One Direction One Shots
Niall Horan 16
It was just the same as any day; the sky was a gentle baby blue that could be seen peeking through the clouds that covered most of England’s sky. Yes, we were in England. I had followed my best friend, Niall Horan, all the way from our small hometown in Ireland to the big city life that was projected in the billboards that sat suspended on the high-rise buildings that surround us. Why, you ask? Because I was being as any good friend, supportive and caring towards Niall as he embarked on one of the biggest events of his life so far; his audition to this year’s X Factor.
“Woah, Niall. Look up. They’ve got massive televisions all over the walls. You don’t see that in Mullingar.” He nodded, showing me a toothy grin.
“I know, right? And if I get famous, maybe I’ll be up on that screen…”
“Of course you’ll get famous. Who couldn’t love your voice?” I told him, returning a smile.
Niall doesn’t know how I truly feel about him though. All he knows is that I’m his best friend, and we’ve been friends since pre-school. Growing up in a tight-knit community, everyone knows everyone, and everyone gets on. That’s me and Niall. Two teenagers so used to the slow country life, standing in the busy, bustling, car-filled streets where sound echoes up and down, leaving little room for one’s personal space or hearing of any kind. Busy, loud, nothing like the pastures.
I’m not as outgoing and loud as Niall. In fact, I’m very shy. I look like most typical European girls; short curly blonde hair and pale skin, although my emerald green eyes tend to shock people I first meet. Niall’s the same. Blonde hair, pale skin, but he’s got shockingly blue eyes. We both love singing, and that’s what brought us both here. He because he wants to audition, I because I want to support him in any way I can. If that means he can practice with me before going on stage, then so be it.
--
“What’s your name?”
“Niall.” He was all confidence, walking out onto the stage. I knew he’d get through. The judges seemed so interested in that accent of his.
“Niall what?”
“Horan.” I kept a close eye on him from the sidelines.
“Why are you here today?”
“I’m here to be the best artist I can be.” I chuckled. Of course he’d say something like that. Everything was an experience for Niall, and he put his best foot forward for everything he did.
“And Niall, how old are you?”
“16.” He received a bucket load of cheers from young girls in the crowd. I agreed with them. He was young and attractive, such a sweet person to be around.
After a few more questions, he finally began singing. I felt my skin start to goosebump. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be out there on stage, singing along side him. I don’t know why. I can’t sing by myself if there’s a crowd, but over the year’s Niall’s shown me to be myself and let go. I’d sing if he was there with me. As he began singing, the crowd began a slow clap. So he’d decided to sing ‘So Sick’ by Ne-Yo after all. He had been tossing up a few songs, singing the first few lines of each for me asking how each sounded. I had assured him that every song he sung would be brilliant.
“Gotta change my answering machine
Now that I’m alone
Cuz right now it says that we
Can’t come to the phone
And I know it makes no sense
Cuz you walked out that door
But it’s the only way I hear your voice anymore…”
He was cut off abruptly by none other than Simon Cowell. Now it was the moment of truth. Was he good enough to make it in the music industry. I sure hope he was…
“…I just think that maybe you should work on it,” Katy Perry was being brutally honest. “You’re only sixteen…” Yes, he was young. But I didn’t think age had anything to do with it.
“I think you’re unprepared, I think you came with the wrong song…” I scowled. Of course Simon Cowell would say something as beastly like that to Niall. We’d come all the way from Ireland. I didn’t want to see him disappointed.
“You’re not as good as you thought you were…” that stung. “…But I still like you.” My mouth widened, forming a gaping hole. He said what?
Then came a barrage of compliments from the judges. I stood flabbergasted. Things had changed around so quickly. I was sure Cowell was going to say no.
“Well, I’m going to say yes.” Cowell said yes?
“Cheryl, yes or no?” Louis Walsh asked Cheryl Cole.
“I’m going to say no.” I almost booed her aloud.
“I’m going to say yes!” Louis raised it 2-1. It was all up to Katy Perry. What would she be saying?
“…Of course, you’re in!” It took a while for my brain to process what she had just said. He was in? I squealed and jumped up and down backstage. Yes, he’d done it! Niall cheered into the microphone, jumping up and down.
“I just have one question…” he told the judges after things had calmed down. “Can you please audition Nora?” I squeaked. Oh no he didn’t…
“Nora, come out. I want you to sing for the judges too,” Niall motioned for me, I shook my head at him. No way. “She’s a little shy, but she has a beautiful voice.” He told the judges. He walked over to me and pulled me out onto the stage.
“Ah, so you’re Nora,” Louis said cordially. “Are you Niall’s girlfriend?” he asked I blushed crazily.
“Well, I’d like her to be.” My eyes widened. I turned to face Niall, a look of shock and surprise written all over my face. He liked me? He actually liked me?
“Wow. Well, let’s have a listen to young Nora. How old are you?”
“Sixteen,” I squeaked. The crowd erupted.
