Endlessly (Harry Styles)

Chapter 23

*Hazel Murray*

                
                I felt Harry's hand slip in mine as we walked to the Meet and Greet. I was nervous about it, because it would be the first time I personally meet the fans. 

                They were pretty accepting of me, but I did get some hate on Twitter. 'You should have stayed in your pathetic small town.' 'Such a whore... I don't see what people see in you.' 'Simon must have gone mad if he thought you'd be competent.' Those comments hurt, but I was used to those, so I didn't think much of them. Just another bunch of people disliking me. I lived with a hole town hating me for fifteen years. Getting some hate from people I don't actually know doesn't affect me much more than the bullying did. 

                My dates with Harry were simply awesome, I never had so much fun than when I'm with him. Every second I pass with him made me fall even harder for him. Directioners seemed to like our relationship... Which was great.

                I was pulled out of my thoughts when we sat down at a table. Paul started explaining to me what I needed to do.

"So, you just sit there, you sign the papers that are given to you, you can take pictures, give hugs when asked, answer questions. But don't give your cellphone number."

                I gave Paul a 'duuuh' look. Paul smiled.

"Just to be sure you know." Paul teased me. "Oh, and you two lovebirds..." He warned looking at Harry and I, and our hands linked together. "You better act like friends if you don't want to get asked some questions..."

                I rolled my eyes and dropped Harry's hand, making him pout.

"Thanks a lot, Paul!" Harry said sarcastically.
"You're lucky Simon is even letting you date her." Paul replied.

                Harry winced, probably remembering when we announced our relationship to Simon. I think he lectured Harry for a good twenty minutes before asking me if I was sure that I wanted to be associated with Harry in that way. I thought it was quite funny, but my boyfriend didn't like one bit of it.

                This morning, I only wanted to wear sweat pants to the Meet and Greet, but of course, Louise didn't let me. She said (scold) to wear something nice. I put a black tank top with a transparent white jersey with pink flowers and a blue green skirt. Louise also forced me to wear some high heels, saying that it'd be better if I wasn't 5 inches under everybody. So I was wearing beige high heels. 

                When I passed in front of Harry and Niall this morning, I heard Niall whisper.

"Wow, she's fit . "

                Then Harry slapped him behind his head. I felt super self-conscious of my bare legs and my transparent shirt. 

"Ow, Harry what was that for?"
"She's my girlfriend, bloody idiot." He scowled at Niall.
"Yeah, so what? She's still fit!" Niall defended himself.
"Yeah, I know she's fit! But you don't have to say it out loud." Harry sighed dramatically making me giggle.

                Niall stared at him with a big 'What the actual fuck' look. Harry nudged him.

"You don't have to think about it either!"
Niall shook his head and talked to me. "He's mental, Haze... A guy will come next to you and he'll flip a switch."
I shrugged. "Then, let's make sure it doesn't happen."

                We chatted for ten minutes before the meet and greet started. The bodyguards let a few girls at the time come in. I sat back in my chair, knowing that nobody will come to my place to get their things signed. I mean, come on. You go to a One Direction Meet and Greet, you wait for hours in lines to meet the boys. The first thing you do is certainly not to go see their lame Opening Act. 

                I was right. Girls practically ignored me, just jumping and screaming when they saw the boys. I was at the left end of the table, Harry was at my right, then Niall, Louis, Liam and Zayn. After five minutes, a young girl came to me and asked me if I could sign her arm. It already had Niall's signature it. 

I chuckled lightly. "I see you already went to see my best buddy Niall!"
The girl blushed. "Yeah..."
"Hey, I thought I was your best buddy!" Harry called fro his seat.
"Nope, sorry!" I replied, shooting him a playful look while Niall cracked up.
"I'll get back at you, Haze..." Harry retorted, making me stick my tongue out at him.
"You guys are so cute." The fan said.
"Where do you want me to sign?" I asked sweetly.
"Well there..."

                I signed on her arm with a red pen and she gasped when she saw it.

