Styles on Tour

"Mystery Brunette"

Em's POV:

I awoke to a dark room, indicating that it was night. I couldn't feel the bus moving and I remembered what Harry had said about stopping over night so the driver could get some rest too. I peeped out of my curtain and saw the three beds opposite all had their curtains pulled closed. I hung my head down and saw that the two beds below me were the same, indicating that the boys were all asleep too. I stretched and tried to get back to sleep but to no avail. Sighing, I decided to get some fresh air while we had stopped. I quietly climbed down from my bunk, tiptoeing across the floor. I spotted my guitar in the corner and bit my lip. This was a perfect time to play, the boys all asleep and not bothering me. And I could take it outside so that I wouldn't wake them. I picked up the case and put it on my shoulder before heading out into the living space. I slipped on my trainers before pulling the door open. A cold breeze rushed over me, making goosebumps appear on my skin. I looked around and saw someone's hoodie thrown over the sofa. I shrugged and set my guitar down, throwing the hoodie on to keep me warm. With that, I picked my guitar up and stepped out into the night, pulling the door ajar behind me so that I wasn't locked out. I looked around and saw that we were literally on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, a couple of street lights providing a slight glow. Great. I walked around to the back of the bus, hoping to find somewhere to sit but it was just desert land for miles. It was then that I noticed a ladder going up the side of the bus. I frowned and pulled on it, finding that it was stable. I pulled my guitar case onto my shoulder more firmly and grasped the rungs of the ladder as I climbed. I got to the top and pulled myself over onto the roof of the bus. I stood up and found a box shaped thing, like a vent or something, sticking up that I could sit against. I got comfy letting one leg fall over the side as I looked out at the view. Even in the darkness it was pretty. In the far distance I could see the lights of the nearest town and if I sat really still I could hear the noises of the nocturnal creatures. I shivered as the breeze picked up slightly and I pulled the sleeves of the hoodie down around my hands. I was glad that I had chosen to sleep in joggers and not shorts. I pulled my guitar from the case and started plucking at the strings, the strumming sounding out into the darkness. I played through a few songs I loved, even pulling out some ones I'd written myself years ago. I chuckled to myself at how lame they were but in that moment I didn't care. It was freeing sitting up here and playing with no one around to judge me. I felt more like my old self than I had in the past two years. When I ran out of songs to play, I found my fingers automatically playing the opening chords of Best Song Ever and before I knew it I was quietly singing along and playing the version I wrote. Maybe I should work on another one, I know Harry would like that. He loves hearing acoustic versions of songs, even more so if they're his. I strummed the final chords of the song and chuckled to myself.

"Not bad," I heard a voice behind me. I jumped out of my skin, turning my head to see who had spoken. Niall stood there with his hands in his pockets and a small smile on his face. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya," he smiled sheepishly. I could feel my cheeks on fire at the thought that he'd been standing there listening.

"What are you doing up here?" I demanded angrily.

"I couldn't sleep so I went to get a drink. Saw the door was open slightly and panicked thinking it had been left open all night. I went over to close it and then I heard the guitar. Came out to see where it was coming from and followed the sound up here," he shrugged. "You're good."

"Yeah well you weren't supposed to even hear it," I said, crossing my arms and frowning. "How long have you been standing there like a creep?" I asked.

"Not long," Niall said, putting his hands up in defence. "I only heard the last half of Best Song Ever." I nodded slowly. At least he hadn't heard my songs, I'd actually die of embarrassment then.