Rescue Me [H.S.]

9. The Red Carpet

Victoria's POV

"What should I wear tonight?" I ask Harry to start a conversation because there has been an uncomfortable silence between us ever since Niall left our room. We're both physically in the living room in our huge suite, but our minds are completely elsewhere. He's standing by the wall, texting, probably Taylor Swift, and I'm sitting in a sofa flipping through the channels, nothing to watch - nothing to take my mind of things. I'm numb, hopeless, and the need for a cut has never been bigger than right now.

"Sorry, what?" Harry says, not even bothering to look up from his phone.

"What should I wear tonight?" I repeat, keeping the casual tone like I've learned.

"I dunno. Ask Niall or Lou, our stylist, it would be a good idea if the two of you had a chat," he says with a coldness that is so unlike his normal behaviour.

My brain repeatedly tells me it's not true, but my heart keeps whispering to me he's unfriendly because he is jealous. But I listen to my brain even though I would rather listen to my heart. After he announced he was seeing Taylor again, I can barely look at him, every time I look at him I feel like my stomach gets punched repeatedly. How can I possibly get through tonight?

"Right.. sorry for bothering you," I say while fighting back the tears. "Gotta go then.. and have that chat so you won't be embarrassed about being seen with me," I hurriedly say while almost running out of the room, not wanting him to see the tears streaming down my face.

* * *

The limousine is comfortable, Niall is so sweet to me, and for the first time ever - I actually look good. I'm in a long, dark blue dress that covers my feet, so luckily, no one will notice I'm wearing converse under my dress. Lou Teasdale, who helped me get ready, also did my hair and make-up. But even though everything looks picture-perfect and if someone, who doesn't know me, sees my life, they will think I am the luckiest person alive - I just don't feel good. I escaped my alcoholic mother, the bullies, but the one thing that troubles me the most is my thoughts and I am trapped with them forever.

"Victoria, are you ready?" says Niall and squeezes my hand.

"We're here," he adds with a smile, as the deafening sound of screaming girls reaches us."Now, prepare for lots & lots of lights from the cameras," he whispers in my ear before he goes out and gently takes my hand.

I'm ready with my fake smile and let him lead me to the red carpet.

"Niall! Look over here!"

"Who's your girl?"

"For how long have you been dating?"

The warmth and silence there was inside the limousine is very tempting, and if I weren't holding Niall's hand, I would have run back to it. Reporters and interviewers are already coming towards us with extraordinary speed.

"Niall, who is this gorgeous girl you've brought?" an interviewer asks, but the sound is drowned by dozens of other questions.

We're surrounded, and there is no escape. Suddenly, they choose other victims. A familiar set of curls and a beautiful blonde by his side. I no longer feel like I look good. Harry is in a black suit, bow tie, and has an arm around Taylor's waist, and he's smiling, but his eyes looks tired. Taylor Swift is dressed in a green cocktail dress, high heels; everything about her appearance is perfect. I'd hate to admit it, but they are gorgeous together. I smile at Harry, there are only a few meters between us, and he smiles back, not only with his mouth, but also with his eyes. The familiar, cheeky spark is back in his eyes. I let go of Niall's hand so that I can wave at him, and to my surprise and joy; he removes his arm of Taylor's waist and waves back.

"Come on, we gotta get going," Niall says, grabs my hand, and pulls me away from Harry. "Management has ordered us to pose a together, just the five of us, so I'm so sorry, but can you wait here? It'll just take a moment," Niall says with an apologetic look on his face.

"Of course," I mumble, but Niall has already left me.

Niall joins Liam, Louis, and Zayn on the red carpet in front of all the flashing cameras. In front of me are celebrities posing for the cameras, behind me are screaming fans. I don't belong with any of them. I turn my head and see Harry and Taylor still talking to the press. I'm standing completely alone and everyone is seeing through me like I'm invisible. Not that I mind being alone, but for the first time since meeting Harry, I feel lonely. Now that Niall is clearly enjoying himself, smiling and making ridiculous poses for the cameras, the idea of leaving becomes even more tempting. In slow motion I see our chauffeur getting in the limousine, getting ready to drive away. Without really thinking about what I'm doing, I turn around and walk towards the limo. A few meters and I'll be safe is my last thought, before someone grabs my wrist.

"You're not leaving already, are you?"

Harry has my wrist in a firm grip and a concerned look on his face.

"Me? No, I just thought I had forgotten something..." I say, but I'm stuttering, and even a deaf person would know, that I was lying.

"Well, I don't care about you leaving Niall if you really don't wanna be here, but I've got something to say before you leave... Something I should have said this morning... I don't find it embarrassing to be seen with you. Not at all. I didn't invite you, because I didn't think you would want to come to this, and I was right, wasn't I?" He pauses to look at the limo, which is now driving away, before he continues: "This is gonna sound selfish, and it is, since I know you wanna leave.. But I really want you to stay... Okay?"

"Okay."

//A/N: Please vote or comment! :) It means a lot