Chapter 5 A Big Problem

Zayn

We have been working really hard with Uncle Simon, we finally found the perfect song, Kids in America. This performance was going to be the best, I can't let Riley outshine me.

The day before the performance, we are onstage practising when I hit Riley's head with my microphone. Everyone crowds around her and she acts like it doesn't hurts which annoys me. “Go get it checked out, I can't afford having you screw up what I've been working for so long!” I yell at her.

The way she looked at me shut me up, it was such a cold glare that my voice instantly got lost. She gets up hands Harry the microphone and she runs. I'm frozen in place but Liam runs after her, he can't catch up.

For a person like her she runs pretty fast. Harry, Louis and Niall all just stare at me in silence. I start feeling guilty so I start to leave. “Zayn!” Niall calls. “Screw off!” I answer, and with that I run out too.

I don't know what got into me, but I couldn't find the right words to tell Riley so I just exploded. I call Cher to ask if I could meet up with her, hearing the hurt in my voice she agreed instantly and we decided to meet at the contestant's house at 3 o'clock.

Cher arrives and she sees me sitting on the steps, she sits beside me and starts talking, “What's wrong? You only call me like this when you're seriously hurt and I have about 15 mins.”

I sigh, and tell her what happened, she sits thoughtfully, and says, “Maybe, you think he'll replace you so that's why you're so protective, I'll assure you it won't happen. You guys are band mates and if one wins you all win, if one falls you all fall. Like The Beetles, Backstreet Boys and N Sync, you guys should rely on each other not fight, you were put together for a reason. Now go to Riley and tell him you're sorry, Niall too. I have to go honey, love you.”

She kisses me gently and leaves. Man, gotta love a chick who can rap and sit down to give you advice.

When I get back, I see Liam, Niall, Harry and Louis all sitting there, I ask them what's wrong and Liam reply, “I lost her, and now it's two hours before the performance.” Harry continues, “She won't answer anything we send her or our calls!” Shit, I have to go find her, now.

I dash out of the room and went looking for her, Riley where are you? Wait, the park. I run as quickly as I could and I see her sitting there with her headphones on, and asleep. She looked so calm, so pretty, I snap out of it and pull her up, she doesn't wake up, so I lift her on my shoulders and I carry her back to the building. Inside the boys are like mad, with only 15 mins before our performance, when they see me relief sink into their faces.

I lay Riley down and Liam takes off her head phones. “Riley, Riley, RILEY!” Liam calls. Ah screw this, I take a water bottle and dump water on her face. She woke up instantly, she was about to say something when Louis points to the clock, reality sets in and people came in to get us ready, Riley took a bit longer than usual.

We walk to get on stage and I whisper to Riley, “Sorry, but we have to stick together, if one falls we all fall.” Riley ignores me and the music starts.

When we're done performing Riley gives me the biggest grin ever, and with that I take it that she forgives me.