Students, do you remember when we were just kids and we danced to every song like it was the best song ever? Where did all that time go? Doesn’t it just drive you crazy with how fast the night changes? 

Many things continue to change as we grow up, and in recent news, a very memorable person from our childhood passed. Fans worldwide have come together to mourn the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne. His death was extremely sudden and immensely tragic. 

I don’t know about other fans, but I was in utter shock when I heard the news of his passing this past week. On Oct. 16, his body was found outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina after he fell out of a third-story balcony. Many reports claim that the potential use of hallucinogenic drugs may have caused this horrible accident. Whatever the case, this 31-year-old star will be greatly missed by so many. 

In the story of his life, Payne was a member of the monumental boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. Everyone born in the early 2000s remembers them very distinctly and knows what I mean when I say that this band was a huge part of our childhood. 

I remember very distinctly when I first heard about One Direction. I was a little late to the fan club because I actually did not know who they were until one of my good friends told me about them. I remember asking her why she had posters on her wall of these five guys, and she said, “You don’t know One Direction?” Long story short, I felt very silly. However, I did know who they were because “What Makes You Beautiful” was one of my favorite songs at the time, and honestly, it probably still is… 

I think we all very vividly remember when One Direction broke up too. It was quite a shock, but each member went on to work on their own solo careers without any bitterness. It was just time for them to move on from their boy band era and into their personal careers. Payne was an honored member of the band, and I know that each of his former bandmates will long miss their good friend. 

“After five chart-topping studio albums and four world tours, One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue solo projects in 2016,” said Lauryn Overhultz, a writer for Fox News. “Payne had embarked on his own journey, releasing one solo studio album, two extended plays and 14 singles before his death.”

Those who knew Payne only had nice things to say after learning of his passing. It truly shows the impact one can make on people and the positive impression that Payne has left. Each member of the former band has said something in grievance and compassion for Payne and his family and fans. 

“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious,” said Styles on his Instagram. “He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.” 

The other members have left similar sweet messages as well that can bring tears to anyone’s eyes. The incredible support after losing a beloved friend is overwhelming, and anyone can see just how Payne meant to these four guys. 

All I can think of is Payne’s son, Bear, and how sad I am for him without his dad, but Bear will have lots of support from many loved ones over his life. What we can learn about Payne from all of this is just how important he was to his friends. We learn who he was as a person and what this band meant to each other. They were not just bandmates or even just friends, they were brothers. They created a family that would hold each other up and take care of each other. 

“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was,” said Tomlinson via Instagram. 

I don’t know about you, but I am going to be listening to “Live While We’re Young” on repeat for a while as we celebrate the life of one of our adored childhood heroes and a voice to be remembered.