"Oh my God, I love your writing !"
"Well, thank you very much..." I giggled. "What's your name?"
"Mia."
"Nice to meet you, Mia."
"If you don't mind, could I have a picture with you?"

                I agreed and smile as she snapped the picture.

"Thank you so much Hazel!"
"My pleasure... Have a great day, Mia!"


                After Mia, few other girls came asking me a picture and a signature on a paper. One of them, told me she loved what I was wearing. Not just now, but just the way I dress normally. Then, later on, I met a girl, named Jessica, who was really nice, and I chatted with her for a few minutes.

"Hazel, you're a really good singer. I wish I could sing like that." Jessica told me.
I chuckled. "Thank you."
"You're so lucky you get to travel with these boys!" Jessica said while sending a look at the boys.
"Yes, I am."
"At first, when I heard that the new Opening Act was a girl, I automatically thought 'whore'! I saw the article that went out on the 17th, the day after your first show, and I was incredibly jealous to see that you were so pretty." Jessica continued. "I really hated you."
I giggled, unsure to how react. "Hum, okay?"
Jessica chuckled. "Uh, sorry, that sounded really rude. I was really jealous, and I went on YouTube to hear you sing. I was amazed. You really do have a beautiful voice. I was amazed and even more jealous. You know how many girls get to be so pretty, sing that well, and travel with One Direction on their Tour?"
"Uh, no?"
"One." Jessica said. "I was completely jealous of you, and then I watched even more videos of you, and I could only think of how sweet and kind you looked. And then, I saw the interview and... I'm not jealous anymore. Well, a bit, but I'm more in admiration in front of you."

                I really was touched by her words, even though they were formulated quite awkwardly.

"Thank you, Jessica. Your words mean a lot."
"You said in your interview you didn't believe that you had fans. But you do. I am your fan." Jessica said shyly. "Could I have a hug?"
 I chuckled. "Of course."

                I stood up and gave her a hug.

"Oh my God, the boys weren't kidding when they said you were small!" Jessica exclaimed.
"Yep. And I'm wearing high heels." I joked.
"I'm just really curious... Can I ask a few questions?" 
I nodded while sitting down. "Sure."
"Okay... Hum, what is your fandom name?"
I laughed. "No idea!"
"IT'S THE NUTS!" I heard Harry yell from his seat.
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Yeah, that's what he said. Because my name is Hazel, so it's like Hazelnuts, and he said my voice drove people nuts. Which is illogical since I wasn't named by the nut, I was named by the color."
Jessica laughed. "Okay, hum... When do you think you'll release a single?"
"I don't know, but I think maybe somewhere in the break of the Tour... We have a huge break from July 1st to November 30th, so I guess I'll have time to work on that. But Simon didn't sign me yet."
"Oh, okay." 

                Jessica seemed to hesitate.

"What is that question you feel really uneasy about?" I asked.
Jessica chuckled. "Well, I was wondering if there's anything going on between you and the boys... Like, romantic things."
I swallowed and shot a look at the boys on my right. My gaze stopped on Harry and I replied a very weak "No."

                Jessica smiled widely.

"You hesitated, so there is something. But which one is it?"

                I smiled at her without answering, knowing that I couldn't lie really well.

Jessica sighed. "It's okay if you don't want to say it... I expected it anyways. But..." Jessica leaned towards me to whisper. "I really hope it's Harry. I've seen pictures of you two together and I really think you guys are adorable."
I shrugged, trying to fight the huge grin that was creeping on my lips. "No, nothing on the romantic side."

                I chatted for a few other minutes with her until other girls came to me for a signature and a picture. I was actually really surprised to see that they didn't completely hate me. Well except...

                There was this really mean girl who talked harshly to Niall.

"What are you even doing in the band? You suck at singing!" The girl snapped at him, making the anger rise in my throat.

                Niall looked really hurt by all the things she was saying. I wasn't a violent person, but that girl made me want to punch her. After hearing her say other harsh things, I stood up and from my small five feet, told her to shut up.

