SIX - One Direction

57

The studio is a mess of papers, coffee cups, and crumpled notes—markers of a night well spent, or perhaps, of a night that just never seemed to end. The clock above the door ticks past midnight, its faint tick-tick-tick almost drowned out by the soft strumming of Louis' guitar. The light from the desk lamps casts long shadows across the room, giving it a cozy, almost secretive feel. It's the kind of atmosphere that's perfect for creativity to flourish, the kind of atmosphere where magic feels real, even if just for a few hours.

Alex watches Louis play, his fingers gliding effortlessly across the strings, weaving a soft, melancholy progression. There's something haunting about the way the music fills the space, almost as if it's carrying all the unsaid words, all the unspoken emotions that have been lingering ever since Zayn's departure. The music is their therapy, a way to channel everything they've been through into something beautiful, something that will last.

Niall, hunched over a notepad in the corner, mumbles under his breath, barely looking up. "Late nights seem to be where the magic happens for us."

Harry, who's leaning back in his chair, eyes half-closed, smirks and glances at the clock. "We might as well call this album Made in the A.M., considering we're writing half of it after midnight."

There's a round of chuckles that fills the room, but the sound fades just as quickly as it came, leaving behind a quiet understanding. They all know it's true. This album isn't just an album. It's a product of everything they've been through—Zayn's departure, the moments of doubt, the struggles they've faced together. But there's also so much joy in the process. And in these late hours, they've found a new kind of energy, a new kind of creativity that's been bubbling up, no longer weighed down by what's missing, but built on what remains.

Alex looks around at the band—her family—and she feels a deep sense of gratitude. Sure, it's different. It'll never be the same without Zayn, but she can see that they're all still here, still creating together, and that means something. She catches Harry's eye across the room, and for a moment, time slows down. There's a softness in his gaze, a quiet acknowledgment of everything they've been through. It's as if he's reading her mind, and she, his. They both know the journey hasn't been easy, but in this space, with the music, the late hours, and the shared history, they're making it through together.

Harry's lips curl into a smile, and he stands, pushing his chair back. The movement is fluid, almost like he's been waiting for this moment to come. He walks over to Alex, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Alright, you," he says, nudging her gently with his elbow. "What's the verdict? Is this going to be our next big hit or what?"

Alex laughs, looking up at him with a playful spark in her eyes. "I think it's a bit early to tell, don't you think? We haven't even finished the bloody thing."

"Well, we've got the vibe down," Harry says, dropping down next to her on the couch. He leans back, stretching his long legs out in front of him, and looks over at the rest of the band, who are deep in their own little world. Then, he glances back at Alex, his voice quieter now. "But, to be honest, I think it's going to be something special."

Alex nods, feeling the warmth in his words. There's no pretension with Harry, no ego in the way he talks about their music. He believes in it, believes in them, and that's all that matters.

"So," Harry continues, leaning a little closer, "what's been your favourite part of making this album? Other than all the late nights, of course."

Alex thinks for a moment, her fingers absentmindedly tapping on the arm of the couch as she tries to put it into words. "I think... I think it's the fact that it's *ours*. You know? The way we're all finding our way back to each other in a new way. It feels different. Like we're not just making music for the fans anymore. We're making it for us, for what we've been through."

Harry grins, a little too knowingly. "Aww, you getting all sentimental on me, Alex?"

She playfully rolls her eyes at him. "Shut up, Harry. You're just as sentimental as the rest of us."

"I'm just trying to make sure you don't go all 'we're a family' on me again," he teases, nudging her gently with his shoulder.

"I'll 'we're a family' you all day if I want to," she says with a grin, then adds, "You know, it's funny. When Zayn left, I thought it was the end of everything. But now, it feels like we're stronger than we've ever been."

Harry's expression softens, and for a moment, there's a quiet understanding between them. "Yeah. It's like we've found a new version of ourselves, isn't it? Doesn't make what happened with Zayn any easier, but we're still here, still creating."

Alex nods, feeling her heart swell in her chest. There's something about Harry's presence that makes everything feel a bit more bearable. He's not perfect—none of them are—but in these quiet moments, in the late-night studio sessions, they're learning to carry on, to move forward. And somehow, that's enough.

Harry glances over at the band again, then turns back to Alex. "You know," he says quietly, "I'm really glad you're here with me. I don't think i'd be able to do it without you."

Alex smiles softly, warmth spreading through her chest. "I'm glad to be here, Harry. I've always got your back. Always."

Harry's gaze softens, and for a moment, the playful banter fades. It's just the two of them, sitting in the quiet of the studio, the music playing softly in the background. Alex can feel the weight of everything—the past, the present, the uncertainty about the future—but in this moment, with Harry beside her, she knows they'll get through it. Together.

After a few seconds, Harry breaks the silence with a grin. "Alright, enough of the sentimental nonsense. Let's get back to work, yeah?"

Alex laughs, the sound light and carefree. "You're a right prat, you know that?"

"Oi!" Harry protests, putting a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm a bloody angel, me."

"Sure you are, mate," she teases, shaking her head. "Now, get back to work. We've got an album to finish."

And with that, they both turn their attention back to the band, the laughter and music filling the studio once more. The night may be long, but as they work together, creating something they can all be proud of, it feels like they're finally starting to find their way again.