Amp It Up (X Factor, Niall Horan, One Direction Love Story)

~ ~ ~
Ryan.
2:00 PM.
~ ~ ~
“And your single to be released is recorded?” Simon asked. Ryan nodded. “What song did you do?”
“I did an original.” Ryan replied.
Simon looked surprised. “You write songs?”
Ryan felt vaguely uncomfortable. His Uncle should know these things. “A bit, yeah.” He replied. “Mainly R&B. I might do a collaboration with Darren if I... If I win.”
Simon nodded looking away. “Well, I'm looking forward to hearing it. Have you talked to Kelly today?”
Ryan winced. “Um, no. We're not on the best of terms at the moment.”
Simon looked interested. “Had a bit of falling out over the tie?”
Ryan shook his head. “Um, no. It was a little more personal than that. But why do you care?”
Simon cocked an eyebrow. “Why wouldn't I care?”
Ryan looked around the office. “Well, you've never really cared before..”
This time it was Simon's turn to look away. “Well, maybe it's time I started to care.”
Ryan sat for a moment, processing this. “I think,” He started hesitatingly. “I think I'd like that.”
Simon looked relieved, and sat back in his chair. “There's something I have been wanting to talk to you about,” He said. “It's about the matter of the record deal.”
Ryan winced. Simon had told him when he first singed up for the show that he wouldn't sign him with Syco if he didn't come in first place. That was probably why he had such an odd relationship with his uncle, he mused.
“What is it?”
Simon took a deep breath. “I just wanted to tell you, that even if you don't come in first, I'll have a adequate record deal for you, and a place in my company if you ever decided to retire.”
Wow.
Ryan hadn't expected that at all. He tried to keep his face neutral to disguise the tumult of emotions running through him.
“Thank you, sir,” He said. “That's wonderful.”
After a few more minutes of awkward silence, Ryan excused himself and headed back to his room. On his way there, he saw Niall walk into Kelly's room, shutting the door after him.
His throat felt like it was seizing up, and Ryan stood still for a moment before walking on. He just had to get through this night, and then he would never have to see any of them again, at least not privately. It didn't matter if he won or not now, he'd still have a career and a job to fall back on.
~ ~ ~
Kelly.
4:00 PM
~ ~ ~
I found myself doing aimless tasks as I waited for Niall..My bathroom, had never been cleaner, or my room.
People kept coming by my room to cheer me on, and though it was hearting to see that they all cared, I really didn't want to talk. My fight with Ryan had taken a lot out of me, and I was feeling very antisocial.
And now I was on Twitter, scrolling through my mentions. Niall had tweeted something to me, and I clicked on it. We hadn't really talked to each other on social media sites before, so this was new.
My lovely girlfriend is competing on @TheXFactor tonight! Keep those votes coming in!
Holy crap.
We hadn't really put a label on anything, or even discussed going public, so this was a slightly big deal. I dialed his number quickly, and to my surprise he forwarded me to voice mail.
Hey, this is Niall, leave me a message! And if you're my beautiful girlfriend please don't kill me!
I rolled my eyes, then left him a message saying to call me.
Thirty seconds later my phone lit up, showing the selfie that we had taken the other day together.
“Niall?” I asked. “Um, so I saw your tweet...”
“Thought so babe. What did you think of it?” He asked.
I moved to sit on the edge of my seat, a coy smile at the corners of my lips. “Well, I don't know what to think. I thought it was about your girlfriend?”
“It is,” He answered. “My very beautiful, nice, sweet girlfriend who would never get mad at me, right?”
I checked my nails. “Well, I don't know, seeing as your girlfriend didn't even know she was your girlfriend until just now.”
There was silence on the other end, then a bang and Niall cursing. I laughed when I realized that he had tripped.
“I didn't ask you?!” He asked disbelievingly. “Hang on, I'll be right there.”
“Niall, what-” I heard a noise out in the hall, then my door opened. Niall closed it after him, stuffing his phone into his pocket.
“Hey,” he said.
“Um, hi.” I replied. “I didn't know you were coming.”
Niall grinned, dropping to one knee on the floor. “Well, I'm here. And I have to ask you something.”
My face was burning as he continued.
“Kelly Melendez, will you do my the honor of being my girlfriend?”
I grinned down at him. “I will.” I replied. I pulled him up by the hand, and onto the bed with me. He waisted no time in bringing his lips to mine, and I smiled against his head when his lips trailed down my neck.
