Behind The Camera

Chapter Eleven

Later that afternoon we were sat in a park with the sun streaming down. We'd spent most of the day mulling about at JJ and Simon's flat nursing off our hangovers but it felt good to finally be out in the sunshine.

The boys had brought a football and were kicking it about between them. I was pretty relaxed and had stretched out on the picnic blanket, about ready to have a nap.

Harry came and sat next to me, having a drink of water and stretching his legs out in front of him.

Lexi had gone home once the boys had started kicking a ball about so it was nice to not have to worry about her watching over us while we talked.

"How's your head doing?" He asked as he lay down next to me.

"It's pretty good now, hey I never really got the chance to thank you for looking after me last night. So thanks." I said and he smiled.

"It's nothing." He brushed it off and turned his head to face me.

"You coming out with us tonight? You don't have work or anything?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No work for me again until Monday." I replied, knowing that he wasn't working the weekend either after already checking the roster.

"So is that a yes to coming out tonight?" He asked and I waited a moment to reply.

"Yeah I think I will." I said and I saw a small smile form on his lips.

"Cool, cool. Did you want me to come and get you from yours again?" He asked and I hesitated before telling him that Simon had already offered.

"Right. Well I guess I'll see you later tonight then." He said and with that he was off and back to kicking a ball around.

I fought the urge to tell him that the last time he'd been at my flat I'd wanted to pull him inside with me and instead checked the time on my phone. It was about time to go home and start getting ready.

Knowing that I'd be spending the night with models as well as the Sidemen definitely made me want to look as good as possible and I needed as much time as I could get.

I said my goodbyes and went home, trying to plan out an outfit on the way.

****

After a few hours of stressing over everything I tried on and styling my hair into perfect wavy curls I was ready.

I grabbed a purse and checked how I looked one last time before walking towards the kitchen for a drink.

They had all said that they go hard on a Saturday night so I figured it was a safer bet to go with a fancier dress than normal.

It was rose gold with sequins and it clung to my body in a way that I adored. I wasn't usually somebody to dress up like this and I was very happy with the outcome.

Simon messaged me and told me that he was almost here so I made my drink into a shot instead and quickly downed it, deciding to pour another when I realised how nervous I was.

I heard a knock at the door and opened it to see Simon dressed in a white t-shirt, black bomber jacket and dark blue jeans.

"Holy shit Hailey you look amazing!" He said looking me up and down and I thanked him before telling him he also looked great.

We walked towards a waiting taxi and hopped in, Simon holding the door open for me before climbing in next to me.

We small talked a bit about the night before pulling up outside a club I'd never been to before. Even though it was only 9pm there was a huge line outside but that didn't seem to bother Simon as he helped me out of the cab and walked to the front of the line.

The bouncers instantly let us in and I felt like a superstar as I followed Simon into the club.

I spotted Harry almost instantly across the club even though he was wearing all black.
He had on a slightly tight fitting black t-shirt with black jeans and white shoes.

Simon led me to the bar and a few of the guys spotted us and walked over while Simon ordered us some drinks.

"Damn Hailey! You look stunning!" Ethan said as he approached us with Harry trailing along behind him.

I thanked Ethan and tried not to focus all of my attention on Harry, which was easier said than done when he looked as good as he did.

Ethan came and stood between me and Simon and tried to get the bartender's attention so he could order us all some shots which left Harry next to me.

He leaned over so his breath was tickling against my ear as he attempted to whisper to me. Unfortunately for Harry he didn't realise how drunk he was so he was pretty loud when he talked.

"You do look fucking stunning by the way." He said and held onto my waist briefly to keep himself steady as he was drunkenly swaying about.

I tried not to swoon from the comment and let myself enjoy the feel of his hand on my waist as he pulled his head back and gave me a dimpled grin.

I turned around to face Ethan and Simon again and Harry's hand stayed on my waist, slightly hidden from view by my body leaning against the bar.

Ethan had finally managed to secure some shots so we all downed one each and stayed at the bar for a while, chatting and drinking.

Everything was great until Lexi started to walk towards us. I looked at her perfect hair and dark red beaded dress that just barely covered up her body and suddenly my outfit seemed cheap in comparison.

She came right up to Harry and cuddled up next to him, his arm finally straying from my waist, there was no way she couldn't have noticed but she didn't say anything.

"I've got the stuff... shall we?" I heard her ask Harry and he looked over at Ethan with a pointed look on his face.

"Well lads, see you in a few." Ethan said as he followed Harry and Lexi towards the bathroom.

It took me much longer than I'd care to admit to figure out what they were doing in there.

When they emerged they all headed straight to the dance floor and I had to watch as Lexi basically danced on top of Harry, grinding her body up against his.

I didn't want to look any longer so I finished my drink and ordered another one, letting myself get closer to Simon.

I don't know what I was thinking last night. The possibility that Harry could ever be interested in me when a girl like that exists is laughable.

Instead of letting myself dwell on it for the rest of the night I decided to get so drunk that I wouldn't even think about it, which is definitely one of my more questionable decisions.

Simon pulled me with him to the dancefloor and all I could focus on was his big smile and kind eyes, which were looking right back at me.

We danced and laughed and danced some more until he spun me around into his arms and didn't let go. I looked up at him and felt his hands rest lower on my back than ever before, making my stomach do somersaults.

He looked so good and he was actually interested in me, so when he brought his lips down to meet mine in the middle of the dancefloor, I didn't pull away.

Instead I kissed him back and enjoyed the taste of liquor on his soft lips, the way his hands clung to the thin fabric of my dress and the carefree feeling that came with it all.

Nobody to compete with, no questions asked, just Simon and I under the bright lights. And it felt really good.

So good that I didn't care if anyone saw, not even the tall blonde boy dressed in all black who had spotted us from across the room and walked out of the club.

But I hadn't noticed. I was too invested in Simon and how his hand brushed against my cheek as he kissed me hard and made me forget about all of the drama from the last 24 hours.

Simon, who made it clear that he wanted me... And right now, I wanted him just the same.