Harry's POV:
"Okay, please tell me you saw that too," I spoke hurriedly, trying to rush the conversation before Charlotte got back.
"Of course I saw. You think I'd miss Charlotte grinding on you like that? That wasn't exactly normal for her," she laughed and my stomach fluttered.
"Did you tell her anything?" I questioned her.
"Are you asking if I told her that you've been pestering me for weeks trying to figure out if she likes you? No. But I managed to get something out of her without telling your little secret." I never understood how Isabel had a way of being so easy going at all times. I was a pretty laid back guy myself, but if I were in Isabel's position, I'd be freaking the fuck out.
"Well, what did she say?" I asked, still talking quickly so I could get the answer before Charlotte came back.
"I'm not telling you. All I'll say is that I put in a good word for you, but she's her own person. She doesn't like to be codependent on other people and given her last relationship, she isn't that hopeful when it comes to love. Be patient and just know that even if she does like you, she's nowhere near ready to admit it. Why do you think she's so drunk tonight?" She responded, her voice shifting to a serious tone.
I knew about Charlotte's ex boyfriend, she had told me one night over the phone. She didn't go into a lot of detail, but I understood enough to know that she was still hurt. I also knew she was extremely independent, so I figured our friendship was new territory for her, considering how much time we spend together.
I really liked her, though. I loved having her as a friend, and even though I desperately wished we could be more, I would be okay with whatever she wanted. She's too important to lose.
"And now we both need to laugh and pretend like we're making fun of Adam's dancing so she won't be suspicious," Isabel laughed, yanking me from my thoughts. I laughed along with her as she pointed to Adam and she was right, he was a horrible dancer.
"Thank you for watching this," Charlotte chimed as she grabbed her drink from my hands. "I got some water so I can hopefully sober up a little bit before you guys play," she continued, being so transparent and explaining things she didn't really need to explain. I loved her this way, it wasn't the fact that she was acting different than usual, it was the fact that she was being herself.
It was nearly time for us to play, and I was really nervous. I had a little secret that I hadn't told Charlotte. I wasn't sure how she was going to respond, but I had a feeling she was going to love it.
We all made our way backstage, getting our instruments ready and going over the setlist. I felt like this was an important show, for me and Charlotte. I felt like I could explain a lot more through songs to her than I could just by telling her. I knew if I was direct about how I felt, she'd get scared. If I sang it to her, it was masked behind a good song and it didn't seem as scary.
------
[set list:
Fly - Bloodwitch
Gum - Moose Blood
Dizzy On the Comedown - Turnover
Joyride - Adam Melchor]
"Hey guys, we're Alternative Division and we're gonna play some songs for you tonight. We hope you enjoy."
Sarah started on the drums and Adam came in on the bass. When Mitch started playing, it felt like electricity was running through my veins. I know we were just playing in front of a small crowd, but the high I was feeling was addicting.
I sang, my voice deep and quiet, matching the tone of the song. I looked into the crowd, searching for Charlotte and finding her and Isabel standing near the front. She was staring at me with a smile so wide I could've exploded.
I never understood how she didn't realize how special she was. Just hearing her saying my name or clapping at the end of the song was enough to make me roll over and die. I couldn't contain the joy she made me feel, I was smiling like a fool even though the song wasn't a happy one.
The second song had a different sound, but it fit the overall tone of the set. I was excited to sing it, it showed off a different range of my voice and I had fun with it. It was more punk than alternative, but I liked the feeling of screaming as I sang. Charlotte's face was priceless as I sang.
She watched my every move, and I couldn't help but look at her. I closed my eyes, letting the music run through me and enjoying the euphoric rush I was feeling, but still feeling the burn of her gaze on my skin.
At one point, Mitch and I were both singing, our heads pressed together, sharing his microphone. I loved having my best friends in the band with me, and I was glad they included me in it. I'm glad I had people who loved me and did awesome shit like this alongside me.
Stay with me tonight, I'll kiss your head to the morning
I'll let you sleep on my side of the bed, girl
My thoughts were running back to Charlotte and I's sleepover last week and how I'd ended up sleeping in her bed. I apologized a million times, but that moment made me wonder what things would be like if things were different between us.
