This Town by Niall Horan

You still make me nervous when you walk in the room, them butterflies they come alive when I'm next to you.

Breaking news: The Hawthorne Heiress' sister and The Hawthorne Heir - Apparent have hinted secret romance.

Grayson Hawthorne (19) and Paris Grambs (16) have been asked about their relationship when caught by paparazzi entering the Hawthorne house. Hawthorne had his arm around Grambs, "Is there something going on between the two of you?" The interviewer asked. The Hawthorne smiled suggestively and looked down to his potential partner and said: "I think that's enough questions". 

The next day Grayson and I decided we were ready to start spreading the news out. Oren made sure there would be paparazzi at the place we decided to be. News was already out that we may be going out.

In the car ride there is an awful silence. The kind of silence that is so loud you drown in it. We both feel awkward as we drive to the location we planned on going to. 

When we arrive Kennedy parks the car and I turn to Grayson. We both get out the car and set up a picnic on the beach. Oren agreed to tip off the paparazzi right about now so we have around ten minutes to get ready.

I had originally underestimated how quickly the paparazzi would respond to the tip. I am wearing a plaid sage green dress that reminds me of spring time. 

The paparazzi start running towards us so we act as if we haven't seen them. 

Just as the media advisor planned Grayson picks up a strawberry and places it in my mouth. We both laugh a little and then we stands up, I take grapes and start throwing them which he tries to catch in his mouth. I loved the media advisor for this one because it's very high school musical two. 

The paparazzi start taking photos from afar. This is the part the media advisor told us we would kiss to which we both immediately declined. Instead Grayson smiles and places a kiss on my forehead. Grayson doesn't smile often, until yesterday I hadn't seen him smile at all except for the occasional evil smirk.

I shiver. He takes off his suit jacket and wraps it across my shoulders. Then it's Kennedy's cue to come over and inform us about the paparazzi. We turn around and panic that they caught us. We grab everything and make our way to the car. We get inside and the second we are inside the blacked out car I take off his jacket and pass it back. We both stop smiling and Kennedy starts driving.

"Reckon they bought it?" I ask, "Pretty sure I bought it" Kennedy jokes from the front. Grayson is an amazing actor, he looked genuinely happy. I think my 4 years in drama club payed off. Let's just hope it worked. 

As if by magic the next day I woke up to about a million notifications. News spread fast and it's one of the top articles. 

HAWTHORNE HEIR APPARENT DATES YOUNGER SISTER OF HAWTHORNE HEIRESS.

Grayson Hawthorne (19) has been spotted with Paris Grambs (16) again. Hawthorne fed Grambs a strawberry before the two enjoyed a game that consisted of catching fruit in their mouths. The Hawthorne kissed Grambs on the head before giving her his jacket and retiring back to the Hawthorne house.

Rumours have been spreading and it is believed the Hawthorne brother has betrayed his family by dating the sister of the girl who stole their fortune. Is this fairytale romance true or just a close friendship, potentially something more than we know?

Grayson, Oren, Kennedy, Avery, The media advisor (Landon) and I all gather round to discuss our next move. 

"Well they bought it" Grayson says. "They don't fully believe it yet. Have you checked social media recently? A lot of people still believe your just friends" Landon says looking at her notes. 

"How many 'friends' kiss?" I sigh putting my head in my hands. "On the forehead? A lot." Landon replies, still upset we chose not to go with the idea of kissing. 

"What can we do then?" Grayson asks. "Well first of all Avery, you'll likely be questioned on the matter. I want you to act like you know something but can't say" Landon instructs. "Yeah, I can do that" Avery nods. 

"At the ball tonight I would like you to both drive in together. Grayson, arm around her waist." she really cares about the details. We both nod.

"There is likely going to be a lot of questions regarding your potential relationship, when those are asked I want you to glance at each other and smile to one another briefly and then turn back to the paparazzi and say nothing. Paris, I don't want any more 'bullshit' in answer to questions, say nothing. Grayson is more experienced so he knows what he's doing." Landon orders.

I nod. "Practice your stance." She orders. We both stand up. We move closer together much to our dismay. He places a hand across my waist and pulls me even closer. "Smile" Landon says. 

Both of us smile unpleasantly. "Maybe later we could work on our smiles, that was very forced" she says. The second she dismisses us we go as far away from one another as possible. We have a ball to get ready for. 

I speak with a stylist in regards of my outfit. I choose a dark green dress that is rather tight and short, it's not short enough that I shouldn't be wearing it just short enough to fit my style. I just love it because it makes my boobs look massive.

My makeup is completed by a professional who makes my eyelashes look really long and lushes. My hair is placed in a braid with one thin curl loose, the stylist asked if i wanted to look like the picture that Avery used and I agreed. I wear a bracelet my Mother gave me. 

I stop by Avery's room on the way. She is gorgeous. We wear the same hairstyle but it looks better on her. Her straight brown hair is a lot easier to manipulate into hairstyles, my hair is blonde and curly making it harder to move around. I've always wondered where my blonde curly hair came from, my Mother's hair was brown and straight. Ricky has brown hair but no curls or blondes in either blood line.

