September 14 2021, St. Louis
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE, Alliah spent her birthday away from home.
Usually, every year, around her birthday, she'd go back home to Mexico, and spend a few days with her family. But this year, she was on the road, in the middle of a tour where she was the opening act.
Alliah had nothing to complain about. It was amazing to travel, and even if she'd known these people for ten days, she could already feel the bonds growing between them.
Nevertheless, being homesick was a feeling Alliah absolutely hated. She'd managed to see her mom yesterday, and it had settled a little bit of the unease within her, but she missed her dad and her childhood home, and the sound of the kids yelling on the street outside.
Alliah missed Takis, the family dog they'd had since she was sixteen. She missed eating quesadillas from the market, and getting horchata. Alliah missed Mexico.
But instead of México, she got on a bus that went down a bumpy road, only to board a packed airplane where she had to sit alone, right next to an arguing couple.
After putting on her headphones and listening to music, the flight was a little more bearable, and after they landed, Alliah caught sight of Harry and they walked through the airport together.
It was a relief to Alliah not to be alone anymore, and she struck up conversation with Harry, joking about the arguing couple next to her. That was, until she caught sight of some people pulling out their phones and taking 'sneaky' pictures of the two of them.
The grin on Alliah's face faded away as she could already imagine all of the comments and insults that would appear on all her posts. Calling her a whore or a slut, degrading her and hitting her where she was most insecure.
Alliah tried to listen to Harry talk, but she had already spiraled into the deep end, and it wasn't until he placed a hand on her shoulder that she snapped back to reality.
"Sorry?" She mumbled.
Harry frowned, scanning her face. "I was just saying that we should get in line for our lugagge. Are you okay?"
Alliah shook her head. "Uh- yeah, sorry, just zoned out." She forced a laugh, trying to be nonchalant and failing massively, from the look on Harry's face. He didn't believe a word she'd said. "Seriously, don't worry. I got a little distracted. That's all."
Harry pursed his lips, taking one last glance at her face before they walked to the moving track for the lugagge.
Half an hour later, suitcases in hand, they were in the back of a big van along with others from the band.
Sarah and Mitch whispered among themselves, laughing at their inside jokes. Paulie was in another world, headphones on and eyes closed. Ny Oh was sketching something in her journal, while Harry sat beside Alliah all the way in the back.
He tried to keep up a conversation, but there was a look in Alliah's eyes, signaling she was elsewhere in her mind.
"C'mon, that's enough already. What's going on? What's wrong?" Harry asked, finally having had enough. "Talk to me."
Alliah sighed, brushing a hand across her hair. "It's not... it's just a lot of things at the same time. I can't explain it."
"Try, please?"
Alliah could never say no to Harry. Not to those green eyes, or that soft smile.
"Birthdays are always really weird for me in general. That one is a really long explanation. And... usually, I spend my birthday in Mexico. I get to spend the day with my parents, and my mom always bakes me this chocolate cake I just love. And it's the first time in four years I haven't been in Mexico for my birthday,"
"Don't get me wrong, I love being on tour. This is, like, the opportunity of a lifetime, I-I wouldn't trade this for anything. But I'm still a little homesick, y'know? And then..." Alliah hesitated for a second, but then Harry nodded and signalled with his hand for her to continue, "I've been having a little bit of a rough time mentally. I mean, I've never been better, 'cause my career is just at its peak, and I dropped new music and my family's great and my friends are incredible, but... sometimes, for no reason at all, I go through these bad moments, these- these period of times where it just sucks for a while, and it's bad and it doesn't get better until it does. But it hasn't gotten better yet, and I know I just have to keep going until eventually things'll improve. So... yeah."
Harry had nodded through her whole rant, dropping the ocassional, 'yeah' or 'okay'. He was a good listener, and he had this way of smiling in such a warm, comforting manner and his presence put anyone at east. Alliah felt like she could tell him anything and he would still understand and wouldn't judge her. Ever.
"I think... everyone goes through those moments where life sucks for a while. Everyone has to go through it, and it's a natural part of life," Harry began.
Harry placed a hand on Alliah's knee to stop it from jumping up and down, and instead rubbing his thumb over it. Alliah melted immediately. She was a sucker for physical touch.
"However, when life sucks, sometimes the best thing to do- the only way to make it through is to... rely on your friends and family, talk to them, let them guide you through it," Harry said, looking straight into Alliah's eyes. "Just because you have to go through it, it doesn't mean you have to go through it alone."
