lust for life {l.s.}

part 5

Harry finds his thoughts stuffed to the brim with Louis for weeks to come. The other boy had been like a soothing balm on a sore he didn't know he had. Aside from Niall, he couldn't remember the last time someone else's presence had relaxed him that much.

He had come to the conclusion that Louis was a breath of fresh air and Harry was gasping for it in the great deep ocean where his feet could not touch the ground.

Dealing with the disappointment of the other boy not calling on him had been a curve, but Niall had assured him that the other boy was probably busy shooting for magazines and rehearsing with his band. Luckily, Harry managed to fill his void with the plethoras of lines he had to memorize. He really was excited to partake in this next movie project, he slipped on the familiar ease of studying his character and re-reading the same words like a favorite jacket.

Unfortunately, Jeff was always worse when Harry had big projects coming up. The man liked to milk his talent for all it was worth. In Jeff's mind, there could never be enough promo.

There's another industry party, hosted by Harry's friend Ed, and this time a curvy woman with ginger hair and a bright red dress is draped around his arm. An intense scent of Japanese cherry blossoms seems to follow her and it's making his noise itch terribly. She's much less bearable than Marla had been, and Harry finds himself missing the other girl.

Last week he had been in his trailer wrapping up shooting for the day, when Jeff had stormed in, excitedly droning on and on about Harry's newest PR stunt. Apparently, their team had found that there was a certain popularity and level of intrigue involved if Harry were to be seen with an older woman. Something about him becoming the next lothario heartthrob.

Safe to say, Harry had been appalled but too bashful to stand his own ground. Instead, he had complied and then fretted about it all week, nearly chewing his fingernails right down to the root and earning disapproving glances from his stylist.

"Oh my goodness, is that Liam Payne? The model?" His date, he thinks her name is Rosemary, squeals. "I just saw him in GQ, he's so dreamy!"

Harry stifles a sigh, although he is relieved to see a familiar face. Niall had declined his invitation to tag along, stating he'd rather not enable Jeff's demonic practices, although after seeing Harry's sullen face, had softened and promised that he'd go bowling with Harry right after.

At first, he was conflicted. He really doesn't want to subject Liam to this social climber's whines, but he can't help but wonder if Louis is here. In the end, curiosity wins out and he pastes on what he hopes is a winning smile, as he gently takes her hand.

"C'mon, I'll introduce you," he says, trying not to roll his eyes as Rosemary squeals in childish glee.

Luckily Liam takes it all in stride, immediately assessing the situation and shooting Harry a sympathetic glance. "And who might this be?" He asks kindly.

Harry barely hears Rosemary's answer as he discreetly tries to scan the crowd for the face that has resided in his own mind for the past few weeks. Sadly, his efforts prove futile and he desperately searches for an excuse to leave Rosemary's side, finally telling her that he's going to fetch them more drinks.

He locates the bar fairly easily, requesting a Jack and Coke and letting the cool burn of it slide down his awaiting throat. From his side, he hears a chuckle, and he hastily downs the rest of his drink before he decides to see who the culprit is. When he does, he feels his eyes widen tenfold.

"Nick Grimshaw?" He stutters out, immediately cursing himself for his social ineptness. Nick Grimshaw was extremely well-known, especially in Hollywood. He was the host of one of the most popular radio shows and his father was an executive and board member at the talent agency Harry was signed at. When Harry had first moved to Hollywood, he had always caught glimpses of Nick and his glamorous friends in the local paper. He had always been a bit jealous and in awe, wanting nothing more than to seem as untouchable as Nick's posse. He had never actually met the man in person, and he willed himself not to display his starstruckness.