I waited patiently in my room until I heard a knock at the balcony door. I turned and saw him and smiled, opening the door.

"Got here as fast as I could," he breathed.

I smirked and pulled him into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms tight around my waist. I held in my frustrated tears and just focused on the boy in front of me.

"Liam," I started, "thank you so much for coming."

"Anything for you," he whispered in my hair.

I broke away and grabbed his hand, leading him to the bed. We sat down and everything seemed to still. The world was silent.

"Amanda broke up with me," he whispered.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah, I told her about X Factor, and she said that she couldn't compete with our music career.. so she ended it."

I rubbed his hands soothingly, "Liam, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, I guess I understand where she's coming from. It just sucks."

"Yeah."

We sat in silence for a few more minutes until I spoke again, "you know I'm still mad at you for not telling me."

He sighed, "I know, but Niall-"

"Yeah, yeah, Niall didn't want me to know. Harry already said that."

"Yeah, because he was trying to protect you."

I laughed sarcastically, "what does he need to protect me from?"

"He knows that you're going to have to leave soon, and he didn't want to worry you about X Factor, in case we actually get through."

"I don't understand?"

"If we get through this audition and the judge's house, we leave."

I felt my palms become sweaty with nerves, "leave?"

"Competition's in London. We'd be living there..,"

I breathed heavily at what Liam just told me. I let go of his hand and stood from the bed.

"Lezile..," he whispered. I felt him touch my hand but I pulled away.

My gut retched and I felt like I may throw up. Live in London? I couldn't imagine living without Niall, I've gotten so used to it, to him. I'd miss all of the boys like crazy, but I don't know if I could handle the stress of missing Niall.

"How long?"

"Seven months."

I breathed out the long breath I was holding. I knew they'd be leaving. They were too talented for them to all say no. I turned and faced Liam, who's look of sadness almost made me burst into tears.

"Is it selfish of me to hope you guys don't make it?" I joked, wiping away the stray tears that had fallen.

He chuckled with me, "no, I'd wish the same if I were you."

"I messed up, Liam, so bad. I didn't let him explain," I cried out, "I slapped him. Oh god, he probably hates me."

I began choking on my tears, making it hard for me to breathe.

"Hey, hey, hey," he breathed, coming up and hugging me, "Niall doesn't hate you, I don't think he ever could."

He took my face in his hands, "do you hear me?"

I nodded and tried to straighten my ragged breathing. He dropped his hands to my waist and pulled me to him, hugging me tightly.

"I don't know how to apologize to him," I whispered against his chest.

"Tell him how you're feeling, everything on your mind."

I felt him move, and I titled my head and Liam was looking directly in my eyes.

"He wouldn't let an amazing girl like you get away."

He leaned down and kissed my cheek, lingering a few seconds before hugging me again. I have no idea how I'm going to apologize to Niall, especially after what I did. If I were him, I wouldn't forgive me.

A soft knock came from the door. My head whipped around, and my stomach twisted with nerves. Liam let go and quietly went for the balcony door. I kissed Liam quickly on the cheek, and he smiled before I closed the door and he disappeared.

I gulped loudly and walked to the door, my hand lingering on the doorknob before I took a final big breath and opened the door.

No one was there.

I waited a few more seconds and I heard no sound, and no one came out from the shadows.

"Niall?" I whispered.

A few seconds past and Niall slowly appeared in my door frame. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry as the Sahara. We just stood there, neither of us saying a word. His blue eyes glistened, showing that he'd been crying too.

"I-I..," I could feel myself choking up with tears again. I'd been so selfish in treating Niall horribly, just because I wanted him to stay with me. He deserves this, and I should let him go after his dream.

He inched toward me and slowly pulled me to him, burying his face in my neck. I hugged him back with all of my energy and shook from holding in my tears.

"I'm so sorry," I cried, gripping him tighter, "for hitting you, I'm so sorry..!"