I was getting nervous about the next song, it was pretty accurate about how I was feeling with Charlotte. I knew she wouldn't think much of it, but I was basically putting my heart on the line, even if she wasn't aware. I both loved and hated that aspect of our relationship.
I'm sure she heard the songs I played for her. I know she paid attention to the lyrics, but I also knew that if she had any thought that I was using them to express myself, she would think she was reading too much into it.
The words came from deep in my chest and I didn't think about what I was singing, I just sang. I noticed her gaze still fixed on me and met her stare as I sang the lyrics that'd been on my mind for weeks.
Would you come here and spin with me?
I've been dying to get you dizzy
Find a way up into your head
So I can make you feel like new again
She smiled as I sang and I wished I could tell her how I felt, but I knew that wasn't the case. Not yet.
We finished the song and the crowd erupted into applause. The lights were making me a bit sweaty. Well, that combined with the fact that I was jumping up and down while singing, and I had nervous sweats. I wondered if I had pit stains, but I definitely couldn't check on stage in front of a bunch of people.
"This next song is one that I actually wrote with the inspiration of a lovely girl," I spoke shakily into the microphone, looking down at Charlotte and noticing her wide grin. "This is for Charlotte. It's called Joyride."
I noticed Isabel saying something in Charlotte's ear and I was praying that it was good. I really didn't want to fuck this up.
The song was a change from the last three, its slow and quiet tone washing over me as I sang the lyrics. I didn't stop staring at Charlotte, though, and it felt like I was just singing to her, not in front of a crowd.
She swayed as she sang along, the only person in the building who knew the words other than me and the band. It was such a beautiful sight, seeing her sing a song that I wrote. The urge to just stop singing, hop off the stage, and kiss her was so overwhelming, but I knew that I couldn't.
I continued singing, taking in the serenity of the moment and hoping that I'd never forget it.
------
Charlotte's POV:
"This next song is one that I actually wrote with the inspiration of a lovely girl. This is for Charlotte. It's called Joyride." Harry's voice was shaky as it boomed through the bar and I could tell that he was nervous. He had no reason to be, though, the song was amazing.
"What was that? I thought I heard you say 'he doesn't like me.'" Isabel leaned over, whispering in my ear, using my words against me.
I was so taken aback by him singing the song, and saying what he said, that I didn't even respond. I couldn't stop staring at him as he sang, his voice flooding my mind. He stared at me as he sang and it felt like he was singing just to me.
I sang along as I swayed to the music, feeling special for knowing all of the words. After I'd forced him to send me a recording, I listened to it at least three times a day, which I never dared to mention to him before. His voice was heavenly and I couldn't get enough.
The song ended and the band exited the stage after Harry made sure to thank the audience. He was so kind that it made everyone else seem like a shitty person in comparison.
As he walked toward Isabel and I, I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
"I didn't know I was lovely," I giggled, remembering what he'd said about me.
"You are, and you should know that," he responded and I could feel my cheeks turning red. I knew I was only being outgoing because of the copious amount of alcohol I'd consumed, but I liked it. I wished I could be like this all the time, not caring about what anyone else thought of me.
"You know, you're the only reason he even told us about that song," Mitch commented, confusing me. "He said he'd be really pissed off if he didn't tell us about it so we could play it tonight," he laughed, and I looked to Harry who was now blushing as well.
"Shut up, Mitch. It wasn't that big of a deal," Harry responded, trying to play it cool.
"He's lying. But either way, I was only mentioning it so I could tell you thank you," Mitch responded. I never realized how sassy he could be, but it didn't shock me.
"You're welcome I guess? I mean, Harry's the one who wrote something so beautiful, I just told him he needed to share it," I shrugged, leaning into Harry as he wrapped an arm around me.
We stayed that way for what seemed like hours, and I didn't want to leave his side. Everyone was grabbing their things, but I didn't want to leave. I wasn't tired and I didn't want to leave Harry. Drunk me was very decisive.
Harry had driven me to the bar just like last time, so we both made our way to his car for him to bring me home. He always put on the best music, but this time it seemed even better than usual. Maybe it was just my intoxicated self or maybe it was because I had confronted my feelings for him, but I was having more fun than I'd ever had.
