On The Horizon || L.S.

November

Tuesday, the 1st through Wednesday, the 30th, 2022

"I don't like the ending."

"There's nothing wrong with the ending at all."

"No one ever likes endings. I have to put extra effort in to make it not suck."

Nick glares at him. "And I'm saying you already put the effort in."

Harry groans, exasperated. "I sound like a car salesman!"

"No, you would sound like a car salesman if you said it like, you know...." Nick pitches his voice down and wiggles his eyebrows. "There's something here for everyone. Join the most important team there is and save lives."

"That's how you always sound. Ugh, wait, do I sound like a douchebag?"

"You sound like Harry! You aren't saying it like that! Would you kindly shut up?" Nick tosses an empty plastic water bottle at Harry's face, which he swipes away like a disgruntled kitten.

"Should've brought Gemma," Harry sniffs derisively.

"Should have taken your mum so that I could have Gemma to myself."

"Remember our conversation about bricks? You sure could use one right about now."

Nick grins and cuffs him on the shoulder. "Mate, you've got this. Stop stressing over every detail. They're going to love you. Remember, you did the phone interview that inspired this with absolutely zero preparation. Now look at you!"

"Can only say it to myself so many times before it loses meaning," Harry sighs. "It's fine. I'll figure it out."

"It's already been figured out, but okay! Just waste away editing and re-editing forever. Your funeral."

Rolling his eyes, Harry glances at his lock screen. They're likely only a few minutes from the convention centre, and he'd be lying if he claimed he wasn't bricking it. Never in his life had he ever agreed to do something like this, and despite preparing for nearly a month to do one measly 10-minute-long presentation, the fear of embarrassment has him in a chokehold.

He had been nervous to tell the rest of the Cabin Crew about his decision to do the TEDx talk, but he was met with pure support. Earlier today, they each sent over unique messages of encouragement. Niall sent him a "Hang in there!" cat gif and seemed impressed with himself. Shawn sent a screenshot of his Halloween video call with Niall where they were both dressed as Taylor Swift from different eras - a fun one to unpack in the group chat. Liam sent a lovely five-paragraph essay about how proud he is of Harry for pushing past his anxiety and how it was inspiring him (though he never specified how). Zayn simply said, "You got this, man. Couldn't be me." In all of their own ways, the care radiated through to Harry. He's latching on to it.

Fishing in his pockets, he fiddles with the notes accompanying him. When he first pulled and read them at home, Harry knew there was something serendipitous about the contents, and he's glad he decided to bring them for the drive as a final layer of support.

"How responsible you are, always prepared"

The irony isn't lost on him. He'd tossed his note cards a week ago, his speech memorised by heart from practising. Considering the many ways he could mess things up, he would take tripping or farting over forgetting his lines. An unseemly noise or fall could be cut more easily from the final video edit than him fumbling over his words.

It is funny that Louis' mind would have been elsewhere when writing this one. Harry pictures him coughing up a lung as he writes his notes and scrambling for more medication, digging through the labelled bags within Harry's luggage. He can imagine it so vividly that it almost makes him laugh. Almost. Or does he want to cry? Unclear.