The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 41- Fam Time

A/N

YOU GUYS GOT THIS STORY TO #243 IN FANFICTION! You have no idea what that means to me! 

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After a few more hours of practicing, the boys finally start to get ready to leave. I'm sitting on the edge of the stage, kicking my feet back and forth while they pack up their instruments when my stomach starts to growl. I sigh and look wistfully at the door Adam came through just a few minutes ago to tell us the food is all set up. Apparently, since rehearsals went long, they had dinner catered in. I glance back over my shoulder at the boys, but they still seem to have a lot to pack up.

Sighing, I put my chin in my hand and stare at the empty arena. It's crazy to think that in just a few weeks, the boys will be back here playing to a sold out crowd.

Just as I'm picturing the screaming fans, I hear a peal of laughter off to my left. I turn to find five figures approaching. Five very famous, very talented figures.

"You guys ready for some food or what?" Niall Horan says as he approaches the stage, the other four members of One Direction following close behind.

"Yeah, man, just give us a minute," Ashton answers, unscrewing a cymbal from its stand. "Actually, Adam ordered in some Angelo's and had it set up in the back room. You guys could go ahead if you're starving, and we can meet you."

Niall nods his head. "Works for me. Boys?"

He walks right past me towards the back door without even noticing my existence. I might be offended if I didn't completely understand the need for immediate food. Harry, however, stops right in front of me.

"Hey, Stephanie! You want to come with us now?" he asks, giving me a friendly smile.

I glance back and find Luke and Calum watching me. "Well..." I start, "I think I'll just come with the guys in a bit. They might need my help or something."

That's when Luke appears by my side. "You should go," he says.

I look up at him in question.

"I've been hearing your stomach growl for the past hour," he says with a smirk. "You'd really be doing us all a favor to just go now."

"Oh, whatever," I say, punching him in the leg before standing to my feet.

As soon as I'm standing, he grabs my arm and pulls me into his side for a hug. "Just don't have too much fun before we get there," he says, his hand dragging across my lower back as we unwind. I suppress a shiver and turn to Harry, who is watching us with a small smile on his face.

"It's decided then," he says, holding a hand out to help me down off the stage. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the guys."

It's then that I realize I will be meeting all of One Direction without the other guys there to act as buffers. How on earth am I even supposed to interact with them?!

By the time Harry and I make it into the back room where the food is set up, Niall and Liam have already filled their plates and are sitting around the two tables pushed together. Zayn and Louis are still going through the line of food, but they all glance up as we enter.

"Guys, this is the new photographer I was telling you about, Stephanie. Stephanie, meet the guys."

I smile and manage to squeak out a, "Hi."

Zayn, Louis, and Liam all greet me with hi's and hey's and even introduce themselves, which is completely unnecessary. But it's Niall just waving a breadstick at me because of his mouth full of pasta that makes me laugh. He gives me a broad, closed-lipped smile, pushing all the food into his cheeks.