CHAPTER 1
Liam Payne has been my best friend forever. When I say forever, I mean forever. We were born in the same hospital within a fortnight of each other and we lived in houses that were five minutes apart. Our mums were always together, so me and Liam were too. We went to the same primary school, the same secondary school and even made plans to go to the same college. I trust Liam with my life and vice versa.

I've always been there for Liam. When he auditioned for X Factor when we were 14 I was with him the whole time, even calling him when he was in Barcelona at Simon's house and consoling him after he failed to get through. "Don't give up," I'd told him over the phone.
"Simon doesn't think I'm good enough, so what's the point?" he replied miserably. I could tell he was crying.
"He told you to come back, didn't he?" I reminded him. "Go back in two, three years time and prove him wrong!"

*TWO YEARS LATER*

"Here we are again." I smiled at Liam as we queued, punching his arm playfully. "You ready?"
He grinned at me, slapping me back. "Very." He looked around at the hundreds of people in the line with us, waiting for their chance to audition for the X Factor in Birmingham. "Jesus, there's more and more people every year."
"Well, they've got nothing on you," I said, hugging him tightly. I knew Liam was going to go far this year. There was no way he wouldn't.

"Oh my God! Liam! That was fucking amazing!" I screamed, jumping on him as he came offstage. "You're through! Oh my God!"
His family piled onto him, all of us laughing and screaming and crying.
"I can't believe it!" he said, raking a hand through his hair. He grabbed me and pulled me close. "I'm through, Melissa!"
His family drove me home, me and Liam sitting next to each other and talking about Boot Camp.
"You better sing your arse off," I warned him jokingly, frowning. "If you don't win this year I'm disowning you."
He laughed then looked at me seriously. "What if I don't ge-"
"Ababababa!" I put a finger on his lips. "Don't say such things, my foolish little friend. You got to judges' houses last time, you'll bloody well get through to the live shows this time. Ok?"
"Yes, Mum," he mumbled, smiling when I slapped his shoulder.
"You'll make it this year. I have a feeling," I said, gesturing wildly with my hands to emphasise my point.
Liam chuckled. "You're such a nutcase."
"Shut up."
"Love you really, Mel," he grinned, pulling me into a bear hug.
I let him hug me for a few seconds, then started wriggling away. "Get off, you're messing up my hair," I said, elbowing him in the ribs and getting out my compact mirror. My hazel eyes flashed back at me. They were being annoying today, not deciding whether to be green or brown and so being some muddy colour in between. My short hair was unruly and I could see my dark brown roots coming through underneath the mahogany colour I'd been dying it with since I was twelve. "Liam, why didn't you tell me my eyeliner was smudged?" I licked a finger and rubbed desperately at my miniature panda eyes.
"I thought it looked funny," he smirked.
"You're a right knob sometimes, you know that?"

A month later, Liam went down to London for Boot Camp. I couldn't concentrate at all while he was gone, chewing on my nails nervously and keeping my phone with me at all times. When it finally rang I all but screamed into the mouthpiece. "Hello? Liam?"
"Hey babe," he said heavily.
"Well? Did you get through?"
"No."
"Oh babe! I'm so sorry!"
"But..." I heard him stifle a laugh.
"But what? Liam...!"
"I've been put in a group and we're through to judges' houses!" he yelled, and in the background I heard more shouts of delight.
"What? Oh my God, Liam, that's brilliant! I'm so happy for you! Yes! Congratulations to all of you!" I jumped up and down, tears of happiness in my eyes. "Liam I'm so proud of you! When are you coming home?"
"I won't be home for another two weeks or so babe, all of us lads are heading to Harry's bungalow in Cheshire for the next week then it's straight to our mentor's house. Sorry."
"Tell her to come too!" one of the boys shouted.
"You sure Harry? Ok... Mel, do you want to come stay with us for a few days?" Liam asked.
"I'll ask Mum. Thanks guys! Text me later Liam, ok?"
"Yep. See you later babe, bye!"

Whoo first chapter :) I literally just wrote this about 20 minutes ago, so it's a bit rough, but hopefully the next chapters will be better :') pleeease review, it takes like 10 seconds and I'm open to constructive criticism xx