Jessie's P.O.V
My palms are sweating. I wipe them across my black jeans to try and get rid of the moisture but it only succeeds in making my jeans damnp and my palms just end up getting wet again anyway.
"Will you please calm down, they're not that scary," Harry tries to reason with me but my mind has already run through every possible scenario, in which each of the boys end up hating me. I hate that I'm like this, that I get worried and panicked and eventually have attacks but it's not my fault. It's my dads for the way he treated me.
A warm hand rests on mine, stopping them from moving in my lap. "Jess relax. It's just a meeting and they're just regular guys like me, ok?"
His eyes shift momentarily from the road to mine, holding my gaze till I nod slightly. I know what he's trying to say, when we met i treated him like a stranger. But when we met I didn't recognise him so it was different, now I know exactly who were going to meet and I can't stop the panic in my body and mind.
"We're here," he says as the car comes to a stop in a small parking area. He takes off his seatbelt and turns to me in the small space of the car.
My breathing has spead up. Stop it, I tell myself, they're just normal guys, four twenty year old boys. The thoughts that say 'your a flop, their gonna hate you' scream at me louder though.
Harry's hand reaches out and pushes the hair from my eyes, my paniced eyes meeting his green ones. Somehow we've moves closer, so close I can feel his breath tickleing my lips. Instead of saying that it will all be alright and telling me to relax he leans foward and presses his perfect lips to mine.
The kiss is comforting and sweet. Even though we've kissed a few times the butterflies still erupt in my stomach and my heart flutters in my chest. When he pulls away he rests his forehead on mine. My breathing is even more eratic now but for an entirely different reason.
"You know, that really didn't help. Now I really can't breath," I whisper.
He smirks at me and chuckles lightly, "sorry, I was just trying to calm you down a little."
Swiftly, he kisses my forehead and climbs out of the car, jogging round to my side while I unclip my belt and open my door. He helps me climb down from the range rover, locking the car and grabbing my hand as we walk towards a large building.
"So, the lads are already inside and so are the mangement people, we have to go round the back because I think there may be some fans outside the front.," he mumbles to me as we walk towards what I guess is the back enterance.
He knocks twice on the small metal door and waits, pulling a funny face at me as we do, making me laugh. The door opens, there's a lady stood in the doorway. She's pretty and quite small, her hair is up in a bun and it looks blonde, almost white. There is a small girl stood at her feet, clinging onto her leg and hiding behind her.
"Harr! Havent seen you in a while, come in here," she usheres us inside.
"Hi Lou, how you been?" he replies hugging the woman. The little girl is still stood behind Lou, looking at me curiously.
"Mummy, who's that?" she asks, pointing at me.
Lou doesnt reply, she's to busy talking to Harry. "This is my Girlfriend, Jessie," Harry introduces me. Girlfriend. Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
I smile, "hi, nice to meet you."
Lou smiles back "you too, I'm Lou, One Directions Hair stylest."
She seems friendly and sweet, and very fond of Harry.
The little girl stood behind her steps out and runs at Harry, screaming "HARRYYY!"
He bends down and picks her up, huging her to him, "Hey Lux, how are you baby."
"I'm good. Who's that?" she points at me once again, I smile at her and Harry.
"Thats Jessie, she's my new girlfriend," he says to her. "So you have to be extra nice to her ok."
Lux nods then pouts "I thought I was your only girlfriend."
He chuckles "your still number one, don't worry." He kisses her cheek and she giggles before he puts her down.
Lou smiles at us "the boys are all over there somewhere," she points left and waves before running after Lux.
"I had no idea you were so good with kids, Harry. "
He smiles at me, "yeah, I love Lux you know she's been around since she was born. But don't worry, I am not her boyfriend, she's way too young for me."
I laugh at his bad joke. Eventually he joins me, "ok, so we had better go and meet the boys."
Taking a deep breath, I nod. He grins and sneaks a kiss from me, whisperng "mmm, lets go."
My small hand is grabed in his large one as he pulls me towards where Lou had pointed earlier. Yay, the time has come, I just pray I don't have a panic attack or something.
***
Laughter is all I can hear from down the hall. Harry smiles and walks towards the sound, my heart speeds up in my chest as does my breathing.
We turn the corner, me sheletered from the other people by Harry's broad back.
"Harry, there you are we've been waiting ages mate," one of the boys says.
"Sorry, I was talking to Lou and Lux."
"Does anyone actually know why we have a meeting today?" another of the boys asks.
Damnit it wish I would be able to tell there voices apart.
"Actually yes I do," Harry says. I can hear all the boys turn in there seats to look at us, great. "It's because of me, and before you ask yes I did piss them off and yes there is a good reason."
