Niall POV

Meeting Torre's family last week was incredible. They were all fun and easy to get along with, just like her. I really got to see her in her element. I knew how much her family meant to her, and how close she was to them. Seeing her light up like that around her family makes me like her even more than I already do.

I like her more than I care to admit. And I might even love her.

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Like, I can finally breathe. Everything is okay with the 'Spencer Collins' issue, and I've finally met Torre's family, and they are great. Everything is panning out to be wonderful. It's so weird, that this time last week, it seemed everything was falling apart, and now everything seems perfect. It's crazy. Really, really crazy.

Torre POV

I couldn't be happier with the way things went with my family and Niall. They behaved themselves and liked him, and he liked them.

I was sitting in the apartment, trying to finish an essay, when Eliza barged in, being her usual melodramatic self.

"Torre, do you know about this?" She yelled, walking into the kitchen.

"Know about what?" I asked, not taking my eyes from my computer screen. This was a normal thing, her rushing in going on about something. I was actually surprised when she came into the living room to talk to me.

"This." She said, holding up a magazine. My eyes focused on the cover, and to be honest, I was a bit confused. It depicted Niall, and a girl sitting at a table in what seemed to be a restaurant. It was a recent picture of Niall.

I didn't quite feel upset, more just confused. I don't know who this girl is, and I have no reason to be upset. They are just having lunch. However, Niall and I are almost always talking throughout the day and I don't know why he would have hidden something like this. The only thing that made me uneasy was the lovely magazine caption. "NIALL'S NEW GIRL?!" That's what made me mad.

"What are you thinking?" Eliza asked cautiously.

"I'm not upset. Just wondering who she is." I said. "Did you read the article?"

"She's Spencer Collins, some up and coming singer."

"Oh." I said. I wasn't surprised, really. And why should I be? I have nothing to worry about. Niall has made it clear how much I mean to him. "They're probably just friends." I told Eliza, although I couldn't deny the sickening feeling developing in my stomach from just looking at the picture. But that was probably just jealously.

"Yeah, Tor. I don't mean to freak you out about this, but I think you should obviously ask him about it. Not in a defensive way, but just well, ya know."

"Yeah, I will. I mean, I knew coming into this the media would always be a problem, and I trust Niall. I am a little worried though why he wouldn't tell me he was meeting a friend. I mean, not that he has to tell me everything, but he kinda already does so.."

"It may have been a business meeting or something. Maybe the boys are doing work with her, you never know."

"Yeah but Niall was the only one there." I said.

"Well that's true. But, honestly, Tor, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I see the way Niall looks at you, and I don't think he'd be stupid enough to cheat on you, and if he did cheat on you he wouldn't be so careless as to let something like this happen." She said, pointing to the magazine.

"I don't think he cheated. It's just the whole shock of the first story about him/us I guess."

"I understand, completely. Well, actually, I don't, because even with my amazing looks and outstanding personality, no popstar has ever been interested in me, but still."

"Oh Eliza. You'll get em some day." I laughed.

Niall POV

"Hey mate, uh, I just wanted to give you a heads up, but uh, you may just want to check out 'The Star' website. There's uh, a story about you." I internally groaned as Harry spoke over the line. Just when I though I could breathe and I get this lovely phone call.

"Thanks for the heads up, Harry."

"No problem, mate. Check it out."

"I will, thanks." I said, hanging up and heading to the internet. I'm assuming it is some silly article about my hair or some tweet I sent that was misinterpreted. The usual junk. I pulled up a web browser and typed in 'the star.' To my utter dismay a picture of me and Spencer was the first thing to pop up. Great. Absolutely great.

Looks like I'm on damage control now. What the heck is Torre going to think? I cannot believe this. Well I guess I better meet with her soon before she sees this and thinks God knows what. I pull out my phone to shoot her a text.

