"18 Months," we said.

Chapter 5

-x-

"Everyone ready?" Haz spoke into my phone. On the line was Liam, Zayn, and Niall. Harry had his instagram opened on his phone and 1D's opened on his laptop. I had my account opened on my laptop, my phone being used to communicate to the boys. Sounds of affirmation came through. "Okay. Ready. Set..." Harry let out a puff of air. "Go."

And now the whole world knows.

Today's date is July 23, 2025. Exactly 15 years since we became One Direction. Nearly 10 years since we split. It was posted. To all our accounts, on all of our platforms. And 1D's official accounts too. "Now we just have to wait," I said.

"Not for long," Harry replied. "'Kay, boys, talk to you later." We hung up the call and carried on while we waited for the views to come in. There was a knock on the door. That should be Brianna, it was her turn to take Freddie. "I'll get it," Harry told me.

"Thanks, love." I stayed on the sofa while he took Freddie and his things to the door. They exchanged a couple words, then departed.

"Haz, we're trending!" I exclaimed. It had only been a few minutes. Harry hurried over with an apprehensive grin on his face. He plopped down on the couch and swooped up his phone. I watched as the comments came in.

"We did it, love," Harry sighed. He placed my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. I looked back at him, smiling. We had done it. All our hard work over the past year-and-a-half was complete. For now. Until our long awaited world tour.

-x-

"Do you want to go to the little cafe 'round the corner for tea?" I asked Harry.

"Lou, we shouldn't." I really wanted to go, but we really shouldn't for obvious reasons.

"It's a hole in the wall. No one knows about it," I pleaded. Harry paused, thinking. "C'mon. We haven't been in ages."

"Yeah, sure, let's go." I slipped on Harry's oversized jumper and he slipped one on too. We headed to the cafe.

When we arrived, there were a couple tables taken, but not any more than usual.

"Hey guys! Been a while." The waitress greeted me and Harry. She practically knew us by now. We used to come here quite often together.

"Hey Laura," Harry replied. She waved us over to an empty table.

"Two English teas, a butter croissant, and a side of sugar cubes?" She recited our usual order as we sat down; Harry across from me. Both Harry and I smiled.

"Add on a slice of lemon drizzle cake, would you dear?"

"Of course, be right out." She left for the kitchen. Harry placed his hand out on the table, signalling for me to place mine in his. I did just that. He smoothed his thumb over my hand.

"I hope everything goes okay," I said.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. Just fine." I pulled out my phone.

"Holy shit, Haz," I exclaimed.

"Hmm?"

"We're everywhere. Oh my God." I flipped my phone around to show him. His eyes went wide. He scrolled through the posts.

"You should like... like one of the posts just to mess with the fans," Harry said with a smirk on his face. I chuckled.

"Yeah, go ahead." I angled the phone so I could see the screen too. Harry liked a fan's post about the reunion. 'Promised, didn't we?' Harry commented on the post. I laughed. "They're gonna go crazy over that."

"Alright, one butter croissant and one lemon drizzle cake. I'll be back with the rest," Laura said. She placed the pastries in front of us. Seconds later she was back with our teas and sugar cubes.

"Thank you, darlin'" I said to her.

"Of course. Enjoy, lads."

"Thank you," Harry followed. We ate our pastries while slowly sipping our English Breakfast teas.

"Shit, Haz." I darted my eyes to the entrance of the cafe. Harry turned to look where I was looking. A teenage girl with wide eyes was approaching our table.

"Shit," Harry muttered. She approached us. "Hey love." The girl was hysterical, practically crying.

"You alright, darlin?" I asked, genuinely concerned. She nodded subtly while attempting to take a few deep breaths.

"I love you guys so much," She finally got out. "You saved me, thank you so much."

"Aww, sweetheart," I started. Me and Harry leaned over to give the fan a hug.

"Thank you so much," She repeated. "Okay, I'll leave you two alone." She turned to walk away.

"Take care of yourself, love," I said. She turned around and told me she would. I could see her mouthing 'Oh my god' as she walked away. "Shit," I muttered under my breath, once she was out of range.

We left the cafe after the encounter, not wanting to be spotted by any other fans, or paparazzi. We waited a couple minutes before leaving as we didn't want the fan to think we left because of her. At least the reunion was already announced. Maybe everyone would think we were meeting because of that? Or perhaps no one would believe that she actually met us at all. It was only her, no other eyewitnesses. That was a close call.