Damaged - N.H.

8

Julie's P.O.V.

When I got home from work later that evening, I took my time eating dinner and getting ready for bed. I knew it was still the middle of the night in Germany, so it would be a while before I would call Niall. I finally stepped out of the shower around 10:30 and put on the lingerie that Niall loved before slipping a robe over my body and climbing into bed.

I scrolled through my social media accounts trying to entertain myself when I came across an article that caught my attention. I did a double take at the picture, staring at it intently. The couple in the picture had their backs turned to the camera, stepping on to an elevator. They were definitely in a hotel. His hand was resting on her lower back and his head was turned to the side, his eyes directed behind him towards the cameraman. It was slightly blurry, but definitely clear enough to make out the face. I looked down at the headline.

Niall Horan Spotted With Mystery Woman While On Tour In Berlin

You've got to be kidding me. I felt like I swallowed a brick. I couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding as I tried to catch a breath. This couldn't be happening. Niall wouldn't do this. There had to be a logical explanation for this.

The article was posted only a couple of hours ago and there were a few hundred comments. I typically try to stay away from them, but I couldn't help myself in this case. I scrolled through the countless number of comments and questions. Where I was, if we were still together, if our relationship was fake. Some of them were trashing Niall completely, calling him a cheater, and others were directed at me, saying something along the lines of him cheating because I wasn't good enough for him in the first place.

Without even realizing it, I had gone far into a rabbit hole full of hate and controversy and before I knew it, I was in tears as I tormented myself with article after article of the latest Niall Horan gossip.

I jumped when my phone rang and a request to FaceTime with Niall popped up. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my eyes as I struggled with whether or not to answer it. I really wanted to collect myself before I spoke to him but I don't think that would be happening any time soon and I needed to hear this from him now.

Before it disappeared, I hit the green button and Niall's face came into view.

"Hey, I thought you might've fallen asleep when you didn't call." He stated, smiling at me.

I tugged the robe I was wearing tighter around me in discomfort and his smile disappeared. I didn't respond.

"Have you been crying?" He asked.

I took a deep breath, trying not to word vomit everything I was thinking. "Do you have something you want to tell me?"

His brow furrowed for a moment before he sighed. "You saw the cameras, didn't you?"

"The what? What cameras?" I asked, totally confused now.

"The security cameras." He stated. "Isn't that what you were talking about?"

"What? No! I'm talking about the girl you brought back to your hotel!" I said, my anger rising. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I can explain that, I swear." He replied. "I wasn't with her."

"I saw the picture, Niall." I said dejectedly.

"What picture?" He asked.

"It's all over the internet."

He fumbled with his laptop, placing it on his lap and typing away. I assumed he was doing a quick search of himself to see what I was talking about. His eyes scanned the screen in silence, his phone sitting off to the side so I could still see his face. I waited quietly while he read.