midsummer N.H.

16

Linda pushed the door open as silent as possible. Unnecessarily, because all four of them sat in front of the multiple displays, headphones on, not even slightly noticing us.

"We brought noodles!" I warbled. Jamie slowly turned around ticking on Perrie's shoulder. One after another, they took their headphones off. "NOODLES!" Henry shouted. "Exactly." Linda grinned taking the packages out of the bag.

"Do you guys know anything about the fans out there?" I asked, opening my box. Out of a sudden, everybody looked at Perrie with a blaming view. "What?" Linda murmured, her fork still in her mouth.

"What is it?" She repeated.

"Well, Maybe, just maybe, I posted a photo of me standing behind the mic in my insta story. And maybe, just maybe, the DSS logo was visible in the background." Perrie muttered.

I looked at Linda. Perrie was her client; this was Linda's to do. "And you're only telling me now?" She asked confused, and I felt like a little, tiny bit of anger was audible.

"I instantly deleted it, when I realized. I didn't think the news would spread that fast. Sorry, love." Perrie smiled irresistibly sweet.

"Don't worry about it. We were just wondering. Let's see how we get rid of them. I'm sure, Isobel is already wondering who they are waiting for. We should inform her." Linda said walking towards the door. "Actually, Perrie, do you feel like taking a few shots, or do you want me to get rid of them?" She turned around.

"Oh no, let them stay there, I'll head downstairs after finishing my meal, that's fine!" she said. Linda nodded and left the studio.

I turned towards Jamie. "You good? Any progress?" I smiled. He finished his bite and rummaged in his back pocket. "Lyrics are nearly finished." Proudly, he grinned. I widened my eyes surprised. "Really?" He nodded enthusiastically.

"I just need Peter Fenn and Oak Felder now." He said with a hoping voice, looking at me, like a puppy.

"Bro is namedropping." Henry laughed. "He knows what, and who he wants." Alfie corrected him.

Jamie told me, that he got in touch with Peter in a writing camp about two years ago. Ever since he signed at modest and is under my wing, he keeps asking me to get Peter and Oak to work with him. It's not, that I didn't want him to work with them, in a way I just thought, he's not ready for it yet. Peter and Oak were big, in fact huge names in the industry. I did believe in Jamies talent, but he might need a little more practice.

"I try my best." I still answered, since I already was in touch with both of them. "Try harder. I really want them." Jamie laughed. It was a bit unusual for him to even playfully put me under pressure. I frowned my brows yet ignoring his comment.

Instead, I took out my phone. What shall I text Niall? I didn't want the message to seem like a pretext, even though, it in fact was none.

'Hey, good luck for tonight, have to cancel the ride with Steven, Freddy cancelled the session, as expected... Can you inform him?'

I hit send before overthinking it. Done. That was done. My stomach turned around. When will he answer?

Linda returned. "I informed Isobel. Make sure you get down there soon; they don't want them to stay there for too long." She looked at Perrie. Perrie got up, put her food box aside and ran with her fingers through her hair. "How do I look?" She smiled in the room.

"Stunning." I said, smiling back at her. "Thanks, dear." She took a deep breath and stepped outside the door, followed by Linda.

I looked at the time. 5:15pm. I glanced in the direction of Jamie, who observed Alfie and Herny adjusting beats or something on the desktop.

"Shall we leave? Are you done for today? I asked him. He nodded. "Sure. I'll take an uber for tomorrow, right? I nodded. It broke my heart, that he didn't get to drive with the private driver, all because of Freddy. "Okay. Let's leave." The just so freshly grown self-confidence of Jamie disappeared within a second.

It hurt to see him like this.

I got up and grabbed my bag. "Have a successful rest of the day." I wished to the two producers, that didn't seem to actually hear, what I just said.

Jamie followed me in the hallway, not saying a word. I took a look through the front windows. Perrie was standing outside taking photos with screaming fans, Linda standing a bit away from her in the corner observing the situation precisely.

"Let's take the back exit." I suggested. "Good idea." We walked down the hallway towards the backroom stairs that lead us to an exit. We arrived at the Outernet place.

I took out my phone, to text Linda, that we left, when a call came in. Niall. Facetime. My heartbeat dropped. I looked around. I can't facetime Niall in the public. Why was he newly always facetiming me? Did he want to see me?

I watched the call ringing and ringing. "Don't you wanna answer?" Jamie laughed. I flinched. "Can't"

The call ended. I called him back immediately in a normal call, knowing how much I made things more complicated. "Hey, sorry, I couldn't facetime, I'm at Outernet." I said, as Niall answered the call.

"Oh, didn't know that. Sorry. Listen, I'm a bit in a rush, but you were so excited for Jamie, I wouldn't cancel the ride just because Freddy canceled. One disappointment is enough for a day. Take that ride either way. I'll inform Steven to pick Jamie up from home. Can you send me his address?"

My heart skipped a beat. How can someone be so kind and empathetic and handsome at the same time?

"Niall, I, I don't know what to say, that is insanely kind of you." I looked towards Jamie, trying to non-verbally communicate to him. No success, Jamie was texting on his phone and didn't even notice, I was looking at him.

"No problem. I gotta go now. Last rehearsals. Bye."

"Good luck, bye." I hung up. A sudden warmth took over my body. That phone call could've been a text message. But no. He called me. On Facetime. Offering his help nevertheless.

"Jamie. You can still take the driver, Niall offered!" I grinned from one ear to the other. Jamie looked up in absolute disbelief. "Are you kidding me?" He said, while starting to grin, too. "Nope." He fell into my arms. "That's crazy! I love that dude! He's so kind!" He screamed. I nodded enthusiastically until he calmed down a bit, again. I was so genuinely happy for him. And so glad, Niall was such a pure soul.

"Let me bring you home. You deserve some rest. I'll let you know about Peter and Oak." I said, holding up the keys to my car. "Sure, thank you."

We strolled towards my car. "Speaking of informing me. Have you already scheduled a media practice?"

"Yes. Monday noon, 2 pm, I think, with Tom himself. It's in the office, so just meet him there. But I'll remind you Monday morning." I informed him.