SIX - One Direction

20

Harry leaned back in his chair, letting the hum of the recording studio fade into the background. He'd always loved this part of the process—creating something out of thin air—but today felt a bit off, like he was a step removed from it all. Absently twirling a pencil between his fingers, he looked down at the lyrics scattered across the table. The words felt heavier than usual, like they had a bit more grit to them, and he couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not.

"Oi, you listening or what, Styles?" Louis chimed in, snapping him out of his daze with a grin.

"Obviously," Harry replied with a lazy smirk, "just plotting my escape, aren't I?" He knew Louis was right, though; he'd been miles away. It was like he was watching everything happen from outside his own body, not quite grounded in the moment.

They were neck-deep in work on their third album, Midnight Memories, and as exciting as it was to be creating new music, there was this unspoken tension in the room. The boys had been riding high on the success of their last two albums, and it felt like everyone around them—fans, management, the whole lot—was expecting them to somehow top it all. The pressure was real, like a weight pressing down on them even as they tried to stay laid-back and laugh it off.

"Right, lads, let's take it from the top," Liam called out, sounding more like a coach than a bandmate.

As they started up the track again, Harry felt the beat wash over him, pulling him back into the zone. The music filled the space, every note and rhythm slotting into place, and he could feel that spark of excitement reawakening inside him. When Niall nailed a high note, hitting it perfectly, Harry couldn't help but grin.

"See? You're in it now, mate!" Zayn shouted, flashing Niall a thumbs-up, his face lighting up with pride.

Harry leaned back, watching his mates as they poured themselves into the song. That was the thing he loved about this band—no matter how mad things got or how high the stakes were, they always found a way to bring out the best in each other. Someone was always there to crack a joke or do something daft to break the tension. It was like a little family, for better or worse, and Harry couldn't imagine it any other way.

But his thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. She'd joined them on this wild ride, and somehow, she'd slipped into their lives like she'd been there all along. She had this raw, unbreakable energy, the kind that made everyone around her want to work harder, be better. Harry admired that about her, even felt a bit protective of it. He knew she was more than capable of holding her own, but he couldn't help wanting to shield her from some of the darker sides of fame.

"Oi, earth to Harry!" Alex's voice broke into his thoughts as she waved her hand in front of his face. "You're daydreaming again, Mr. Styles."

"Just thinking about how bloody lucky I am to be around so much talent," he shot back with that famous cheeky grin of his. "And how I'd better step it up if I want to keep up with you lot."

"Yeah, good luck with that," she replied, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile. "Don't worry, we'll wait for you to catch up."

He laughed, feeling lighter, more focused. It was funny how Alex had this knack for snapping him back to reality. With her around, he felt like he could actually let his guard down a bit.

They dove back into the session, working through the song piece by piece. Liam was determined, keeping everyone on track, while Louis added his usual mischief, throwing in funny little ad-libs that cracked them all up. Niall, always the optimist, encouraged everyone, hyping them up after each take, and Zayn brought that intense focus he was known for, perfecting each note and harmony. Together, they all added something unique, a little slice of themselves in every verse.

As the night wore on, Harry found himself more and more in the groove. It wasn't just about the music; it was about capturing everything they'd been through, all the highs and lows. He wasn't just "the chill one" in the band anymore; he wanted to dig deeper, to show the world a bit more of who he really was. And with his friends around him—and Alex grounding him—he felt ready to give it his all.

At one point, Alex looked over at him, eyebrows raised. "You alright, Harry? You're not drifting off again, are you?"

"Not a chance," he said, meeting her gaze with a bit more seriousness than usual. "I'm in, all the way."

She nodded, giving him a soft smile, and he knew she understood. They were in this together, all of them. And as he watched his friends, laughing and singing their hearts out, he felt that familiar surge of pride. This was his family, his life, and he couldn't wait to see where this next album would take them.

"Alright, then," he said, clapping his hands together, a renewed determination in his eyes. "Let's make it unforgettable."

With one last look at each of them, Harry settled back into his seat, ready to throw himself into the music. Because for all the pressure, the expectations, and the chaos, he knew one thing for sure—they were just getting started, and together, they were unstoppable.