Putting on a Show (L.S)

Chapter 18

"Do you think he actually came?" I ask Paul, my head security and body guard, and he only smiles.

"I'm sure he did. Now come on, we've got to get you your equipment."

I nod, following behind him, retrieving my guitar. This time, they've made me have a microphone with a wire because apparently I'm all over the stage without one.

"Alright, you're on in 10 seconds Mr. Styles!"

I take a deep breathe, walking out onto the stage, the same cheers of the crowd filling my ears.

I immediately look up into the window of the VIP box, hoping to see Louis' silhouette, but nothing. Perhaps he's running a bit late, as it happens sometimes.

The concert goes the same as they usually tend to- I talk with fans, sing many songs, read signs, and dance around.
But I also glanced up at the VIP box window quite often, hoping maybe I would see Louis, but I never did.

The show ends, a little slower than the time usually passes. Maybe it's just the sinking feeling in my chest that something is off. That something is wrong.

I don't run off of stage like usual, instead I walk, trying my best to keep a smile on my face.

I make it backstage, seeing Paul, with a frown on his face, standing next to Simon.

"What's going on?" I ask, uncertain, as Simon never tends to simply attend my concerts. Sure he critiques and criticizes them, but never obtains himself as an audience member.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Simon smiles, "Just figured I could be a part of all the fun."

I nod, not wanting to say anything more as Paul assists me from backstage down the long hallway, leading me out to the backside of the stadium.
Simon is right behind the both of us, and I refrain from looking back at him, as I can feel the smug look on his face.

We pass by cheering fans and paparazzi yelling for me to stand still so they can get their photos. I don't stop, and Paul nor Simon says anything to have me do otherwise.

Paul opens the back door of the car for me, and I hop in, wishing him goodbyes and he does the same for me.

I grow even more confused as Simon gets in the backseats with me, but now his face is expressionless- from what I can see, as it's dark outside and the only light in the car is that from surrounding streetlights and flashes of cameras.

The driver begins heading away from the stadium when I clear my throat. "Where's Louis?"

"He couldn't make it," Simon responds, texting away on his phone.

"Did something happen to him?"

"No, he called and told me he wouldn't be able to make it on time."

"Why would he call you about it?" I ask, and Simon sighs.

"Because, Harry."

"None of this makes sense. He said he was coming. That was only a few hours ago that he said that. Why would he just not come?"

"People change their minds all the time, you'll just have to accept that."

"What did you do to him?"

He lets off some small, and of my perception, quite sinister laugh. "I didn't do anything to him."

"Obviously you did, you had to at least say something to him that made him not want to come to the show."

He sighs, "Fine. I told him he wasn't allowed to attend."

I look at him, wishing he could see the hatred in my eyes, and the way that the tears begin stinging- falling down my face slowly. "But you said-"

"Oh, Harry, I said that a bit ago. Changed my mind since then. He tried coming in and I told him no."

I purse my lips, turning my head so that I can stare out of the window and into the darkness, the awkward silence filling the car.

The drive continues on, and it lasts a bit longer, which confuses me. I should be home by now.

"Where are we going?" I ask, trying to maybe tell by squinting my eyes as I look more intensely out of the window.

"New York," Simon deadpans, and I whip my head around to stare at him, wide eyed.

"New York?"

"That's what I said, isn't it?"

"Yes it is, but I'm not supposed to leave for New York until next month. So what are we doing it for right now?"

"Because Harry, I'm your boss and I tell you what you've got to do, and now, I've said we're headed to New York."

"But Louis-"

"He can live without you, the same way you can live without him. And if you dare protest I'll make it my best mission to make sure you never hear a name alike his again."

I nod, debating whether me leaving the car will kill me or not at the speed we're going. I decide it's best I stay in the car, even though I hate the man I'm sitting next to.

"How long do I have to stay there?"

He chuckles, "Not sure. Considering your tour just ended, I'd say no more than a year."

"A year?" I ask, my jaw dropped. "You can't-"

"I can, Harry. That's the end of it."

I go silent again, staring and not saying anything more, ignoring Simon as he talks to our driver as if hasn't done a single wrong thing in his life.

My phone buzzes in my hand, a notification popping up on my phone. I don't recognize the number, so I simply turn my phone back off and rest the side of my head against the window.

I can't wait for my contract with Simon and his company to be over. I've got two more years, and I use to believe that by time it was over I'd want to keep working for him, but now I see this as a trap- as if I'm imprisoned.

And by God I can't wait to be free.

When I was 16, I went on X-Factor to compete, just for the fun of it because my mum and sister said I was a good singer, and apparently Simon loved my singing- so he proposed this deal.

I was only a kid, never realizing how messed up this path of fame and fortune is. Unfortunately, I skipped along the trail holding Simons hand like he was some king.

It's only now I wished I'd never sang a day in my life.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fans and their works, I love the shows, I love all the little things about it- It's just that it's as if I'm not even a real person.

Even being an adult, I don't get to make the decisions that impact my life.

Can't be gay, can't be happy, can't be me.
I'm not exactly who I want to be, I'm quite literally just "Harry Styles, singer and songwriter".

I'm just Simons little puppet, and I'm about to cut my own strings.
~•~

Ehem, so, yeah. I'm having a lot of fun writing in Harry's POV even though it's uhm, quite sad...

Uhm, hope you liked the chapter..

Stay safe and take care of yourselves <3