Townes' POV
I arrived at Harry's party, feeling nerves creeping over every part of my body. Harry had sent a car for me and it dropped me off right in front of the red carpet they had set up. I wanted nothing more than to be able to walk around it, but the way everything was set up, I couldn't avoid it.
"Name?" A tall man with a head set asked me.
"Umm, Townes...Carolina Townes." I smiled small and he nodded, his smile big.
"Right! Follow me, I'll walk you through the press line. Don't worry just pictures." He said before turning and leading me to the main area of the carpet.
I quickly fixed myself. I had on a green silk ballerina like dress. It hugged my waist but shot out just slightly at the hips. My hair had been blown out, and I had simple gold jewelry to complete the look.
I watched as the man popped my name on a screen so everyone knew who I was, and the pictures quickly started. They started yelling my name, asking me to turn certain ways, and I just kept my composure, same smile and pose as I moved down the line.
When I was finally done, I let out a a long breath I didn't even realize I was holding. I moved with the crowd, finally making myself into a room filled with picture of Harry on the walls. Photos from the album shoot were everywhere and he, well he looked amazing in everyone.
I looked amongst the faces of people, trying to find someone I knew, when I felt a hand slip around my waist and pick me up spinning me around.
"Well if it isn't my little sister who seemed to have forgotten I exist!" I heard Mitch say as he put me down, and I quickly turn to hug him.
"That's not true! You suck at responding. I literally talk to Sarah and Pauli everyday!" He chuckled hugging me back tightly.
"I know. I like being the victim in these things." He teased and I rolled my eyes as I heard Sarah's squeal. I quickly pushed away from Mitch, my own squeal starting as we pulled each other in an embrace.
"Good God Townes! You can't do this to me again!" Sarah exclaimed as we hugged.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I miss you too." I smiled squeezing her tighter and soon another pair of arms was around Sarah and I, Pauli.
"Tooooownes! The legend is back amongst us!" He said and I couldn't help but laugh. We all broke from the hug and I tucked my hair behind my ear.
"I missed you guys so much. Truly. I was jealous of all the fun you were having without me!" I scrunched my nose at them.
"Hey, we had a moment of silence before every activity from how much we missed you." Mitch teased and I reached over pinching his arm softly.
"Oh shut up." I chuckled and bit my lip looking around the room, "So where is the man of the hour?"
"Late, you know, has to make his grand entrance when there is enough people to praise him." Sarah said shrugging and I cackled.
"Right, sounds about right. Well, then, in the mean time let's get some drinks." I smiled.
"Okay, but just one for now, we still have to play later." Sarah smiled, wrapping her arm around me as we made our way to the bar.
—
Harry's POV
I made my way through the red carpet, did all the interviews, the photo ops. Everyone's number one question was the same.
So what's the name of the single.
This was the first time I was dropping something with so little context, and it felt exciting. At the same time, I felt so nervous that people would be disappointed by the track. This was more for Townes than anyone though, so I kept rolling through the nervous feeling knowing we already had the second single lined up as well.
I was greeted by everyone as I entered the party. Quick hellos and congratulations. I tried my best to give each person my attention, but my mind was on finding Townes. The moment Jeff told me she had finally RSVP, I couldn't wait for this moment. I couldn't help but feel like her being here was a good sign. That it meant she would be joining us on your again.
I weaved through the crowd and then I saw her, her beautiful glow radiating like it always did. She was laughing with the band, a cute redness to her cheeks. I swallowed as I made my way over, closing the distance between us. Mitch spotted me first, smirking before waving at me. Townes looked at him, following his gaze, and then her eyes landed on mine, and it was like something inside me exploded.
I took a deep breath as I finally reached them, reminding myself to address everyone, not just her, "Hey guys."
"Well look who finally graced us with his presence!" Mitch teased and I shrugged.
"It's my party, everyone was just bloody early if you ask me."
We all laughed and I turned to Townes, smiling softly, "Hey."
"Hi." She said, a small blush creeping on her cheeks.
"Alright guys, let's give this two some space." Pauli said, pointing the rest of the band away with his head.
They said bye as they walked away, and suddenly it was just Townes and I. She had her hands behind her back, her bottom lip perfectly between her teeth, she was just as nervous as I was.
"I uh, I'm glad you decided to come." I said, running my fingers through my hair.
"Call it the luck of the Irish." She shrugged and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Niall, of course.
"I didn't send him for that by the way."
She nodded, looking down, "I know. He took it upon himself and I'm glad he did."
I nodded, suddenly feeling like I couldn't find words to form proper sentences.
"You excited to reveal the single?" She said, noticing my silence.
"Yeah? I'm actually nervous as hell. But, you never know what reaction you're going to get in any situation, so I just gotta suck it up." I smiled and she nodded.
"I'm sure it'll be the best song yet." She winked at me and I felt every thing inside me melt.
"I hope so.....I missed your face, Townes."
"You saw it all the time. We FaceTimed so much."
