Since I Saw Him Last: A Gary Barlow Fanfic

Chapter One

This is it. It felt like my life had been building up to this one moment. I was going to meet the band I had loved since the age of three. I had seen the band live several times but in a room full of 20,000 people, I was nothing but a drop in the ocean. I would be face to face with Mark, Howard and Gary in less than an hour. I didn't know how I would react, whether I would act like a crazed fan or play it cool. Either way, my heart was skipping a hundred miles an hour and there were no signs of it slowing down. I was the last person in a line of about 100 in the alleyway outside of HMV Oxford Street. I had been to CD signings before and only felt disappointment afterwards. In such instances I'd only managed, "Hey, it's great to meet you" to the artist before being ushered towards the exit without a photo. I wished this signing to be different. I hoped the boys and security could appreciate how much a two minute conversation and photo would mean to me. There was so much expectation and I only prayed that I wouldn't ruin it.

After fifteen minutes, I had approached the side door. Finally, my inner voice was screaming. A heavy built security man with a bald head and a ginger goatee waited for me to enter before slamming the door shut. Yes. I was in. In a matter of time, after watching fan after fan meet and greet the boys, I would have my moment with them. I was feeling light headed; my heart was pounding out of my chest and my stomach was waving up and down. My palms were getting clammier with each step I took towards the table. I overheard two girls in front of me talk about how hot each of the boys looked and were squealing whenever one of them looked in our direction. Eventually, the two girls in front were called by security to go next. I was standing alone and had a sudden urge to run. What was I doing? What was I going to say? What if they had a blank expression on their face whilst I'm talking to them? The thought of them showing an indifference towards me just made me want to be swallowed into a black hole. Security motioned for me to go next but I was unsure of whether my nerves could stand it.

I walked up to security who told me that I was allowed photos with the boys but conversation had to be quick. I came up to Howard first, he was taller than I imagined and I mustered something about how hilarious he is on social media. He chuckled and looked up at me with those big bright eyes he has. I'd never noticed before and realised why Howard's fans love him so much. I asked him for a photo and he put his arm around my shoulders whilst we smiled at the camera. I thanked him and moved on to Mark. Little Markie looked so cute wearing his black fedora. I was amazed at how well he looked and wanted to know his secret. He laughed, "Lot's of singing and dancing does that. Would you like a photo?" I was an inch taller than Mark; he stood next to me and beamed his warm Markie grin. I knew what was coming next, meeting my first love, the man who's ruined every relationship I've been in because no man could ever match up to him. I couldn't move and I certainly couldn't look over at him. Gary was Medusa-like, one look in his direction and he'd turn me to stone.

"Move along!" bellowed the security guard. I was jolted back to reality; I shuffled over to where Gary was. I stood there smiling at this mousy haired, bearded beauty of a man. I couldn't even fathom a hello. He beamed his perfect smile and stood staring back at me for a little longer than was appropriate between an artist and fan. I felt myself quiver. I can't believe he's looking at me like that, what the hell is this thing between us? Am I just so obsessed with him that I'm deluding myself? It felt like an energy existed between us, he couldn't keep his eyes off me. "Do you want that signed?" he said. "Uh, yeah. Sure." I replied. He reached out his hand to take the album from my grasp, still not averting his gaze from mine. "What's your name?" Gary asked. "Natasha." I replied. "Beautiful name." I registered what he'd said with a smile. He paused our eye contact to scribble his signature on the album. I was too busy staring at his beautiful face to see that he had turned round the album to write something on the back and then handed it to me. I looked up at him staring at me again, from my eyes, down to my lips and then up to my eyes again. I snapped back to reality and realised that if I didn't hurry up I'd miss my photo opportunity. "Gary, can I have a photo?" I asked coyly. "Come here." Gary ordered as he grabbed me around my waist with his right arm and squeezed my right hip. What was this man doing? I turned to look at him; our eyes were level. "I just want to say thank you for being such a big part of my life growing up. I am so thankful that you boys are back where you belong. This moment means so much finally meeting you." He gave me a crooked smile and said, "Natasha, it's our pleasure." By this point I was shaking and felt like I was going to burst in to tears from so much happiness. Gary sensed this and leaned forward to give me a hug. Before pulling away, he whispered, "Make sure you study the album cover. You might like what's on the back." He pulled away, nodded and then winked "Bye Natasha." It pained me to walk away from him but I didn't want to look back. I was motioned out of the building by security and in seconds, I was standing outside on Oxford Street. Did I dream that? What just happened? What did he mean? As I looked down, I turned the album cover to the back and saw in black marker scribble:

Natasha, here's my number: 5434 562 733  x