Chapter 47

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The lights around us shone brightly, blinding the corners of my eyes. I squinted slightly though I doubted it was noticeable as I had a smile plastered on my face for the cameras. The music blasted loudly and I looked to my right at Joe. Okay, so it was only a music project but it felt like a rush...adrenaline was running right through my veins. The only thing I doubted was the several cameras focusing on us from every angle - it was seriously intimidating. I was trying to ignore them though and just be myself; I wanted to do well in this assignment. Looking to my right, I smiled as I watched Joe expose his talented voice to the audience.

"Once upon a time somebody ran...somebody ran away saying fast as I can: I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go..." He looked over me as he carried on singing and I smiled brightly after seeing the glee and excitement in his eyes. I could tell he loved singing. I think he loved it as much as I did, and that was a hell of a lot. He nodded at me and I opened my voice and sung the notes Sam played beside me on the electric guitar in sync with Joe.

"Whoa-whoa-oa-whoa-oa-whoah-oa," we sung together and I smiled with relief when our harmony fitted together perfectly.

"Once upon a time we burned bright, now all we ever seem to do is fight...on and on, and on and on and on!" I pushed my mike away and met Joe with the mike standing between us to sing our part together. We wanted it to look as professional as it could get. The song carried on and all of our classmates cheered us on, which made us laugh. It all went according to plan which was great for both of us; hopefully we would get good grades for our duet. And Sam was incredible too, of course.

"You stole my star, la la la la la la la..." I closed my eyes and grinned. I'd always loved singing 'la' - in all honesty I found it hysterical. It made me look insane. As the song came to an end, I joined Joe at the middle mike once again as we sung the last line with our prepared harmony.

"Oh, you really hurt me..."

The audience applauded and I let go of my mike stand, stepping into Joe's awaiting hug.

"That was amazing!" he cried as we ran off the stage and back to the front of the crowd were the rest of our class friends were. I turned and hugged Sam, thanking him along with the rest of the boys that played for us. I looked up at the audience, my make up’d eyes scanning everywhere for him. I found him near the top with Gab and Liam, smiling brightly in my direction. I signalled a 'thumbs up' to him as a question and he nodded automatically, winking at me. I felt myself blush and looked back towards the stage at the next performer beginning. Right now, I couldn't imagine my life getting any better. My mum and Gary had taken me to see the highly anticipated venue which was extremely beautiful, though it just reminded me of how much was going to change. Then a few days later, I had been told that Gary was moving in with us. He spent most of the time at our house anyway so it wouldn't be weird seeing him every day but it was just...a big change. Something that I had no choice but to accept. Harry had been there though. I had stayed at his and Louis' apartment last weekend, and he'd just spent the time telling me it would all be okay and that he was always there if I needed him. I really admired him for that. Here he was, a soon-to-be a global celebrity comforting me about my mother’s re-marriage. And now tonight, here to watch me sing just for part of my music grade. I couldn't thank him enough. Did he know how much he meant to me? I prayed to god that he did. What date was it today? January 20th. Oh my days - Harry was eighteen on February 1st. What could I get him? How could we celebrate? Okay, I was starting to freak out with myself. I needed to snap out of it. I focused back on reality, and realised that it was my turn. I stood up with Sam and Kyle who were playing for me and together, we walked onto the stage. The audience cheered and I smiled, adjusting the mike stand and looking down quickly to check that my purposely baggy ‘boy london’ tee and denim shorts looked alright. I looked over at Sam and smiled, giving him a quick nod. He began to play the retro beat of domino. The lights began to shine on me as they had done before and I closed my eyes, smiling and beginning to sing the song. 

“I’m feeling sexy and free, like glitter’s raining on me. You’re like a shot of pure gold, I think I’m ‘bout to expl-o-oh-ode,” I emphasised, looking over at Sam who was laughing at me as he played in sync with my voice. I continued singing, wanting so much to find him in the audience in front of me though with the bright spotlight blinding me I found I couldn’t make out any faces. That made any mere nerves go away.

