Sophia
"Sophia I'm glad you could make it, please sit down, we have much to discuss," Chris said as he beckoned me to take a seat in the chair opposite him.
He had called me last night after the drama with the fans asking to meet with me today. I had no idea what any of this was about and I really hoped I wasn't in trouble.
"Not a problem...um...is everything okay?" I asked.
He chuckled, "Of course! Why wouldn't it be!" He smiled, "anyway I just want to talk to you and make sure we're on the same page and everything."
I nodded, "Awesome, sure."
"Right, so you've been with us a month now, that's gone so fast don't you think? How've you found it?" He had a pen and notebook in his hand. Why did I feel like I was having some sort of job interview?
"Really it's been that long? Well Chris it's been challenging, I'll admit that but it's just been so fun learning about what goes on behind the scenes right down to hair and makeup, to meetings to being physically backstage. It's overwhelming." I explained.
"Good, but do you think it's something you could get used to?"
"I think it would take some time, but we all have to start somewhere right?" I smiled crookedly. Chris was a man who looked like he could be the guitarist from some indy band with his beard and his brown hair was scraped back into a bun.
"You're right. Now, when did you say you were leaving LA?" He frowned, flicking through his notebook.
"The end of August, Friday the 31st to be exact." I stated. Until now I had completely forgotten that after all this was over I would have to go back home. I had a place at a local college.
"Okay so let's set the date for the end of your probation to the Friday before...the 24th. So if everything goes well then you're officially on the team and under my management, how does that sound?" He grinned and I couldn't help but grin back and nodded. "Okay I also wanted to talk about the incident with the paparazzi yesterday, were you with your family?" He frowned.
"Oh yeah, I was with my brothers. The paparazzi came out of nowhere." I sighed.
"We'll have to look at getting you a bodyguard if this continues and you're wanting to be able to roam freely." He said writing more notes.
I couldn't help but feel like my freedom was being stripped away from me slowly. What would happen once I got a bigger following? Would I be able to leave my own home without paparazzi parking right down the road?
He took my silence as a sound of understanding and carried on with his next topic.
"So another thing I wanted to discuss in more detail with you is your relationship with Calum." I froze, had he somehow found out about mine and Calum's conversation two days ago? "The fake one?" He raised a brow.
"Oh yeah what about it?" The words tumbled out of my mouth a bit too quickly.
"I just wanna go over it again. So you only need to seem lovey-dovey in front of the press and any public place you're seen together. Now it won't require physical affection but just whatever makes everyone believe it. Trust me Sophia this will really grow your fan base and help turn the pages for Calum."
"Okay yeah." I didn't really have much choice in this really. "Anything else?" I smiled.
"Yes I just want to confirm you're going to be making that video with Calum?"
I nodded, "yep that can be arranged." I said. Although I knew it would be impossible for us to be in the same room as each other for more than five minutes at this rate. Maybe I should just film it by myself. God I really have messed things up.
"Okay then that will be all today Sophia, thanks for coming and enjoy the rest of your day, I'll text you the details for the events this week." He smiled and stood up, I did the same.
"Thanks, see ya."
***
I decided I needed to go see the boys and settle the tension between us all. I hoped to see Calum and sort things with him too.
Me: Hey Ash, is it cool if I come to the house?
Ash: Hey I didn't think I'd be hearing from you, thought you were with Calum?
Me: Wait Cal isn't there?
Ash: Soph, what happened the other night?!
Me: I'll explain when I get there, I'm on my way.
I put my phone away and jumped into the first empty cab I saw and asked him to take me to the estate where the boys lived.
"You can just drop me off outside the gates." I said and the taxi driver did just that. I paid him and left the vehicle.
I started rushing towards security. It was the same guy from last time I was here.
"Oh hey Sophia, what's the rush?" He smiled at my presence.
"Has Calum been by at all?" I stopped outside his booth.
He shook his head, "I haven't seen Calum in a few days. But feel free to go through," He smiled. I thanked him and rushed up to their house.
I knocked heavily on the door and a tired Luke opened the door.
"Hey Soph, come in." He said. He looked like he hadn't slept at all the past two nights. And when I saw the rest of them neither had they.
"Erm hi guys." I said and they all turned to look at me, except of course Calum wasn't here.
I locked eyes with Ashton and he looked really hurt. I sighed and started to approach him and he stood up.
I stopped in front of him and raised a brow.
"Sophia I'm so sor-" I cut him off and pulled him into a hug.
He was still at first but then he scooped his arms under mine and pulled me in tighter.
"I promise I won't ever kiss you again." He said into my ear.
"It's okay let's just forget this ever happened." I pulled back and gave a heart warming smile which he gladly returned.
I took a seat next to him as Luke and Michael joined us.
"So you've really not heard anything from him since after the Q&A?" I asked.
"Nope you were the last one to see him Sophia." Luke said.
"Shit..." I muttered more to myself.
"What happened?" Mike asked, he looked really really sad.
"He told me everything that happened you know with Sophie." I said softly.
The boys exchanged worried glances. "Was it the real story? Because he never tells the truth." Luke rolled his eyes.
"Luke, I believed every single word he said. You didn't see how much he cried." I said sternly. "He didn't admit it but I know he thinks you guys don't believe him and I honestly don't know why. How have you not seen how much he's been hurting this whole time. He is broken and all you've done is accuse him of taking drugs, lying and being a dick. No wonder he's felt so alone and gathered all this hatred." I couldn't stop my words from pouring out, but it hurt me too badly to see Calum hurt any longer.
I looked at each of the boys and honestly they weren't even shocked at my outburst in fact they looked guilty as hell.
"I thought you guys were supposed to be best friends. Especially you Ash." I turned to him and he looked like he could crumble at any second. None of them knew what to say.
"Well while you sit here in silence, I'm going to find him." I said standing up and as soon as I said that they all stood up as well.
"So are we, I'll drive." Ashton said.
I smiled and we made our way to the garage to find this poor boy.
AN
Hi guys I just wanted to let you know there's gonna be about 30 parts to this story so we're over half way.
I have a few ideas for a sequel but idk would you want one? I know it's early to ask because we've not finished it yet but I was just curious.
So the QOTD is would you like a sequel?
-Liv x