Chapter~ 26 'Do They?'

Jessica keeps staring at me and I do the same, the dreaded tears threatening to spill. I feel a mixture of emotions and they're all equally unwelcomed. Sad, surprised, angry and frustrated. I try to stop the sudden tears because it's not the right time. I'm stronger than that. We're both stronger than that.

I force a smile at Jessica, nodding reassuringly. She can do it, I know. Everything will be just fine.

She turns her head back to the crowd. I can't concentrate. Instead, I look at the five familiar faces, also known as the judges.

One freaking Direction.

They all sat there in utter silence as their smiles slowly turned into concerned frowns. Their eyes were full of worry. Maybe they expected us to jump from happiness, or maybe even cry from joy. But all they got were surprised, miserable faces. I bet they doubt they even knew us. The girls who smiled like there's no tomorrow, who acted like five year young kids fooling around. There's no doubt it was hard to recognize us. No doubt at all.

How can they expect good? All they did ever since they went away was ignore our calls. And all we did was keep our hopes up until there wasn't any left. They left us with broken hearts and promises. What made us furious, though, was that we never hated them, after all. We kept our promise as Directioners as it is. Once a Directioner, always a Directioner.

"Hey, Jessica," was all what Harry said.

Way to go.

"H-hey," her voice cracked. A titanic lump formed in my throat. I swallowed.

"Would you like to start now?" Zayn looked at her worriedly.

"I... yeah," she replied.

The song she was practicing on started playing.

She started dancing and moving to the beat perfectly. As expected, everyone stood up, clapping and dancing along. I started clapping as well, a big smile planted on my face.

"Go, Jess!" I yelled on the top of my voice. I know she's nervous, and I know words of encouragement were what she needs right now.

In first row, just as they promised, were the girls. I smiled widely at them. They did the same, along with a wink. I chuckled, then returned my focus on my soul sister.

Jessica ended her dance with a bow, apparently more confident than she was. That's my girl.

"Wow," Niall said. You got that right.

In. Your. Face.

"Thank you," she replied before she sashayed her way towards me. I hugged her tight until the familiar words left her mouth.

"I. Can't. Breathe." I laughed and started jumping.

"You were amazing!" I smiled widely, feeling proud. Her eyes sparkled, but not for long, however.

"What are we going to do?" Her eyes darkened and the sparkles disappeared.

"We'll figure it out later," I said just as I heard my name being called out. I took a deep breath.

"You'll do great," She reassured me. I nodded and started heading to the curtains. They spread to different ways and the five familiar faces stared right at me. My heart skipped a beat once I heard his voice greeting me.

"Hello." Liam smiled at me. I simply nodded.

I took a deep breath. The slow music started.

"When the days are cold

And the cards all fold

And the saints we see

Are all made of gold"

I quickly drew a breath and started again.

"When your dreams all fail

And the ones we hail

Are the worst of all

And the blood's run stale"

I glanced at the crowd. Everyone was standing. Hands swinging from side to side. The view touched me and in a matter of seconds, my eyes were wet.

"I wanna hide the truth

I wanna shelter you

But with the beast inside

There's nowhere we can hide

No matter what we breed

We still are made of greed

This is my kingdom come

This is my kingdom come"

I found myself crying.

"When you feel my heat

Look into my eyes

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide

Don't get too close

It's dark inside

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide"

The boys stood up for me.

Déjà Vu.

"At the curtain's call

It's the last of all

When the lights fade out

All the sinners crawl

So they dug your grave

And the masquerade

Will come calling out

At the mess you made

Don't wanna let you down

But I am hell bound

Though this is all for you

Don't wanna hide the truth

No matter what we breed

We still are made of greed

This is my kingdom come

This is my kingdom come"

I closed my eyes this time feeling the words as they touched me.

"When you feel my heat

Look into my eyes

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide

Don't get too close

It's dark inside

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide

They say it's what you make

I say it's up to fate

It's woven in my soul

I need to let you go

Your eyes, they shine so bright

I wanna save that light

I can't escape this now

Unless you show me how

When you feel my heat

Look into my eyes

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide

Don't get too close

It's dark inside

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide"

My eyes fluttered open. Everyone started clapping very hard. I looked at the girls. They were all smiling from ear to ear.

I let out a sniffle.

God, I might even break down into sobs.

I looked at the boys. Liam's eyes were full of worry. Harry looked like he's about to cry, and the same look was on all their faces. This meant so much to me. Just so much.

They haven't said a word, so I decided to just head backstage. I turned around and ran into Jessica's arms. That's when I actually started sobbing. This time, I guess, was when I let out all the emotions from before. The ones I left alone inside me for just too long. Jessica started crying, too. We just stood there, crying our own pair of eyes out.

"We're taking a break," I heard Louis' sweet, husky voice say.

Maybe we will really talk with them this time. Maybe this is the time we will know why they've been lying to us. After all, we were all best friends, and we still love them.

But do they?

Author's Note:

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to @HayaNashar ! She's so kind and sweet! Thank you for reading my story!

Thank you guys so so much for all the reads! It really means so much to me, it really does. I love you all so much! <3

~HG xx