SIX - One Direction

7

The next morning dawned bright and clear, but Alex hadn't managed much sleep. Thoughts of their new band, One Direction, and their first performance whirled around her mind like confetti. She felt a mix of excitement and nerves as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. This would be her first time performing in a group—what if she didn't fit in?

After finally getting out of bed, she forced herself to focus on the positives. She had made friends, and they all seemed genuinely excited about making music together. As she got ready, she replayed the previous night in her head: their laughter, shared stories, and the way they all connected, giving her hope that perhaps they could be more than just a band—they could be a family.

When she arrived at the rehearsal space, the boys were already warming up. The room buzzed with energy, and she couldn't help but smile as she watched Harry strumming his guitar, fingers moving with an ease that only came with passion. Niall was attempting to juggle drumsticks, dropping them as Louis and Liam took the mick, laughing at his clumsiness. Zayn stood off to the side, adjusting his headphones, smirking slightly as he watched the playful banter.

"Hey, Alex!" Harry called out, his face lighting up. "Just in time for warm-ups. Fancy joining?"

"Definitely!" she replied, her nerves easing as she joined the circle. They began vocalising together, their voices blending, creating something that felt almost magical.

Once warmed up, Louis suggested running through their song for the performance: a cover of "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia. The song suited their voices, but Alex felt her stomach twist at the thought of standing before the judges and a live crowd. What if they didn't like it? What if she blanked on the lyrics?

"Remember, just have fun," Liam said, catching her anxious look. "We're all in this together, yeah?"

His reassurance helped, and they spent the next few hours rehearsing, each of them taking turns leading sections of the song. They soon fell into a rhythm, voices blending as if they'd been singing together for years. As the day wore on, Alex started to forget her worries, getting lost in the music and the feeling of camaraderie building among them.

After a bit, they took a break, and Alex found herself sitting on the floor beside Harry, leaning against the wall. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone gentle.

"Nervous, honestly," Alex admitted, hugging her knees. "What if I muck it up? Or the judges don't think we're good enough?"

Harry nodded, thoughtful. "I get that. But we're in this together, yeah? We already sound brilliant! Besides, just imagine how much fun it'll be up there—this is what we've been working for."

He was right, she realised. They had something special, something worth fighting for. "Thanks, Harry. I just need to trust that we're good enough."

They returned to rehearsing, with jokes and encouragement flying back and forth. As the evening approached, anticipation charged the room. They'd soon be performing, and the excitement was palpable. Before they wrapped up, Louis gathered everyone in a huddle for a pep talk.

"Right, One Direction!" he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "This is our first proper go, so let's give it everything! No matter what happens, let's have a laugh and show 'em what we can do!"

They cheered in agreement, and Alex felt a surge of excitement and pride. This wasn't just a band; it was her team.

Arriving at the venue, adrenaline kicked in. The buzz of the crowd outside made her heart pound. "This is it," she whispered, trying to keep her breath steady.

Backstage, they huddled together once more, hands clasped tightly. "No matter what, we stick together, yeah?" Liam reminded them, his gaze steady. They all nodded, and Alex squeezed Harry's hand, grateful for his support.

As they were called to the stage, Alex stepped forward with the others, temporarily blinded by the bright lights. The crowd roared, and she could feel her heart thundering. They stepped into view, and the noise intensified as they began to sing.

The music started, and Alex's nerves fell away as they launched into the song. Their voices blended beautifully, filling the venue with a sound that felt like pure magic. She glanced at her bandmates—Louis grinning with charm, Niall beaming, Zayn focused, and Liam offering her a reassuring smile.

When they hit the chorus, a wave of confidence washed over Alex. They were in it together. She caught sight of the judges, nodding along, and felt a thrill of pride.

The song ended, and the crowd burst into applause. Alex was flooded with joy and relief. They'd done it. They'd performed as One Direction, sharing a piece of themselves with the audience.

Backstage, they high-fived and hugged, laughing in celebration. "That was brilliant!" Niall exclaimed, practically bouncing. "We smashed it!"

Harry pulled Alex into a quick side hug, grinning. "You were amazing out there!"

Alex couldn't stop smiling, the weight of her nerves gone. Surrounded by her friends, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn't expected. This was just the beginning of their journey, and she couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

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