NIALL'S POV
"So I was thinkin'.." I started as Gabi sat on the guest bed, watching me pack my bag.
"Yeah?"
"Since I spent Thanksgiving here with you, would you like to come to L.A. and spend Christmas there with me? I'd be willing to fly you and Foley out so you guys can stay with me for a week or so! Maybe you can even stay for New Years" I suggested excitedly. I had a wonderful time here with Gabi and her family so I was hoping she would want to do the same at my house this time.
Her eyes lit up at the offer, "Really? How come you're not going back to Ireland for the holidays?"
"I have so much promoting to do so close to the holidays that I unfortunately won't be able to make it back home.." I sighed, "But I'd really love it if you'd join me"
I was sad that I wouldn't be able to go back home to be with my family but I was also happy at the same time because hopefully Gabi would be able to join me.
Gabi smiled at me, "If my parents are alright with it, you know I'd love to"
"That's great!" I grinned, "That's really great, petal. Just let me know, yeah?"
"Of course" She nodded, "I'll talk to Foley about it too. But after 'Team Abrahoran', I'm sure it's an automatic yes"
I laughed, "That's what I like to hear"
Once I finished packing my bag, Gabi walked me downstairs so that I could say goodbye to her parents and Foley. Her mom and dad politely invited me to come back anytime I pleased, which I thanked them for. And after a bro hug from Foley, Gabi walked me out.
"This is my least favorite part" She grumbled as I stood with her outside her front door. My Uber was on its way, meaning that I had only a few minutes left with her.
"I know darlin', I hate it too" I sighed, "But just think back on the amazing few days we had together"
"I'm trying" She mumbled as I brought her into me, wrapping my arms around her. She looked up at me, "So what does this mean for us?"
"How about we see how we feel when you get to L.A.? We both know where we stand on keeping our relationship on the low, but maybe one of us will change our minds with some time to think," I suggested, "Sound good?"
"Yeah," Gabi nodded, "I like the sound of that"
"Good," I smiled, "I'm gonna miss ya, Gab"
"I'll miss you too, Niall. Thanks for yet another wonderful time" She said before standing on her tippy toes and giving me a sweet goodbye kiss.
I couldn't help but melt into the kiss, absolutely captivated by her.
"Bye, petal. I'll see you soon"
- - -
Being home never felt so good, so I thought.
As soon as I got home from the airport, I was greeted by my bandmate Gerry who usually crashes at my house. Unfortunately, he did not have good news.
Yet again, a picture of Gabi and I surfaced the internet. This time, it was a lot more obvious that there was something going on between us. Someone somehow captured a picture of my arms wrapped around Gabi from behind and her giggling when I whispered something cheeky in her ear.
I was completely baffled that a picture of Gabi and I would surface when the only people at Thanksgiving was Gabi's family. It wasn't until I saw the Twitter username that I understood what happened.
@AlexLowe33: so glad to have @NiallOfficial join our family Thanksgiving! How cute are he and my cousin @GabiLowe1996?!!? #famILY #thankful #cutestcouple
I was fuming at the caption. Alex knew Gabi didn't want any pictures posted. Alex knew that we were keeping things low key. Alex did this just to piss Gabi off.
My face wasn't even shown that well, but my fans would know it was me. Especially because she tagged me and everyone already knows who Gabi is.
"Oh my fûcking god" I groaned, throwing my phone across the room in pure anger, "Can't I get a fûcking break?! Why does every moment of my life have to be posted online?! It's absolute bullshít"
Gerry sighed, "I'm sorry, mate. But if you really don't want your private life to be out there, why do you keep seeing Gabi? Her friends and family are normal..they just don't get it. If you keep seeing her, this shít will keep happening"
"If her little brat of a cousin didn't do this, then we wouldn't have a fûcking problem" I spat.
"That's what I'm saying. Her cousin doesn't understand the harm in this because she doesn't constantly have the whole world up her ass and in her business. Since it doesn't affect her, she doesn't give a shít" He explained.
"Then what are you saying?"
"Just that things might be a little easier if you were with someone whose friends and family do understand. Y'know what I mean? Like someone famous.." He trailed off.
"I don't want to be with someone 'famous'. I want to be with Gabi" I argued.
"I'm just saying, man. I know it sounds bad but we both know it would make things a lot easier" He shrugged.
I hugged before excusing myself to my room.
I know things would be easier if I dated someone famous, but the whole reason I want to be with Gabi is because she makes me forget about all that "famous" shít. I get to forget about all the paparazzi and superficialness of Hollywood when I'm with her.
But in all honestly, I do see where he's coming from. Everyone knows that I absolutely hate having my private life exposed. I've been the most drama-free One Direction member thus far and I was pretty proud of that. Now all because of a snotty teenager, that's ruined.
I would absolutely hate myself if I didn't see Gabi just because she isn't famous, but I'm not sure how much exposure I'd be able to handle if I were with her.
