SIX - One Direction

59

The energy on set shifts almost immediately when they arrive at NASA's sprawling space center for the music video of "Drag Me Down."It's like a buzz of electricity crackling in the air, each of them practically vibrating with excitement. The sheer size of the place, the looming spacecraft, the intricate equipment—it all feels so surreal, like they've stepped onto a movie set. But no, this is real life. This is NASA. And they're about to film their music video here.

"Blimey, look at that!" Niall exclaims, pointing at one of the enormous space shuttles in the distance. He's grinning like a kid in a sweet shop, eyes wide as he takes it all in. "That thing looks like it could blast off any minute!"

Liam, ever the calm one, just shakes his head with a smile. "Yeah, mate, just make sure you don't end up in space. We need you on the track, not floating around the galaxy."

They all laugh, and as they walk through the massive hallways, past control panels and sleek spacecraft, the magnitude of the place hits them. There's a sense of wonder in the air, like a shared, silent appreciation for how lucky they are to be standing here. It's a far cry from the stages and arenas they're used to. This is different—bigger, in a way they've never experienced before.

During a break, Alex finds herself in front of one of the astronaut suits. It's a full get-up, all white and shiny with that signature NASA logo on the chest. Her eyes light up as she picks up the helmet and slips it on, turning to face the others with a playful grin.

"Look, I'm officially space-ready!" she says, her voice muffled by the bulky helmet. She strikes a mock pose, pretending to be an astronaut preparing for liftoff.

Liam's the first to react, a wide grin spreading across his face. He grabs another helmet from the rack and pulls it on, squinting in the helmet's visor. "Captain Alex, reporting for duty," he says in a deep voice, mocking a military tone as he salutes her.

Alex chuckles, "Aye, Captain Liam. Ready for space exploration!"

Before she can turn back to the others, Harry strolls over, his trademark smirk already in place. Without missing a beat, he grabs a third helmet from the table and plops it on his head, making everyone stop and take notice. "Mission control, we have a problem," he says, using his best dramatic voice, which instantly sets everyone off laughing.

"Yeah, what's the problem, Captain Styles?" Niall calls out, clearly enjoying the scene unfolding in front of him.

Harry looks completely serious, his voice dropping an octave. "We've lost contact with Earth. The mission is a go, but I've got no clue where we are."

Louis, standing in the background, raises an eyebrow and scoffs in mock disbelief. "You're in NASA, mate. You've got to know where you are. It's not like we're on a bloody moon mission."

"Oi!" Harry says, pretending to be offended, "I'm not just some astronaut, you know. I've got it all under control."

At that, Liam cracks up, unable to keep it together. The whole moment is a delightful mess, everyone stumbling around, taking turns pretending to float in zero gravity, making up absurd stories about being lost in space, and generally just mucking about like schoolboys on a field trip.

But amidst all the laughter and silliness, Alex can't help but feel something shift inside her. There's a warmth in her chest, a familiar sense of belonging that makes her appreciate these moments even more. Filming videos has always been a fun distraction from the chaos of touring, but today—this one feels different. Maybe it's the setting, or the fact that they're all so far removed from the usual pressures of their job. Maybe it's the absence of Zayn, a strange and bittersweet feeling, but the bond between them feels unbreakable. There's something in the way they all share these moments together, without the worry of the future or what's next. It's just them, in this moment, having a laugh. And that's all they need.

Harry catches her eye from across the room, a subtle, warm smile playing at the corners of his lips. There's something in his expression that makes Alex's stomach flutter, a kind of unspoken understanding that they're both sharing in the same feeling. The room is filled with chatter, the others still messing around with the astronaut suits, but in that moment, it's like everything slows down for just a second. Alex knows it's a fleeting moment, but it feels important. There's no Zayn anymore, not physically, but there's a strange sense of unity that's been forged through all their struggles. The band is no longer just a group of guys making music—it's a family. And in some unexplainable way, they've all grown together, even though it's been hard.

"Oi, Captain Alex!" Niall shouts from the other side of the room, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Time to go save the world or what? We've got a bloody video to shoot."

She grins, shaking her head, but can't stop the laughter that bubbles up as she pushes the helmet off her head. "Save the world? Nah, I'm just here for the space snacks," she says, winking at them.

"That's the spirit!" Louis cheers. "You're all about the priorities, aren't you?"

"Right, enough of the nonsense," Harry says, taking off his helmet with a dramatic flourish. "Let's make this video. We're in NASA for crying out loud, might as well put on a proper show for them."

The rest of them follow suit, each of them now clearly in their element, ready to shoot. As they begin to move toward their designated spots on set, Alex can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. She doesn't know where their journey will take them next—whether it's to more albums, more tours, or something else entirely—but in this moment, she knows they're exactly where they're supposed to be.

The cameras begin rolling, and the familiar excitement of filming a music video takes over. They get into their positions, ready to give everything they've got for the song they've poured so much into. The music plays through the speakers, and the guys start to belt out the lyrics, their voices strong, their movements perfectly synchronized.

As Alex steps into her spot, ready to film her part, she feels the energy of the moment surge through her. This isn't just a video—it's a reminder of everything they've achieved. They've made it this far together, and no matter the challenges they face, they'll always have these moments.

"Alright, everyone, let's get this shot!" the director calls, and the crew begins to work around them.

The music swells, the lights flicker to life, and Alex looks around at the boys, feeling an overwhelming rush of gratitude. She's ready. Ready to take on whatever comes next. Ready to move forward, together.

And as they begin to shoot, she knows that no matter what happens—no matter how far they go—they'll always have each other. And that, she thinks, is all that really matters.