It's quite for a second before the first voice that spoke earlier sighs "what did you do mate?"
"Ok hear me out and don't interupt. So management arranges a date for me with Kendall, I didn't want to go so I took one of my friends with me, Beth. You've all met Beth haven't you?"
Mummers of agreement is all I can hear. I'm still hidden behind Harry, my forhead resting on his upper back, trying to control my breathing so I don't pass out.
"Ok, so I turned my date into a social gathering. But them something amazing happened, I got the clumbsiest waitress ever. She threw my food in my lap but you'll never guess who it was," he sounds so excited, like a child at christmas.
"Wait, are you talking about injury girl?" a voice I havent heard before asks.
Great, I'm known as injury girl, they proabably already hate me.
"Yeah, it was her. So we got talking and I gave her a ride home and long story short I've been with her ever since." I'm glad he left out the part where I called him in panic, and the part where we went to get my brother from prison. That wouldn't give me a good start would it.
"So, when are we meeting her then?" a thick Irish accent asks. Ohhh I know this one, thats Niall. I only know that because he's Irish.
"Umm she's actually the reason we have this meeting, she's right here," Harry shifts, putting me on full display.
There voices are muffled as the panic sinks in again. They're all staring at me and talking to me but I can't hear anything, my mind has gone blank and my vision is going black around the edges. Shit, I'm gunna pass out.
Warmth spreads through my lower back as Harrys large hand rubs cirlces on it. "Callm down, your shaking. You ok?"
I gulp, trying to steady my breathing. "Harry, I think I may throw up, or pass out, or both."
"Is she ok Harry?" a brown haired boy asks, he's attractive but then again they all are.
My vision is coming bac and I realise they're all staring at me with worry. There goes my good first impression, they probably think I'm some crazed dizzy fangirl. I mean if they were Arctic Monkeys or 5sos then yeah may be but I'm not huge fans of theres. No, I'm just worried and I don't like all the attention being on me, like it is at the minute.
"I need to sit down before I fall down," I mumble.
Harry guides me to a chair and helps me sit in it. He sits next to me while I place my head between my knee's and breath deeply. I don't understand why I'm reacking like this, they're just normal people, normal boys.
It's that thought that calms me down slightly, so I am almost normal again. They are jjust people and they haven't done anything to threaten or harm or box me in, so why am I being an idiot?
I lift my head, my cheeks heating up when I realise that all eyes are on me. "Sorry, I don't know why i reacted like that. I mean, I was just worried about meeting Harry's friends but I don't know why I reacted that way."
The one who asked if I was ok smiles, "it's ok, we get stuff like this all the time love."
"No, I didn't mean I was a fangirl, actually I don't even like you guys, I've never listened to your music."
They all smile and laugh. Shit, "Wait, I didn't mean it like that I just meant that I'm not a huge fan. That wasn't the reason I freaked I- oh forget it," I cut myself off, my cheeks growing even warmer.
Everyone laughs, including Harry. I turn my head to him and he smiles at me warmly "carry on with what you were saying."
I shake my head "no, I'm just making an even bigger fool of myself. I'm sorry you had to meet me, I' a complete social retard, sorry."
"No worries, so are we secretly," I decide I like this brown haired boy, he's nice. He continues before I can say anything "but seriously, why'd you react like that?"
I swallow, "I was just nervous and that sometimes happens when I get nervous or anxious. It's called an anxiety attack and was probably the worst time to have one."
He nods sympathetically. That's the one thing I hate, the sympathy that comes with them. Yes they are horible and yes they completly suck, especially when your in public but when you've had a life like mine, well you get used to them.
"Oh, shit. You don't even know who we are, I'm Liam," the nice one says.
"I'm Niall," the blonde one says, he smiles at me sweetly. I'm sure his smile makes girl's melt and his laugh is there favourite sound in the world.
"Louis," the one with longer brown hair says, he was the smallest of all of them but hella cute.
"Zayn," he has a beard and he gives me a slight wave. Seriously though, he was beautiful.
"Umm hi," I wave slightly.
Harry nudges me slightly, rasing his eye brow. Oh.
"Oh right um hi, I'm Jessie."
Harry laughs gently from beside me and I want to smack the smirk from his face this isn't funny, it's embarrasing. He stands up, pulling me to my feet with him and lacing his fingers with mine.
"Guys, you know that I said that I've been with her ever since and blah blah blah," he asks and they all nod so he continues "we'll were kinda dating and that's what the meeting is about, it's about us. Mainly because I've been labelled a man whore again and partly because I refused to let the Paps see her as she didn't want to be seen. After what you've just witnessed I'm sure you understand why she didn't want to be seen."
"Yeah we get it, but from the sounds of things your in a lot of trouble for this," zayn says.
