Chapter Nineteen – Walk of Shame

Theresa's POV

I paced back and forth in the green room as Sydney was still nowhere to be seen. The boys told me that she left with Leo last night, but they don't know where to. I knew that she was safe with Leo, but I was worried that she would lose track of time. I also worried about her mental state after an encounter like this. I could only assume what happened, and it was something I was not allowing myself to admit to.

My phone rang and I leaped for it, my skirt getting caught up under my feet. I saw that it was a new text from Syd and I sighed in relief.

"Hey, I'm in a cab on the way to the studio, I should be there in about ten minutes. We have a lot to talk about as well. Once this interview is over, major best friend time. I love you."

I replied to let her know I got the text and sat down on the sofa, relieved. The boys all looked at me as I finally started breathing again.

"She'll be here in ten," I explained. "I still don't understand how you guys thought getting her drunk and letting her go with a man you didn't even know was a good idea."

Louis stepped forward, "For the record, we told him to keep her safe. Plus, there's nothing wrong with being a little drunk."

I simply pursed my lips at them and tapped my toes, waiting for Sydney's arrival.

Sydney's POV

I handed the driver my money and quickly exited the cab. I tried to right myself as I went to the door, unsuccessfully convincing the security that I was supposed to be there and was just late. I quickly called Paul and got him to come open the door for me and let me in.

I scrambled past the green room where I knew everyone was waiting and went straight to hair and makeup. I had about three girls working as quickly as they could to try and make me presentable. They threw my hair up in a stylized messy bun and slopped some makeup on my face. I was surprised when I turned around that I no longer looked like a ragged homeless person. I was handed the clothes to change into and I was grateful, dreading the walk of shame I was soon going to have.

I slumped to the green room where I would change, not having time to try and find a bathroom or anything. I took a deep breath before entering and put a smile on my face.

I walked straight to the corner, chin held high. As I started to remove my skirt I heard silence behind me, knowing everyone was staring straight at me. I turned to face them, my skirt in hand.

"Take a picture, it last longer," I smirked.

"Sydney. Care to tell us where you were tonight and why you're wearing the same clothes you left in?" Zayn stepped forward.

"Uhh, I went to go catch up with Leo." I folded my arms across my chest.

"And why did you not come back to the hotel?" He took a step closer to me.

"Because I was tired, I decided to sleep there." I took another step towards him as well.

He shook his head and walked towards me until our bodies were touching, "Put your clothes on, your ass is hanging out."

I lifted my shirt off my body, still next to him. "Now more then my ass is hanging out. You have a problem with that?"

"No." We stared into each other's eyes. I had no clue why I was challenging him like this, maybe to try and disrupt the thoughts everyone was having about my activities last night.

"I have a problem with it!" Theresa leaped behind me, covering my body. Zayn stepped back to the sofa and allowed me to pull my dress up over my body. I quickly unhooked my bra and flung it at Zayn, landing right in his lap. I put my jacket on and all the jewelry the stylists gave me. I carefully slipped my shoes on as I walked past Liam, Louis, Niall, and Harry, all of them looking at me in despair. I couldn't help but feel like they expected more from me. But it's not like they were ones to talk. I figured they just viewed me as a little sister, and didn't want to admit to their little sister getting frisky with a guy they didn't even know.

We sat in awkward silence for ten minutes before we were called to the set. We walked in a group, being lectured on our time limit and whatnot. We were to be on the set for thirty minutes for the live show, but in seven minute segments. We all nodded along as the manager continued to speak about everything we already knew.

My head was still pounding and the live audience was only making it worse as they screamed every time One Direction's name was spoken. However, this is why I was an actor. As I walked onto the set I put a smile on my face and waved like everything was sunshine and rainbows.

I took my seat on the large couch closest to the host of the show. It was lucky that the show was actually in English, so there was no translator needed.

"Hello, hello. Why, aren't you all a big group?"

We all laughed as instructed.

"Well, we're going to get right into it. Now, Sydney and Theresa, what has this whole experience been like for you?"

Theresa began to speak, "It's been amazing, really. You know, when you wake up in the morning you still think 'Ugh, I don't want to go to school today.' But then you realize that you don't have to go to school and you get to sing all day and it's beautiful! Plus, we're so lucky to have these guys to mentor us along because they're so much fun and they are really popular. I like that."

We laughed as she ranted, her hands flying in the air.

"So, boys, what is it like living with these girls?" The host asked, crossing her long legs.

"We kind of think of them like our little sisters," Liam began. "Except, they nag us a lot, so they're kind of like our mothers as well."

"We just all get on really well, which is a good thing, since we didn't even really know them beforehand," Harry closed the question.

"Very good," the host paused. "Now, Sydney. It seems you've got a story to tell us all."

"I do?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yes." A photo appeared on the screen behind us. "This photo was taken last night. So tell us, who's the mystery man?"

"Well, urm," my face turned the color of a tomato. "That's a good friend of mine; we went to catch up on the past year. Lots of news, y'know?"

"From the looks of it, you guys appear to be a little more then just friends."

I allowed myself a laugh, "Trust me, we're only friends."

Theresa shot me a look and I gave her a ' we'll talk about it later' glance.

We took a quick break where we were allowed to readjust ourselves and chat with each other. Before I knew it we were back live and I had to put on my act again.

"Hey everyone! We're back with One Direction and Vaalea! We're going to take some questions from the audience!"

The host was now in the section where the audience was sitting and held her microphone to a small brunette girl who couldn't have been more then twelve years old.

She started to speak in German and was translated by the host, "Dahlia here wants to know how many of you are in relationships?"

Theresa and Liam were the only ones to raise their hands. The rest of us looked at each other awkwardly as we realized how forever alone we were.

Soon the next question was translated, "Marie wants to know long Sydney and Theresa have known each other?"

"We've actually known each other since we were two. We became best friends in pre-school and have pretty much been the same person every since," I explained.

The next girl, a redheaded girl who was tall and skinny, spoke in English, "What obnoxious habits do you all have?"

We thought for a moment and Louis spoke, "Sydney will stretch whenever she's wearing clothes that allow for it. You could be just watching the tele and she'll slide into the splits right in front of you!"

"At least I don't go into people's rooms at two in the morning and start screaming," I retorted.

"Theresa sings all the time, like, showtunes." Niall stated.

"Harry is always naked," Theresa snapped.

Harry's head whipped around, "Niall expels gas at dangerous levels."

"Zayn constantly fixes his hair," Liam threw in.

Finally Zayn spoke, "Liam's phone never leaves his hand."

More questions followed until we were finally done with the interview.

Walking off the set, we quietly made our way into the car and headed towards the train station. We sat in silence as the sound of the road passed us by.