Sign Of The Times (1D fanfiction)

Chapter 3 : The Party

One evening while I was watching my favourite TV show, a letter came to my apartment. I opened it and saw that it was an invitation letter by One Direction. I was surprised but I read it. It said that the boys won 4.8 Million dollars with their debut single What Makes You Beautiful and that they threw a small friends party. I was invited as a friend. The date and time was written in the end. It freaked me out that the part would be held tomorrow in the evening at 7pm. Oh my God! I couldn't even cancel the party as I usually would. This was a band, and I had to attend it in order to maintain my uncle's goodwill as a band worker.

The next evening, I was getting ready for the party. I wore the best thing I had... A pink floral printed dress with a denim jacket on top and my favourite white sneakers. I did not like much heavy makeup, only mascara, some blush and a pink lipstick. I grabbed my cloth handbag and rushed out of my apartment. I was already very late because I was questioning my decisions in the shower for about two hours. Anyways, I reached the party spot fifteen minutes late. The party had already begun. I spotted the boys who were wearing expensive designer clothes. There were lots of other girls and boys who looked rich. Among them, I was the only girl who looked absolutely shabby and under-dressed. Everyone started giving their gifts to the boys. Each of them had expensive gifts like gaming consoles, the latest Nike shoes, and even a tv set. My little five set coffee mugs which said "The World's Best Band" was wrapped in a wrapping paper, thank god because I didn't have the guts to give it to them with everyone seeing it, that would be a total embarrassment. My daydream was cut short when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I almost jumped when I turned back and sighed from relief. It was Harry! He cast a broad smile with his white teeth showing out, "Hey Ava! How are you doing? Why standing here? Come in, don't you wanna meet my bandmates?" I replied, "Oh yeah sure." Harry took me to the hall where the boys were talking to each other and introduced me, "Hey everyone! This is Ava Higgins. Paul's niece." The boys smiled and waved a "hi". I blushed, not because I was crushing on them, but because I wanted to get out of such a huge crowd. Zayn noticed that I was sweating. He asked, "Hey, are you alright? You seem uncomfortable."
"Oh yeah, I'm fine, thanks bro."
"Bro?"
"Uh, yeah, bro, I guess? Why you have any problem with that?"
"No no, absolutely not. I quiet like it actually. My sisters call me bro. And I love it. Hahaha."
Zayn's easy and laid back manners gave me a huge relief. I thought, "This is the best of all the boys. Just like a big brother to me."

Soon, the boys went up to stage and started singing. Everyone was vibing and dancing and screaming, which made me really uncomfortable. I retired at the farthest corner of the hall and was panting. My anxiety took the best of me, and soon I felt suffocating. I was about to pass out when Niall and Harry spotted me breathing shakily in the back seat. They rushed out of the stage and helped me take a seat. Thankfully, no one noticed, if they did, that would've been the end of me. Niall brought me a glass of cool water and Harry checked my pulse. He flashed out his white teeth for the second time and said, "No you are not dying, thank God. Hahaha there is a balcony over there. You can catch up on some free air if you think you are suffocated. But do come back after a few minutes. We will cut the cake and we want every friend to be present."

I rushed out of the part spot and took shelter in the balcony. The balcony overlooked a beautiful garden with four marble fountains and lots of flower beds. I felt better after going there. But I stayed there for hardly fifteen minutes when Harry dragged me back to the hall. The boys were cutting the cake. It was a huge chocolate cake and on it was written "Welcome To The Industry". There were balloons and firecrackers and screams of boys everywhere. The boys held the knife together and cut the cake. Some people were throwing foam snow and there were coloured decorations everywhere. Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs, everyone except me and the five guys. Soon they got off the stage and they said, "Okay, it's time to rip of the wrappers from the gifts and see what's inside. Only twenty people were invited, so it won't take long." This statement ran chills down my spine. What if they open my present in front of the expensive ones? Will they make fun of me? Will it bring a bad impression on my uncle? What the-". It didn't take the boys very long to rip off the wrappers. They were opening the gifts one by one. Expensive gaming consoles, book sets, movie CDs, platinum vinyls, latest photographic camera models, all of these were common. In the end, it was my gift's turn.

Harry picked up the box and read out loud, "This one says it's by Ava Higgins. Oh, thanks Ava." By this time, I was sweating and I wished I died so that I didn't have to bear the upcoming embarrassment. Harry ripped off the wrappers and everyone gazed at the coffee mug set. I felt my ears and cheeks go hot. I wanted to punch myself in the face for attending this party. I could've made an excuse like I'm in the hospital or something. The boys gazed at the box for a few moments, then Zayn broke the awkward silence, "Hey guys look, the mug says 'The World's Best Band'. Aw this is so sweet. Thanks Ava. This is adorable. Believe me, this is so very adorable. I love it." I smiled faintly at Zayn who understood the tense situation. To calm things down, Louis said, "Okay, now its time for a meal! We have arranged a whole buffet. Go and eat everything your heart desires, friends." I didn't have the face to go and stuff myself with food after this. I went up to Zayn because I knew he would be the only one to understand me, "Hey Zayn, I need to go-" I was cut short with Harry, "No Ava. You are going nowhere without having your dinner. We can't let you go."

Hence, I headed towards the buffet lounge and took a plate. I filled a portion of it with mac n cheese and a slice of chocolate cake. A group of girls spotted me and said, "Look it's that girl who have the mug set. Eww, it's so cheap and gross. Lower class slut." And the other girls started laughing. I went hot in the cheeks and tears clogged my eyes. I turned back and stuffed my mouth with the cake. Harry saw this and he approached me, "Hey Ava, ignore them. They are insecure and they just wants to annoy you. Your gift was the best. You know why? Not because it wasn't expensive, but because it was filled with love and respect. Thank you, Ava. You are the best one we have." I smiled and said, "Okay, but now I need to leave."

After the dinner, I went up to the guys, said goodbye and left the party in a state of mess. I made myself promise that I won't ever attend any more party ever in my life, even if it costs my organs.