds. "I figured, but we're gonna show you how fabulous you really are and have Liam drooling all over you tonight!" Perrie tells me nonchalantly.

Out of curiousity I ask her, "weren't you guys friends with Sophia? Why did she do that to Liam?" Perrie grimaces a little, "Sophia was nice,  we all got along fine. The thing is that we didn't really get her as a person. When her and Liam first started dating everything was fine, then they broke up the first time and she stopped talking to all of us. We were all confused. When she came back she said that Liam and her just had a big fight and that they were fine now. But when we talked to Liam he said he didn't remember any big fight. We felt a little strange afterwards but didnt make a big deal about it. After the second time, we definitely felt more frustrated. Then while I was on tour I saw her with one of the producers from Sony, whom I know to be married, snogging in an elevator. Needless to say I confronted her about it, but she pretended to not know me! I later get a call from her apologizing, but that this is just a fling she has sometimes and to not tell anyone. I couldn't see her the same after that.  I told Zayn about it and he was furious. We wanted her to woman up about it and tell him, but when she didn't we couldn't stay by any longer. Which is why after they broke up we supported him taking some time off, and we all were really excited to meet you when he told us about you. You should have heard him talking about you, it was so cute! 'She's been my guardian angel, I can't wait to have you all meet her!'" She laughs as she reminices.

I'm stunned to hear the whole story and blush at the thought of him talking about me. El runs back with 6 different bikinis and outfits for the beach concert tonight. "Let's go Stella!" She grabs my hand and throws me into a fitting room.

I come out of the dressing room in my first bikini, and Eleanor and Perrie's eyes bulge, "Wow! Stella you look amazing! Your goodies need to be on display more often!" Eleanor jokes. I feel pretty bare, but when I see myself in the mirror, I get a little happy at thought of Liam seeing me like this. I don't look half bad, I'm not as slim and slender as Eleanor, and my curves aren't as smooth as Perrie's, but I look strong, and pretty! I let myself smile a little as I check myself out in the mirror. "A smile! I knew she'd like it! Go try on the next one!" El shoves me back into the room