One Direction takes a long break; is the band officially over?

One Direction fans, brace yourself because it looks like this news article will have you hyperventilating in seconds.

According to E! News Online, the boy band Simon Cowell has discovered in the X-Factor UK is set to take a long break from their One Direction duties beginning March of next year. This hiatus will be used to help each member focus on their own projects and pursue their own endeavors for the mean time.

The group, which is composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, has decided to do this because they believe it could help them release their own creativity which will eventually benefit them as a group. One source states that the four members are great friends and they consider this break as a form of support for their group's future.

Of course, the world of social media has been shaken over by the news, with fans giving cries of disappointment and dismay, The Guardian reports. Naturally, hashtags like #OneDirectionIsBreakingUpParty and #OneDirection have started to trend, making fans and ladies panic even more.

However, Pop Sugar writes that Niall has taken to Twitter his response to all the rumors, saying 'Ok so Lots of rumours going round. We are not splitting up, but we wll be taking a well earned break at some point next year'.

He further promises that new songs are coming with the tour and that the band has still more to achieve.

Louis adds in the group defense when he tweets 'Your support is truly indescribable! It's just a break :) we're not going anywhere !!'

Promise