SIX - One Direction

29

The boys' flat in London was absolutely buzzing, the place packed with that nervous, excited energy that only comes right before a big moment. With Midnight Memories about to drop, everyone was on a high. Rehearsals were in full swing, guitars were out, and the laughter was practically shaking the walls. And while they were all pumped for the album, Alex had her own secret thrill going on—she couldn't help but feel a little giddy whenever Harry caught her eye.

Harry, for his part, was hardly subtle. He was meant to be focusing on harmonies and timing, but he kept stealing glances at Alex every chance he got, barely able to keep his cool. She looked so in her element, voice strong, her eyes bright with excitement. She caught him looking a few times, and he could barely play it off, his cheeks going pink.

"Oi, Styles, you alright, mate?" Louis called out, grinning as he clocked Harry's daydreaming face. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

Harry shook himself, laughing it off. "Nah, just thinking... about the setlist."

Louis gave him a look, raising an eyebrow. "Right, the setlist. Sure that's what you're thinking about, yeah?"

Zayn smirked, catching on quick. "Yeah, right. We all know what's going through his head," he teased, nudging Harry. "Or should I say who?"

"Pack it in, lads," Harry muttered, looking over at Alex, who was now laughing and pretending not to notice them all ganging up on him.

"Come on, Hazza!" Niall chimed in, grinning. "Anyone with eyes can see it—he's smitten!"

Alex rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh, though her cheeks had gone a bit pink. "Can we please just get back to rehearsing?" she said, shaking her head at the boys, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes.

When rehearsals wrapped, they decided they couldn't just end the night there. Word had gone round about a posh party in Soho, full of big names, and it was the perfect excuse to blow off some steam and celebrate. Alex, though excited, felt a bit out of her depth—parties like these were full of people she'd only ever seen on magazine covers. Still, she was buzzing to go, especially knowing she'd get to hang out with Harry somewhere other than rehearsal for once.

They walked into the party together, the place lit up with flashing lights, posh cocktails, and famous faces everywhere. Before Alex could even take it all in, she felt Harry's hand slip around her waist, guiding her through the crowd, his voice low and warm in her ear. "Stick close, yeah? Don't fancy losing you in here."

Alex felt her stomach flip at that. "Alright, Styles, I'll stay close," she replied, giving him a smile that made his eyes twinkle.

As the night went on, she found herself chatting to different people, laughing and enjoying herself. But then a young actor sidled up to her, one of those blokes with the smooth talk and cheeky grin. He started chatting her up, dropping lines about "grabbing a drink sometime" and "working together." It was all a bit too much, but she didn't want to be rude, so she nodded along, trying to keep it friendly.

From across the room, Harry clocked what was going on, and his face changed in an instant. His jaw tightened, and he made his way over, sliding right between Alex and the actor, flashing a polite but firm smile. "Alright, mate," he said, with a casualness that had a definite edge to it, "think she's alright for now, cheers."

The actor's eyes flicked between them, catching the vibe, and he backed off with a shrug. Alex folded her arms, tilting her head at Harry. "Didn't realise you were my bodyguard now," she teased.

Harry shrugged, brushing it off. "Didn't like the way he was looking at you, that's all."

Alex's heart skipped, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Well, cheers for looking out for me, Styles. Nice to know you've got my back."

He grinned, stepping a bit closer. "Always got your back, Al. You're too good for guys like him."

For a second, it felt like it was just the two of them in the room, everything else fading into the background. Alex could feel her heart racing, that spark between them stronger than ever.

But before anything could happen, Niall came stumbling over, grinning like mad. "Oi, what's all this, then? You two sneakin' off to have a little heart-to-heart?"

Harry and Alex burst out laughing, sharing a quick look as the moment faded, but the tension between them still lingered in the air. "Nothing to see here, mate," Harry said with a grin, trying to act casual.

"Right, right," Niall said, not buying it for a second. "Come on, let's hit the dance floor!"

The rest of the night passed in a blur of dancing, laughing, and more drinks than they probably should've had. But as Alex danced, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between her and Harry—that there was something more between them, just waiting to come to the surface.