LIAM’S POV
"The world record was set in Barcelona over fifty years ago."
Click.
"And watch as the numbat deftly climbs the tall trees – "
Click.
"No Marissa, don't go! Stay and save our child!"
Click.
Sighing, I smoothed my dirty hands over my face, rubbing my eyes and emitting a big yawn. It had been several days since I'd last had a proper good night's sleep – and I hated it.
"Maybe you should try the entertainment channel," Harry called half-heartedly from the couch next to mine. Rolling my eyes, I pressed some buttons on the television remote.
We were all sprawled out in the lounge room of my apartment: Harry, Louis, Zayn, Niall and I. Half-drunk beer bottles on the coffee table and empty chip packets strewn on the floor, I lazily rolled over to bury my face in the arm of the lounge. I hoped that if I could just hide away, the pain would ease off. I’d felt so bad that I’d even had a drink; not a big one, but enough to make everything a bit softer.
But it was starting to fade.
"You can't do this, mate," Louis suddenly sat up, rubbing his eyes as well. "We've had our guy time, we've had recuperation, but now it's time to move on."
"I agree," Niall called from his place on the floor.
"Me too," came Zayn's muffled response as his face was buried in a pillow.
Sighing, I sat up and stretched my hands over my head, easing out the strains in my muscles.
"You need to get out of here, Liam," Louis shot me a sad smile. "It's tough, we know, but you have to face the truth. She's never coming back."
I expected the tears to come. I didn't cry easily - actually, I scarcely cried at all - but over these past few days I'd shed more tears than I had in the past year.
But they didn't. I strained my eyes, blinked hard, but nothing came out, not even a drop of salty water. I'd used up my tear supply completely.
On cue, Niall stumbled back into the room, handing me a glass of water. I took it gratefully and gulped it down, not caring if it spilt on my shirt.
"We only have a few days before we're back to interviews and the studio," Zayn rolled over. "You need to get back on the social scene."
Grimacing, I slouched back onto the couch, this time in an upright position. "I just... I can't believe it. I thought she loved me. I thought... Jesus."
I looked down at my hands, biting my lip. Niall sat down next to me.
"Danielle had to go, Liam," he placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's time for you to do the same."
Fully chewing on my lip now, I watched as Harry grabbed the remote and started flicking through channels again.
My girlfriend, Danielle, and I were going great. We’d been together for ages, overcome so many obstacles together – her career and mine – and I honestly thought I was in love with her.
That was until three days ago, when she’d Facetimed me to let me know that she couldn’t do this anymore, that she’d found someone else to fill my role.
And so began my breakdown.
I’d drunk, I’d slept, I’d screamed. To go from being so emotionally attached to someone to suddenly not having any contact can kill even the best people. When you love someone, you expect them to be around forever, but more often than not, they don’t.
"Wait a second," Louis interjected quickly, breaking me out of my reverie. "Harry, go back a channel."
Harry obeyed, and up popped a picture of a news studio interview.
"Hey!" Zayn called. "Isn't that the chick who wrote that book you love?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "Autographs. And she's not a chick, she's Cassandra de Havilland."
"Must be a pretty good book, if you know her name," Harry winked and I rolled my eyes.
“So what exactly is the book about?” the interviewer asked.
“Well, it’s about a sixteen-year-old girl called Kiara who is in an army fighting a vicious war against a race of bad aliens.” Cassandra began. “It’s in a world where everything is controlled by autographs; if you have a certain autograph, you can get things, like extra food and water, or get more ammunition and things like that. There’s also one specific autograph that reigns over all others, and Kiara is determined to find it because apparently it can stop the war.” She exhaled, her cheeks flushing a shade of red that could only be deemed as incredibly cute. “I think that’s the shortest way to put it, but it’s much more complex.”
“Okay, I gotta say it, that sounds really interesting,” Zayn admitted. I shushed him, eager to hear what she had to say.
“Well, I’ve read it myself, and I think it’s absolutely awe-inspiring,” the interviewer winked. “And you’ve been promoting the book?”
“Yes, I’ve been travelling the whole world doing book signings and lectures.” The young author’s eyes lit up at the memories of being all around the globe. “The United Kingdom is my last stop.”
“The lucky girl!” Louis cried. “Publish a book, and get to see all four corners of the earth. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“And I understand that Autographs is being made into a film!” the interviewer’s eyes widened. “Can you tell us anything about that?”
“Well, I can definitely say that Autographs is being made into a full-length movie.” Cassandra smiled cheekily. “But that’s all I can say at the moment.”
“Don’t leave us on edge!” he sighed. “Oh well, we’ll just have to wait for filming to get underway. Will you be acting in it?”
“What, me?” Cassandra threw her head back and laughed, a sweet, musical laugh that was soothing to my ears. “No. God, no. I can’t act at all. The last time I was in a play, I forgot all my lines and fainted. That was the end of my acting career!”
The interviewer laughed along with her. “Oh well, you’ll be too busy writing a sequel anyway.”
“Maybe,” she replied, leaving me on edge. I’d love to read a sequel; there was still a lot of loose ends from the original story.
“Well, it seems we’ve reached the end of our time.” The interviewer shuffled his papers. “But before we go, Cassandra, you’re doing some book signings?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’ll be holding many book signings all over the United Kingdom over the next three or so weeks.”
“Well thanks so much for your time, Miss de Havilland. The first book signing for Autographs will be tomorrow afternoon at the Forbidden Planet Megastore in central London. My name is James Carroll, have a great evening everyone.”
"That's it!" Zayn yelled, jumping up. "That's how you can get out of this stalemate!"
We all looked at him as though he was crazy.
Which was possible.
"Oh come on, guys!" Zayn sighed. "It's obvious, isn't it? Liam can go and meet his favourite author at her signing to help get him out of his funk!"
Louis pursed his lips, mulling it over. "That's not a bad idea."
"You'd have to go in disguise," Harry added in. "But nothing over the top. A hoodie and some sunnies should do."
“What? No!” I glared at my best friends. “I am staying home for as long as I can. I am not going out anytime soon.”
“No, Liam,” Louis put his foot down firmly. “You have to get up and get over. It’s time to socialize again.”
"Come on, LiLi!" Niall pleaded. "This has been fun and all, but I'm dying to get back to Willow. And I’m sure Louis wouldn’t mind seeing Eleanor again."
I looked at the four pairs of eyes staring at me.
"Fine!" I gave in, earning myself four identical grins.
“Excellent!” Harry rubbed his hands together like a mad scientist. “This will be fun!”
I wondered what on Earth I had gotten myself into.
***
I don't have anything against Danielle, I think she is a lovely girl. I just needed her out of the picture for this story, sorry. :/
I'd appreciate some feedback. I know the chapter's short but the next one will be better, I promise!
~ Sienna :)