“I can taste the tension like a cloud of smoke in the air – now I’m breathing like I’m running ‘cos you’re taking me there; don’t you know! You spin me out of contr-o-oh-ol,” I grinned to myself after thinking of the reason I had chosen this song. It spoke my feelings for Harry, and how I constantly felt like a klutz every time I was around him. He had that affect on me. Heck, he had that effect on every girl in the world. As the chorus closed in, I was really happy with the lighting as it surrounded the stage. Bright, neon colours shone at each of us from every direction and I had not expected it so I was pretty sure a surprised expression was playing on my face.

“Rock my world into the sunlight! Make this dream the best the best I’ve ever known! Dirty dancing in the moonlight-” I swung my hips from side to side slightly causing cheering and whistling to erupt from the audience. No doubt who that came from. I grinned and closed my eyes. “Take me down like I’m a domino!”

The song was over in almost no time, and as the final chorus began to rise in a crescendo, the spotlights dimmed and I was able to focus my eyes on him staring right at me even though he was sitting at the very back. I lost my smile and allowed my eyes to show the sparks I felt just singing about him.

“Take me down like I’m a domino!”

Most of the audience stood up and clapped to which I genuinely widened my eyes at. I was really not expecting that. I wasn’t that good. I smiled slightly and whispered ‘thanks’ quietly into the mike, suddenly exposing a huge blush. I was somehow a lot more confident when I was in the middle of a performance. When it came to afterwards, I was kind of awkward. I ran off stage with Sam and Kyle behind me and was thankful my hair was loose as it covered my face from the intimidating crowd. I dreaded seeing that video in class next week; that was sure to be embarrassing. Our music concert continued, and I had a great time. A few of the other girls and I had sung an acoustic version of Oasis’ ‘wonder wall’ which was great. I loved singing acoustic songs, tonight we had all sat on high stools in what almost seemed like a campfire way. It made the atmosphere seem relaxed and nice. Plus each of our voices were completely different, so it sounded promising and professional. At the end of the concert, I said goodbye to Mr Fitz and my class mates before I tugged on my coat, hat and scarf. What? It was bound to be cold outside. I caught cold’s as instant as popcorn cooked in the microwave. Seriously. I made my way outside, pushing the door open and running smack into a body.

“Sorry-” I began but recognised the hands that wrapped around my waist and lifted me up off the ground before I could continue.

“You’re amazing,” Harry breathed in my ear, causing me to go all tingly. I was grateful for his hands supporting my weight. He set me down though left his arms lightly lingering around me. His black, woollen coat matched the khaki colour of mine and he planted a sweet Eskimo kiss on my nose. I closed my eyes and felt myself blush as he pulled me tightly against him. 

“God, you look irresistible when you blush,” he commented. “Stay at mine tonight,” he quickly added.

“What?” I perked, opening my eyes and looking up at him.

“Come back to mine with me,” he whispered.

“I can’t,” I sighed.

“Why?”

I contemplated how to say it before deciding to just blurt it out. “I don’t have a change of clothes.” Harry’s eyebrows shot up and he smirked. Ha - oh. OH. Jesus.

"Erm-" I stuttered before laughing nervously. What did I have to be afraid of? Nothing. "One minute."

I found the will to break free of his loving embrace and ran further away from the building until my eyes found mum and Gary.

"Hi honey, you were amazing!" my mum hugged me tightly. Gary gave me a hug too which was awkward but kind of nice. "Are you ready?"

"Actually, I'm going to stay at Harry's," I smiled, trying not to pull a face after the glance my mother gave her fiancé. Joy.

"O-okay," she managed. "Call me tomorrow and I'll come pick you up," she smiled. How had she...how - was she acting so calm? It was confusing. They said their goodbyes though as they walked away my mum’s head turned around ever so slightly and she mouthed something which I couldn't seem to make out. Pro - protect - oh my god. I walked away.

***

"So where are Georgia and Louis?" I asked as Harry closed the door behind us.

"I think they're out for the night," he answered, smiling. I could barely see him though as it was so dark. All of the lights were stitched off and it was almost pitch black outside so it was hard to focus on him, just his shadow. I slowly walked to what I hoped was the kitchen and as I stepped inside, I set my bag down on the island and turned around. Harry hadn’t followed me inside. I walked out, looking at the spot I had come from to find it empty.

“Harry?” I called, walking down the hallway towards the living room. I stopped at the doorway, looking into the empty room. Oh god. It was pitch black and deadly silent. If he jumped out on me I would freaking kill him. 

I was suddenly spun around and came face to face with him. I could still somehow see his eyes sparkling.

