***NIALL POV***

    As I walked down the hallway and to the elevator, I couldn’t shake the feeling of  Torre’s lips against mine. I didn’t mean to kiss her. I didn’t mean to feel this much for her.  I wasn’t supposed to like her as much as I do. I was supposed to take her on a couple dates, get the rumors floating around, and then never see her again. But now I’ve actually fallen for her, I think.

    The way she laughs, the way she smiles. Her eyes. She’s beautiful, and she doesn’t even try---she doesn’t need to. What was happening to me?  I can’t be with her.  I don’t want to expose her to everything. The fans will tear her up...although some of them already are. And we’re going back home soon. I can’t be with her.  What have I gotten myself into? The last thing I expected was to actually fall for her. But the way we were today, I was happy with her. Genuinely happy. And then the way her eyes stared deep into mine before I kissed her. I did it before my better judgement could tell me not to.

    The ride home was silent, as Ricky dropped me off at the house. Before I stepped out of the car, I heard him speak.

    “She seems like a wonderful girl, Niall.” Of course. Of course he had to say that.

    “I know. Thanks for everything.” I said and slammed the door. I walked inside never feeling more confused. I went straight to bed, frustrated and confused at my feelings for Victoria.

*****

The next few days were pretty low key. I didn’t see Victoria, but we were constantly texting back and forth. I had decided the night before that I had to go through with cutting things off after one more date. It would be the best for the both of us in the long run. I planned on inviting her over for a pool party at the house with the rest of the boys. At least then she can meet them and maybe since there will be other people,  it would not be so ‘just us’ and I wouldn’t continue to get in deeper. I decided to text her and make the plans.

    *So Torre, we’re having a pool party at the house tonight. Want to come over?*

    She replied back almost instantly: *Yeah, I’d love to :)*

    *Great! Can’t wait to see you!!*

*****

***VICTORIA POV***

    I was currently sitting in the kitchen with Eliza when Niall texted me.

    *So Torre, we’re having a pool party at the house tonight. Want to come over?* “He’s having a pool party and wants me to come!” I squealed excitedly. To be honest, I haven’t stopped thinking about Niall for the last three days. It’s actually getting really bad. I’ve fallen...hard. And we’ve only been on two dates! I quickly typed back a response.

    *Yeah, I’d love to:)* It was a date then. I’d be going to the house for a pool party! And all of the other boys would be there!

    *Great! Can’t wait to see you!* he texted back. Eliza snatched my phone from my hand.

    “A huh, darn right he can’t wait to see you. You’re the hottest girl on the market.” she teased.

    “Shut up, Liza.” I said and playfully pushed her.

    “Oh c’mon Tor, you’re in loooovvvveee.” she said in a sing-song voice.  I  thought about her words. I wasn’t quite there yet, but it wouldn’t be long.

*****

    A couple hours later, I had my bathing suit on and threw on some clothes over it. Niall sent a car for me to drive to the house, so I wasn’t surprised when I left the  building and saw Ricky waiting for me.

    “Hello again.” he said, opening the door for me.

    “Hello.” I replied sweetly. The ride to the house was short and quiet. Neither Ricky or I said anything, we just sat content without saying anything. When we pulled up to the house, I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped. I was expecting a big house, but nothing quite like this. This was a mansion. The house in front of me was beyond huge. It was a three story building and was absolutely gorgeous! I couldn’t wait to see what the inside looked like!

    Ricky let me out of the car and  I walked up to the door. Should I knock? Before I had to really ponder the question, the door flung open and Liam stood there. Good thing I watched all those funny moments videos and knew which boy was which! He had a confused look on his face, like he wasn’t expecting to see me.

    “Oh, hello there love. You must be Torre?” Liam asked kindly, motioning for me to come in.

    “Yeah, that’s me. You’re Liam, right?”

    “Yep. I was just leaving to get some food, but I’ll show you to where the guys are.” He led you through the house, and it was just as beautiful as you imagined. You went out the back door and out onto a deck overlooking  the pool. All the boys looked up from the pool when Liam said, “Niall, your girl’s here!” Your girl?! Eeeekkk!

    Niall immediately hopped out of the pool and ran up the steps, pulling me into a wet hug.

    “Hey Torre! You brought your swimsuit, right?” he said, leading you down the steps.

    “Yeah, I already have it on.” I said.    

    “Great! So, um, that is Harry, Zayn, Louis, Gemma, Harry’s sister, um Lou, our stylist, Lux, her daughter, and that’s pretty much everyone. You already met Liam, right?”

    “Yeah, yeah I did.” I said, becoming a bit shy at all the people.

    “Everyone this is Torre.”