“What will you be singing for us today?” Cowell asked. I shrugged.
“Well, I wasn’t going to perform, but I’m going to sing this song. ‘We Belong’ by Pat Benatar.”
I sighed and readied myself for disappointment. I took a deep breath, trying my best to compose myself, get my negative emotions in check and use that energy to create a positive, creative atmosphere. I brought the microphone up to my mouth and began to sing.
“Many times I’ve tried to tell you, many times I’ve cried alone
Always I’m surprised how well you cut my feelings to the bone
Don’t wanna leave you really, I’ve invested too much time
To give you up that easy, to the doubts that complicate your mind
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back, when you say
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back, when you say
Close your eyes and try to sleep now, close your eyes and try to dream
Clear your mind and do your best to try and wash the palette clean
We can’t begin to know it, how much we really care
I hear your voice inside me, I see your face everywhere, still you say
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back…”
I didn’t realize I had sung the whole song, completely uninterrupted by the judges. The crowd were watching me in awe, and some strange fascination lit their faces.
“Thank you Nora for that,” finally, the silence was broken by Simon Cowell. “I have to say that was brilliant. Even though you’re not registered… I think we’ll be able to find you a place in the next round. It’s a yes from me.” Cheryl shook her head.
“You have a lovely voice, but I’m not convinced that you’re a stage performer,” she told me, watching me carefully. “You didn’t want to perform originally, only Niall brought you out…” I shook my head at her.
“Please, give me a chance. I promise I’ll try my best to be better on stage.” She nodded.
“You’ll have to convince me.”
“Well, I think I’m convinced,” Louis told me. “It’s a yes from me.”
“And, its another yes from me.” Katy Perry announced, applauding. “I’d love to have a voice like yours.” I blushed. And just like that, I found myself next to Niall in the next round of the competition.
--
“Niall, did you really mean what you said back there, about wanting me to be your girlfriend?” I asked him, flicking through a magazine. Somehow, we had both ended up on the same bus to the place were we’d be doing the bootcamp section of the competition.
“Yeah, I was being serious.” He planted his lips on my forehead. “I want to know your response, Nora.” I couldn’t help but throw my arms around him.
“Of course, Niall! I really really like you!” he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Thanks for being with me always, Nora. I’m so glad you came all the way here with me. As funny as this sounds, I believe we belong together. It’s just ironic you chose that song!” I laughed and he gave me his usual, toothy grin. We broke apart and he held my hand, giving me a soft, chaste kiss on the cheek. Come on! We were both only sixteen after all!
But I knew one thing was for sure. Niall was right. We did belong together. We’d been through a lot, and the future was looking promising for the both of us.
“Woah, Niall. Look up. They’ve got massive televisions all over the walls. You don’t see that in Mullingar.” He nodded, showing me a toothy grin.
“I know, right? And if I get famous, maybe I’ll be up on that screen…”
“Of course you’ll get famous. Who couldn’t love your voice?” I told him, returning a smile.
Niall doesn’t know how I truly feel about him though. All he knows is that I’m his best friend, and we’ve been friends since pre-school. Growing up in a tight-knit community, everyone knows everyone, and everyone gets on. That’s me and Niall. Two teenagers so used to the slow country life, standing in the busy, bustling, car-filled streets where sound echoes up and down, leaving little room for one’s personal space or hearing of any kind. Busy, loud, nothing like the pastures.
I’m not as outgoing and loud as Niall. In fact, I’m very shy. I look like most typical European girls; short curly blonde hair and pale skin, although my emerald green eyes tend to shock people I first meet. Niall’s the same. Blonde hair, pale skin, but he’s got shockingly blue eyes. We both love singing, and that’s what brought us both here. He because he wants to audition, I because I want to support him in any way I can. If that means he can practice with me before going on stage, then so be it.
--
“What’s your name?”
“Niall.” He was all confidence, walking out onto the stage. I knew he’d get through. The judges seemed so interested in that accent of his.
“Niall what?”
“Horan.” I kept a close eye on him from the sidelines.
“Why are you here today?”
“I’m here to be the best artist I can be.” I chuckled. Of course he’d say something like that. Everything was an experience for Niall, and he put his best foot forward for everything he did.
“And Niall, how old are you?”
“16.” He received a bucket load of cheers from young girls in the crowd. I agreed with them. He was young and attractive, such a sweet person to be around.
After a few more questions, he finally began singing. I felt my skin start to goosebump. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be out there on stage, singing along side him. I don’t know why. I can’t sing by myself if there’s a crowd, but over the year’s Niall’s shown me to be myself and let go. I’d sing if he was there with me. As he began singing, the crowd began a slow clap. So he’d decided to sing ‘So Sick’ by Ne-Yo after all. He had been tossing up a few songs, singing the first few lines of each for me asking how each sounded. I had assured him that every song he sung would be brilliant.