“Don’t scare me like that!” I sighed, throwing my head in my hands.

“Like what?” he said, barely above a whisper.

“You know I hate scary movies!”

“Are you scared now?” he asked, leaning in.

“That voice is a bit scary,” I blurted. He laughed quietly.

“Sorry,” he sheepishly said. His fingers trailed down my sides causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. His fingers linked with mine and I looked down at our joined hands in the darkness, my eyes finding only shadows. Harry quickly let go of them and scooped me up into his arms, carrying me through the doorway and into the room.

“Is this really necessary? I don’t mind walking a few steps,” I joked. He laughed quietly and I caught sight of his curls bouncing around as he shook his head. He sat down on the couch with me still in his embrace and draped an arm around me.

“I loved your songs tonight,” he commented, playing with my hair.

“Thanks,” I whispered. “You like coldplay, don’t you?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “I liked your Jessie J song especially.”

“Why’s that?” I asked. He looked down before he spoke.

“You just...you can just tell how passionate you are about singing. I think the whole audience knew when you sung that song,” he replied. “What were you thinking about?”

“I thought that was obvious,” I silently said. He looked back up.

“Me?” he asked, sounding surprised.

“Of course you!” I laughed. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I guess I just haven’t accepted that we’re...you know-” he paused and grinned. “I still can’t believe it.”

“Me neither,” I was relieved that he felt the same. “But it’s sinking in now.”

“Same for me,” he grinned, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “And I love it.”

I didn’t know how to respond, though Harry helped me by pressing his mouth on mine. His lips were soft and sweet, and I grabbed the collar on his woollen coat to pull him closer to me. He smiled and his tongue tickled the back of my throat, causing me to quietly but still unattractively laugh. It didn’t become intense; instead he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine. He looked down and took hold of my hands.

“So, I was thinking about...well, would you like to go-”

The doorbell rung and Harry head shot up. His expression was priceless. His eyes stared blankly in the direction of the front door and his mouth formed a straight line. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Do people just enjoy interrupting us?” he huffed, standing up and heading out into the hallway. “I promise that next time we won’t be interrupted,” he added, turning to face me and winking. My cheeks flamed red. I stood up too and followed him towards the front door to reveal Louis and Georgia standing there.

“It’s Harold!” Louis cried, stepping inside and tripping over the small step. My hand flew to my mouth and suppressed a laugh; he was obviously drunk. Regaining himself, Louis looked up and met my humorous gaze.

“And Carly! Hey!” he threw his arms around me and I stumbled back slightly.

“Hi Lou,” I laughed. He pulled away and pointed at Harry before looking back at me.

“You need to sort your man out,” he slurred. “Every day, all I hear is ‘Oh Louis...I miss her, should I call her? Or just text? Or should we go out? No wait, she’s in school. I want to see her. Should I text her now? No wait, I look like a stalker. I just miss her’,” I burst out laughing at Louis’ impression of Harry. I bit my lip and looked over at him, finding his head hung in shame. He was adorable. He slapped Louis across the head and walked over to me, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him.

“Hey! That hurt! Wait...who did that?” Louis looked around and Georgia wrapped her arms around him, grinning up at me before guiding him to the living room. My eyes flew to Harry, who was opening his bedroom door upstairs and tugging me inside. He flicked on the dim lights and I looked around. His room here was huge, but still looked similar to his cosy bedroom back in Cheshire. He walked ahead of me and sat down on his enormous bed, avoiding any eye contact. He didn’t say anything, so I decided to help him out.

“You know,” I began, walking over and hovering above him. “For the record, I’m the same,” I blushed. “Just ask Kristen and Gab.”

He looked up and I could see a boyish grin tugging at the corners of his irresistible lips. I sat down beside him and took his hands, smiling too.

“I love you,” I grinned, bumping my shoulder against his. He shook his head and smiled at the ground before turning his head to the side and meeting my stare.

“I love you too.”

***

I'm so sorry for the late update! Back in school this week & I've left all my homework until last minute as usual so I've been doing some of it this week :/ I know what's happening in the next few chapters though so hopefully I'll write these next parts extra quickly! I don't usually ask but please drop a vote & comment; it would mean a lot to me! Plus I want to hear what you all think! Haha, much love, faye .xo

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