Harry nods and I feel guilty and bad. He's only in trouble for trying to protect me, everything bad that will come up in this meeting is because of me.
"It's ok, we got your back, we'll support you no matter what decision you make Harry," louis says to him, smiling.
"Thanks, well lets get this over with," Harry turns to me, his thub rubbing circles on the back of my hand.
I smile, now that the panic has subsided I feel better, more like myself. I am ready to kick some management arss in order to defend Harry, and I was excited to do it.
***
Once we're all sat down in a large room, the energy I'm feeling is hard to keep at bay. I want this to start already so I can erupt at the people that chew Harry out. I bounce in my chair, not being able to keep still. My chair is between Liam and Niall, it's not a bad place to be sat for a sixteen year old, I've had to sit in worse places between worse people.
Opposite me is Harry, he wanted to sit next to me at first but then he decided that opposite was better so that we could see eachother. He doesn't look worries, he look's tired and amused at me not being able to keep still. On his left is Zayn and on his right Louis. All the boys look equally as tired, bored and amused by me as Harry, I guess they've been in a lot of meetings like this.
We are all sat round a large conference table that has two seats at each end of the table. I'm guessing that this is where their management will sit.
Just as I'm about to complain about the wait the door opens and four people walk in, three males and a female. They all take a seat calmly and take a look at each of the boys. When my gaze meets one of theirs they frown or look slightly amused, or is it annoyed, I honestly can not tell.
The women is the first person to speak. "So, we are here to discuss what has been happening with you recently, Harry. We arranged a date for you, which you turned into a social gathering and now your fooling around with this," she looks over at me and I raise my eye brow, challenging her. Yeah don't finish that like you want to, bitch. Instead she says "this teenage girl. Harry, you know that if we arrange something you are supposed to go along with it."
I scoff loudly at her words, making her turn to me and give me a cold glare which I return gratefully.
"Plus, you didn't let the paps get a photo of her so no one in the world knows who she is, have you not seen the tabloids, all the rumers that are going around."
Harry sighs, looking at me before turning back to her, "yes, I have and I don't care. I don't care what they say about me, it's all the shit that they're saying about Jessie that bothers me."
What? He doesnt care that he's being called a man whore and all sorts of other things. He only cares about me and what they're saying about me. A warm feeling floods through me, making me smile slightly. When I glance around I see that Louis is smiling slightly as well.
"Harry, you don't understand. We work hard to get rid of these images, we set you up on dates with people, you date people so the image dies down. We don't need to bad publicity for you boys."
Before anyone can say anything I speak up, my voice as cold as ice even though my veins feel like they're pumping venom and adrenaline aroun my body.
"Excuse me, how dare you control there lives like that. They are people you know and they have rights to do whatever they want. So what is he took a friend on a date him and Kendall are just friends anyway, why try and make something out of nothing? So what if he blocked me from the paps, that was because I didn't want to be seen and he was being a good kind hearted guy. You are there mangement, you're supposed to deal with these things not them. They are young, they deserve to have a life where you aren't controlling there eyerymove and every little deatail. It's Harry's choice who he meets, who he is seen with and who he dates not yours and you can't take away their freedom because that is not your job. Your job is to set up gigs and tours and publicity signings, not to decide what they do with there personal lives."
Everyone is silent, everyone is looking at me, some in awe some in shock. But the only gaze that really matter's is Harrys, and there is such pride, shock and happiness in his gaze that I forget everything and the anger starts to fade away.
It's then that I realise I am on my feet but i don't move to sit down, instead i switch my gaze from Harrys to the women and see the shock in her face. As all attention is on me i decide togo further "I am not even a fan of these boys and even I know that the way you treat them is wrong so imagine what the fans think of you. Oh and by the way just because I am a 'teenager' doesn't mean that I don't know what's right and what's wrong. I have had enough shit in my life to now that controlling people is wrong, and that you are completly insane if you think it will work forever because it won't. Take it from me, I would know."
And with that, I sit down. All the boys eyes are still on me and the women that was having a go at Harry doesn't seem to know how to continue. Good, she deserves it.
"Well um, you will have to umm," she stumbles over her words. Just because I am sixteen doesn't mean I don't know how to fight when I need to, of course Ashley knows that.
"Harry, next time we tell you do do something, do it. Or if you are gunna change the arangement, talk to us first. We don't appreciate being kept in the dark about this, it's going to be hard to get the media off yours and all the other guys backs now," one of the males takes over for the women who is too shocked to find her words. "Harry, as you and this girl have already caused a spark amougst the media we have decided to let it continue, I can see that you both like eachother and we would like you to date."
We already are, dick.
