Gone for Good //HS

Chapter 3

I look out in the audience when I've finished telling my second story, trying to tune out the sudden waves of oh's and ah's. I get the urge to cover my ears and walk off stage, ripping the uncomfortable microphone off.

"That is so adorable, Harry." Jen whines, placing her hand over her heart. Her eyebrows knit together in the most unflattering way, and her lips part in a slight pout. 

I clear my throat, and smile awkwardly. Jen turns toward the camera, and straightens up. Her whiny face, thankfully, turning away from me.

"We'll be right back in a few minutes, with the best selling author of 'When She Left' by Harry Styles." She motions to me, and turns laughing. I've seen a few episodes from her daytime talk show, realizing she has this down to a T. 

When the cameraman signs to Jen that they've cut to commercials, she raises her hand. Three different women come rushing to her, one playing with her hair, and the other two fixing up her plastic-looking makeup. 

"Can I go talk to my agent for a sec?" I figure I should try to be decent, especially with the few moments she hasn't been talking. 

"Do whatever, kid." She rolls her eyes, trying not to move her lips while one of the girls is applying more colour to her lips.

I nod and stand, watching the audience closely. A small brunette catches my eye as she waves. I quicken my pace and wave back, and turn my focus back to my agent, trying not to listen to the shrills coming from the brunette. 

"Hey, why aren't you out there?" Whatever her name is points to the stage and the cluster of women. 

"I'm annoyed." I cross my arms and pop my hip to make it clear. She looks around and laughs.

"Believe me, everyone knows." She places her hand on my shoulder, trying to steady herself from her laughter. 

"It's that obvious?" I whisper.

"How could it not be? I've never seen you look grumpier." She smiles, picking off some lint from my shirt. 

She looks behind me, and pushes me back out to the stage.

"Go sit down, you'll be back on in a minute." 

I saunter back to the chair that I'm sat across from Jen. She looks me up and down, and rolls her eyes again. 

The cameraman gives Jen another sign from behind the large device. She turns back to the camera, and flattens her skirt again with her hands. 

The cameraman uses his fingers to count down from three, two, one. 

"Back from break! Harry Styles, author of 'When She Left.'' Jen turns back to me, with one of the worst fake smiles I've ever been witness to. 

"Harry, you were just telling us about how Blake accepted your advances," I didn't like her choice of words, "I'm sure all of us here in the audience, and at home would love to know what happened!" She looks out towards the audience for agreement. Of course, the audience bursts out in a mixture of claps and shouts of encouragement. 

I can literally feel myself wanting to evaporate from the room. I pick at my nails, trying to shield the growing red in my face with my shoulders. I look up and see Jen's expectant smile. 

"It was a first date I would always remember, I guess." I laugh a little at the memories dancing in my mind. 

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I walk down the street clutching my cup of hot chocolate for warmth.

"Niall?" I ask right away hearing the ringing stop.