SIX - One Direction

6

The news that they'd be forming a group still echoed in Alex's mind as they sat around the table, trying to wrap their heads around what had just happened. The room was charged, a mix of nerves and excitement sparking between them. She couldn't shake the thought: she was the only girl in a band with five lads—a challenge and a thrill all rolled into one. Would they click? Could they make this work? And more than anything, would she be enough?

Harry was the first to break the ice. With a cheeky grin that lit up his face, he said, "So, I s'pose this means we're a band now, right?" His voice was light, almost teasing, and before long, the others joined in with his laughter. Alex felt her shoulders relax a bit, but she still had a million questions whirling through her head.

Louis, the eldest of the group at eighteen, had a personality as big as his grin. Looking around at everyone, he suggested they should all introduce themselves properly. "I'm Louis Tomlinson, eighteen, from Doncaster," he began, with a smirk that was hard not to like. "Most people say I'm the joker, but honestly, I think I'm just the one tryin' to keep things lively." His humour seemed to lift the mood, loosening everyone up.

Liam, who was seventeen and a year younger than Louis, spoke next. "I'm Liam Payne, from Wolverhampton. Been singing since I was a kid—it's all I've ever wanted to do." There was something earnest about him, a serious determination in his voice that caught Alex's attention. She felt an instant connection—his passion for music was unmistakable, and she realised they shared that.

Harry's turn came next, his energy bubbling over. "I'm Harry Styles, sixteen, from Cheshire," he announced with a wink in Alex's direction. "Some people say I've got too much energy, but I reckon that's just what we need." His easy charm made Alex feel more at home, and she couldn't help but return his smile. Even with all her jitters, Harry's warmth was infectious.

Next was Niall, who could barely sit still, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'm Niall Horan, seventeen, from Mullingar in Ireland!" he said, grinning widely. "I'm here to have a good time and make the most of this." His enthusiasm was catching, and soon Alex found herself laughing along with him. He had a carefree attitude that instantly put her at ease.

Finally, it was Zayn's turn. He looked at her for a moment before he spoke, his voice calm but a bit reserved. "I'm Zayn Malik, seventeen, from Bradford." He paused, glancing her way as if he was working something out. "Think we went to the same school, yeah?"

Alex felt a wave of relief at the familiar connection. "Yeah, I thought you looked familiar. What a small world, right?" she said, feeling her nerves settle a bit. Knowing someone from home made everything feel more real and less daunting.

As they shared more about themselves, their families, and what had brought them here, Alex found herself opening up in ways she hadn't expected. She told them about her mum encouraging her to audition, her dad who ran the family shop, her brother and how music had always been her safe haven.

"I've always loved singing," she admitted, feeling a bit shy. "It just feels... like home to me. That's why I went for X Factor in the first place."

Louis leaned in, looking genuinely interested. "That's brilliant! I get that, honestly. Being on stage—it's like everything else just fades away." He nodded, and Alex felt heartened by his encouragement.

The conversation flowed easily, with everyone swapping stories, cracking jokes, and admitting what had brought them here. With every laugh and every shared hope, they started to feel less like strangers thrown together and more like a team. The initial nerves were giving way to a sense of camaraderie.

As the evening went on, they talked about what lay ahead, bouncing around ideas for the kind of music they wanted to make. Pop, rock, ballads—they discussed it all, each idea adding to the excitement in the air.

"We need a proper name, too," Harry piped up, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Something that says we're all in this together."

Niall grinned, raising his hand like he was in school. "How about 'The Awesome Five'?" he suggested, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Louis groaned, rolling his eyes with a grin. "Right, we'll work on that one, mate."

After a bit of back-and-forth, they finally landed on "One Direction"—a name that somehow just felt right. It was simple, but it gave them a sense of purpose, like they were headed somewhere new together.

As the night wrapped up, Alex felt a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. She hadn't expected to feel so connected with them so quickly, and the weight on her shoulders felt lighter than it had in ages. This was something she could throw herself into, and for the first time, it felt like this might just be the path she was meant to be on.

Walking back to her room, her mind buzzed with thoughts of what was to come. The journey ahead was daunting, but knowing she'd have these lads by her side made her feel like they could take on anything together.