While on the Run

Part XIV

"Hi, my name is Blake Morris! I was supposed to have a Starbucks delivery dropped off 10 minutes ago. I was wondering if it got here?"

"Oh, yes they did. Good morning, Miss Morris and how are you today?" the red-headed front deskman asked as he reached to grab the drink tray from the desk behind him.

"I'm well, thank you for asking," I replied with a polite smile. Thanking the man again once I had the drinks in my hand, I headed to the elevators and made my way back to our floor. 

At first, I stopped at Harry's room to leave his herbal tea outside his door. I then made my way down the hall and stopped in front of Niall's room. I knocked on his door and looked at my phone while I waited for his reply. 4:03am. I heard some rustling behind his door and a few moments later, his door swung open to reveal a bare-chested and hair-ruffled Niall. 

"Morning, sunshine," I replied lowly as I reached for Niall's coffee from the drink tray. When I received a grunt in response, I turned my attention back to him as I handed over the coffee. "Ni, you okay?" I asked.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I registered the pale skin and light beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Yeah, fine B." I narrowed my eyes in response. "I just don't feel too well, that's all. I'll be better once I catch up on sleep, promise."

"Okay, whatever you say," I replied with a small smile. "Remember, we're meeting in the lobby at 5 so you have a little under an hour to grab a shower and such."

"Will do, thanks love." Niall shot me a smile and then closed his door.

I made my way to Louis and Liam's rooms while delivering their coffee and reminding them about meeting at 5am. By the time I made my way back to my own hotel room, I had forty minutes left to get myself ready for the day. I put my curls into a sloppy bun and decorated the lazy look with an army-patterned bandana. I did my make-up for a casual look and then threw on my jeans, a cute white t-shirt and a relaxed green jacket. After double-checking my outfit in the mirror, I threw on a pair of heeled booties, grabbed my purse and phone and headed to the elevator to meet the boys.

It wasn't a long car ride, as our hotel was in very close proximity to the outdoor venue where their mini-concert would take place. When we arrived at the venue, I checked my phone which now read 5:33am. As I ushered the four of them inside, surrounded by security detail, I got them straight to their dressing rooms and took their breakfast orders. 

By the time Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall were fully awake and had had a small vocal warm up, the clock read 6:07am; it was time to head to outside and run their rehearsal with the sound system. 

"I'm begging you lads, please don't make me sing Drag Me Down right now. My vocal cords will murder me," Harry murmured while we packed ourselves into the elevator.

The four of them continued to converse about their anticipations for the day, whereas all I could do was keep from looking at the clock. It was only a little past six in the morning, and it already felt like we were running behind of the full-day the boys had planned.

Much to their protest, I left the boys when they ventured to the outside staging area to get mic'd and ready for sound check. Instead, I chose to stay inside of the venue, grab myself a coffee and give my mother a phone call.

Latte in hand, I dialed her number.

"Hey, babe!" I heard my mom's cheerful voice come through on the other end not even two rings into the phone call.

"Well, you're awfully peppy for it being so early in the morning," I replied with amusement.

"Yes, well you're dog decided to whine outside of my door and wake me up twenty minutes ago. I've been drinking my coffee and scrolling through facebook since. What are you up to?"

"Well, that's Chocolate for ya! She has such a personality I swear," I chuckled. "I'm also having coffee. The boys just headed to their sound check for Good Morning America. They should be back in soon to get dressed for their actual performance."

"Oh! I totally forgot that was today. I wanted to watch while I get ready for work. What time does it start?"

"The show itself starts at 7 but I don't think the concert starts until 7:30," I replied.

"Perfect, alright! I better start getting ready then."

"Okay, Mom. I'll text you later."

"Bye, honey! Have a good day!"

I smiled, "Thanks, you too." I hung up the call.

Just as I made my way back towards the entrance to the outdoor venue, I saw the four of them walking in my direction.

I raised an eyebrow. "Done so soon?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah," started Louis. "The fans were so bloody loud we could barely hear ourselves using only the track. It'll be better once we play with the band live." 

"Oh-kay," I replied slowly, trying to process how they could possibly be fine without having a proper sound check. "Whatever you guys say!" I added with a small smile."Let's get you guys dressed and ready." I ushered them back into the elevator and into their dressing rooms, following Harry into his last.

"Really, love. Stop worrying! We'll be fine, I promise," he said as he slowly made his way towards me. He reached his arms around me and into a hug. I balled my fists against Harry's chest and sank into his embrace.

"It's way too early for me to be this worried," I replied with my face buried against his chest. I felt Harry's body shake beneath mine in laughter and then a kiss press to the top of my head. 

"I love that you worry about us so much," Harry winked at me.

Then, from the hallway we heard a producer yell, "5 minutes until showtime! I'm going to need One Direction downstairs and ready to go by then!"

"But this is what we do. And we do it well!" Harry chuckled and let me go from his arms. I watched him grab two water bottles, one for me and one for him, and he headed into the hallway with me on his tail.

Once downstairs, the boys collectively goofed off and snuck in minor warm up vocals over the course of twenty minutes. After that, they were ushered outside to be re-mic'd and to head up onto the stage.

I made my way towards one of the side barriers that was reserved for family, friends, and the hosts of Good Morning America. I kept to myself, as planned, but couldn't help but smile and cheer as Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall took the stage.

I recorded their whole performance and posted it to my Instagram story, already knowing I'd be expecting various DMs and texts from friends who didn't know I was now managing One Direction.

I was just too bloody excited to hold it in any longer.

In the middle of the performance, I got a text from my mom that read, "They look and sound great!", which made my smile widen even more.

I was so entranced in their performance and full of so much pride, I didn't even realize the cameras flashing that were directed at me.