Lights, Camera, Action [N.H]

03

the chapters will get longer as they go on, please bear with me as they are a bit short and quick just to get everyone familar with the characters and atmosphere!

Claire and I ended our night by promptly passing out on her couch after she insisted I stay, while we watched The Office. We laughed at each possible moment, every sip of wine made each joke all the much funnier than usual, but unfortunately, as my phone alarm went off, it was anything but funny. I began my morning rush back to my room to get ready for yet another day of pretending I belonged in this position. I told Claire I would see her soon, as she thanked me for staying over in her room and laughed at how she insisted it was far too late to go to my own, even though I was only 3 doors down from her.

I got ready, adorning another one of my office outfits made cute. A pleated denim skirt with a knitted long-sleeved cardigan over top. I wore some cute heart-patterned tights, as I tried to often do to brighten other people's day. I threw on some chunky block heels, basically brand new just for this very trip, and adorned my equipment again, knocking on Claire's door. She opened, still not ready to leave, and asked if I could make her a coffee while she tidied up. I did as she asked, making myself one also, and we took our to-go cups down the elevator and once again hopped into the car out the front of the apartment building and began our disgustingly long drive into New York City traffic once more.

Arriving at a different building this time, once again in shambles at the thought of being in Niall's presence, we entered a large room with a stage, and enough equipment to launch a spaceship to Mars. Lights, microphones, speakers, everything you could imagine. Several people dotted the room, mostly what looked to be stage directors, band members, etc. I gazed around the large space, my mouth fighting to drop open at the sheer size and greatness of it all, and suddenly I was feeling very overdressed. I was grateful I brought my equipment, though, as it seemed my ideas of shooting practice sessions and rehearsals seemed to have been a hit, and the exact reason I was present at what seemed to be one of the very first rehearsals for his upcoming press shows. He only had a few, as far as I knew, dotted into the calendar, the first being 3 weeks away. It was for a morning radio show, where they often did video segments of live performances, but with small audiences for a more authentic, homely vibe it seemed. The lighting crew seemed to be working to achieve that warm intimate scene, as Niall approached Claire as she began to put her game face on, bossing people around. She began to boss people around at what seemed like the crack of dawn, as soon as she had her pyjamas off, she was answering phone calls. The moment I had left her apartment she was speaking to people on the phone, demands and orders flying from her mouth. It basically hadn't stopped the whole ride over. I couldn't blame her for not keeping me company though, it was literally her entire job to manage not only Niall but everyone else around him. She seemed to not mind me hovering though, probably due to the fact she felt a bit sorry for me, like it was my first day at school and she was the cool senior who knew everyone but for some reason wanted to show me around out of the goodness of her heart. He walked up to her, casually and relaxed,

"How are we looking today Claire?" He smiled in his beautiful accent. Every word out of his mouth sounded delicate and smooth like butter. She started to respond to him, but honestly, everything sounded fuzzy, entering one ear and exiting out the other just as quickly, not stopping to register. Once any of it registered, I adjusted myself to make sure I didn't look like a weird, eavesdropping weirdo. Claire introduced me gently to Niall, again,

"You remember Daphne? I was thinking we could get the videographer out for a bit and have her hover around a bit too, just both of them getting some BTS action." She suggested. I nodded in agreement, even though I had no idea who the videographer was. But it didn't matter, we would be likely to bump heads and meet soon anyway. Claire mumbled about having to sort something with another crew member and walked off, her heels echoing in the large, unfurnished rehearsal space. Claire walked off. Leaving me, alone. Alone with Niall. I almost crapped my pants on the spot. I decided to try my absolute hardest to not be the weird, mute photographer and just start a conversation. A normal conversation.