SIX - One Direction

8

The adrenaline still coursed through Alex's veins as they gathered backstage after stepping off the stage. The applause echoed in her ears, and she felt like she was floating. They'd done it—they'd made their debut as One Direction, and it had gone brilliantly.

Niall was the first to break into a happy dance, his laughter contagious. "Did you see their faces? They loved us!" He twirled around, and his excitement radiated through the group. It was impossible not to grin at his enthusiasm.

Louis, grinning like a Cheshire cat, clapped Niall on the back. "That was mad! I can't believe we just performed in front of all those people. We're going to be massive!"

Even Zayn, usually more reserved, had a rare smile on his face. "I've never felt anything like that," he admitted, sounding a bit in awe. "It was amazing to share the stage with all of you."

Basking in the afterglow of the performance, Alex took a moment to take it all in—the thrill of singing with her new mates, the roar of the crowd, and the warmth of their camaraderie. She hadn't felt this alive in ages.

Liam, ever the level-headed one, chimed in with a big grin. "So, how're we feeling after our first show as One Direction? I'd say we smashed it!"

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! We had a few nerves at the start, but once we were out there, we were unstoppable!"

Alex looked around at her bandmates, their faces shining with pride and happiness. They were more than just a group of singers—they were becoming family. "I can't believe we actually did that," she said, her voice full of wonder. "I was so nervous, but you all made it so much easier."

Louis threw an arm around her shoulder. "That's what we're here for! We lift each other up. Besides, you were ace out there. Your voice really stood out."

His compliment made her cheeks warm, and she gave a shy smile. "Thanks, Louis. I was worried I wouldn't fit in, but you guys are amazing."

As they began to head out of the venue, the buzz of excitement lingered in the air. Fans were already gathered outside, hoping for a glimpse of the newly formed band. Alex's heart raced, but this time it was from anticipation rather than nerves.

The second they stepped outside, the crowd erupted. "One Direction! One Direction!" echoed through the night, and Alex felt a thrill run through her. They were officially a band, and people were excited about them. It felt surreal.

Harry took the lead, waving at the fans with a huge grin. "Alright, everyone!" he shouted, and the crowd roared back. Alex stood beside him, her heart swelling with pride as they waved and smiled.

Niall leaned closer to her, wide-eyed. "Can you believe this? We're actually famous!"

"This is only the start," Alex replied, feeling a surge of excitement. "There's so much more to come."

They signed autographs and took selfies with the fans, and Alex tried to soak it all in—the cheers, the energy, and the support from everyone. It felt like a dream. She'd always imagined what it would be like to perform on stage, but experiencing it was something else entirely.

Amid the chaos, Alex noticed Zayn standing a little farther back, looking slightly uncomfortable with all the attention. She could relate; the spotlight was both thrilling and intimidating. She walked over to him, hoping to ease his nerves. "Hey, you alright?"

He looked at her, and for a second, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm just not used to all this. It's a lot to take in."

"I know what you mean," Alex nodded. "It's overwhelming, but we're in this together, yeah? Just focus on the music, and everything else will fall into place."

Zayn gave her a small smile, and she felt a new connection between them. "Cheers, Alex. That helps."

After wrapping up the meet-and-greet, they headed back to their hotel. The energy in the elevator was electric, filled with laughter and excitement. They couldn't stop chatting about the show, sharing their favourite moments and ribbing each other about little mistakes.

When they reached their floor, Harry suggested they all gather in his room for a little celebration. "Let's order some pizza and just chill! We've earned it after tonight!"

"Count me in!" Niall exclaimed, rubbing his hands together at the thought of food.

They all piled into Harry's room, the excitement still buzzing. They ordered pizzas and settled on the floor, surrounded by boxes of food and laughter. As they ate, conversation flowed easily, filled with jokes and stories.

"Did you hear that girl scream when we came out?" Niall asked, trying to imitate the sound, making everyone double over with laughter.

Alex couldn't help but feel a deep sense of belonging. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed being part of something special. Here, with them, felt like home. They talked about their hopes for the future, each of them sharing dreams for where they wanted the band to go.

"I want us to go on a world tour!" Niall said, his eyes shining.

"And I want to write songs that really mean something to people," Liam added thoughtfully.

Louis nodded. "I just want to keep making music with all of you. This feels like where I'm supposed to be."

Alex felt a rush of emotion at their words. "I want to share my passion for music with the world," she said. "And I want us to create something amazing together."

They nodded in agreement, and Alex felt gratitude wash over her. They were all on the same page, dreaming big and ready to chase those dreams together.

As the night went on, they continued bonding, sharing stories about their lives before the band. Alex learned that Louis was a huge football fan, while Niall was a die-hard supporter of the Irish national team. Zayn shared stories from Bradford and how he'd discovered his love for music.

Liam's stories of his childhood and dreams of stardom made Alex feel even closer to him. It was inspiring hearing how each of them had faced their own struggles before finding their way here, together.

Eventually, as the pizza boxes emptied and laughter died down, Alex found herself leaning against Harry, her eyes growing heavy. She felt safe and content, surrounded by people who shared her dreams.

"I can't believe how far we've come in such a short time," she murmured, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "I feel so lucky to be here with all of you."

Harry gave her a warm smile, his eyes twinkling. "We're lucky to have you, Alex. You bring something special to the group."

As she drifted off to sleep later that night, surrounded by her new friends, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that they were destined for something big. They had a long journey ahead, but with One Direction by her side, she felt ready to take on the world.