PERIPHERY | NH |

ELEVEN

Hunter

Missing work last week for one day feels like I've been put so far behind that I'll never catch up.

I'd been working nonstop to catch up on that one single day and I was almost there, just a few more things left that I needed to do in order to be on track for what Niall was recording and aiming to put out.

Walking into work in the early afternoon the clouds look menacing, like they were going to drop the thunderstorm of a lifetime on top of me at any given moment and thankfully, I'd chosen just a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater from a trip to London a couple of years ago to wear. With my hair pulled up in a messy bun it was cozy and comfortable, something relaxing.

"Hunter girl!" Walking into the studio, the first thing I hear is Zeke's voice right before he grabs my shoulders with a little shake. "Did you get your email?"

"I did and I accepted it... Unless one of you bitches makes me mad!" Pointing at everyone in the room with a smile, including Niall, I let my laughter mix with theirs.

It had officially been three months which meant that my probationary period with Niall's team was over and the contract to join permanently was sent over to me, something I accepted without hesitation.

With his team I felt free.

Not even anything related to Niall, but it felt like I had more creativity than I'd ever had before and when I had an idea Niall let me run with it and show what my ideas were — never cutting me off or down playing them like I'd dealt with so many times before.

"Welcome to the team!" Striding over to me in a pair of sweats and a light blue sweater with the words 'speak up' embroidered on the collar, Niall handed me a light pink gift bag. "Figured you could use this."

Tilting my head in confusion, I sat the bag on the table to reach in and pull out a bottle of red wine — the same one that has been in the background of many of the pictures I'd texted to Niall late in the evenings.

"Thank you.. I love it." My eyes trailed up his body to meet his eyes, the blue deep and inviting, kind of  like a swimming pool on a humid summer day. "Thanks to everyone, um, I know letting a new person in isn't easy and I really appreciate everyone being so accommodating and letting me really grow and become someone you were willing to let tell you when something sounds good and when it doesn't."

"Aww, Hunter we love you too!" Walking over, Will wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me into a big bear hug. "Even if you get pulled over almost every day on the way to work."

My face flushes, something I try to hide because I don't want anyone to know how I really feel about it.

About how many times I'd been pulled over only for the officer to make comments about my body or comments about how I looked sexy when I drove by the day before. Things that made me feel so uncomfortable but didn't know what to do about it, things that ultimately made me feel so unsafe in the end.

Everyone comes up to me to hug me, Niall trailing in last. As his arms wrap around me, I relax into his strong grip as his breath tickles the wispy baby hairs as his lips brush against my ear.

"Thank you for everything. We wouldn't be anywhere near where we are without you. You are so special, Bookworm." Pulling back he hesitates for a second before his arms fall to his side, both of us jumping an instant later from the intense booming thunder that rips through the studio. "See, even the weather gods know how good you are."

Shoving his shoulder, I roll my eyes before following everyone in getting set up — ready to finally put some finishing touches on tracks for Niall so that he could finally put out a long awaited single.