SIX - One Direction

17

As the "Take Me Home"tour thundered on, excitement was through the roof, but so was the pressure. Every time Alex set foot on stage, it was like a proper rush, but she was also starting to clock how the industry was shifting its focus—and not always in a way she fancied.

One evening, after an absolutely banging concert in London, Alex and the lads were all crammed into their hotel suite, still buzzing from the show, adrenaline practically dripping off them.

"Can you believe how bloody mental they were tonight?" Niall burst out, his eyes sparkling. "It's proper mad, how they sing every word, innit?"

"Too right! They're like... family or something," Alex replied, her heart giving a little swell.

But even as they celebrated, she couldn't quite shake the feeling that the press was trying to spin her image in a way she didn't quite fancy. While the lads were hailed as heartthrobs, she got the sense that the industry was more interested in her looks than her talent, as if that was all she had going for her.

At a promo interview the next day, some proper cheeky journalist threw a loaded question her way. "So, Alex, d'you ever worry the boys' looks outshine your talent? I mean, they're all rather fit, don't you think?"

Alex felt her cheeks flush, but instead of taking the bait, she put on a winning smile. "Not even a little bit. We're a team; each of us brings something unique to the table, and I'm dead proud of what I bring," she said firmly, holding the reporter's gaze.

The lads all nodded, looking thoroughly chuffed. "Exactly! We're in this together, one hundred percent," Harry chimed in, giving the journalist a knowing look. "If anything, she's the one keeping us on our toes."

After the interview, Alex felt a fresh wave of confidence. She wasn't about to let anyone pigeonhole her. She was here to make a mark, on her own terms.

With the tour in full swing, Alex and the lads found their rhythm. The gigs were downright exhilarating, but it was also the little moments off-stage that made the whole thing magic. Late-night banter, ridiculous inside jokes, and the sheer sense of mateship—it was priceless.

One night, after smashing it at Madison Square Garden, they were all crammed into their suite, passing around snacks and trying to come down from the high of the show.

"Can you believe we've just played Madison bloody Square Garden?" Zayn said, practically shaking with excitement. "That's the stuff of legends, that is!"

"Mate, but did you see the crowd?" Louis added, shaking his head. "They were absolutely mental, singing their lungs out to every song!"

"It felt like they were singing just for us," Niall said, voice all soft and a bit awestruck.

Alex grinned, feeling every ounce of their joy. "Feels like we're living in a proper dream, doesn't it? And we're all in it together. Brilliant, really."

Later on, as they shared a late-night pizza and swapped stories about the night's antics, Alex felt this deep, warm sense of belonging settle over her. She wasn't just some girl from Bradford anymore; she'd grown into a right proper performer, someone who could hold her own.

As they all drifted into a companionable silence, Harry's face took on a more serious look. "You know, sometimes I feel like I've got to keep up this whole jokey, happy-go-lucky thing. Like, no one wants to see me without a smile plastered on my face," he admitted, voice quiet.

Alex turned to him, her expression soft. "Harry, you don't have to keep up anything. We all have days when we feel like rubbish, and it's alright to let it show."

"Exactly, mate. We're all human at the end of the day," Liam added with a nod. "I mean, half the time, I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world. Proper hard work, that."

"Couldn't agree more," Harry said, giving a little nod. "It's like everyone's expecting us to be perfect all the time. Bit exhausting, if I'm honest."

Alex reached over and gave Harry's arm a comforting squeeze. "Look, we're all in this together, yeah? You don't have to go through it on your own. We've got each other's backs."

The lads exchanged grateful looks, and you could see some of the tension ease from their shoulders. In that moment, they were more than just bandmates—they were a right proper family.