"That is all, Harry, don't let us have to call you back in here, that goes for all you boys aswell. Oh and you'll have to let that paparrazzi see her, maybe not today but if it doesnt happen soon we will take matters into our hands."
With that everyone stands, me being the last to rise and we all walk towards the door. I am sandwhiched between Liam and Niall as we walk throgh the door, but the second were outside Harry pulls me into his arms. "You are insanely amazing, you know that. Sticking up for us was amazingly cool Jess, thank you."
I smile at him, "I would do it all over again, it was an honour to come to your rescue for a change."
He grins at me, his right dimple popping into view on his cheek. The next thing I know I am surrounded by One Direction, wedged in the middle of their group hug. All of them are saying thank you to me and i really don't see why, any decent person would have come to their defence. The hug lasts too long and I begin to get chlaustrophobic, my breathing becoming ragid for like the fourth time today. They all seem to realise because they all pull away, still smiling at me stupidly.
That's when the male that spoke comes over to us. He looks at me before the others and then adresses me, "Miss, I don't know you and I don't particualrly like what you just said but I have to admit, there is some truth in your words. That doesn't mean that we will listen to them though. These boys have signed a contract with us, that was their choice not ours, they knew what they were signing up for."
"What, they knew they were signing up to be completly controlled, to have basically everything decided for them? I don't think so. People like you actually make me sick, your controlling and you don't give a shit about anything accept the money that these boys are getting you. I probabaly know them better than you and I've just met them!" The anger slowly building again, working it's way through my body.
None of the other boys are paying attention to us, they are all talking to Harry. I start to turn away from the dick infront of me when he grabs my arms, pulling me back round to face him. His grip is painfully tight, it reminds me of my fathers when I was a child.
"LIsten, I don't care what you think, these boys are our biggest source of money, we will do whatever we want because we have there contract. Do you understand." His grip is painful as i try and wriggle out of it.
"Let go of me, I am not in the mood for your shit," I return cooly.
He smirks evilly, "what are you gunna do. Your trapped just like them, no way to escape. You are a powerless little girl and you do what we say now that your with Harry. Don't try to defy us, there is no point."
I wriggle my wrsit again, if his grip gets any tighter my bones will snap. "Let go of me."
His hand squeezes slightly, bringing tears to my eyes. He is supposed to be a professional, he should not be holding me or hurting me like this.
"You. Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. DO."
Mermeories of my father grabbing my mother flood throgh my mind, him saying the exact same words to her after she told him to stop coming after me. With each word he would raise his hand and lower is hard agaisnt her body and face.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts, my eyes stinging from pain and the memory I just watched.
"Hey, get the hell off her now," Harry shouts.
The next thing I know I am in Harrys arms while Louis and Zayn push the other guy vback, out the room. They all turn to me, eyes drawn to my wrist that I'm holding in my hand.
Harry lifts my face "you ok, baby."
My heart flutters when he calls me baby.
I nod, "yeah, I'm fine."
Slowly, I lower my wrist but he takes it gently and looks at it frowning. "What a dick, we should report him for this, get him sacked." I nod.
Niall is just about to say something when my phone rings, I groan and hold up my hand signaling him to wait.
Nathan's calling me, that's odd he knows that we had this meeting today, he even let me skip school for it.
"Hello," i say into the phone.
"Jess, you need to come home right now, bring Harry if you have to but right now ok."
"Nathan, what's wrong?" the panic clear in my voice.
"It's dad. He's got mum and he's sent us a lovely little letter just please come home, we need to read this and figure it out, ok."
"I'm on my way."
I hang up and turn to Harry, my worried eyes meeting his wide ones.
"It's my mum. My Dad has my Mum." I manage to choke out.
He nods and says bye to the boys, promising to tell them why we left eventully but right now we have to go.
I felt like I was in a daze. I can't remeber moving, or saying goodbye. All I can picture is the horrible things that are happening to my mum, and I'm scared for her.
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This chapter took so long and it is also super long (:
Ok so i know that managment isnt actually like this but i know that they have a lot of influence over the boys. so yeh.
her standing up for the boys is what i want to do for them but i probably wouldnt have the guts.
The anxiety attack is to show that even the people that seem to be coping well and be happy struggle to, it was the best way i could think of to show it.
i hope you like the chapter, i know its long but o well.
ohh and you got to have a little look at her past but there is more to it than that, so keep reading (: (yes this is supposed to be a semi bribe (: i thin im funny but im really not omg)
Anyway, MY MUM GOT MARRIED LAST SATURDAY, IT WAS MAGICAL OMFG.
ok i love you and i hope you like that chapter :) if you want to talk to me just dm me on here or tweet me my twitter is @hxrrys_pizza ok :)
~Jade