"Shhhh," he cooed, sniffing back his own tears.

I didn't deserve him. He'd be better off without carrying me as baggage when going to X Factor. Just how I know Liam will be better without Amanda..

*Liam's POV*

Lezile shut the door of the balcony and turned away, heading for the door. I leaned against the brick wall, out of view from the door. I was incredibly happy when she phoned me to come see her, of all people. I figured she would have phoned Harry. I admit that I'm hurt that I'm newly single, but it's nice to know that Lezile needs me, just like how Amanda used to need me. Niall is really lucky to have her stand by him, especially going into this.

I peered into the room and saw her and Niall hugging, and I could tell they were both crying. I smiled, but a knot formed in my stomach. The wind was picking up so I climbed down from the balcony and went to my car. As I drove home, I thought about Lezile, hoping that she was okay now. I turned the air on in my car on low; my skin burned from her touch.

Niall's girlfriend can't be my rebound.

*Lezile's POV*

This felt completely new to me, despite me having done this numerous times before; kissing Niall. It wasn't forceful, it wasn't feverish or filled with lust and desire. It was innocent. It was slow, and yeah, it was sweet, but I felt like crying all the same. I should end it, he doesn't deserve a girl who's hit him over him chasing his dream. He doesn't need to think about me while trying to make it in music, it's gotta be stressful enough. I pulled from the kiss and rubbed his cheek, taking in his appearance.

"I'm sorry I lied," he whispered.

I shook my head, "it's okay."

"No, it's not," he took my hand and laced our fingers together, "I should've told you.. and I'm really sorry I didn't."

"Really Niall, it's fine," I countered, "look, I know that you guys will get through and that you'll..," I swallowed hard, "leave and be living in London. So it's probably best if you and I aren't.. you and I."

"What? That's crazy! I don't want us breaking up over this! This is what I was afraid would happen if I told you."

"Well I mean you're going to meet so many girls and how knows what could happen."

"I would never cheat on you, you're the only one I want. I can't do this without you."

"Are you sure?" My skepticism leaking through. I wanted to be with him, but I don't want 'us' affecting his music.

"Definitely," and then he hugged me. A hug more of reassurance that everything would be okay. At least, that we hoped it would be okay.

"Tomorrow night, I want it to be you and I. The whole day and night before we leave."

I nodded against his shoulder, "okay."

"Niall! Lezile, we're home!" Mum shouted from downstairs. We broke apart from our hug. Time to put on our sibling charade.

Niall kissed me quickly before leaving my room. I followed after a few seconds. Niall was already downstairs, and as I made my way down the stairs, Jonathon peaked from behind Dad and gave me a tight hug.

"What's this for?" I giggled.

"We never hugged, figured it's 'bout time," he joked with a wink.

Smooth, just like his older brother.

Dad, Jonathon, Niall and I all relaxed in the living room while Mum made dinner. Dad and Jonathon were shouting at the tv over a football game, while Niall and I were sitting on the loveseat. I could feel Niall's fingers brushing my hand, his eyes still focused on the tv. I moved my fingers to touch his, and my heart sank at the thought of us being away from each other for months, but this is what he wants, and I have to let him do this.

A half hour passed and Mum called us to eat dinner; pasta. There was some conversation, but nothing that sparked a massive debate. Niall and I kept looking at each other occasionally, but not for long because as far as the rest of the Family was concerned, we only thought of each other as brother and sister. Dinner finished and we all cleaned up, and Mum, Dad and Jonathon went to watch tv in the living room. I walked upstairs to my room, leaving the door open a crack so Niall would come in. He did.

He closed it and came and laid down with me. We didn't kiss, we didn't talk. We just laid there, facing each other.

"You know I don't want to leave you, right?" He whispered.

"Yeah."

"I know it'll be hard, but we ca-"

"I don't wanna talk," I whispered.

He nodded sadly and pulled me to him, holding tight. The only sounds that could be heard were from our happy Family downstairs.