Chapter 18

                                    

                                          
Niall's POV
                          
“HOW DID HEY FIND YOU HERE!?” Bill was pacing across the room, furious.
                          
Liam shook his head. “I dunno. We were so careful.”
                          
I looked over at Carrie. She hadn’t said a word since we got here. Was she mad at me for causing this? Did she suddenly realize what it would be like to be my girlfriend and want nothing to do with it? Was she repulsed by the insanity we dealt with on a normal basis?
                          
“Well, someone told them! Didn’t I tell you boys not to tell ANYONE?!”
                          
Louis looked up. “You’re forgetting Bill that there are people in this town who saw us, and they are just as connected to the world as we are.”
                          
Bill sat down looking very frustrated. “That is true. I suppose I should be thankful you’ve made it this long. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t blame you guys.”
                          
Carrie looked up and made eye contact with me. I could tell we were thinking the same thing.
                          
Patricia. The girl from the restaurant. But it doesn’t make any sense. She really seemed like a genuine directioner, and they all would protect us if we asked. I asked her not to say anything until the end of summer, and she seemed so willing to wait…
                          
Who knows? I mean, I really didn’t know anything about her. And it could’ve been anyone in town. We didn’t really ask them for secrecy. At this point I guess we can only hope that Carrie’s identity is protected. I can tell, she doesn’t want the world to know yet. Who can blame her? I really didn’t want her exposed to the hate she would get if the world found out anyway.
                          
This town is like paradise; peaceful and perfect. Carrie was part of that. But somehow the outside world got in and messed everything up.
                          
Carrie's POV
                          
 The next morning I woke up to the sound of my phone beeping. I rolled over and read the text from Anna.
                          
Anna: L Do you want to talk?
                          
Huh? I quickly replied.
                          
Me: Talk? About what?
                          
Anna: You didn’t see? 
                          
Me: See what?!
                          
Anna: You’re going to see it eventually, so I’ll send you the link. This was all over Twitter when I woke up this morning.
                          
I sprang out of bed, grabbed my laptop and quickly typed in the link Anna sent me.
                          
A web page for a gossip magazine popped up. Plastered at the top of the page is a picture of me from the pool yesterday. My eyes are huge and it looks like someone caught me in the middle of a robbery.
                          
Who is Niall Horan’s New Mystery Girl?
                          
One Direction was recently spotted in a small town in Georgia. Why they are there is still unknown, as there are many stories including possible break-ups, melt-downs, and scandals. One way or another, one thing’s for sure: Everyone’s favorite little Irish boy has found himself a fling. Our anonymous source tells us that Niall and ‘Carrie’ have been seen displaying public affection all over town. We also have uncovered that Carrie has been desperate for attention since she was younger, and is most likely only with our little snowflake for the fame. Who is this girl? Why is she really with Niall? And does she honestly believe a small-town nobody is worthy of dating Niall Horan?
                          
As I finish the article I’m in tears. I scroll down and find thousands of negative comments.
                          
“Who does this chick think she is?”
                          
“How dare she mess with OUR Niall!”
                          
“This loser is so not worth Niall’s time.”
                          
“She’s so ugly! Why is Niall even bothering!”
                          
“How dumb is this girl! Niall is so much better then her! She doesn’t stand a chance!”
                          
“International pop star loving a small town nobody? Yeah right!”
                          
The comments go on and on. At this point I am literally sobbing. I can hear my phone going crazy, probably Anna and the boys. I ignore it. I don’t have a twitter, but I know Anna’s password. She said it’s all over Twitter, I need to see what people are saying about me. My fingers fly over the keyboard as I log on and scroll through the comments.
                          
They are all hate. There is not one single person defending me.
                          
Who told them the boys were here?! And why would they say all those mean things about me?! I don’t crave attention! I was avoiding it! I would never use Niall like that!
                          
I slam my laptop shut and race over to my bed.
                          
The article lied about me, but the comments were true. I’m not worth Niall’s time. I don’t deserve him. And it would never work anyway. What was I thinking?
                          
I bury my head into my pillow and sob.