I Love to Hate You
Chapter 1
"Are you almost ready Carly? We have to be there in twenty minutes!" Madison yelled.
"Yeah, I'll be right out." I replied, curling one last piece of my hair before feeling satisfied with my look. I decided to wear a pair of dark wash ripped skinny jeans, a white crop top with a black leather jacket, and matching black booties. The shirt was short enough to show off my cute belly button ring and toned stomach. I grabbed my telephone and slipped a hair tie on my wrist before walking out of the bathroom and out of my apartment. I swung my car keys around my middle finger, humming to myself.
Madison and I were on the way to the opening night of my karaoke bar. I loved to sing, but never let anyone know that. Now was my chance, a brand new start. So I took advantage of it.
We arrived five minutes late, and there was already a ling forming outside. I walked in the back entrance and saw everybody rushing around, trying to get everything perfect before the doors opened.
I know it sounds weird for a nineteen year old girl to be the owner and manager of a karaoke bar, but I have nothing else to do. And I took a lot of business and finance classes in high school, so I know my stuff.
"Okay, I think we're good to go!" I said into the microphone once I gathered the entire staff. Everybody cheered and I cut the rope in front of the doors, smiling for the cameras.
At around ten o'clock, the night was in full swing. Everybody seemed to be having a good time, with many people getting on stage to sing and people enjoying and ordering a lot of food. I smiled to myself, happy that things were going so well. At around ten thirty, I got up on stage and made an announcement.
"Thank you everyone for coming tonight! I'm Carly, and I'm the owner and manager of this karaoke club. Everybody having a good time?" I asked, my voice sounding hopeful. I got my response when everybody cheered.
"Sing us a song!" screamed somebody in the crowd. My face started to get hot, and I tried to politely decline that offer.
"Oh come on! A pretty girl like you has got to have a good voice!" someone else hollered, making me blush.
"Okay, okay. I'll sing song 115." I said, looking over at the DJ. He started playing the instrumental version of 'I Love Rock and Roll.' I belted it out, and everybody cheered after I left the stage, laughing. Tonight couldn't be any better. Actually, if I had friends to celebrate this with, then it would be a million times better. I walked around the room a few times, introducing myself to my guests.
At eleven o'clock, a group of teenage guys walked into the club. They were all wearing hoodies and sunglasses, which confused me, because it was night and kind of hot out.
I walked over to them and asked if I could help them.
"Yeah, we' d like to sing, if you don't mind." they said, and I pointed them to the stage. They walked up onto the platform and told the DJ they wanted to sing song number 438. The beat to 'What Makes You Beautiful' started playing through the speakers, and the first boy to sing sounded exactly like Liam Payne.
Wait a minute. The hoodies, the sunglasses, five boys, singing a certain song. No, it can't be. Could it? My question was answered when the boys reached the chorus, each one taking off their sunglasses and hoodies. I was shocked, and I'm sure it registered on my face. Not once did I think I would ever see Liam Payne again. I was actually kind of hoping I wouldn't. Maybe he wouldn't recognize me. I do look different than I did freshmen year.
The crowd went wild, and I figured this would be good publicity. I let them continue to sing, and walked into the back room. A few minutes later, Madison found me moping.
"What's wrong? One Direction's performing in your karaoke club!" she exclaimed, then realized what she just said.
"Oh my gosh. That must be so awkward." she said, and I nodded my head, my lips pursed.
"He probably doesn't even recognize me." I said, hoping it was true.
"Maybe he does. Because he just asked to speak with the manager." she said.
"Oh my god, no way. Tell him she's busy." I said, burying my head in my hands. This night was going so well, and then Liam had to come along and ruin it. Just like he ruined my high school life.
I walked an hour later, getting ready to close down for the night.
"Are you the manager?" asked a tan boy with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. Zayn.
"Yeah, hi." I said, putting on my fake smile and shaking his hand.
"Wow. I didn't think you'd be so young. Or beautiful." he said, biting his lip.
"Can I help you with something?" I asked, trying not to get caught up in his beauty.
"Actually, yes. You looked familiar to my friend, but he's too shy to talk to you himself. Would you mind speaking to him?" he asked me, and my heart started beating faster.
"Sure." I said, following him to where Liam was sitting.
"Here she is." Zayn said, gesturing to me.
"Hi, not to be weird or anything, but do I know you?" he asked.
"I don't think so. You don't look familiar." I lied.
"No, I definitely know you. What's your name?" he asked. Should I lie again?
"Carly." I said truthfully.
"Carly Thompson? Oh my gosh."
He remembered me.
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