The Opening Act (H.S) {Completed - Editing}

Happy Christmas

"Ava get up and answer your damn phone," Raina mumbles from beside me.

I scramble around for it, finally getting to it. The brightness of the screen blinds me for a short moment before I answer. It's Harry.

"Hello?"

"Shit, did I wake you? I forgot about the time zone. Sorry."

"It's fine," I sigh, rubbing my face tiredly. "Did you get everything that I sent you?"

"Yeah. All of the songs sound great. I sent you back an email with a few little notes though. I didn't think you'd finish recording so soon. It's only been like three or four days."

"Well I had the songs so all I had to do was go into the studio."

"What time is it there?"

"I don't know... uh, almost eight. Where are you?"

"I'm back in Holmes Chapel with my family. Except today is nearly over here, its nearly four."

"Well merry Christmas while it's still Christmas," I smile.

"Merry Christmas to you as well Ava. I'll let you get back to sleep. Sorry for waking you."

"It's okay. Thanks for listening to my songs for me."

"Of course, Ava. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah. Bye," I hang up the phone after he does. I can't fall asleep after the phone call, so I get up and walk past Raina and John. We always sleep on the floor in the room I stay in on the night before Christmas. It's kind of a tradition now I guess.

I go into my mom's room and she's laying in bed with a book in her hands. I go and lay next to her, snuggling up to her side. She puts the book aside and smiles at me.

"Merry Christmas honey. Why are you up this early? Usually the three of you are still in there at noon."

"We don't sleep that late. Harry called about my music, he completely forgot about the time zone. And merry Christmas to you too, mom."

"Ah. What did he think of the songs?"

"He said they were awesome. Mentioned something about a few notes in a reply to the email but I haven't looked at it yet."

"I'm proud of you Ava. I know you've worked really hard on your music and you put so much effort into those videos you post online. I may lecture you about being on your computer so much but I am so completely proud. I know your father is too. He was saying he showed everybody your last cover and he was beaming."

I smile and kiss her cheek. I ignore the pang of sadness in my chest and let out a sigh. "Thanks mom. So you're okay with me traveling the country with five guys for three months?"

"I've discussed with their management some rules already," she warns. "You won't be in a bus with them. I've made sure of it."

I laugh. "Come on, they're great guys. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know sweetie. But I'm still serious about the bus. And anyway, I don't know if you even want to share a bus with them. I hear it's quite the mess."

"Wait, shouldn't you be coming with me since you're my manager?"

She smiles and shakes her head. "I chose a lady from their management to manage you while you're on tour. She'll be working with me while you guys are on the road. I've done my traveling. It's your turn now. I'll come visit a few times, but I'm really not up for traveling that much anymore if that's alright. Your dad had me all over the place for so long... I don't know if it's still in me to do that."