SIX - One Direction

43

A few days later, One Direction found themselves perched on the plush couch of The Late Late Show with James Corden, waiting for their much-anticipated interview. The studio audience buzzed with excitement, a wall of cheers and applause as the show kicked off. Lights flashed, music blared, and James Corden bounded out, grinning ear-to-ear.

"Welcome back to the show, boys!" James exclaimed, arms wide, looking every bit the overjoyed host. "Good to see you all. Alright, let's get into it—you've got a new album coming out, Four. How's it feel?"

"Honestly, mate, it's incredible," Liam replied, giving a little nod. "We've poured our hearts into this one, and it's probably the most personal one we've done yet."

Niall leaned forward, a big smile spreading across his face. "We've grown a lot as a band. Tried out a few new sounds, put more of our own stories into the songs, and it's just... yeah, we can't wait for people to hear it."

Alex nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "We really wanted this album to feel like the six of us, you know? So we just went for it, wrote about everything we've been through."

"what's that been like for you, Alex? Holding down the fort with these lot?" James said, pointing at her with a grin.

"Oh, it's been a ride, that's for sure," Alex replied, laughing. "They're a handful, but they keep it interesting."

James chuckled. "I can only imagine! Now, I know the fans are practically on the edge of their seats for this one. Tell me, who's the most likely to have a bit of diva behaviour in the studio?"

The boys burst out laughing, each of them glancing around, waiting to see who'd fess up.

"Harry, no question," Louis said, nudging him with a smirk. "Man has to have his tea just so—two sugars, not stirred."

"Hey!" Harry protested, crossing his arms with mock indignation. "A good cuppa is serious business!"

James leaned in, all eyes on him. "Well, speaking of serious business... how about a bit of a game, lads?" He waggled his eyebrows mischievously, the audience erupting in cheers as they sensed where this was going.

"Oh no, what have we got ourselves into?" Zayn said, chuckling, though his eyes sparkled with intrigue.

"It's called Never Have I Ever" James said, holding up a series of paddles with 'I Have' on one side and 'I Have Not' on the other. "And, naturally, we're playing the spicy version! Brace yourselves!"

The audience whooped, and the boys exchanged amused, slightly nervous glances.

"This could get interesting," Alex muttered, giving Harry a little nudge. He grinned, a twinkle in his eye.

James held up the first paddle with a cheeky grin. "Alright then, first question: Never have I ever hooked up with a fan!"

The room filled with laughter, and the lads looked around at each other, smirking. Alex, Harry, Niall, and Zayn all held up 'I Have' paddles, while Louis sat there, mouth open, looking genuinely gobsmacked.

"Wait, you guys actually...?" Louis stammered, glancing from one to the other in shock.

"Sorry, Lou!" Niall laughed, shrugging unapologetically. "It just happens sometimes, doesn't it?"

The crowd roared, and James held up a hand for silence. "Alright, alright, next question! Never have I ever... written a song about someone in the room!"

There was a pause as they exchanged looks. Harry and Alex both hesitated, then, with a shared grin, raised their 'I Have' paddles. The audience went wild, sensing there was a story behind this.

James leaned forward, eyes alight with curiosity. "Oh, come on—you can't leave us hanging! Care to share who it's about?"

Alex raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, I don't know... I reckon we'll save that one for the album release."

Harry smirked, adding, "Yeah, we like to keep people guessing, don't we, Al?"

The audience laughed, and James shook his head, moving on with an exaggerated sigh. "Fine, fine, keep your secrets. Alright, next up: Never have I ever gotten completely plastered before a concert."

This time, Harry and Alex both raised their paddles immediately, grinning sheepishly at the memory.

"Oh, it was a rough night," Harry admitted, scratching his head. "Thought I was fine till I got on stage. Then it was like... nope!"

The crowd laughed, and Alex joined in, nodding. "Let's just say, the dance moves were a bit all over the place that night."

Louis chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, mate, we were all having a hard time holding it together."

James laughed along, wiping his eyes. "I think we need to dig up some footage of that one!"

Then he glanced down at his last card, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "Right, final one, lads. Never have I ever... smoked a joint!"

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the group. Slowly, everyone except Liam raised their paddles, some of them chuckling sheepishly.

Liam groaned, looking around at them all in disbelief. "You lot are the worst influences, you know that?"

"Oh, come on, Li!" Zayn teased. "Loosen up!"

"Loosen up, he says," Liam muttered, trying not to laugh. "I'm the only reason we make it to these interviews on time!"

The game dissolved into banter and laughter, with the band tossing anecdotes back and forth. They recounted their most ridiculous stories—like that time Niall accidentally swapped their rehearsal time with a children's dance class and didn't realise it till the stage was flooded with tiny ballerinas. Or the night Louis, in a fit of competitive spirit, challenged Zayn to a midnight sprint through the city and promptly tripped on a curb, winding up with a bruised knee and a story he'd never live down.

After a while, James wrapped up the game with a sigh of satisfaction. "You know, it's always a pleasure having you lot on the show. Absolute legends!"

The lads grinned, leaning back on the couch as the applause rolled in. They felt like a tight-knit unit again, full of energy and banter, the easy camaraderie that had kept them grounded all these years. With a new album, old friendships, and the thrill of the road ahead, they knew they were in for another wild ride. And they wouldn't have it any other way.