I shook my head, taking a deep breath, "No, nothing beats the real life thing."
She looked down blushing, and I finally got the courage to touch her. I lifted her face to mine and smiled, "Nothing beats the glow you give when you walk into a room."
"Harry...stop." She said, her face so red, I chuckled and shrugged.
"I've been really good, Townes, but the one thing I've been bad at is pretending like I'm okay when I've been fucking miserable since we left LA. I missed you so much, every damn day." I said softly, my smile small, but before she could say anything, I heard someone clearing their throat.
I turned to see Jeff, and I took a deep breath, lowering my hand from Townes, "Sorry to uh, interrupt...but basically everyone is here, time to perform the song Haz."
I swallowed and nodded, "Alright, uh, let's do this." I turned to Townes, "Stay with Jeff, okay? He'll make sure you're towards the front."
She nodded and smiled, as I turned to find the band.
—
Townes' POV
I turned and smiled at Jeff, who pulled me in for a hug, "We've missed ya!"
I chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, I missed everyone too."
"Alright, come let's get you to the front before Haz kills me." He said and I chuckled nodding.
We made our way to the front of the audience, sitting at a table set up near the stage they had built out. Jeff stood up, and began to garner everyone's attention.
"Alright, alright. Thank you all for being here. As you know, Harry has been touring like crazy, but has somehow managed to write and record a whole album for you all. So let's give it up for the star tonight, Harry Styles!" He called out and everyone broke into applause, whistling and cheering.
Harry and the band walked out, they all looked so great and I instantly felt jealous that I wasn't up there with them. I took a deep breath as Harry's eyes landed on mine and I smiled as he winked at me.
"Thank you, thank you. Uh,..to say my label was trying to get this album from me for a year...is an understatement?" He chuckled and everyone joined in. He had that thing about him, he could make any room swoon if he really tried.
"Now this song that I'm about to play for you, well the entire instrumental part of it was written by the Love Band. Our own pianist, Townes, being at the very head of the project. They gave such a nice place to start, and the lyrics eventually came to me so naturally. Now I wrote this song, with a clear vision in my mind, the muse of it at the front and center. I really hope that you all love this song, just as much as I do."
Everyone included myself clapped, and he turned back to the band, asking if they were ready. They nodded and Sarah counted them in. The familiar sound of the song I helped produce started playing, the drums, Mitch killing it on the guitar.
"She's got a family in Carolina, So far away but she says I remind her of home..." he began singing and I felt my eyebrow shoot up a bit. I turned to Jeff who's eyes were fixed on Harry.
"Moved all the way cause her grandma told her, 'Townes, better swim before you drown', she's a good girl..."
I felt like my entire world froze the moment I heard my name in the song. There was no way this was happening, no way he was singing about me right now.
"She's got a book for every situation, gets into parties without invitations..."
Okay, it was definitely about me.
I felt my face flush and finally Jeff turned to look at me, a small smirk on his face and he leaned over, "Three month haul all to make sure you heard this song today."
He winked at me and I scoffed, shaking my head and looking back over at Harry. Moving his hips, the way he grabbed on to the mic, the way he was fully invested in the song. The song he wrote about me. The song I produced that he wrote lyrics to about me.
"I met her once and wrote a song about her, I wanna scream, yeah I wanna shout it out, and I hope she hears me now."
He sang and suddenly I realized everyone around was up from their seats, moving to the beat of the music, singing along to the chorus they had only just heard. Jeff and I stood up and once the song ended, the crowd screaming and yelling, applause filled the room.
The band all got up, and they had a small bow. Harry smiling at them before grabbing the mic and look out at the crowd then back at me, "Shall we call up the song producer and my muse?" He wiggled his eyebrows and the crowd cheered. I felt my eyes widen at him and he shrugged, "Miss Carolina Townes everyone!"
He pointed his hand out at me and I felt all eyes move to me. I swallowed, knowing my blush was all over my face now. I got up, smiling small and made my way up the stage. I waved out, feeling so embarrassed, but suddenly feeling calm as he slipped his hand around my waist, gripping it tightly. We bow together, the claps continuing.
"Thank you everyone for being here, for sharing this moment with me. Please enjoy the rest of the night." He smiled and everyone slowly went back to their own conversations as the album started playing over the speakers. I turned to him and shook my head a bit.
"Not even a bit of a warning?" I raised a small eyebrow and he chuckled, letting go of me, rubbing his chin.
"It's felt like a grand gesture moment was needed. And I didn't want to risk proposing and getting turned down again." He said playfully and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Right, those are smart thoughts." I giggled, and took a deep breath, "You're crazy, Harry Styles."
"Just for you, Carolina Townes." He smiled, reaching up and pushing my hair over my left shoulder, his thumb softly on my butterfly tattoo. I felt that same feeling as always, the immense sensation of him touching a spot that literally felt like it was just his.
Like silk.
"Let's enjoy the night?" I said softly and he nodded.
"Let's do it."