SIX - One Direction

5

When Simon strode into the room, the small group fell silent. He looked around at each of them, his expression serious, but there was a glint in his eye—anticipation, perhaps, or maybe a bit of excitement. Alex's heart was going ten to the dozen, her mind racing with questions.

Simon paused, letting his gaze sweep over them before he spoke, his voice calm but authoritative.

"I know this hasn't been easy," he started. "You were all cut today, but that doesn't mean you lack talent. We've been keeping an eye on each of you, and we see something special."

Alex's breath caught. What was he on about?

Simon continued, "We reckon that, together, you lot might have something unique. Something that could take you further in this competition than any of you would on your own."

Alex's mind spun, and she exchanged a baffled glance with the boy next to her—a lad with curly hair and a cheeky grin. Harry, she remembered, from seeing him backstage.

Simon took a deep breath, glancing around at the room. "Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Alex Harman."

Alex jolted when he said her name, glancing at the five lads whose names had been called as well. They looked as gobsmacked as she felt.

"I'm giving you all another chance," Simon said, his eyes fixed on each of them in turn. "We're putting you together, as a group. If you're up for it, you'll compete in the groups category. This is your shot to stay in the competition."

The room went quiet for a beat as everyone took in what he'd just said. A group? Alex's mind was whirring. She'd never even thought of singing in a band, let alone with five lads she barely knew. She looked around at the others, trying to imagine what it would mean. Part of her was buzzing with excitement—another crack at her dream, a lifeline in the competition. But another part was bricking it. Could they really pull this off?

One of the boys, Louis, was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "So... we'd be a band?" His tone was light, as though the idea was mad, but he was clearly up for it.

Simon nodded. "Yes, a band. You'll need to sort out how to work together, how to blend your voices, and find your sound as a group. It's not going to be easy. But if you can make it work, I believe you could go far."

Harry, the lad with the curls, glanced around at the others, then looked at Simon. "And... what if we say no?"

Simon's gaze softened, but his voice was firm. "If you say no, then your journey in the competition ends here. But if you say yes, you've got a chance at something big."

Alex's heart raced as she weighed it up. She'd never thought about being in a band, but could she really turn down an opportunity like this? This was Simon Cowell, the bloke who'd seen potential in her from day one. If he thought she'd stand a chance with this group, maybe there was more to this than she'd realized.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the lads around her. They seemed just as nervous but equally intrigued. Finally, she gave a small nod. "I'm in," she said, her voice steady, surprising even herself.

One by one, the others agreed, until each of them had committed. A new energy filled the room—a mix of excitement and nerves, a sense that something big was about to go down.

Simon nodded in approval. "Good. Now, there's a lot of work ahead. But I believe you've got something special. So go out there and show the world what you can do."

As Simon left, Alex looked at her new bandmates, their faces reflecting the same mix of nerves and excitement she felt. This was it—the start of something she'd never expected. And somehow, she was ready to face it.

As Simon's offer sank in, Alex's heart leapt and twisted. The excitement was real, but so was the fear. She glanced at the lads, all different, all strangers in a way, but now her bandmates. The only girl in a group of guys—was she ready for this?

Harry, clearly the eager one, was the first to respond. "I'm in," he said, his voice full of determination. The others followed suit, one by one, each of them choosing to take the plunge. There was no turning back now.

Alex tried to keep calm, but it was hard with her head full of questions. Could she fit in with this lot? Looking around, she took in the differences between them. Niall's grin was impossible to miss, while Louis had a cheeky smile that made him seem unflappable. Liam looked serious, even focused, like he'd been waiting for this chance all his life.

Then her eyes met Zayn's. There was something familiar about him, like a half-remembered dream. That's when it hit her—they'd gone to the same school in Bradford. How could she have not seen it before? She'd never spoken to him, but she remembered seeing his quiet, withdrawn face around school, his way of blending into the background.

The realization made everything feel even more real. Here she was, a girl from Bradford, thrown into this whirlwind with a lad she'd passed in school halls. The world felt small in that moment, and yet her new reality was huge.

As they waited for further instructions, Alex took out her mobile and called home. Her mum answered on the second ring.

"Alex, love! How did it go?" Her mum's voice was laced with excitement, and for a moment, Alex could barely speak.

"Mum... you won't believe this. They've put me in a group with five other contestants." She took a breath, hoping her voice wouldn't waver. "They want us to compete as a band."

Her mum's surprise was clear, but so was the pride. "Oh, Alex! That's brilliant! We're chuffed to bits for you, darling." She could hear her dad and brother in the background, cheering and saying they'd known she'd do well from the start.

Each word of encouragement lifted the weight on her chest a little. Whatever was next, she knew she wasn't in it alone. Her family might be miles away, but she could feel their support.

Hanging up, she rejoined the group as they headed to a quieter spot to chat properly..