"You look amazing" I smile proudly from her doorway. Her dress is a beautiful green colour that is long, it suits her perfectly. She turns around having not noticed me and her eyes light up when she sees me. 

"Pear.. You look great" she comes towards me even though her stylist is still trying to pin parts of her dress. "You look so grown up" she says proudly. "I should go, I'm meeting Grayson in literally thirty seconds. But you honestly look beautiful, you remind me of Mom." I catch her smile before I leave. 

"Sorry I'm late" I say as I meet Grayson at the front exit, he is wearing a suit and facing the door. He turns at my voice. His eyes quickly scan up and down my body. I saw that Grayson. He looks at me for a moment with an unknown look in his eyes "what?" I ask. "Nothing, you just reminded me of.. never mind" he says. I shrug it off.

When we are in the car with Kennedy in the front, I am terrified. I shiver despite the temperature being rather warm. Grayson glances my way. "You okay?" He asks. "Fine" i answer vaguely.

When we arrive at the venue paparazzi are already practically attacking the windows of the SUV. Grayson gets out and walks around the back of the car to open my door. He helps me out and puts his arm around my waist. We walk to the entrance and stop as paparazzi take photos. 

"Grayson what does your family plan to do when Avery takes your house?" Someone asks. He doesn't answer. We both smile at the flashing lights.

"What is your response to the rumours you're in a relationship?" That's our cue. I glance up at him and smile as if we are and we're hiding something. 

"Paris, is it true your Mother was Tobias Hawthorne's long lost daughter and that is why Avery is here?" 

"Grayson, how is your relationship with Avery?"

"Paris, is it true your Mother is still alive and faked her own death so that she could leave Avery and you behind?" 

That was the last straw. Who the fuck would ask that. What happened to 'who designed your outfit' now it's 'is your mother actually alive after you painfully grieved for almost a year because she didn't care enough to be around' 

I open my mouth "You-" Grayson cuts me off by bringing his lips down to mine. 

What. 

The. 

Actual.

 Fuck.

I just kissed Grayson fucking Hawthorne.

I'm still kissing Grayson Hawthorne.

And he's an amazing kisser.

Suddenly I remember where we are and separate our lips before my temptations can get the better of me and I rip his clothes off right here. 

I gulp, slightly embarrassed about all the photos being taken of our moment. We quickly walk away from the paparazzi and inside the venue. When we are far enough they can't hear us i quietly hiss "what the fuck was that Grayson?" 

"You were about to go absolutely mental at that guy" he replies. 

"You didn't have to kiss me" 

"How else would i have stopped you. We both know that once you start you can't stop" he replies.

"That's a little dramatic, i have control" 

"If you had control you wouldn't have opened your mouth in the first place." 

I can't argue with that. 

We get down the stairs and collect drinks from a tray. "Had I known we wouldn't be allowed to drink here I would've brought something myself to spice this up" I complain.

"Lucky for you, I plan ahead" Jameson says from behind me, seemingly appearing from thin air. "Jameson Winchester Hawthorne, I love you" I beam when he removes a flask from his tuxedo. I've never seen him wearing a tux. 

He pulls the side of his jacket out and i fill my Champaign glass (without champagne) with the contents of the flask behind the jacket so nobody sees. "This isn't your first rodeo" he says suspiciously with a smirk. "Grayson?" I offer. He shakes his head.

"Just don't tell Avery" I grin as I place the flask back inside his pocket. He fixes his tux and takes a drink from his own glass which i can only assume is also filled with alcohol. 

"Christ, Jameson what did you put in that flask" I ask when I take a swig. "Vodka" he replies with a grin, "I can fucking taste that but why is it so strong?" 

"It's 87% alcohol" he replies, clearly proud. "You trying to fucking kill me?" I ask. "You can handle it" he assures. "Well of course I can but I'll be fucking wasted" I reply. "Well we can be 'fucking wasted' together" he replies walking away from me. 

Despite what I just said I take a sip of the drink again. "I will not be carrying either of you home when your-" Grayson's attention is brought somewhere else. Avery.

She walks down the stairs, she is beautiful. Grayson almost looks amazed until he drops the Champaign glass on the floor. I jump back, almost being attacked by a million shards. Avery stops and then is forced by Alisa to keep moving. 

"What are you doing?" Grayson asks when Avery reaches us, sounding guttural. "I don't understand" she says. "Your hair" he says reaching out to touch her hair but stops himself before he does "that necklace.. that dress" he chokes out. 

"What?" Avery asks looking confused. I watch an unfamiliar looking Grayson fight emotions.

"Emily"

Emily.

Avery makes her way to the restroom as I stare blankly at Grayson. He looks so hurt. "I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back" I say, he doesn't reply almost like he's in shock.

I make my way to the bathroom after Avery just in time to pass Thea, she smirks knowingly at me. 