I hooked a leg around his waist and brought him closer to me, pulling his shirt over his head as I did so. There was a bit of an awkward moment when he stumbled and elbowed me in the chest, and I laughed while he turned red.
I kissed him again. I needed this. I needed him to distract me, from everything. From what I was about to do, what would happen afterwards, and what he would think of me later.
Afterwards, I lay with my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. Niall's fingers trailed up and down my bare back, and I snuggled closer.
“I am so glad you're a snuggler.” He muttered. “People who don't like hugs make me uncomfortable.”
I laughed and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “Same here. Hugs relax me, I need them.”
Niall rolled over and trapped me in his arms, setting his chin on my shoulder and wiggling his chin. I shrieked with laughter, trying to get him off, and I heard the door open.
“Sh-” Niall started, but I cut him off with a, “Holy crap! Mom?!”
Niall yanked the sheet over both of us, and I clenched them against my chest, staring at my mother. She stared back, then looked away.
“Oh, um, excuse me.” She muttered. “I'll give you a moment. Kelly, I need to speak to you.”
And with that, she shut the door.
“Did that really just happen?” I groaned. Niall was shaking with laughter beside me, and I hit him with a pillow. “Shut up!”
Niall laughed and pulled me onto his chest.
He was leaning in to kiss me again when there was another knock on the door. I smiled up at him.
“Rain check?” I asked. He nodded, I grabbed his tee shirt and my sweatpants off of the floor and went to talk to Mom.
“Um, hi.” I said unsure. She stared at me a moment, then looked down. She looked tired. Not angry, not sad, just... Tired.
“I never thought I'd have to have this talk with you,” She began, “But I obviously need to now. Kelly, having sex is a big step in any relationship and you need to think through it carefully before doing it. You're only seventeen, and he might seem exciting right now, but in a couple of months you'll meet someone else and you'll regret not saving yourself, and-”
“Mom.” I interrupted. “Please, please just be quiet. Niall and I are being safe, and I love him and trust him, and I know what I'm doing.”
Mom glared at me. “I don't think you understand at all. You have to be careful around boys like him, they will sleep with anything that moves, fake commitment and then when they knock you up they'll try to run away! A shotgun marriage is not something that you want or need! Don't end up like m-”
She stopped, realizing what she was about to say.
I glared at her.
“Like what, Mom? Like you? I was born seven months after you and Dad got married. So you really cant give me any advice on this.”
My Mom closed her eyes, breathing heavily through her nose. “How do you know that?” She asked finally.
“Gran,” I replied. “She seemed to think that it was important.”
“That -” Mom called Gran a extremely ugly word for a female dog, and I winced. Mom paced back and forth, muttering obscene words under her breath.
“What did you come here for, anyway?” I asked finally, tired of waiting. And her excessive use of swear words was creeping me out.
“I have something to show you.” Mom muttered, and it was then that I noticed the envelope in her hand. She held it out to me, and it read on the front in curly writing, Results.
“Um, what is this?” I asked. Mom fidgeted.
“Um, I may have been in Mr. Cowells office waiting for a an appointment, and someone delivered it and I told them that I would give it to him..” She muttered.
I just looked at her. And then I turned back to open my door, and her hand landed on my shoulder.
“Honey, I know I haven't been the best of mothers, and I,” She paused. “I wanted to say... That I'm sorry. I do focus too much on myself, and I'm honestly trying to put you first more often. I'm not asking that you forgive me, but I hope you can... Try to start over again with me?” She finished.
I bit my lip, my eyes burning. “Mom...”
She gripped my hand earnestly., tears in her eyes. “Please. Just try. Nothing major, just promise me you'll... Try and forgive me at least?”
Tears brimmed up in my eyes and spilled over, and I pulled Mom into a hug.
The first hug we'd shared since I was six.
“Okay,” I whispered. Her shoulders shook with repressed sobs, and I pulled away before it turned into a cry fest. I wiped my eyes.
“Okay, I'll try.” I said. And I knew that I would try.
The envelope was crumpled in my hand.

