British boy band One Direction may or may not have split up, whether or not you believe the rumors, but all signs are pointing to the demise of the hugely popular band that made its debut on the X-Factor in 2010. Such is the boy band circle of life: the rise to fame, the inflated egos, flying too close to the sun, and the inevitable break up, in which some or all members think they can do better on their own, when in reality that is only true for, at most, maybe like one of them.
So, while the members of One Direction make their way into the sunset to pursue solo careers, where does this leave the fans? If the departure of Zayn Malik — which first signaled the death knell of the band — is any indication, “not well.” Teens once again turned to Twitter to share an outpouring of emotions, and it’s not pretty.
https://twitter.com/annuh_bailey/status/687329727674122240
https://twitter.com/luciferlemmings/status/687329390951186432
@onedirection what I just read about the boys splitting for good is surely not true?😭😭😭
— Harry Styles. (@beautybellezzax) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/babyramhoran/status/687329021424713734
https://twitter.com/elenimcasseri1/status/687328984816824321
Can bad @onedirection news stop coming out while I'm in school. Thanks.
— joanna. (@IFjoanna) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/slayedbytommo/status/687328813374648320
https://twitter.com/itsemilyvee/status/687329405811724288
if one direction splits up for good then I blame Zayn
— 🍯🌞 (@almondjoyaa) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/scottwerner/status/687329507070599168
https://twitter.com/jennandberry/status/687329167231336449
What is me life💔 one direction broke up😭😭
— HaCkEd By A gOd (@wardenjake) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/Nudah/status/687308273394028544
one direction is gone for good which means I'm gone for good
ha ha peace R.I.P— nessa (@lostqirI) January 13, 2016
One direction is breaking up on Bethany's birthday #totaldevastation
— 🖤one direction stan account🖤 (@goslingsryan) January 13, 2016
For what it’s worth, a source close to the band is allegedly denying the rumors, so whether or not Bethany’s birthday is truly ruined is still yet to be determined.