    “Hi, nice to meet you.” They all said and welcomed me with warm smiles, making me more comfortable. About half of them were in the pool and the other half were sitting around it.

    “So, um, do you want to get in the pool?” Niall asked.

    “Yes.” I said, and pulled my clothes off, getting shy and noticing that some of the people were watching me. When I turned around, Niall was smiling, just like he always did.

    “Nice suit.” he said, quietly so no one else could hear.

    “Thanks.” I said, a red tinge taking over my cheeks again.

    “There you go blushing again.” he joked. Before I could even respond, he picked me up bridal style and walked into the pool carrying me.

    “Niall! Put me down!” I laughed uncontrollably.  Once we were all the way in,  he kissed my lips fast, so that no one saw.

    “Just couldn’t help myself.” he said. We walked over to where some of the other boys were in the pool. I was talking to Harry, Louis, and Gemma. I really got to know them. After a while, I had talked to everyone there, without Niall beside me the whole time. They were all super nice, and I was having a great time.  Harry and Gemma were exactly alike. Louis was so funny, acting like a child most of the time. Zayn and Liam were both really nice and personable. Overall, it was a really great time.

    It was getting dark, and most everyone had left, leaving Niall and I in the pool alone.

    “I had a lot of fun.” I said, as Niall swam circles around me.

    “Good! I’m glad you got to meet everyone. They’re basically like my family on the road.”

    “They were all really nice.” I said, giving him a playful splash, and he stopped swiming circles around me. He came closer to me, our bodies nearly touching.            “You know who else is really nice?” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into him.

    “Who?” I questioned.

    “You.” he said, and crashed his lips into mine. This kiss was nothing like the first, but equally as enjoyable. This time the kiss was much more passionate, but you didn’t mind. You were caught up in the moment, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. When you broke away, Niall had a smirk on his face, and you blushed as usual.

    “Um, I should probably be getting home.” I said.

    “Yeah, I guess it is getting kinda late.” Niall said, looking up to the dark sky. “Do you have class tomorrow?” he asked, grabbing a towel for you and wrapping you up in it.

    “Yeah, an early one, too. 8 am.”

    “Oh, we better get you home then.” You changed into your dry clothes in the bathroom and then Niall walked you out to the car.

    “Ricky will take you home. I guess I’ll see you soon.”

    “Yeah, thanks for everything, Niall.”

    “No, Torre. Um, thank you.” His choice of words baffled me a bit, because I didn’t do anything for him, but I just ignored it.

    “Goodnight, then?” he asked with a strange look on his face.

    “Yeah, goodnight.” I hopped in the car and we drove off. My mind kept wondering  to why Niall was acting so weird at the end of the night. He seemed like he was unsure or nervous about something. I brushed it off and told myself to think about  all the wonderful things that happened tonight. Like the kiss in the pool. I couldn’t wait to tell Eliza about that one.

***NIALL POV***

I walked back in to see Zayn sitting at the kitchen counter eating a bowl of soup. I knew he was a good one to talk to about the situation. I’ve never been more confused.

    “Hey. What are you thinking?” he asked as I took a seat next to him.

    “I don’t know, Zayn. I like her more and more everytime I hang out with her.” I said, completely serious.

    “That’s good.” Zayn said, raising his eyebrows, confused.

    “Not exactly.”

    “And why is that?”

    “Because, Zayn. How is she going to react when she finds out that she was just supposed to be a publicity stunt? And, besides that, I’m not ready for a serious relationship. We are leaving LA in a month, and I’ll be halfway across the world. And think of all the stupid stuff she’s going to go through. I don’t want her to have to go through that. But I can’t stop thinking about her. I’ve completely fallen for her.” I rambled on, completely frustrated with myself for falling for her.

    “Well, Niall. You have all valid points. She will eventually find out that you were told to get a girlfriend, and she’ll probably be hurt, but you just have to try to explain that you actually fell for her. As for the other stuff, that’s all true, but that’s not going to change. No matter how long you wait, I think anybody that dates us is going to have to go through all that. It’s unfortunate, but you can’t deny yourself love your whole life because of it. She will eventually adjust.” Zayn said and I knew he was right. He was always so good at giving advice.

    “You’re right. I just have to decide what I’m going to do.” I said.

    “I’m sorry, Niall. It sucks.”

    “No,no, it’s fine. I knew all this going into it. I’m going to head up, try to clear my head a bit.”

    “Okay, good luck man. I’m always here if you want to talk.”

    “Thanks.” I said and gave him a pat on the back, heading up to my room, determined to figure out what I’m going to do.

 {A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have voted! You have no idea how excited I get when I see that somebody voted! For real, like I jump up and down squealing, it makes me that happy! How did you like this chapter? Do you think Niall will end up falling for Torre? :) }