Gretchen’s POV
We all piled into a van headed to the boys’ rehearsal. Zayn sat in the front, I was squished between Liam and Niall, and Larry was sitting in the back. I swear at one point I saw them holding hands!
We pulled up to the arena and got out of the van. I heard faint screaming and chanting.
“Okay, babe, this is when it gets crazy.” Niall said, looking me straight in the eyes. “We’re going to walk past the girls, but not holding hands… I want to see how they react.”
My eyes widened. We walked around to the front of the arena and the screaming intensified. First Harry walked out… then Liam, Louis, Zayn, Niall. I walked out last, surprised at the reaction.
“Lookit! It’s her, it’s Niall’s girlfriend!” I heard one say.
“I love you Gretchen!” Another girl yelled.
“Oh my God, she’s so perfect!” A third girl hollered.
I smiled and waved at the screaming Directioners, almost tearing up. That was me, less than a year ago. I touched a girl’s hand through the gate as someone grabbed my shoulders.
I turned around quickly and jumped. Danielle Peazer was standing behind me. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened.
“H.. hi, Danielle…” I smiled awkwardly.
“Hey!” She pushed me along, catching us up with the boys. “You’re new to this, aren’t you?” She winked.
We got into the arena and the boys all quickly rushed onstage. A man below barked orders at them, and they followed. Though, we all know this is not going to go as rehearsed.
I watched Niall’s every move as he danced across the stage. Finally, it was time to practice “More Than This.”
I mouthed the words leading up to Niall’s solo. Right after he sang, “If I’m louder,” he looked me directly in the eyes. I stood below the stage, right at the edge.
He walked to the edge of the stage, kneeled down, and reached his hand out, while he sang, “Would you lay down… in my arms and rescue me?”
My arms got covered in goosebumps, my face reddened, and I felt one tear fall down my face. Niall stood back up, smiling. He walked back to the rest of the boys. I stood with Danielle and cried on her shoulder.
Dani and I decided to go get a little treat for ourselves while the boys rehearsed.
Where are you?? Niall texted me.
“Uh oh…” I thought out loud, staring at my phone.
“What?” Danielle asked. I shot my eyes up to her then back to my phone.
“Niall asked where I was.” I said, sounding worried. She just laughed.
“Just tell him you went to get coffee and that you’ll be back soon.” Danielle was so chill about it.
“Sorry,” I chuckled. “I’m new to this.” I clicked at my phone’s buttons.
Our coffee and treats arrived quickly. We took a few bites and sips, but quickly left the coffee shop as crazy fans piled in.
We jumped into Danielle’s car and I felt my phone buzz. I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at it.
“Who’s that? Niall?” Dani slid her sunglasses over her nose as we drove off.
“N… no.” I looked at the strange number, then I read the text.
I Clover Niall! Ahaha xx I groaned. Oh God, he told them.
“Dani, who’s number is this?” I showed her my phone. She took quick glances, trying to pay attention to the road.
“I think it’s Harry.” I rolled my eyes as she said that. Of course it was Harry.
When we showed back up at the arena, I walked up to Harry and placed a firm slap right on his cheek.
“Ow!” He covered his cheek. “What exactly was that for?!”
“Why would you embarrass me! What Niall sees is not for any of you to know about! Especially you, Harry!” I crossed my arms.
Niall walked up to me and put his arms around me from the back. He swayed back and forth as another tear dripped from my eye.
“Calm down, love,” Niall whispered in my ear. “It was my fault.” He rubbed my arms.
I sighed, shook my head. I don’t know why I acted like Harry was such a bad person. Maybe I just didn’t want him to like me… I want to show him I’m Niall’s, no one else’s.
“I’m sorry, Harry..” I looked at the ground as I said it. I looked up to see him shaking his head and walking away, disgusted with me.
I shrugged and walked back to below the stage.
The concert was fantastic, the boys all sounded perfect. I tried to show Harry I was sorry by giving him a pat on the back or saying he did a good job on a song… it sort of worked.
Liam grabbed a girl’s phone and brought it up on stage. He sang the last bit of his solo into the phone, then showed Niall, Lou & Haz, Zayn, then he ran offstage to get a shot of me and Danielle. We just waved and smiled.
Harry changed the lyrics to some songs, getting a good laugh from everyone. He’s such a joker. He also had quite a few Larry moments.
Niall danced like the Irish boss he is. He seriously made my heart skip about 80,000 beats. His dance moves and voice were so perfect.
Louis changed some lyrics too, taking after his Hazza-Bear. They’re so cute, seriously, it’s unreal.
Zayn just acted mysterious and sexy throughout the whole concert. He’s so posey compared to the rest of them.
Overall it was a perfect performance. The boys came backstage sweaty and hyper. Danielle gave Liam a quick hug before escaping outside. I, on the other hand, waited for Niall to come out of his change room.
Out he walked, looking like he’d just got done having amazing sex. I smiled as I skipped up to him, kissing him passionately.
“Did you have a good time?” I rocked back and forth on my heels. My face was a dark shade of pink, both from the heat from backstage and the nerves I get around Niall.
“Yes,” Niall chuckled. “But I’m glad I get to see you now.” He kissed my forehead, running his hand down my arm.
He walked me outside, into the bus. Thankfully, the ride back to the hotel wasn’t too long… but we were all tired. Dani had snuck out of the concert and drove herself back to her hotel. Liam sat texting her.
“Lads,” Harry announced, walking from the back of the bus shirtless. “It’s sad to say, but Rest In Peace… Up All Night.” He pretended to break down on the floor crying as we all laughed. As he stood up and walked away, I reached for Niall’s phone.
I sat silently, looking through the contacts when a name caught my eye.
“Who’s Mrs. Styles?” I asked all too loudly. Harry popped back out of the back room, his eyebrows furrowed. My mouth turned to a small “o” as I turned around in Niall’s lap. “Whoops..” I said cutely.
Niall just chuckled, taking his phone back. “It’s alright love, I was meaning to tell Harry about her.”
“Alright so tell!” Harry sat on the opposite side of the bus, his fingers entwined with themselves.His curls rested against his forehead.
“So, when I went to pick up Gretch,” Niall patted my leg. “This girl caught my eye, she seemed like someone you’d like.”
I tilted my head, this is the first I’ve heard of this girl, too. Harry scrunched his eyebrows together. I looked over to him, then back to Niall.
“Her name is Annabelle.” Niall smiled. “I was gonna have Gretchen get to know her before giving you her number, but now I guess you have to have it.”