“This thing is going to kill me!” I complain as the interviewer turns up the level of the simulator. She’s definitely trying to kill us.

We were doing a normal interview to promote our new album, until the topic changed drastically and we ended up talking about period.

Don’t even ask me how, but we all started to say that we could handle the pain because we thought that you were exaggerating when you said that it hurt. We never fully believed you because of the whole concept that men are stronger than women.

But oh, I was so wrong.

The interviewer had a cramp simulator with her and she decided that we should answer the questions while experiencing the cramps. You thought it would be a fun idea and was ready to try, so we agreed too.

That was probably the worst decision we made in the past four years.

Once we were all plugged into the cramps machine, the interviewer turned it on at level one and I already regret doing this.

I look over at the other lads and they all seem to be in pain too, while you are unbothered by all that. You didn’t even flinch at all.

“So, Zayn, can you tell us more about the lead single?” The interviewer asks with a smirk on her face. She knows what she’s doing and she loves to see the grimaces on our faces.

“I think I'm going to throw up.” I hear Niall in the background as the level goes up again.

I can’t even think properly because of the pain. My mind is foggy and my vision blurry. I answer the question, but it’s not even coherent.

“Can you turn it to level 6?” You ask smirking and the interviewer does what you asked. I never felt so much pain before. I feel like my abdomen is being ripped apart and put back together.

As if that wasn’t enough, I can’t find a comfortable position to sit! I notice Harry curling up on the couch and claiming that the pain is more bearable that way, but I wouldn’t be so sure.

“This is the worst, can you make it stop please?” I beg, panting.

“It’s not even the highest level.” You’re laughing, making fun of us. I envy you so much because you’re unbothered by all of this, but at the same time I know that the real cramps would be much worse. After experiencing this, I will never complain anymore.

“I’m sure level 10 will kill me, if I don’t give up sooner like Louis did. I should follow his example honestly.”

Louis got out of the challenge after level 3 because he couldn’t bear the pain. From the moment he took off the simulator he’s been teasing us all about it and he’s laughing his ass off. I would love to join him, but I don’t want to lose the challenge.

Somehow I want to prove that I can be tough too, but I’m not sure how long I can keep up.

“I think I’m ready for the next level.” I say after a while of getting used to the fake cramps.