Avery struggles to take off her necklace. "What are you doing? You look amazing" I say, assuming Thea had said something unkind about her appearance.

"Thea, decided to dress me up like a doll to look like Emily Laughin. She's fucking insane" Avery explains. I rush over to Avery and help her remove Bobby pins from her hair. When it is fully out (about 500 pins later) her hair has a beautiful soft wave in it.

"Swap dresses with me" i order. "No, your dress looks amazing on you, i can't ask you to take it off for me" she says. "Well you're not asking me, I'm telling you. Take it off and we'll swap. I'll head home so it doesn't hurt the boys anymore than it already has. You need to be here, I don't" I insist. "I can't ask you to skip the event" she says. 

"I don't really want to be here" I admit with a grin. Alisa walks in. "I knew it was too much too soon. I shouldn't have pushed you" Alisa says when she sees Avery taking off her accessories. She locks the bathroom door and walks closer to us. 

"Thea dressed her up like Emily Laughin. We're going to swap dresses and I'm heading home." I explain. 

"Well.. be quick then" she ushers. 

Avery unzips my dress at the back whilst Alisa helps remove Avery's. I slip off the dress and wait. Avery's takes longer to take hers off as its a lot bigger. I pass the dress to Avery as I step into hers. Avery's goes on quite easily and Alisa zips it up for her. 

"Before I go back out there i want you to promise you'll not just be my lawyer but Libby's and Paris', no more police interviews without lawyers." Avery asks. "You have my word" Alisa agrees.

Avery leaves and Alisa finishes helping me into my dress. "If it makes any difference, i think you should stay" Alisa says whilst finishing tying up the back. "I cant, it'll crush the boys" i say. "The damage is already done" she says. 

"But-" I am cut off, "I think Avery needs you here" those words change things. How do I say no to that. "I'll stay for a little and then leave" Alisa is satisfied with that answer. 

I make my way to the table Alisa escorts me to. All eyes are on me. Jameson is nowhere to be seen, probably passed out somewhere after drinking that flask, maybe for the better at least he won't see the dress. 

I sit next to Grayson and Avery in the only remaining seat. 

"Alisa made me stay" I sigh. "You look even more like her than I do." Avery says in response. Grayson stares into the middle not even braving to look at her. 

"It wasn't Avery's fault" I whisper to Grayson. "Of course not" I can't tell if that's sarcastic or not, probably sarcastic. 

"I took Avery's braid out but I couldn't take mine out on my own." 

"I know" he says closing his eyes and tilting his head down for a moment. I imagine Grayson removing Emily's braid for her, both smiling and laughing. Did he smile often before? Did he only stop smiling when she passed?

Avery accidentally knocks over Alisa's wineglass spilling all over the table. 

She makes it through dinner and then makes her way outside claiming she needed air. 

I wait a moment to excuse myself for the bathroom. I walk in Avery's direction and catch her speaking to Jameson who is looking the opposite way to her facing a painting. 

"I don't care that you were wearing her braid or her dress or jewellery" he says to Avery, Avery stops, she was walking away before. "I don't care" he repeats. "I don't care about Emily" 

"I broke up with her that night. I told her i was done with her games. Couple hours later that night she died." Jameson says. 

That must've hurt. His last memory of her being himself breaking up with her. 

"I'm sorry" Avery says. I realise that despite this being my sister, this conversation is private. I turn around to walk away but am met with Grayson standing right behind my back. "What did he say to her?" 

"He told her that he broke up with Emily that night." I report. "Did he tell her that it was me? That I killed her?" He asks with his eyes squeezed shut in pain. 

Grayson leaves and I follow him outside hoping for some sort of explanation. He walks passed me and is soon out of sight.

I hear the door close a moment later. I turn to see who it is. Jameson. He has a sort of horror on his face. "Now that, that is chilling" he says. "What?" I ask slightly insecure. "You look just like her" he says. "Yeah I know, Thea's mad idea of a joke" i reply.

"No. You look just like her." He says again coming closer. "I don't.." I'm unsure what he means. "I've never noticed until now. If you had red hair you would be identical." He is close now. 

I breathe out fog in the cold air. He removes his phone and searches, he finds what he was looking for and places it in my hand. I look down to see a photo of Emily in the outfit. We are identical, our faces I mean. 

I shiver when his phone locks and i am left looking at my reflection. It's uncanny. I glance up at Jameson. "We don't look that alike" i lie. Pretty sure that's what you call denial. Jameson looks at me like I'm blind, we can both clearly see the resemblance. 

If I had auburn hair I would actually be her. What the fuck.

(A/N: This is probably the longest chapter yet, it's so big, so much happens. I can't wait to keep writing after this. Paris looking identical to Emily? I wonder how that could happen? Coincidence? I have written all the way up to chapter 28. Fortunately the chapter after the next chapter is my personal favourite. Unfortunately it's not going to be too good for a certain city in France. It's a little icky at one part but this is where it ALL goes down. I can't wait to see what you think)