~ ~ ~

Tina and Vanessa showed up half an hour after Niall left. They came bearing make up, curling irons, arm fulls of dresses, and shoes. They had been shopping all week, and I was glad that they had thought of getting me something to wear, as I hadn't thought about it.
Soon we were getting ready. I had showered and shaved, and my hair was wrapped up in a towel as I looked through dresses.
I finally chose a tribal print brown dress, with tall heels. My hair was another issue, and I let Vanessa and Tina have their way with it.
They ended up curling it lightly, and Tina did my makeup. Red lipstick, and the slightest smoky eyes she could make. I was so nervous that I was shaking, and no amount of blusher could make my face less pale. Tina finally just wiped off the makeup and started again, with a light coat of foundation and the smoky eye again.
And then I waited. While Vanessa and Tina got ready I sat on my bed. Ryan hadn't come to see me, or texted me. But Niall would be there. I comforted myself with that thought. Niall would be in the front row, cheering me on.
I had my stage costumes in a dressing room, ready for me to slip into before my performance. Lady Gaga was preforming tonight, along with Lana Del Ray. Vanessa had been talking about Lana all day, as she was one of her favorite artists. And there was a high chance that she would get to meet her. On another note, I had the songs that I was going to sing. And the song that I was going to release as a single. If I won I would sing it, the others were mandatory.
I had recorded Unchained Melody, by The Righteous Brothers. I'd always loved the song, so it seemed fitting.
“Are you ready?” Vanessa asked. I took a deep breath, and nodded.
~ ~ ~
The stage lights were blinding. I heard the roar of the crowd as we sang our first songs, Ryan's eye repeatedly meeting mine throughout the night. I knew that whatever happened, our relationship would forever be changed by the results in Mario Lopez's pocket.
Everything was a blur throughout Lady Gaga's performance, and I blanked out during Summertime Sadness. Vanessa and Tina waited on me every time there was a commercial break.
And then, right as they were showing footage of our childhoods, I threw up. I barely made it to the bathroom in time, and I leaned against the locked stall door with my head in my hands.
And I realized something.
There was absolutely nothing holding me back from just staying here, being disqualified, and letting Ryan win. I'd eventually get a record deal, and Ryan would get his. And I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of knowing I took away his dream.
Nausea racked through me again, and my retching disguised the sound of the door opening, and a voice I didn't want to hear was calling my name.
“Kelly?” Ryan asked outside the stall door. “Love, are you okay.”
I threw up again.
Ryan cursed, then pulled on the door. “Let me in.” He ordered.
“No,” I choked out. “Go away.”
“I'm never going to do that.” Ryan replied. I sniffed, wiping my mouth on toilet paper. As I moved, the pocket in my dress rustled. I reached down and pulled out the envelope.
Could I open it?
It wouldn't be morally right, I knew that. I quickly made my decision as Ryan knocked again. I tore the envelope into fourths and flushed them down the toilet.
“I'm coming.” I muttered. I stood shakily and opened the stall door. Ryan backed away as I rinsed my mouth out at the sink, then started wiping my smudged makeup away. I took the gum he offered me silently.
“I was just thinking in there,” I said shakily. “That it'd be better if I just leave. You can win, and we never have to see each other again.”
Ryan's eyes had grown larger with every word I said. I wrapped my arms around myself.
“No, you're going to come out there with me, and we're gonna take it as it comes. If you win, that's fine, I'm still going to get a record deal, and so will you.”
Well, that was news to me. I mentally thanked Simon. At least he'd done something right.
“I just don't want to do this,” I muttered. “It's all going to be over. I've had the time of my life here, this is where everything for me began.”
Ryan wrapped me in a hug. “I know.”
I snuggled down in his arms. I knew I shouldn't, there were a million and one reasons not to, the first being Niall. I pushed away from him, and Ryan's mouth hardened.
“I can't be here with you,” I said. “I have Niall.”
“Where is he?” Ryan asked bitterly.. “Off with his band?”
“No, he's in the front row, after spending the day with me,” I snapped. “He's been extremely supportive.”
“Supportive? That's what you call your boyfriend? Really?” Ryan asked.
I glared at him. “There are a lot of things I call him, but none of them are for you to hear.”

Ryan snorted. “So it doesn't even matter, does it?” He asked. He began pacing back and forth, and I backed against the sink.

