A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 30

This was it.  We screwed up this entire tour.  I knew this would happen.  Adeline is a freaking bad luck charm.  After I paid the cabbie, we all bolted up the steps to Simon Cowell's office where we were supposed to be meeting One Direction and management as of an hour ago.  When I pushed through the door, I walked nonchalantly up to the front desk to see a woman typing away furiously on her keyboard and chatting with someone on her earpiece.  I leaned up against the counter, Cal standing next to me and the boys and Adeline standing behind.  The woman looked up at me expectantly, still chatting on her phone.  

"We're 5 Seconds of Summer," I whispered to her, trying hard not to interrupt her call.  She nodded and pointed down a hallway to the left.  "Thanks!" I replied, speed walking down the hallway to get to Simon's office.  Once I found the door, I turned to the boys and Adeline behind me.  "Okay, so we need to shut up for like ten minutes at least.  Okay?" I told them, whisper-shouting.  They nodded their heads.  I turned around and knocked lightly on the door.  I heard some shouting and shuffling of feet before the door swung open quickly to reveal Liam Payne.

"Hi there!" he cheered.  My eyes widened in surprise.  Before I could say anything, he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.  The boys and Adeline followed behind, equally confused.  He sat me down in a chair in front of Simon's desk, which did in fact have Simon Cowell sitting at it.  The boys of One Direction were gathered around the desk as were a few other people that I guessed were the managers.

"You are very late," Simon said while the others were shuffling in.  

"I'm so sorry about that.  We went to some park, and, of course, Luke was the official timekeeper and lost track of the time," I told Simon.

"What?  That wasn't my fault!" Luke cried.

"You had one job!" Cal played along.  I tried really hard not to smile, so I pursed my lips together as my shoulders shook.

"Well, now that you're here, let me introduce you to One Direction," Simon said, pointing over to the boys.  I stood, wanting to make a better impression than I had already made.  The few of us mingled together a little, trying to get to know the others.  I ended up shaking hands with Harry Styles.

"Hi, I'm Jordan Connelly," I introduced, shaking his hand.  He gave me a look before speaking.

"I'm Harry Styles.  You have very beautiful eyes," he replied.  I chuckled, not truly believing him.  When he didn't crack a smile, I narrowed my eyes.

"Aren't you a cheeky bastard?" I said.  His eyes widened in disbelief.  "I like you!" I added with a laugh, and his face was full of relief.  We laughed a little before I introduced myself to the others.

"I'm Niall Horan," I heard an Irish accent say from behind me.  I spun on my heels to come face to face with the young Irish lad, whose hand was extended for a handshake.

"I'm Jordan Connelly," I replied, shaking his hand.

"It is nice to meet you.  You have lovely hair," he told me.  I rolled my eyes.

"Is it because it is red, and it goes along with your Irish culture?  Or is it more common in Scotland?" I replied.  He shook his head.

"I have no idea.  But your hair is actually super cool," he answered with a chuckle.  I flipped it dramatically off my shoulder.  

"I know.  Being a ginger is awesome," I said, not even one little bit of sarcasm.

"Well, I will be seeing more of you later," he chuckled.  

"Hey, don't go getting your hopes up on seeing me naked, Mr. Horan," I reminded him.  He laughed and went off to meet the boys.  I was quickly introduced to Zayn and Louis, and then reintroduced to Liam.  After mingling was finished, I went back and sat down in front of Simon's desk.  

"Alright, so you've met each other," he said.  I raised my hand a little bit off the arm of the chair.  "What?" he asked, slightly irritated.

"I was just wondering how the whole 'us-not-going-on-tour-yet' thing will work?  Also, you aren't their manager, right?" I asked, getting all of the questions out of my head.  

"No, I'm not their manager.  But this is Paul Higgins, the tour manager and security specialist.  And this is Caroline Watson, the stylist.  Of course, there are other personnel, but you will meet them later," Simon told us, gesturing to the very tall man standing in the corner as well as the woman standing next to him with lightly curly hair and dark skin.  She was very beautiful.  "Now, about your delay on tour.  You will be working on your EP," he told us.  I raised my eyebrows.  

"Our EP?" I asked, extremely confused.  

"Yes.  The EP.  You've known about this since we asked you to come on tour," Simon clarified.  I spun around to face the boys.  They all looked away from me.

"An EP?  A freaking EP?  You didn't think to mention that?" I cried.  The boys all looked at Luke.  I narrowed my eyes at him, irritated yet again.

"I'm sorry.  I was supposed to tell you when I was supposed to tell you about tour," he gushed.  "How mad are you?"

"Compared to all the other shit you've done?  This is a six.  I'm pissed that you didn't tell me about the possibility of the EP-" I began.

"There's no possibility.  There will be an EP," Simon clarified.  I turned and gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"Okay then.  I'm pissed that you didn't tell me about the EP, but I am quite happy about the whole thing.  So I'll let this one slide," I told him.  

"No need to bring the soggy lampshade into this," Ash added.  I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Alright, so we'll be working on the EP just until these five come back from their European tour," I said to Simon.  He nodded.  "Okay then, what are we waiting for?"