The Only Exception | W2S

ONE.

DECEMBER 22ND, 2024

"You wanna know what I really hate about dresses?" I ask frustratedly, pulling at the slanted neckline repeatedly. "This! Nothing ever sits in place!" 

Talia giggled, gently brushing my hands away, and tugging on the material, sliding it back to where felt comfortable. "Is that better?" She asked cautiously, resuming sipping from her drink. 

Despite wanting to be stubborn and deny it, she had actually fixed my problem for me. "Yes. But I still hate wearing dresses. Like why does this party have to be black tie?" 

"Because their management is extra. Have you seen the decor yet? It's insane. Simon refuses to even acknowledge the budget for tonight," she tells me, leading me towards a set of double doors, sound booming from the inside.

I shake my head. "Haven't seen anything. Arrived with George and Arthur and headed straight for the bathroom, then you came," I explained, gripping onto her arm tightly.

"You're in for a treat, it's great. You ready to come in?"

"I think I'm going to head outside first. Have a smoke. Calm the nerves. Yadayada," I ramble, clutching onto my handbag. 

"You want me to come?" She asks, shooting me a genuinely concerned look. 

I shake my head in response. "I'll be okay. I know you're itching to get back to your husband," I say teasingly, allowing her to jokingly flaunt the ring on her finger. 

"Alright. Message me when you're back in, Freya and Faith are dying to see you again," she tells me, before she heads towards the double doors, and I back away towards the patio door, leading to the outside terrace. 

The further I walk, the more distant the Christmassy music becomes, and the glow of fairy lights comes into my view as I push open the door. The air is cold, and it hits me all at once, reminding me of the fatal error I'd made not bringing a coat.

Agreeing to come to the party had been a last minute decision, persuaded by Arthur and George, my two flatmates, who had then called Talia to help guilt trip me into coming. 

I knew a lot of people here - some were my close friends, but others I knew of, and hadn't actually met in person. 

Most namely, the hosts of the event - The Sidemen. I was good friends with Simon and Tobi, and I'd met JJ once, but the others I only knew of. We'd never really had a reason to cross paths before. We attracted different fanbases, and our content was different. But since I'd moved to London, and especially since I'd moved in with Arthur and George, and befriended Talia, Freya and Faith, we seemed to be running in the same circles. 

My thoughts, however, were interrupted by a voice from my left. 

"Have you got a lighter?" He asks, and it's not until I look up that I realise who it is. 

The look of realisation seems to dawn upon us both at the same time, as I nod my head, grabbing my lighter from my bag, and passing it over. 

"Holly, right?" He asks, lighting the cigarette in his mouth, before handing it back. 

I answer with a nod. "Harry, yeah?" 

He answers with a nod too, silently toking his cigarette, giving me time to light my own. 

"Nice to officially meet you. Arthur and Clarkey talk about you a lot," he tells me, leaning forward against the stone railing.

"Fantastic," I say dryly, toking my cigarette simultaneously. "I don't think I want to know what they've been saying."