Izzy Ryan sat cross-legged on the hotel bed, her phone lighting up with notifications. Every music blog, every fan account, every news outlet was talking about her. Pop girl of the century! The new face of music! Is Izzy Ryan overshadowing One Direction?

Her stomach twisted. She didn't want this to be a competition. She admired One Direction—especially Niall. He was one of the few people in the industry who treated her like a normal person, not a rising star or a rival.

A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Come in!" she called.

The door creaked open, and Niall stepped in, his blonde hair still damp from a shower. He wore a simple white t-shirt and joggers, looking effortlessly comfortable. "You alright?" he asked, flopping onto the bed beside her.

Izzy sighed. "I don't know. The internet is making this a whole thing." She passed him her phone, and he skimmed through the headlines.

His jaw tensed. "Bloody hell. They love stirring the pot, don't they?"

Izzy nodded. "I just... I don't want people thinking I'm trying to compete with you guys."

Niall met her eyes, his expression softer now. "We don't see it that way. Well, I don't." He hesitated. "But Simon—he's not happy. He pulled us into a meeting earlier. Told us we needed to 'step up our game.' Like this is some kind of fight."

Izzy's stomach dropped. "Are they mad at me?"

"No," Niall said quickly. "It's not like that. It's just... Simon's got this idea of how things should be. And you blowing up so fast? It messes with his plans."

Izzy ran a hand through her hair. "I don't want to mess up anyone's plans. I just want to make music."

Niall gave her a small smile. "Then keep doing that. You're brilliant, Iz. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for being good at what you do."

She felt warmth spread through her chest. "Thanks, Niall."

"Anytime."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Niall nudged her shoulder. "Now, enough of the deep talk. Have you actually eaten today, or are you surviving off adrenaline and stress?"

Izzy laughed. "Adrenaline and stress are my main food groups."

"Unacceptable. We're ordering room service. My treat."

As Niall grabbed the menu and started listing off ridiculous amounts of food, Izzy found herself smiling. Maybe the internet was chaotic, maybe Simon was fuming, but in this moment—with Niall beside her—it didn't feel so bad.

But the storm was coming.

The next morning, Izzy woke up to a flood of texts.

Maggie [her best friend]: You're all over Twitter AGAIN. Did you see the Rolling Stone article?!

Simon: Call me. Now.

Her stomach clenched. That wasn't a request—it was an order.

Before she could react, her hotel room phone rang. She sighed, knowing exactly who it was.

"I'm here, Simon," she said, picking up.

"You took long enough," he snapped. "Did you see what Rolling Stone published?"

Izzy swallowed. "No, but I'm guessing it's bad?"

Simon exhaled sharply. "It's a disaster. They're painting you as the future of pop—and making One Direction look like the past."

Izzy's breath caught in her throat. "That's not fair! I didn't say anything like that—"

"Doesn't matter," Simon cut in. "Perception is everything, Izzy. Right now, your name is in bigger headlines than the boys. That is not the way this is supposed to go."

Izzy's hands tightened around the phone. "So what do you want me to do? Stop making music? Apologize for existing?"

Simon's voice lowered, dangerously calm. "I want you to remember your place."

Her blood ran cold.

"I signed you because I saw potential," he continued. "But don't forget who gave you this platform. You're opening for One Direction, not the other way around. If you start acting like you're bigger than them, I will end this tour for you. Do you understand me?"

Izzy clenched her jaw. She wanted to tell him to go to hell. But she knew better.

"Yes," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.

"Good," Simon said. "Now, I'm setting up an interview for you today. You're going to downplay all this nonsense. Make it clear you admire the boys and that you're just grateful to be here. Keep the press in line."

And with that, he hung up.

Izzy let out a shaky breath, heart pounding.

Remember your place?

She grabbed her phone and quickly searched for the Rolling Stone article.

"The Pop Girl Revolution: How Izzy Ryan Became the Industry's Biggest Star Overnight"

The opening lines made her stomach twist.

"In just two weeks, Izzy Ryan has done the unthinkable—surpassing One Direction, the very band she's opening for, in streams and cultural impact. With raw, emotional lyrics and an undeniable stage presence, she's redefining the industry. The question isn't whether Izzy Ryan will be the next big thing. The question is: Has One Direction already been replaced?"

Izzy wanted to throw her phone across the room. This wasn't her fault. She didn't ask for this comparison.

A knock at the door made her jump.

"It's me," Niall called.

She hurried over, opening it. Niall took one look at her face and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Izzy sighed. "Simon called."

Niall's jaw tightened. "Let me guess. He's losing his mind."

She nodded. "He basically told me to remember my place."

