oh, anna [-hs]

once in a lifetime

I twitch my mouth back and forth, and stand up from my chair, turning back to the photographer. "You're a dick, Kathy," I coo sweetly. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion. I finally allow myself one gentle eye roll, and wander away from her, towards the stage.

I slink around the black curtain hanging around backstage, and I'm suddenly met with bodies, huddled together like anchovies in the tiny backstage they temporarily set up for the night. Upon seeing me, Mitch violently shakes his head.

"Please, there's barely enough room as is," he groans and tosses his head back in agony. Sarah slaps his arm playfully.

"Believe me. I don't want to be back here either," I sigh, "But if I have to spend another second with Chatty Kathy I'm going to give myself an aneurism."

Nyoh snorts and glances up at me lovingly from her phone. I sit down on an empty case of equipment. The humidity of the small space and the bodies crowded into it makes a thin layer of sweat spring across my skin. I glance over at Harry.

He's sitting patiently, quietly, listening to the reception beyond the curtain and smiling to himself. This one isn't fake. I think he's calmed down from the sound check. To be honest, I'm not sure if the emotion came from his nerves over performing, or the lyrics he was singing while staring directly into my soul. Maybe a bit of both.

We sit, some of us more impatient than others (Mitch). Through the best man speech, the maid of honor's, toasts, and parents gushing over their new son and daughter-in-laws. Finally, I hear what feels like a cue. The best man gets up and says it's time for the first dance. It's time for a special surprise for the bride, whose name I have heard plenty of times by now. It's Kennedy, and her lovely husband's name is James.

"So, Kennedy," the best man chuckles. "This is going to blow your mind. But get out on the dance floor you two. Let's see some moves."

Everyone cheers and applauds. Harry coughs and ruffles his hair. He huffs out a deep breath, and his eyes hesitantly look to mine. I give him a reassuring nod and thumbs up, blowing him a little kiss. He cracks a small smile and pretends to catch it.

And then he stands up, shakes out his suit, cracks his neck, and pushes back the curtain to walk through. The band quickly follows after him.

There's a chorus of gasps, cheers, whispers.

"What?" A lilting voice screams. I hear Harry chuckle. I could pick out his voice a mile away. A smile forms at the thought of Kennedy's face right now. I stand up and brush my hands over my dress, gliding out of the backstage alcove and slipping into the crowd of guests around the dance floor. My head peeks between shoulders, trying to get a better view.

Harry stands there, his hands on hips, grinning at a gobsmacked Kennedy. She's frozen in shock, her face wild. James can't stop laughing and shaking his head, his hands pressed into his neck. Harry leans over to the microphone, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Good evening, all," he speaks gently, warmly. "I'm not sure if many of you know. Kennedy happens to be a big fan of Harry Styles. And, uh, I am Harry Styles," he grins cheekily. "She tweeted at me a while ago, inviting me to her wedding. And I thought, that sounds fun!" His tone is childish. He has the crowd wrapped around his finger. Had them the moment he stepped out from behind the curtain.

"Oh my God," Kennedy cries out and slaps her hands over her mouth. In my peripheral, I see phones being whipped out and held up to record the interaction.

"Kennedy," he offers gently. She chokes on a sob, her hands still over her mouth. "This is a happy day, no tears," he points sternly at her. She nods, still crying. "I was told that your first dance was going to be to Once in a Lifetime?"