Niall Horan 'Kissing' Melissa Anne Whitelaw PHOTO Shocks Twitter, One Direction Hottie Dating New Australian Girlfriend?

Just over Valentine's Day weekend, the popular boy band One Direction performed several shows in Australia. And apparently, Niall Horan managed to find some love "down under!"

The 21-year-old singer was spotted taking a break from touring with his pals at a local Aussie bar. Later on in the evening , an overzealous fan named Gemma managed to snap this shocking photo of Horan allegedly kissing a cute mystery brunette!

Well, well, well... Maybe that's just a friendly hug?

So - does the "Story of My Life" crooner have a new girlfriend, or did he simply indulge in a sexy groupie hook-up.

One Directioners quickly started freaking out on Twitter. Some denied that the smooch even happened:

@drunkNx: "The aussies that posted those pictures of niall and mel said they were kissing but they actually weren't! Those girls loving starting drama!"

@emma_25_: "Niall kissing Melissa, there's proof, pics, ppl actually saw them doing that... but ... *crickets, crickets* this is reality..."

@The_Styles_: "not gonna believe the niall & melly 'kissing' rumours until either i see a clear, not photshopped pic of it or niall confirms it himself."

@OneDrecti0nFans: "Niall has a girlfriend, Niall and Melly kissing, #CongratsNiallAndMelissa."

@MASIE_MOFO_1D_: "whoever that Melisisa Anne is who was caught kissing Niall Horan she's an idiot. I hate her i love niall he's my world. #hate Melissa Anne."

The chick that Horan was "flirting" with does actually have a name - Melissa Anne Whitelaw. She's a stunning student who was initially ousted by Gemma on social media:

"Yes... I saw it and it was more than one time. They're kissing in the photos, there's a girls head in the way" (via Twitter).

Really a big deal, or nah?

Check out more One Direction tour dates here. Probably a tough time to start a new romance!