Tears pricked at Alliah's eyes, and she looked down, avoiding Harry's gaze. Alliah hated when people saw her cry. She was a pretty crier, sure, but it made her feel too out of control.
Alliah sniffled. Having Harry to comfort her on a bad day like this was the best thing ever. He was so kind and understanding, it was impossible not to trust him, even when they'd known each other for a month and a half.
During their month of rehearsals, the two hadn't bonded, but ever since tour started, they had grown close together in that short amount of time.
It was inevitable when they spent hours together each day, in between rehearsals and meetings and soundchecks.
Alliah adjusted herself in her seat, tilting her body to the side and hugging Harry tightly. He hugged her back, one hand on her back, the other holding the back of her neck, smoothing down her hair.
She leaned forward, allowing herself to lose awareness of everything else but Harry's touch, his breathing, his heartbeat.
Alliah lost herself in Harry.
harryupdates posted
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harryupdates harry spotted at St. Louis airport, reportedly very cozy with North America Tour show opener, @/alliahmendoza. this is another of several mentions of the two being very close together 👀
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username it's so f-ing obvious they're dating, smh
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username honestly, she seems like a b**ch.
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username he deserves better than her
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username am i the only one who thinks they're lowkey adorable together?
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username y'all do realize that harry doesn't date every single woman he's friends with, right?
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alliahmendoza posted
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alliahmendoza JIGSAW has oficially been yours for twelve hours now and watching people listen to it is incredible, AND it's already hit 50,000 listens?!? THIS IS INSANE. a memory to remember. you don't have to be studying astronomy and waiting for the stars to align anymore; drop all your questions about the song below and i'll answer as many as possible.
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kat.iebell is this song even real? it sounds too good to be real
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-> alliahmendoza it is very much real :D
mariamendoza which did you write first, the lyrics or the melody?
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-> alliahmendoza funnily enough, both at the same time. i came up with the bridge first and then worked my way out from there.
username when did you write this song? how long ago?
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-> alliahmendoza i wrote it a little over six months ago. it's been a struggle to keep it a secret for so long.
username is this going on the new album? *wink wink*
-> alliahmendoza probably going on the next album... the unannounced album... but not unmade...
-> username DID YOU JUST CONFIRM THAT AM3 IS ALREADY MADE?
-> alliahmendoza 👀
username are you going to perform it live?
-> alliahmendoza on the setlist for the show in PA. time to make memories ;)
username is this song about your relationship with harry?
-> alliahmendoza you mean our non-existent romantic relationship? we're just friends, and no, it's not about harry.
alliahmendoza posted
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alliahmendoza despite being far, far away from home, i just had the best birthday ever. can't believe @kat.iebell flew out to see me. thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. best day ever.
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mariamendoza feliz cumpleaños, nena. orgullosa de ti.
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-> alliahmendoza te amo, mamá.
kat.iebell i'm the best friend ever, ik. i love me so much too <3
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-> alliahmendoza you're definitely the most amazing bestie ever. here's to our nine years together.
pillowpersonpp happy birthday, alliah ❤️
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-> alliahmendoza thank you 😭
username SARAH WISHED ALLIAH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY???
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username HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALLIAH
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username if only i had friends like those 🥲
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username THE HARRY POLAROID
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-> username HE LOOKS SO GOOD
September 15 2021, St. Louis
alliahmendoza posted
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alliahmendoza blowing out candles in front of 20,000 people is definitely the most anxiety-inducing event ever, nevertheless, thank you to my love on tour family for surprising me with birthday cake. TWENTY FUCKING THREE!!!
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kat.iebell you had such a beautiful performance, babe
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-> alliahmendoza THANK YOUUUU
username harry had us sing happy birthday for her, and then after she blew out her candles, he gave her a real loooongggg hug.
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username how do i become a part of the love on tour family
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username she's genuinely such a nice person. she teared up when everyone was singing happy birthday and after her candles, she hugged the whole band, and even said thank you a million times to the crowd.
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username 3 posts in the span of 2 days??? we win.
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a/n: hellooooo. new chapter.
life sucks, tbh. been feeling really shitty lately and every day it feels like i'm doing nothing, and yet i still end up super burned out and completely exhausted at the end of the day.
harry polaroids>>>