SIX - One Direction

46

A few days had passed since that quiet morning after their first kiss, and while Alex and Harry had agreed to take things slow, something felt different. There was a shift, subtle but undeniable, that lingered in the air whenever the band was together. Harry felt a strange blend of exhilaration and tension whenever he was around Alex now, and it was clear the other boys noticed too, even if they didn't quite know what to make of it.

It started becoming more apparent in the studio. They were in the thick of finishing Four, tweaking lyrics and harmonies, making final decisions on the tracklist, and figuring out how they'd perform the new songs. Normally, they'd be bouncing off each other, chipping in ideas, and cracking jokes. But now, Harry found himself a bit more guarded, his eyes always drifting toward Alex. She'd glance his way too, flashing him the occasional smile or cheeky look, and every time she did, his stomach flipped.

During one session, Harry was strumming his guitar absentmindedly, working out a melody while the rest of the band took a break. From across the room, he spotted Alex talking animatedly with Zayn, who was leaning in, listening intently. She threw her head back in laughter at something Zayn said, and the sight of it made Harry's jaw tense. He knew it was irrational; Zayn was his mate, and they were all close friends. But the sight of them together brought out a pang of jealousy he wasn't quite ready to admit to.

Lost in thought, Harry didn't notice Niall sidling up next to him until he felt a gentle nudge on his shoulder.

"Alright, mate? You've got that intense look about you," Niall teased, watching as Harry's gaze drifted back to Alex and Zayn.

"Me? Nah, I'm fine," Harry said, shifting in his seat and forcing a casual shrug. But he knew he wasn't fooling Niall, who raised an eyebrow, looking every bit the part of a suspicious friend.

"Don't give me that. You look like you're about to explode or something. You're practically staring a hole in Zayn's head," Niall said, crossing his arms and giving Harry a knowing look. "You're acting like a jealous boyfriend, mate."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not—well, maybe a bit. It's just... it's new with Alex, y'know? I don't want to lose what we've started."

Niall looked at him thoughtfully before speaking. "Look, mate, you've known her for ages. She's not going anywhere just because she's talking to Zayn or any of us. You two have something special, but you've gotta trust her, yeah?"

Harry nodded, feeling a bit silly for letting it get to him. "I know you're right, it's just—" He paused, searching for the right words. "I think it's 'cause this is all so new. Like, I'm used to having her as my mate, but now, there's more on the line. I don't want to muck it up, you know?"

Niall gave him a reassuring clap on the shoulder. "You won't. Just be yourself. She clearly likes you, so stop driving yourself mad over it."

Rehearsal finally wrapped up, and the boys all gathered in the lounge area to discuss their upcoming promotional events. With the album release around the corner, they had a packed schedule of interviews, appearances, and live performances. The air buzzed with excitement, each of them tossing ideas around about how to make this launch bigger than anything they'd done before.

But as Harry tried to focus on the planning, he couldn't shake the lingering tension. He watched as Alex chatted with the others, her excitement contagious, her face lit up as she discussed the songs she was most proud of. He couldn't help but feel a twist of insecurity—something he wasn't used to. She looked so at ease with the others, laughing with Louis and making jokes with Zayn and Niall, and a nagging thought crept into his mind: What if she decided she'd rather keep things simple, stay friends, and avoid the complications of a relationship?

After the meeting, everyone started packing up their things to head out. As Harry was putting away his guitar, he felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Alex standing beside him, a gentle smile on her face.

"Hey, you alright?" she asked, tilting her head to look at him. "You've been a bit quiet today."

Harry hesitated, not wanting to sound insecure, but unable to hide the feeling. "Yeah, just... thinking, I guess. It's a lot, isn't it? The album, the promo, everything."

She nodded, watching him closely. "It is, but we've done it all before. And besides, we're in it together. I'm not going anywhere, you know that, right?"

Her words eased some of the tension in his chest, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Yeah... yeah, I know. Guess I just needed to hear it."

She reached out, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Look, I know things are a bit different now. But we've always been close, haven't we? Nothing's going to change that."

Harry squeezed her hand in return, feeling a renewed sense of confidence. "Thanks, Alex. I needed that."

Just then, Louis popped his head around the corner, flashing a mischievous grin as he caught sight of them. "Oi, you two, are we having a private meeting here, or can I join?" he quipped, winking.

Alex rolled her eyes, laughing. "Just giving Harry a pep talk, Tommo. He's feeling all existential about the album release."

Louis feigned an overdramatic sigh, clutching his heart. "Oh, poor Hazza! Don't worry, mate, we'll make sure Four goes platinum in record time."

The lighthearted banter lifted the mood, and Harry felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The lads had his back, as did Alex, and he knew he could trust in the friendships they'd all built over the years. But that night, lying in bed, he found himself replaying the day's events in his mind. The look of laughter in Alex's eyes when she'd been talking to Zayn, the easy way she bantered with the others, her gentle reassurance that she wasn't going anywhere—it all made him realise just how deep his feelings had grown.

For the next few days, he made a conscious effort to shake off his jealousy and focus on their shared excitement for the album launch. Every now and then, he'd catch Alex's eye across the room, and she'd give him a small, secret smile that sent his heart racing. They found little moments to steal away, whispering inside jokes and shared glances that no one else noticed.

When it was time for their first big interview about the album, they were all sitting on the studio couch, fielding questions from the host. The interviewer was chatty and energetic, asking them about everything from the new songs to their tour plans. But then she directed a question toward Alex, her tone a bit sly. "So, Alex, there's been a bit of speculation recently... anything you'd like to share with us about your love life?"

The boys all perked up, shooting each other amused looks. Harry felt his stomach tighten, but he kept his expression neutral, waiting to see how Alex would handle it.

Alex laughed, shaking her head. "I'm afraid my love life isn't nearly as exciting as people seem to think! Just focusing on the music right now, really."

Louis snorted, nudging her. "She's just playing it coy. She's a heartbreaker, this one."

The group laughed, but Harry caught Alex's glance from the corner of his eye. She gave him a small, reassuring smile, as if to say, *We're in this together.* And in that moment, he knew he didn't have to worry. They'd figure it out—together, at their own pace, and on their own terms.