“What doesn't count?” I asked. He didn't answer for a moment, then whirled around and gripped me by my arms.
“I'm in love with you,” He whispered. “I've always been in love with you I was just too blind to see it. I never meant for you to hear Niall and I that night, I had to tell him, I felt too guilty.”
I stared up at him tiredly. “You don't mean that,” I said softly. “You love Natalie, not me.”
Ryan sat against the doorway with me, stretching his legs out in front of him. “No, I love you. As more than my best friend. Natalie is history.”
“So all that we went through to get you two together was for nothing?” I stared up at him, jerking away. “It was fake?”
Ryan gripped his hair. “I thought it was real, until I realized my feelings for you are different, we just... We just... Click! We click! We're right together!”
“Ry, I don't love you like that. You're my best friend! And this 'Click' thing is one sided, I love Niall.”
Ryan gripped my hand firmly between his fingers, tracing them softly. Just as Niall had done hours before, but this time there was no spark. Well, there was a slight one. I couldn't lie to myself, I knew there was some attraction between Ryan and I, but there was no way I was gong to act on it.
“You're my best friend too,” Ryan replied. “And I love you more than that. Don't tell me you don't feel it.”
His thumb rubbed my hand again, and I pulled it away.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I wiped them away.
“Ryan, I don't love you like that. I love Niall. You know that.”
Ryan gripped desperately to my hand, turning me more towards him. “I can give you more than him. I can make you happy! He'll be gone in a few months on his stadium tour and I'll be here with you always. I'll never leave, because I love you!”
Tears spilled down my cheeks. “Ryan, I don't-”
“I'll never except that you don't love me, because I know you do.” Ryan interrupted. “You can't tell me you don't feel it!”
“I don't love you like you think you love me!”
Ryan got to his feet as well, his shoulders shaking. “You can't tell me you don't love me when I already know you do! Have you even told Niall that you love him?!”
I was almost sobbing, continuously swiping my sleeve over my face. “Ryan, I love him! You've always been there for me and so has he! If I let him go now I'm never getting him back! He'll meet someone else and I can't take that!”
Ryan breathed in deeply through his nose, his eyes closed. He slowly opened them and looked straight into my eyes, his voice unwavering and cold when he spoke next.
“And what makes you think you'll get me back when I leave?”
I broke. He'd just promised never to leave, and then he threw it back in my face.
I started sobbing. I couldn't stop, not when Ryan dropped the cold demeanor and wrapped his arms around me, not when he tilted my head up, and certainly not when he kissed me.
His lips against mine felt wrong. Niall's face flashed through my mind, and I cried harder, turning my head away from Ryan and burying it in his shoulder. He rubbed circles in my back softly, and I nestled closer to him.
“I'm sorry, so sorry,” He breathed into my hair, rocking us back and forth. “I'll never leave you, I swear.”
And then I realized that he was crying too.
We cried together. We cried for what we could have had, for everything. We cried because we loved each other, but in different ways. We cried because it was unfair the way it had worked out.
But when all was said and done, we both knew that we would end up happy. Because that was how life worked. You got through the bad, however hard it might be. As long as you hung on, it would always get better. And we knew it would get better. That one day we would be able to hug without feeling awkward, that one day we'd be able to smile at the mention of one another's names and say, “They're my best friend.”
That one day, we would both be happy.

~ ~ ~
Epilogue.
~ ~ ~

“Niall! Put me down!” I squealed, as Niall spun me around. He finally sat my feet back on the floor before wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me deeply.
We didn't care that my Gran was twenty feet away. We didn't care that my parents could probably see me from where they stood waiting at the baggage claim at this airport. I hadn't seen Niall in two months, due to The X Factor Live Tour 2014.
It had been amazing, preforming in an arena. And seeing the top nine acts again was amazing. Boxing Beats, Conan, Darren, and... Ryan.
He had been amazing. We'd quickly fallen into our old ways, laughing and joking and hugging constantly. And when I'd missed Niall while we were gone, he'd been the to comfort me. He and Alana were growing pretty close as they were now touring together, and I was glad. They would be good together. Her quiet demeanor balanced his eccentric personality. He hadn't heard from Natalie since he'd broken it off the last time, after she'd shown up the night of the finale.
Tina and Darren were dating.
Yes, I know it sounds weird. But they just kind of... Clicked. I smiled as I used Ryan's word. Ever since that night on The X Factor, when they'd met after my fight with my parents they'd fallen in “Instant Attraction.”
Tina's words, not mine.
Anyway, Jamie from Boxing Beats and Vanessa were playing cat and mouse. It was just their way. I never thought that quiet, dear Vanessa could play a boy quite so brutally, but he did the same to her so they were even.
And for my parents?
They had officially divorced. Mom hadn't anticipated what a big responsibility taking care of our house would be, so she took a job at an office as a secretary to help with the bills. I sent money back when I could. The rest I saved in a retirement fund and for collage next year. MY new album would be released in two months.
Mom and Dad were here in Ireland to stay for a while, helping Gran move to a new house.
Dad's girlfriend and he had a beautiful baby boy, the son he'd always wanted. I went and saw him sometimes, whenever Lilllie (His girlfriend) wasn't busy and I had a free afternoon.
Mom and Dad had both agreed to be civil and help out at Gran's, so they wouldn't ruin the one week that Niall and I had together before getting back to work.
As for work...
I'd been signed with Syco Records for a multi-million dollar record deal.
It was probably the biggest thing to ever happen to me, but I was strangely calm about it. Whatever happened, happened.
I kissed Niall again, and he smiled down at me. I could hear the sound of the fans waiting outside the airport, screaming.
Screaming our names.
Niall kissed the end of my nose. “Are you ready?” He asked, looking into my eyes.
I knew he only meant it for right now. If I was ready to face the whirlwind that was our fans. But I took it as so much more.
I was ready. I was ready for anything that life threw at me. Good or bad, I would take it and work through it.
Because, as I'd learned with Ryan, it does get better, always.
“I'm ready.” I said.
And together, with my parents and Gran walking behind us, we went out to face life.
.
.

I'll miss this story. I'm proud of it. Thank you all for reading, and I promise, whatever you go through, it gets better.
Dedicated to Jasmine and Tira, the inspiration for over half this story, and Tina and Vanessa. Thank you for putting up with my fangirling excessively, ranting on and on, and for helping me.
~Kelly.