Ready to go back to 2010 with me?
Amber wakes up in her childhood bedroom with a massive headache. She looks at the date and it says; April 11 2010. This can't be right, because only yesterday it was October 16 2024. But it is right, it is real. So...
The four of us pick up our schedules and room keys and head to the sleeping quarters to drop off our suitcases. Liam and Louis seem to be getting along, chatting and laughing as we walk.
"I'm in Room 2," I tell Jade, showing her my schedule.
"Me too! Roomies!" she says excitedly.
"Like I'm not already tired of living with you," I tease, rolling my eyes.
"What about you guys?" I ask, glancing back at Liam and Louis.
As I turn my head, I spot Harry Styles walking down the hallway.
Liam pauses to check his paper, and we all stop to wait for him. "I'm in Room 7," he finally says.
Harry gets closer. He notices me and smiles. Suddenly I realize I'm staring.
Shit was I staring like a crazy person?
I force myself to smile back.
"I'm, uh..." Louis trails off, fumbling with the paper in his hand.
Meanwhile, Harry's shoelaces are untied, but he doesn't seem to notice. He strides down the hall confidently, unaware of the hazard.
"Room number 6," Louis finally says.
Just then, Harry trips over his shoelaces and falls flat on the ground—right behind Liam. "Oh shit" Harry grunts.
The four of us look at Harry and burst out laughing.
"You alright, mate?" Liam asks, holding out a hand to help Harry up.
"Yeah, I'm just clumsy, that's all," Harry says, laughing as he gets to his feet.
"We can see that," Jade says with a nervous chuckle.
I know that laugh– she's flustered. She must think he's cute. Not that I can blame her.
"Your shoelaces are untied," I point out.
"Oh, right," Harry says, glancing down.
"Here, use my suitcase," Louis offers, rolling it over and bracing it so it won't move.
"Thanks." Harry sticks his schedule between his teeth, props his foot on the suitcase, and ties his shoelaces while we wait.
"Can someone help me figure out where my room is on this thing?" Harry asks, pulling the paper from his mouth and holding it out.
"Here," Liam says, leaning over to point it out. "You're in Room 6—with Louis."
"Hi, I'm Louis," Louis says, extending a hand.
"I'm Harry," he replies, shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, Harry. These are my friends Amber, Jade, and Liam," Louis says, gesturing to us.
We all say hello, and Jade quickly adds, "You want to walk with us? Pretty sure it's just around the corner."
Oh Jade they're not supposed to become close friends before the band forms. Let the guy walk away!
"Yeah, sure," Harry says, slinging his weekend bag over his shoulder. "I haven't really met anyone yet."
Jade leads the way and opens a door, but when we step through, we find ourselves in the cafeteria.
"This doesn't seem right," Liam says.
"No shit, Sherlock," I reply sarcastically. "Jade, give me the map." I snatch the paper from her hands.
"Let me see," Harry says, stepping closer to study the map with me.
"Uh, guys, I think I've figured it out," Harry says after a moment. "See those signs? The door on the right says 'Men,' and the one on the left says 'Women.'"
"Oh, yeah," I say, realizing he's right. "I guess the cafeteria divides the two sleeping quarters."
"See? I wasn't completely wrong," Jade says defensively.
"Well, I guess we'll see you later," Louis says, gesturing toward the boys' wing.
"Yeah, let's check out our rooms. What's your first class?" I ask as I hug Liam goodbye.
"I haven't looked yet," he admits.
"I've got duets in thirty minutes," I say.
"Same," Louis says, pulling me into a quick hug. "I'll swing by your room in a bit, and we'll walk to class together."
"Me too," Harry says, standing awkwardly, unsure whether to expect a hug.
"Get over here! You get a hug too," I say, opening my arms. Harry hesitates but then steps in for a hug.
Jade hugs the other boys in the meantime. "Okay, let's go," she says, grabbing her bag.
"See you later!" I call as we head toward the women's wing.
"See you!" the guys reply, turning toward their side of the dorms.
"...Unless you want to get lost again," I tease, shooting Jade a smirk.
Harry chuckles, his dimples flashing. "I think we'll manage from here, thanks."
"Yeah, thanks for the guidance," Louis adds with a wink, and the two boys head toward the men's wing.
As they disappear through the door, Jade leans closer to me. "Okay, Harry is cute. Like, really cute."
"I noticed," I reply dryly. "You practically drooled when he tied his shoelaces."
Jade laughs, not even denying it. "Well, sue me. I have eyes."
"Come on," I say, tugging her arm toward the women's wing. "We still need to unpack before orientation starts."
We walk in silence for a moment, my thoughts racing. Meeting Louis, Liam, and now Harry—three future members of one of the world's biggest boybands—was surreal. And they didn't even know it yet.
But do I tell them? Do I say anything? Or do I let this play out as it's supposed to?
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