I Cannot Hide This Even Though I Try ~ A COMPLETED One Direction Fanfic

4 - A Short Trip

"Why?" I ask, my defences going up instinctively.

"Calm down, leprechaun. It's just..." He runs his hands over his face and I can tell that just talking about whatever is going on is a big deal. "I like Louis."

"Tell me something I don't know," I tease, trying to clear the air. I start laughing thinking about all the fangirls who would die to hear those words come from Harry's mouth.

"I'm being serious."

I cut off my laughter and stare at my friend for a moment. "Now that is something I didn't know."

"I need your help," he repeats.

"Well, it's easier for me since Liam has a fake girlfriend covering for us both," I begin and I can see that Harry is starting to look a tad crestfallen. "On the other hand, I have to deal with the fact that all of our fans think he has an incredibly beautiful girlfriend and that he's completely straight."

"Yeah, I don't know if I could handle seeing Louis with a pretend girl by his side..." Harry's eyes light up when he says Lou's name and he laughs a bit at whatever he started to think.

"So, you've asked him out then?" I inquire, noticing the implication of Harry's choice in words. "Or at least made sure he's mutual in his feelings?"

"I asked him out the night Liam left," he admits, blushing.

"Then I take it he said yes?" I raise both eyebrows at my younger friend, still surprised by this whole situation. After a second, though, I start laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"It's just... The fans... They th-think of you... You're the flirt... Womanizer... Gay!" I laugh so hard my words don't come out right, but I can't stop yet.

"Sorry, what?" Harry asks, even more confused.

I catch my breath and get my laughter under control before speaking up again. "Our fans, they think of you as the flirt and a lot of them consider you to be somewhat of a womanizer. And now you're secretly gay... Or bisexual. That's up to you to decide I suppose."

"I know."

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure something out," I state. "Now if you don't mind, it's time for me to Skype with Liam."

"Alright, Nialler. I'll talk to you later, I suppose." Harry takes a deep breath and leaves my apartment.

I love Harold and all (as a friend), but I have to control my potty mouth in front of him and we all know how shitty I am at that, right? Okay, maybe dating Liam has helped hold me back, so I don't cuss as much as I would've in another life. Can you imagine a world where I wasn't being censored all the fucking time? That would probably only work in a world where I'm single, I remind myself.

As if to add some truth to my little lie, the Skype ringtone goes off on my phone, revealing that one Liam Payne wants to video chat.

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*Liam's POV*

"I'll give you some privacy if you'd like," Danielle says as she walks out of the room.

Not that you gave me much choice... I turn to face my laptop as I click on the icon to call Niall on Skype. Thank you, Dani. After two rings, he picks up and I can tell he's on his phone instead of his laptop.

"Hey there," Niall's husky voice greets me. "I was just thinking about calling you."

I can't keep the smile off my face. "Does somebody miss me?" I tease.

"Oh no, not at all. I just kicked Harry out to Skype you because I wanted to check up on Danielle."

I chuckle at my boyfriend's sarcasm, happy to be talking to him again. I know it's only been a couple of days, but I don't get as much time with him as I would want. "Oh, she's just in the other room watching the telly for any signs of news about the band, but I can get her for you," I play along.

"Or you can stay here and listen to some very important news I have that the telly won't," he tells me, his expression going from playful to serious.

"What is it?" I find myself asking, not even sure I want to know.

"Harry and Louis like each other."

"No, seriously, Nialler. What's the big news?"

"No, seriously LiLi. Harry and Louis like each other. Harry just came to talk to me about it because he finally asked out Lou."

I allow my eyes to wander over Niall's features for a moment until I'm positive that he's not joking around about this. "Alright, so they're officially dating? I'm sure the fans who made up 'Larry Stylinson' will die happy if... Oh hell, who am I kidding? Management won't let the fans find out about them, either."

"Management isn't allowed to know, either, Li," Niall commands.

Wait, is my little Nialler trying to take control? "And why is that, Ni?"

"Because... Honestly?"

I nod, wanting to hear what he has to say.

"I haven't talked with them about this, yet, but I know if management finds out... Next thing you know, Lou will suddenly have openly moved on from Hannah and start dating another girl. It'll probably be someone that's friends with one of the other lads, someone who won't have a major freak out about meeting us all. And then Harry will have to watch as this girl, who might even be one of his friends, gets to date his boyfriend. He'll just have to stick to calling Louis his best mate or brother in public while dying inside because he just can't get over watching someone else pretend to date his Boobear." I wait as Niall pauses to take a breath, tears forming in his eyes. "I won't let anyone else go through that kind of torture. Especially not with management holding out on us for at least one more year."

By now there are tears freely falling down both mine and Niall's cheeks. Is that how you feel all the time? I desperately want to know, but I can't bring myself to ask that. Not right now. "I understand," I finally mutter. I'm trying to understand.

Niall sniffles a bit and I can't fathom how I could have let things get this far out of control. "It's fine. I plan to head to Larry's flat later today or early tomorrow to talk to them both," he somehow manages to inform me through his silent sobbing.

"No!" I yelp. "Sorry, just... Wait. Wait until I'm back, alright? I want to be there with you," I try to explain. "And Zayn should have all this brought to his attention as well."

"You get back in two days, yeah? Alright, but as soon as you're back we need to have this discussion with all the lads," Niall agrees, wiping away his tears.

I should be wiping those for him... Why did I ever agree to this? Damn it. "Alright. Thanks for letting me know, Niall. I better go, though, okay? I love you."

"I love you," Niall murmurs before I end the call.

"Dani?" I call out, standing and walking towards the living room. "Dan-"

"I'm here," my curly-haired friend responds. "What is it?"

"I need to go."

"Come again? What do you mean? Do you have a meeting today or something?" Danielle questions.

"No." I shake my head at that. "I need to go home."