FLASHING LIGHTS | ONE DIRECTION

I. Walking a Tightrope

"Who's this?" Olivia sounded like a straight up professor.

Maeve stared at the picture, a grimace twisting her features. It was Harry Styles, all floppy hair and dazzling smile. "Ugh, that's... the one with the dimples, right?" she hedged, already feeling the beginnings of a headache.

Olivia threw her hands up in exasperation. "Maeve! This is basic stuff! It's Harry Styles. The heartthrob. The one who makes teenage girls faint."

Maeve scoffed. "Sounds like a walking cliche." Internally, a pang of guilt flickered. Harry was a good guy, funny, kind, good-looking and definitely a good kisser...

The following two hours were a whirlwind of facts and figures. Olivia lectured on X Factor, their debut single, and the fandom name, among other things. Maeve absorbed the information with a practised indifference, mentally picturing Niall behind each blurry detail. She "learned" about the curly-haired heartthrob Harry Styles, the mischievous Louis Tomlinson, the enigmatic Zayn Malik, and the ever-reliable Liam Payne. Each name and anecdote was a bittersweet reminder of the life she'd left behind.

The phone buzzed, interrupting Olivia's mid-sentence dissection of One Direction's second album. It was a number with an LA code. Olivia's eyes widened.

"This might be it," she breathed, a nervous tremor in her voice.

Taking a deep breath, she answered the call. "Hello? Yes, this is Olivia Blud."

Maeve watched, captivated by the rapid-fire exchange. Dates were confirmed, filming locations were discussed, and challenges were hinted at. Finally, Olivia hung up, a wide grin plastered on her face.

"We're in, Mae! The flight leaves on the 23rd. We're going to be reality TV stars!"

Over the next two weeks, a sense of surrealism settled over Maeve. Clothes were packed, goodbyes were said to their parents, and a nagging anxiety gnawed at Mae. How would she navigate this situation? How could she keep her secret while surrounded by strangers obsessed with the people she knew all too well?

One particularly gloomy afternoon, the day before their flight, she sought refuge in the attic. Sunlight struggled to filter through the dusty windowpanes, illuminating a cardboard box overflowing with forgotten treasures. Nestled amongst childhood drawings and faded photographs was a worn leather guitar case. It clicked open, revealing a familiar cherry-red acoustic guitar.

A familiar melody danced in her head; her fingers danced across the strings before she knew it. The song, a silly little ditty they'd all composed one rainy afternoon, filled the attic with a bittersweet melody. It was a secret song, something only they understood.

A choked sob escaped her lips. Niall. The thought of him, so close yet so far, was overwhelming. How would she handle seeing him, pretending to be a stranger?

The answer came in the form of a memory, vivid and unexpected. It was the night before Niall's X Factor audition. Nerves had kept him awake, tossing and turning in his bed. Ever the loyal friend Maeve had snuck into his room, armed with a mug of hot cocoa and her guitar.

They'd spent the night strumming chords, singing silly songs, and weaving dreams. As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, a quiet confidence had settled over Niall. He'd squeezed her hand, a silent thank you hanging between them.

The memory brought a smile to Maeve's face. Maybe, just maybe, this experience wouldn't be all bad. It could be a chance to see how far Niall had come and celebrate his success from afar. Perhaps, just maybe, she could keep her secret safe and emerge from this whole ordeal unscathed.

Determined, Maeve picked up her phone and dialled a familiar Irish number. A nervous laugh escaped her lips as a deep, familiar voice filled her ear.

"NH here. Who's this?"

"Just a random Directioner, wishing you all the best on your tour," she said, her voice a touch strained.

There was a beat of silence, then a chuckle that sent a jolt through her. "Well, thanks, random Directioner. Hope you enjoy the show."

The line went dead, leaving Maeve with a racing heart and a newfound resolve. This would be a tightrope walk, but she was ready to take it. After all, some secrets were worth keeping, and some friendships were worth protecting. The "One Direction Obsession" competition awaited, and Maeve was about to embark on a journey unlike any other.

Original chapter published December 23, 2013