"I don't want to go home," I spoke quietly as we pulled up to a red light. He turned to look at me for a moment, and I couldn't help but take in the scene. The red lights were casting onto his face in such an angelic way that I didn't want to forget it.
I realized that there were starting to become a lot of moments with him that I didn't want to forget.
"Then don't. Just tell me where you wanna go," he responded, a small smile forming on his lips.
"I don't know, anywhere but home," I shrugged.
"I think I have somewhere we can go," he responded, making a u-turn when the light turned green. The music was still loud, and he was smiling so wide that it was contagious. We continued singing along, until we pulled up to a small park.
It was nearly midnight and it was honestly kind of creepy. Was Harry a serial killer? Was being my friend his plan the entire time? Is that why he always offered to drive me places?
"I thought maybe you'd wanna look at the stars," he spoke quietly after turning down the music. I couldn't believe this man.
He popped his trunk as we both got out of his car, grabbing a blanket and setting it on the damp grass for us to lay on. He changed the music to soft oldies, and rolled the windows down so we could hear the music from where we were laying.
We laid there staring at the stars for at least the length of three songs, but I couldn't get my mind off of him. I had sobered up a bit and I expected to go back to my fearful self, but I hadn't. After tonight, I wondered what I had been so scared of in the first place.
Harry wasn't Will, and he'd never treat me the way Will did. I was still scared that things would end between us and I'd lose his friendship, but now I had gotten a taste. I'd seen the possibilities of what it would be like to be with him, and I wanted more. He was so addicting, it was changing my entire opinion about the situation.
I was brought back to reality when I heard him sigh, and I noticed that the song had changed.
"God, I love this song," he laughed as he turned his head to look at me. I couldn't help but smile, seeing him so excited about the song. It was an old one, but it was so good.
[song: Bring It On Home to Me - Sam Cooke]
"If you ever change your mind about leaving, leaving me behind, oh bring it to me. Bring your sweet loving, bring it on home to me," he sang so loud I could hear it echo through the trees around us, and I let out a giggle so loud that it shocked me.
He sat up as he kept singing, "I know I laughed when you left, but now I know I only hurt myself." I continued laughing as he sang dramatically, reaching his hands toward me. He pulled me up, his hands still in his, twirling me around as we danced to the song.
"You know I can't dance right?" I laughed.
"Don't lie, you totally can. And all you have to do is let me lead, just follow me," he responded, his eyes meeting mine.
"Bring it to me, bring your sweet loving, bring it on home to me," he kept singing as he pulled me close to his chest, keeping my hands in his. We swayed with the music, him occasionally twirling me around. I giggled every time, making him smile and laugh as he sang.
The song came to an end, and he grabbed the blanket, throwing it back in his trunk as I climbed back in the car.
"Thank you for not bringing me home," I giggled.
"Any time," he responded as he smiled, keeping his eyes on the road.
When we arrived back at my apartment, he walked me to the door, saying he wanted to make sure that I was okay considering that I'd been drinking. I tried to tell him that I was fine, but he wouldn't have it.
"Thank you for tonight. The song, the stars, everything," I said, looking up into his eyes.
"Of course. You're actually a really good dancer, just let me know when you want to do it again," he laughed as I reached up to hug him before I went in. He buried his head in my shoulder and I could feel his shaky breath on my neck.
I knew I shouldn't, but I wanted to kiss him so badly, and it wasn't the first time I'd had that urge tonight. I promised myself that if I was still feeling the same way tomorrow that I would. I would kiss him and satisfy the overwhelming urge and things would be okay. Tomorrow.
"I'm not leaving until I hear the door lock," he said sternly, pulling away from me.
I laughed, unlocking the door and stepping in. I said goodbye one last time before I closed the door and locked it. I watched through the peephole in my door as he walked back to his car and drove off, but not before he looked back at my door, smiling.
He totally liked me.
------
AGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! This was SO much fun to write. How are we feeling??
I'm so ready for the next chapter!! Stay tuned!
Thanks so much for reading!! :)