"I didn't know kids were allowed here." The bitch snapped back.
"I didn't know they let animal pass." I immediately replied. "Now if you could please get out of here and go impose your presence somewhere else, I think we'd all be grateful."
"Did you just call me a bitch?"
"No, you did that yourself. You assumed I was calling you that, when I just said animal. It could have been anything really. But I think bitch does suit your personality."

                I was never a girl to talk back to bullies, but then again I never had a friend I needed to stand up for.

"Why are you even here, seriously?" I asked her. "This meet and Greet is for Directioners who wants to meet their idols, not for girls who think it's okay to go talk to somebody and just start insulting them. Niall is a really nice boy, and he certainly doesn't deserve what you just said."
"What do you know about Directioners? You're just an attention whore, a slut. With who did you sleep to get here? Did you 'Fucked your way up to the top?' I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, a girl ugly like you and that sings like a duck must be pretty good in bed to arrive where you are now." The girl said.
"What's your name?" I asked out of nowhere.
"Malika." She said, eyeing me scornfully.
"Well, Malika, I suggest you leave right now before things get ugly." I said, keeping my voice low.
Malika scoffed. "And why should I leave?"
"Because," I started, my voice calm and cool. "If you haven't notice it yet, people are recording this scene. So you can either way pick up your sorry arse and leave with a minimum of dignity, or I ask our nice bodyguard Paul to pick it up for you and make you leave. If you have self-respect, you will leave now."
Malika looked furious, but she knew I was right. "You're just another pretentious bitch! You're an ugly whore, a tramp! Don't wonder why everybody hates you!" She spat out at me before turning around and leaving.

                I sighed and rolled my eyes. I turned around and saw Niall, who looked really sad. I went next to him and gave him a huge bear hug.

"Thanks, Haze, but you didn't have to do that..." he said in my ear.
I frowned. "Of course I did, Nialler. I wasn't going to let that... stinker insult you without doing anything."
"You shouldn't have done it, Haze. You might get in trouble with Simon for insulting a fan."
"Niall, if she treated you that way, she is certainly not a fan."

                He looked at me, his blue eyes big and sad. I kissed his cheek.

"You alright?" I asked.
"You got way more insulted than I did..."
"Yeah, but difference is, I'm used to it." I answered, before biting my lip.

                I wasn't suppose to say that. I haven't told the boys about the bullying at my school yet. I didn't want them to know. Images of Samantha and Aaron flooded in my mind, making me shiver. I never want to remember anything about those two.

"Haze, what do you mean by, you're used to it?" Niall asked, suspicion in his eyes.
"Nothing, Nialler, just drop it, okay?"

                Niall looked at me deep in the eyes before nodded, clearly unconvinced. I gave him a last hug before returning at me place. There was an awkward silence before Louis broke it with a huge grin.

"Who knew our little sweet and innocent Hazel could be so sassy and snappy?"

                Everybody laughed and the Directioners restarted talking with the boys. I smiled again, but I couldn't help but think of the period where I was bullied. The harsh words, the hurt, physical and emotional. It's really hard to take.

                I think that's why I stood up for Niall, unlike when I was getting bullied and never stood up for myself. I knew what kind of pain it is when somebody puts you down. I felt it so many times and for so long that I got used to it. Nobody should have to suffer for so long you just get used to it. It's disgusting. And I felt it, and I don't wish it to anybody.

                Especially not my boys.


*Niall Horan*

                What did she mean by 'I'm used to it'? How can you be use to hearing harsh words? Except if you're being bullied, but... Hazel wasn't bullied, was she?

                I shot a look at her from my seat. She was still smiling to the fans, but it seemed more forced that it was minutes ago. Her facial expression seemed a bit haunted.

                I thought we knew Hazel, but now I realize that if we know what she likes and dislikes, and her hobbies, we don't know anything about her past. I knew there was a reason for that, and now I was a step closer to the truth. I guess I'll just have to be straight forward to her and just ask her after the Meet and Greet...

 MEDIA PICTURE: NIALL HORAN AS NIALL

A/N: Please vote, I'd really appreciate <3