Half a heart

Chapter 86

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Paul's POV

After months on the road, it was strange to be back at the studio, but there was also something comforting about the familiar walls and equipment. The boys had just wrapped up their album tour, and we were all exhausted but buzzing with the kind of energy that only comes from completing something monumental. Now, it was time to dive into the next chapter-the new album.

The boys had been talking about this for a while. They wanted the new album to feel different, more personal. It wasn't just about the music, but about their journey, their growth, and-most importantly-the people who had been with them through it all. Charlie, of course, was a big part of that. Over the course of the tour, he had grown so much, from the kid who barely wanted to be seen to the one who stepped up on stage, playing drums and even singing.

And now, here we were. Back at the studio, and the boys had a new idea: they didn't just want Charlie to be their drummer. They wanted him to be part of the album. To sing. To have his voice on the tracks.

As I stood outside the recording booth, watching them set up, I couldn't help but smile. I'd watched Charlie grow so much in the past year. From the first day I met him, shy and anxious, to now-he had come such a long way. But I also knew this next step wasn't going to be easy for him.

The boys were in the main room, talking excitedly about song ideas, melodies, and themes. Charlie sat on the couch near the back, his weighted blanket draped over his shoulders, earbuds in. He was probably listening to the demos they'd been working on, trying to familiarize himself with the new material.

"Alright, let's get started," Liam said, clapping his hands together. His eyes landed on Charlie. "Charlie, mate, we want you in on this one."

Charlie looked up, pulling one earbud out. "You want me to play drums?"

Liam grinned. "Nope. We want you to sing."

Charlie blinked, clearly surprised. He glanced at Jacob, who was standing by the door, always close by. Jacob gave him an encouraging nod. "You've got this."

"I... I don't know," Charlie mumbled, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. "I've never recorded vocals before."

"That's what we're here for," Louis said, moving to sit next to him on the couch. "We'll help you through it. You've already sung with us on stage, and you nailed it. This is just the next step."

Harry nodded, his usual soft smile on his face. "We want you to be part of this, not just behind the drums. Your voice is part of the sound we're going for."

Zayn, who was leaning against the wall, added, "You don't have to be perfect. Just be yourself. We'll work with whatever feels right."

I could see the wheels turning in Charlie's mind. He was always hesitant to step out of his comfort zone, but he also trusted these boys with his life. They had been through so much together, and now they were asking him to take the next step, to be even more involved.

"I don't know if I can..." Charlie started, but before he could finish, Jacob stepped forward.

"Charlie," Jacob said, his voice calm and steady, "I've watched you do things you didn't think you could do. You've faced fears head-on. This is just another one of those moments. You're not alone-you've got the boys, and you've got me. You can do this."

Charlie looked at each of the boys, then back at Jacob. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the push and pull of anxiety versus trust. But after a moment, he took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"Okay," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try."

The boys erupted into cheers, and Niall jumped up, ruffling Charlie's hair. "That's our guy!"

We spent the next hour prepping the track, figuring out where Charlie's vocals would fit best. The boys had already written a song that felt perfect for him-one that was about growth, facing fears, and finding strength in the people around you. It was practically written for Charlie.

When it was finally time for him to step into the booth, I saw the nerves start to creep in again. His hands were shaking slightly, but Jacob was right there, helping him with the headphones, making sure the mic was at the right height.

"You're okay," Jacob said quietly. "Just focus on the words. You know the song. You've got this."

Charlie nodded, taking another deep breath. His eyes met mine through the glass, and I gave him a thumbs-up. I wasn't much of a singer myself, but I knew a good voice when I heard one-and Charlie had it. He just needed to believe it.

The track started, the soft piano melody filling the room. Charlie closed his eyes, swaying slightly to the rhythm. And then, when the cue came, he started to sing.

At first, his voice was shaky, barely audible. But as the song went on, something shifted. His voice grew stronger, more confident. He wasn't belting out notes like Harry or Zayn, but there was something raw and real in his tone that made the room go silent. It was like you could feel every word, every emotion behind the lyrics.

"I've been down, I've been broken
But I'm finding my way back
With every step I take, I'm stronger
No more looking back..."

The boys watched him with pride, their smiles growing wider as Charlie found his footing. By the time he hit the chorus, he was fully in it, his voice blending with the track in a way that felt like it was always meant to be there.

When the song ended, there was a beat of silence before the room exploded in applause. The boys rushed into the booth, hugging Charlie, telling him how amazing he sounded. Even Charlie couldn't hide the small smile on his face.

"That was incredible," Liam said, clapping Charlie on the back. "We told you, didn't we?"

Charlie shrugged, still a bit shy, but I could see the pride in his eyes. He had done it.

As I stood there, watching them celebrate, I realized something. This album wasn't just about the music. It was about growth, about pushing boundaries, about family. Charlie wasn't just a drummer anymore. He was part of this band-fully, completely, and undeniably.

And I couldn't wait to see where this journey would take them next.