Mark spotted the other guys as we got out of the car. "Hey Bry, how's it goin'?"
"Ah, fine, y'know, the usual. Hey Lorraine, howaya?"
"Well...after this morning not too good, but apart from that, on top of the world"
"What happened this morning?" Shane asked as he walked up. Mark filled them in on what went on in the airport while the others hugged me hello. All of them were shocked that their fans could do something like that.

"That's just terrible. Nobody deserves that, man" Nicky said, shaking his head. The others did the same. "Someone needs to do something about it. I mean, what's gonna happen if they don't stop? First it's jumping on yous in the airport, next time..."
"Kian, don't scare her. She's had a hard morning"
"And it's not over yet is it Mark? Anyway, are we ready to go in?" We all went in, Kian first, then Nicky, Shane and Bryan. Mark and I walked slightly behind.

"Mark, maybe I should just find a seat in the back, I don't want to cause any more upset"
"Nah, just stand at the side...I need to see yous, know you're there. Please stay"
"Okay, I'll be over by the door" I kissed him on the cheek as he went through the door, waiting a couple of seconds before going in myself, slipping in quietly into the corner with my hair shadowing my face. I had a bit of time to think everything over while I was sitting on the chair in the corner.

Obviously I didn't want to lose Mark, he was the best thing in my life, but all the hassle...I didn't know if it's a sign or something. I hated all those people tormenting me, as anyone would, they had no right to do it, I was happy, Mark was happy - why couldn't they just leave us in peace? What if it was a sign? I was only 17 after all, I had my whole life ahead of me, with...or without Mark.

What was I thinking? I couldn't let Mark go - I loved him too much. I knew if I let him go I'd never find someone like him again. He was my soul mate, we were so similar, even down to the getting our words mixed up whenever we spoke. And he loved me too, I had to think about what it would do to him too. Why should I let those people get to me? Why should I let them win? No, I won't let them. They may be jealous, but Mark and I loved each other, we weren't going to give that up for anyone.

The press conference was in full swing when I came out of my daze. The guys were answering questions about the album, if there was a forthcoming tour - all questions were answered with a smile and a friendly quip, causing regular waves of chuckles amongst the press.

Until the dreaded question came up : "Mark, what do you make of all the...negative, shall we say...reactions towards your girlfriend?". Mark looked round at the guys, then looked at me with an alarmed look on his face - a look that was mirrored by all six of us. Mark and I shared a knowing glance...that question had to be asked, and had to be answered, there was no getting away from it. I looked down at my hands as though they were the most interesting thing in the world as Mark began to speak.

"I can't tell you I'm happy about it, obviously I'm upset by it. Lorraine, my girlfriend, has done nothing wrong, she doesn't deserve to be treated this way. She may be younger than me, but age is just a number. It's not even a two year difference, I don't see wha' the problem is to be honest. You bring me the person that says that fallin' in love is a crime, and get them to say it to ma face. If two people are happy together, why try to ruin it? I'd like to ask the fans now to please, respect Lorraine and I, especially after the incident at the airport this morning where a fan started kicking and punching Lorraine. That's no behaviour for anyone to have, and I cannot justify, nor condone it in any way. All I ask is that all the people that have been making prank calls, sending hate mail, and making any other attack on Lorraine, physically or mentally, please stop. We will keep seeing each other no matter what people do, so there's not really much point in trying to split us up. There have been many stories about her in the Internet, and in magazines, so I want to bring her up here so you can see that she's not the mean, man-snatching gold-digger someone called her once. Lorraine, can you come up here?"

My head shot up, disbelieving the fact that he wanted me to go on television and face all the people who hated me, and who would willingly tear the heart right from inside me. Mark looked at me, holding his arm out, reasuring me. I slowly stood up, feeling every pair of eyes, and camera watching me was I walked up to the front table where the guys were sitting.