“Gotta change my answering machine
Now that I’m alone
Cuz right now it says that we
Can’t come to the phone
And I know it makes no sense
Cuz you walked out that door
But it’s the only way I hear your voice anymore…”
He was cut off abruptly by none other than Simon Cowell. Now it was the moment of truth. Was he good enough to make it in the music industry. I sure hope he was…
“…I just think that maybe you should work on it,” Katy Perry was being brutally honest. “You’re only sixteen…” Yes, he was young. But I didn’t think age had anything to do with it.
“I think you’re unprepared, I think you came with the wrong song…” I scowled. Of course Simon Cowell would say something as beastly like that to Niall. We’d come all the way from Ireland. I didn’t want to see him disappointed.
“You’re not as good as you thought you were…” that stung. “…But I still like you.” My mouth widened, forming a gaping hole. He said what?
Then came a barrage of compliments from the judges. I stood flabbergasted. Things had changed around so quickly. I was sure Cowell was going to say no.
“Well, I’m going to say yes.” Cowell said yes?
“Cheryl, yes or no?” Louis Walsh asked Cheryl Cole.
“I’m going to say no.” I almost booed her aloud.
“I’m going to say yes!” Louis raised it 2-1. It was all up to Katy Perry. What would she be saying?
“…Of course, you’re in!” It took a while for my brain to process what she had just said. He was in? I squealed and jumped up and down backstage. Yes, he’d done it! Niall cheered into the microphone, jumping up and down.
“I just have one question…” he told the judges after things had calmed down. “Can you please audition Nora?” I squeaked. Oh no he didn’t…
“Nora, come out. I want you to sing for the judges too,” Niall motioned for me, I shook my head at him. No way. “She’s a little shy, but she has a beautiful voice.” He told the judges. He walked over to me and pulled me out onto the stage.
“Ah, so you’re Nora,” Louis said cordially. “Are you Niall’s girlfriend?” he asked I blushed crazily.
“Well, I’d like her to be.” My eyes widened. I turned to face Niall, a look of shock and surprise written all over my face. He liked me? He actually liked me?
“Wow. Well, let’s have a listen to young Nora. How old are you?”
“Sixteen,” I squeaked. The crowd erupted.
“What will you be singing for us today?” Cowell asked. I shrugged.
“Well, I wasn’t going to perform, but I’m going to sing this song. ‘We Belong’ by Pat Benatar.”
I sighed and readied myself for disappointment. I took a deep breath, trying my best to compose myself, get my negative emotions in check and use that energy to create a positive, creative atmosphere. I brought the microphone up to my mouth and began to sing.
“Many times I’ve tried to tell you, many times I’ve cried alone
Always I’m surprised how well you cut my feelings to the bone
Don’t wanna leave you really, I’ve invested too much time
To give you up that easy, to the doubts that complicate your mind
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back, when you say
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back, when you say
Close your eyes and try to sleep now, close your eyes and try to dream
Clear your mind and do your best to try and wash the palette clean
We can’t begin to know it, how much we really care
I hear your voice inside me, I see your face everywhere, still you say
We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
We belong, we belong, we belong together
Maybe it’s a sign of weakness, when I don’t know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn’t know what to do with my strength anyway
Have we become habit, do we distort the facts
Now there’s no looking forward, now there’s no turning back…”
I didn’t realize I had sung the whole song, completely uninterrupted by the judges. The crowd were watching me in awe, and some strange fascination lit their faces.
“Thank you Nora for that,” finally, the silence was broken by Simon Cowell. “I have to say that was brilliant. Even though you’re not registered… I think we’ll be able to find you a place in the next round. It’s a yes from me.” Cheryl shook her head.
“You have a lovely voice, but I’m not convinced that you’re a stage performer,” she told me, watching me carefully. “You didn’t want to perform originally, only Niall brought you out…” I shook my head at her.
“Please, give me a chance. I promise I’ll try my best to be better on stage.” She nodded.
“You’ll have to convince me.”
“Well, I think I’m convinced,” Louis told me. “It’s a yes from me.”
“And, its another yes from me.” Katy Perry announced, applauding. “I’d love to have a voice like yours.” I blushed. And just like that, I found myself next to Niall in the next round of the competition.
--
“Niall, did you really mean what you said back there, about wanting me to be your girlfriend?” I asked him, flicking through a magazine. Somehow, we had both ended up on the same bus to the place were we’d be doing the bootcamp section of the competition.
“Yeah, I was being serious.” He planted his lips on my forehead. “I want to know your response, Nora.” I couldn’t help but throw my arms around him.
“Of course, Niall! I really really like you!” he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Thanks for being with me always, Nora. I’m so glad you came all the way here with me. As funny as this sounds, I believe we belong together. It’s just ironic you chose that song!” I laughed and he gave me his usual, toothy grin. We broke apart and he held my hand, giving me a soft, chaste kiss on the cheek. Come on! We were both only sixteen after all!
But I knew one thing was for sure. Niall was right. We did belong together. We’d been through a lot, and the future was looking promising for the both of us.