*Hey Tor! Wondering if you want the hang tonight :D* Okay, we'll just meet up and I'll explain this whole mess to her. Well not this whole mess, obviously. I still don't plan on telling her management set me up with Spencer, but I'll just tell her Spencer and I are friends, which is the truth...partially.

*Yeah that sounds good. I was gonna ask you the same thing!*

*Okay great. We can swim at the house?*

*Sure!*

*I"ll send a car to get you.*

*Yayyy! Thank you :D <3*

*No problem <3*

Okay, well now that's set.

***

"So what's new?" I casually started. Torre and I were sitting on the edge of the pool. I didn't quite know how to bring it up, so I just started with easy conversation.

"Um, nothing really." She said, but she seemed hesitant. Actually, her whole mood seemed a bit off today. "What's new with you?"

"Nothing much, just some crap story about me in the news today."

"I think I saw that." She said quietly. She didn't look mad or upset, that was a good sign.

"The one about Spencer Collins and I?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Yeah well just so you know Torre, that is a complete lie. We are friends and friends only. We had lunch together as friends. Darn paps get a shot of everything and turn it into a freaking soap opera." She laughed at that. Another good sign.

"Yeah, I figured when I saw it that it was just another tabloid trying to make money by selling lies."

"Exactly. That's all it is. Lies."

"Yeah, so how long have you been friends with, uh, Spencer?" She asked casually.

"Just recently, actually. She's a new singer and we crossed paths, being in the business we are, but yeah. She's pretty cool. I think you'd like her. Very spunky." I laughed.

"Spunky?" She questioned and laughed at my word choice. "I'm sure she's not as spunky as you." She joked. She seemed to be in a much happier mood now that we had talked about that.

"Really?

"Really." She said.

"Well then." I said, picking her up bridal-style. "Let's see just how spunky I can be." She was giggling away as I picked her up and jumped in the pool, her in my arms. We squirmed under the water and both came up for air at the same time.

"Very spunky." She said, swimming into my arms. I gripped her torso and held her close to me. "But I guess I'll have to meet her to judge it."

"Well I'm sure she'll be around. To be honest, I think Louis and her really clicked. I wouldn't be surprised if something came out of that."

"The tabloids got it really wrong then." Torre laughed and my stomach did a sick twist. Little did she know the tabloids got it head on, but I think we should keep it that way. "By the way, my lovely sister hasn't shut up about coming over here."

"Really? Eager is she?"

"Very." She confirmed.

"Well how does Friday afternoon work? We have a day off Friday, so we could have a little pool party then?"

"That should work. She can come up and stay in my dorm for the weekend, which we've actually been wanting to do since the beginning of the year." Torre said with a smile. She just lights up when her family is mentioned. I probably do the same.

"That works out good then. I'm sure the boys will be excited to meet her."

"Probably. Enough talk about Amy though. I challenge you to a race." She beckoned me to the edge of the pool.

"Really?"

"Is that your word today? Really? Because you've said it quite a few times." She joked. "Yes, really I challenge you to a race. Ready, set go!" And with that, she took off swimming to the other end. As usual, it looked like I had some catching up to do.

When I got to the end of the pool, I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. She looked so cute, her hair wet and clinging to the sides of her face, her cheeks rosy, her lips pink and plump.

"Beat ya." She teased, brushing her nose against mine.

"Yep, yep you did." Was all I said. Still holding her close, I stared into her eyes. I really wanted to tell her how I feel. Is it too early? I don't think it is, but I don't want to freak her out. Maybe she's feeling the same way. There's only one way to find out. "Torre, I love you." I said, bringing my lips to hers before she had a chance to freak on me. She kissed me back and that gave me confidence.

"I-I love you too, Niall." She said softly, pulling away.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Now kiss me." She said giggling. I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers once more. Could she get any better. Could this get any better?

{A/N: Hope you all have a great weekend! We're getting close to the end with this!! Hope you liked this chapter! Tell me what your favorite part was! ~Macy}