Niall let out a humorless laugh. "Classic." He ran a hand through his hair. "Look, don't let him get in your head. You're killing it. It's not your fault people love your music."

Izzy gave him a weak smile. "Tell that to Simon."

Niall hesitated. "The lads saw the article too. They're not mad at you, but... I think it's getting to them. Not because of you, just... the pressure. We've been working nonstop for two years, and now the media's making it seem like we're already old news."

Izzy's chest ached. She hated this. She didn't want to be the reason One Direction felt like they had to prove themselves.

"What do I do?" she asked quietly.

Niall looked at her for a long moment. "I don't know. But I do know one thing."

"What?"

He gave her a small, sincere smile. "No matter what Simon says, you don't have to remember your place—because you belong here."

Izzy felt her throat tighten. Niall always knew what to say.

"Thanks," she whispered.

Niall reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Always."

But outside their little bubble, the industry machine was still turning.

And the pressure was only getting worse.

Izzy sat stiffly in the chair, her hands clenched in her lap as the cameras rolled. The interview Simon had set up was happening now, in a sleek London studio. Across from her sat a sharp-eyed journalist, Helen Brooks—a woman known for prying answers out of the most media-trained stars.

Izzy had been instructed to play it safe. She wasn't supposed to fuel the media storm.

But Helen had other plans.

"So, Izzy," Helen said, crossing one leg over the other. "It's been an explosive few weeks for you. Your debut album is smashing records, your streaming numbers are through the roof, and people are already calling you the future of pop." She leaned in. "But at the same time, you're on tour with One Direction, the biggest boy band in the world. Tell me—how does it feel to be outselling the very group you're opening for?"

Izzy's stomach flipped. She forced a polite smile. "I don't really think of it that way," she said carefully. "I'm just grateful to be on this tour. The boys have been so supportive, and I admire them a lot."

Helen raised an eyebrow. "Supportive? Some sources say Simon Cowell isn't too happy with your sudden rise. Has that caused tension behind the scenes?"

Izzy hesitated for half a second. That was all Helen needed.

"So there is tension," Helen pressed. "Has Simon tried to control your career the way he controls One Direction?"

Izzy's heart pounded. She knew how this game worked. If she denied it too strongly, it would seem like she was lying. If she agreed, Simon would make her life hell.

She forced a laugh. "I think Simon just wants what's best for everyone. It's a fast-moving industry, and things change quickly."

Helen smirked, sensing she'd hit a nerve. "Speaking of changes, let's talk about Niall Horan."

Izzy's breath caught.

Helen pulled out her phone and swiped to a recent tabloid headline:

"Izzy Ryan & Niall Horan: More Than Friends?"

The screen flashed with a photo of them laughing together in the hotel hallway last night. Their hands were close—almost touching.

Izzy's mind raced. How did they even get that picture?

Helen tilted her head. "You and Niall seem close. Some fans are speculating there's more than friendship between you two. Care to comment?"

Izzy forced another laugh. "Niall and I are great friends. He's been really kind to me since the tour started."

"But is it just friendship?" Helen pressed. "Or is there something more?"

Izzy kept her smile in place. "Like I said, we're friends."

Helen didn't look convinced. "Well, fans seem to think differently."

The interview wrapped up soon after, but Izzy knew the damage was done.

As soon as she left the studio, her phone exploded with messages.

Maggie: WHAT DID I JUST WATCH??

Simon: We need to talk.

And worst of all...

Niall: We should probably clear this up.

Chapter 9: Crossing the Line

Back at the hotel, Izzy barely had time to breathe before Simon's number popped up on her phone.

She sighed and answered. "Simon, I—"

"What the hell was that?" he barked.

Izzy flinched. "I didn't say anything wrong—"

"You hesitated," he snapped. "Now the whole world thinks there's something going on between you and Niall."

Izzy swallowed. "That's not my fault! They asked the question, and I handled it the best I could."

Simon exhaled sharply. "Listen to me, Izzy. You cannot afford distractions. The media loves a story, and right now, they're writing one about you and Niall. That cannot happen."

Izzy's hands curled into fists. "Why not?"

"Because you're not here to play romance games," Simon said coldly. "You're here to work."

Izzy's chest tightened. "I am working."

"Then prove it," Simon shot back. "Because if I get one more headline about you and Niall, I'll separate you from the boys entirely."

The call ended.

Izzy stood frozen, heart pounding.

A knock on her door pulled her out of her daze. She already knew who it was.

She opened it to find Niall standing there, his phone in hand, showing the same headline.

"We should probably talk," he said.

Izzy exhaled. "Yeah. We should."