Walking in the Wind One Direction EDITING

31. Something, Something... Unexcpected

Louis lights a cigarette as we walk outside Wembley Stadium. The sunlight catches his face, highlighting his familiar, boyish charm. He suddenly turns to me, his expression serious.

"You're not actually mad about it, right?" he asks, a note of concern in his voice.

I pause for a moment, pretending to consider it before responding. "No, not mad. It's actually kind of funny," I say, letting out a small chuckle. "But Liam? Oh, he's going to be mortified when he hears about it." The thought of Liam's reaction sends me into a fit of laughter.

Louis doubles over, laughing so hard that tears form in his eyes. "Oh god, Liam is going to lose it," he gasps. "Well, it's too late to take it back now." He wipes at his face, still grinning.

"Maybe we just don't tell him," I suggest with a shrug, trying to hold back a laugh. "Who knows? Maybe they won't use the footage."

Louis arches an eyebrow. "Yeah, right. And what if they do? Then what?"

"In that case, we get to see his reaction," I reply, smirking. "His face will be priceless, trust me. Besides, he already knows Nicole's been pushing for us to play into this whole 'couple' thing. He even said we should use it to our advantage." I take a slow drag from my cigarette, feeling a little more at ease.

"Is that true?" Louis says with a sigh of relief. "Makes me feel better about what we said."

"Speaking of the devil," I say, nodding toward the steps of Wembley. In the distance, I spot Liam standing with a small group, his tall frame unmistakable.

Louis flicks his cigarette to the ground and starts jogging toward them. "Oi, let's see what they're up to!" he calls over his shoulder.

I follow close behind. As we approach, I hear the familiar strumming of a guitar. Niall sits casually on the steps, singing with an easy, carefree smile.

"'Cause with every kiss and every hug, you make me fall in love.'"

Other boys join in, harmonizing, while Liam munches on cookies. Without a word, Louis and I slip into the group.

"Oh, I know this one," Louis whispers, then starts singing along. I pull out my phone and hit record.

"What I feel when I'm with you, with you, with you, with you, with you, girl..."

I film Liam, who notices the camera and holds out his cookies like he's offering me one. I shake my head, laughing. He shrugs and starts singing softly.

"With you, with you, with you, with you, with you, oh, girl..."

I shift the camera to Louis, who's swaying dramatically to the beat.

"I don't want nobody else. Without you there's no one left, and you're like Jordan's on Saturday." he sings, now gesturing frantically to the camera. "I gotta have you and I cannot wait now."

I chuckle and turn the camera to Niall, just as he starts rapping while strumming. "Hey, lil' shorty, say you care for me, You know I care for you, you know that I'll uh uh uh..." He freezes mid-line when he notices the camera, and we all burst into laughter.

"Something, something, to be your everything!" I finish, and the group dissolves into giggles. I pocket my phone just as Niall switches to another song. "Okay maybe you guys know this one." Niall says.

"Hey." Liam tugs on my sleeve and pulls me to the side.

"Hey." I smile at him as I follow him a few steps down. "What's up?" I ask him.

"I just wanted to tell you that Jade's looking for you." He says.

"Oh, I haven't seen her since this morning." I reply. "Where is she?"

"I don't know... I left them inside the backstage room a few minutes ago, but I don't know if she's still there." Liam says with a shrug.

"Then I'll start there. Thanks."  I pat his arm, turning to Louis. "Hey, I'm heading inside to find Jade!" I shout. Louis waves, still singing. I smile at Liam. "See you later."

He smirks. "See you."

I jog back into Wembley, scanning the faces in the hall. No Jade. I pass the stage and head backstage, where a few tech workers are fiddling with the sound system. Most people have cleared out for a break. I push open the door to one of the dressing rooms and nearly bump into Laelynn.

"Shit!" she exclaims, her eyes wide. "You scared me!"

"Sorry," I laugh. "Where are you going?"

"Outside for a smoke," she says with a chuckle.

"Hey, get in here! I've been looking for you all over!" Jade shouts from inside the room.

I step in, laughing. Jade is perched on a chair while Daisy stands behind her, braiding her hair into neat Dutch braids. There's no one else here, everyone else has left to take a break before the next elimination.

"New hairdo?" I ask, sitting across from them.

"Like it?" Jade asks, tilting her head.

"Love it," I reply. "Daisy, you've got skills."

"Thanks." Daisy smiles, momentarily looking up from braiding.

"How was your duet?" I ask Jade. "So sorry I couldn't be there I had an interview."

"Oh it was amazing, Harry did so well too." She beams. We chat about the performance for a bit while Daisy finishes up braiding Jades hair.

"So, there you go." Daisy snaps the last elastic around Jades hair and flicks the braids forward with a flourish. "All done."

As we chat, I catch a faint odor and sit up, sniffing the air. Smoke?

Can't be right? Nothing like that is supposed to happen...

"Thanks Daisy." Jade says, checking herself out in her compact mirror.

I glance at the door. Thin wisps of smoke are curling through the crack at the bottom.

Shit this really isn't supposed to happen.

"Uhm guys.." I stammer.

"What?" Both Daisy and Jade turn to me.

"I think we have a problem."

As the words leave my mouth, the fire alarm blares to life.