As awful as it sounds, maybe things would be easier if I didn't pursue this.
- - -
GABI'S POV
"You're such a fûcking brat, y'know that?!" I screamed into the phone.
Alex scoffed, "I'm the brat? You were the one hogging you're beloved popstar boyfriend the entire time"
"He's not my fûcking boyfriend! Now the whole world thinks he is and Niall won't respond to any of my texts" I spat, nearly crying from being so angry.
"Oops" She said simply. I could nearly hear her smirking, "Sucks for you"
"God you're a spoiled piece of shít, Alex. You're just mad because I had something that you couldn't!"
"I couldn't? Gabi, I'm so much prettier than you. If you didn't hog him for yourself the entire night, I guarantee he would be falling for me" She replied.
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know that person could be so awful. It sickened me that someone like her was related to me. I angrily hung up the phone, threw myself into bed, and cried. I was beyond frustrated and angry and didn't know what else to do.
Just like last time, I woke up to my phone completely blowing up yesterday morning. Hundreds of thousands of tweets were coming my way and I didn't understand why I was receiving so much hate until I saw Alex's post.
As soon as I did, I immediately texted Niall. I told him that I had no idea that she was going to do this and how sorry I was that I had such a piece of shít as a cousin. It's the day after and I still haven't heard from him. He's probably thinking that I got Alex to do this on purpose. He probably thinks that it was my sneaky way of getting our potential relationship out into the open like I wanted.
Now of course I would want to be with Niall. Ever since we met, it's been nothing but pure, captivating electricity between us. I loved every moment I had with him and I wanted to pursue that. But I wasn't so sure how we could do that when we both wanted different things. I understand where he's coming from when he says that he doesn't want to go public with our relationship if we ever to have one, but it honestly doesn't make me feel too good. I wouldn't like being crammed in a hotel room instead of being able to go out on a real date. I really wouldn't like Niall telling interviewers that he's single when he really isn't. I really, really wouldn't like to be Niall's little secret instead of his girlfriend that he's proud to showoff despite the consequences.
I pulled myself together before trying to call Niall one more time. I was shocked when he actually picked up.
"Niall?" I gasped.
"Yeah, hey Gabi!" He greeted, "Before you say anything, let me just say I'm so, so sorry for not answering over the past day. There's just been a lot to do and a lot on my mind"
"It's okay, Niall. I completely get it" I reassured, "I just, uh, I just wanted to call and see what you thought about y'know, the tweet"
Niall sighed, "Well, I wasn't exactly expecting that after a nice and simple Thanksgiving with your family"
"I know and I'm so, so sorry. I didn't ask her to do it, I swear. Alex is just awful and you have to know I would never do that to you" I rambled quickly, hoping that he would believe me.
"Oh my gosh, I know that and I know you would never ever stoop that low. Don't worry, alright darlin'? I know you and that tweet was not your doing" He replied, easing some of my nerves.
"Okay, thanks Niall" I said simply.
"Of course, love. I guess I'll just have to figure out a way to get rid of the rumors...y'know, diminish the fire" He responded, making my stomach drop.
"Right" I breathed out.
There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence because we both knew what each other was thinking. I wasn't happy about it but Niall felt that he had to do it.
Niall cleared his throat before speaking up, "So, er, any word on New Years?"
"You still want me to come?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice.
He laughed, "Of course, darlin'"
I smiled to myself, "Oh, good! Well, it's a yes from both my parents and Foley"
"That's great!" Niall cheered, "I can't wait for the two of ya to come here. I've already set up the guest rooms"
"Me neither! Thanks again for the invite" I beamed.
"My pleasure, petal. Look, I gotta go meet up with a friend, but I'll call you later, alright?"
"Sounds good. Bye, Niall" With that, I hung up the phone feeling satisfied. I wasn't ecstatic about him dismissing the photo, but at least I would get to spend New Years with him!
The days leading up to New Years felt slow. Mainly because I was excited and just could not wait to see Niall. A part of it was also because Foley's parents returned from Ireland so he went home, leaving me by myself with my parents. While they were at work, there wasn't much for me to do.
Niall and I continued to FaceTime and text, but not as much as before. I didn't think much of it especially because he said that he had a ton of promotion to do so I just figured that he had a lot on his plate.
When December 11th rolled around, I got a notification that Niall posted a picture on Instagram. I realized that I had never turned off his post notifications. As a fan, I always wanted to be the first to see Niall's posts.
It was an adorable picture of him and Hailee Steinfeld where he wished her a happy 21st with a very sweet caption. A little part of me wanted to be jealous because of how damn gorgeous she is and the fact that Niall posted a picture with her, but I brushed it off. All Niall was doing was wishing a friend of his a happy birthday. He even referred to her as "one of his best friends". There was nothing for me to worry about, I hoped.