Soundtrack Series

Midnight Memories - Diana

Harry: Since when had getting out of the apartment been such a struggle? You hadn’t found yourself wanting to leave the comfort of your bedroom for days, and that was a problem. Today you were fixing that. You have no idea what you are going to do, but you know you have to get out. There is nothing healthy about lying in the bed, with a bag of salt and vinegar chips on a nightstand and an Oreo mint milkshake on the other, gorging everything down while you watch endless hours of television. That may be some people, but that isn’t you, at least not for four days straight. You stand in front of the mirror; you hadn’t even been over to this side of your room since before Harry had started acting like an asshole. Harry. He was the last person you needed to be thinking about right now. He’s the one that put you in this mess in the first place, a mess you were drowning in, with nothing or no one to save you. Maybe it was a little harsh to blame him for all of it right out of the gate, but it wasn’t like he was around to defend himself. You hadn’t seen your reflection in a while. How was that even possible? You stare at yourself. There’s something different. It’s the exhaustion. You look in desperate need of a nap. But you needed to get out; a nap can happen later. You grab your wallet and keys and quickly get out of the apartment before your mind changes about leaving. You had almost forgotten how amazing the Los Angeles sun felt. You close your eyes as soon as you get out into the fresh air and take a deep breath in. It wasn’t the cleanest air, but you hadn’t taken it in in days. You decide on the coffee shop down the block to be your first destination. Breakfast was a must if you were going to make it through this day. The bell hanging over the threshold jingles as you open the door. You feel lots of eyes immediately on you once you step in. It was no secret around here who you were. Everyone knew you and who you were associated with. “Yeah, I’ve been in town for a few days, still no place to stay. So if you know someone looking for a roommate, let me know.” Oh great, you had gotten behind the girl who likes to do more than order food at the counter. Might as well get comfy. Wait, she’s looking for a roommate. You have an extra bedroom. But do you even want a roommate? You don’t even know her. You were thinking a few days ago about how you needed someone new in your life. Could it be a roommate? You slowly reach your hand out as you try to think of a reason to not tap her on the shoulder. She turns around to look at you after you have gotten her attention. “You’re looking for a place to live?” You inquire, hoping she wouldn’t mind you eavesdropping on her conversation. “Yeah, do you know a place?” She questions excitedly. “I have an extra bedroom and bathroom in my place,” you reveal and her eyes light up. “You can pick a table and I will get my order in and we can talk,” you suggest and she nods enthusiastically, taking her breakfast from the counter. “That was very nice of you, she’s been in here every day for the last few days asking if I know anywhere she can stay, sweet girl,” the lady behind the counter explains. You smile and put your order in, sitting down at the table the girl had chosen a few minutes later. “My name is Sydney, but most everyone calls me Syd,” she greets once you sit down. “I’m (Y/N),” you return, even though you are sure she already knows. “So tell me about yourself,” she insists as she takes a bite of the muffin she had gotten. You weren’t sure you had ever had anyone ask you to tell them about yourself, most everyone thought they already knew. Is it possible she doesn’t actually know? If that’s the case, you aren’t going to let her in on any of the drama. This is a fresh start. Sydney is going to be the one to save you.

Liam: You had been on the covers of magazines before. You remember the first time seeing yourself on one. You were with Liam, of course. It was your first time on tour with him, the Up All Night tour, and everyone thought you were dating. He ate up that assumption, he loved it. You had only laughed it off though; in the days that followed everyone eventually discovered who you were. You had never graced the cover by yourself. Why would you? You certainly weren’t important enough to people to do that. This time was no different. You sit in the living room looking over the three magazines on the coffee table with your face on them. Alongside you in the photos is Mark. It’s safe to say he had never been on the cover of anything. “Here’s another one,” he says, walking into the living room, tossing yet another magazine on the coffee table. All you were doing was shopping in these pictures, what was so special about that? “The guys at work are getting a kick out of it,” he says, leaning over and kissing you before collapsing into your lap. “Long day?” You ask as he turns around to rest his head on your legs and you lean back into the couch. “Yes,” he simply says, his eyes closing slowly as you comb through his hair with your fingers. The two of you sit in silence for a while; it was the peaceful kind, the kind you can enjoy. “When was the last time you talked to him?” Mark asks, bringing his hands to cover his eyes before running them down his face. He looks up at you for an answer. “Who?” He stares at you as if to say “try again”. You shake your head slowly, “I don’t know, a couple of weeks?” “Why so long?” “Why does it matter?” You weren’t sure why he was asking about Liam in the first place. It wasn’t like they were friends. “It matters because he is your friend, one of your best friends, and you haven’t talked to him when I know he’s been trying to get ahold of you.” “How do you know that?” “Your phone rings constantly. You don’t think I don’t notice you looking at it during dinner only to turn it over and ignore him. Babe, he’s trying to say he’s sorry, and you aren’t letting him.” You aren’t sure where any of this was coming from. This is Mark saying this. Why is he sticking up for Liam? Does he not remember all of the hell he caused your relationship? “I’m only trying to help,” he continues, once he realizes you were battling your thoughts. You look down at him once you notice his sincerity. He was genuinely trying to help. “The last thing I want is for you to lose a friend like him. He’s a good guy, and he’s proven that many more times than he has proven to be a bad one.” How can he possibly be this understanding? You weren’t even this understanding. You had been ignoring everything Liam had sent your way, just to continue staying mad at him. “You need to give him another chance.” You shake your head, you can’t do that. The Liam you used to know is gone. The one you last talked to on the phone, the one asking to get back to the way things were, was only a cover. You couldn’t possibly give that person a chance. “Can you do it for me?” Mark asks, you weren’t saying much and he was trying his best to get any sort of answer out of you. You stare down at him. The half-smile you loved so much was present and you can’t help but smile slightly, nodding in agreement and leaning down to kiss him.