Maroon (larry stylinson)

Act One

"I was hittin' my marks, 'cause I can do it with a broken heart."

The cold winter air burned my cheeks as I walked through the streets of the city. As I turned the corner, I saw something that nearly took my breath away. "The Phantom of the Opera: starring Louis Tomlinson & Eleanor Calder" My knees felt wobbly. Beneath it was the window to the ticket box, hanging there was a small cardboard sign "sold out". So, this is really happening, I guess.

I pulled out my phone from my back pocket to take a picture of the big flashing sign, even though I had already received several pictures of the same view from my mom and sisters. This one was mine though. That's what made it special. I entered through the front door. There was no fiery redhead behind the counter this time. I would assume she would've been in here working her tail off due to the overwhelming demand of tonight. As I walked closer, little strands of auburn hair became visible. She was hunched over the desk, cheek pressed into a pile of papers, which had now been decorated in drool. Her earbud was hanging out of one ear, I reached over and grabbed it, placing it in my own. Guns N' Roses, I knew I liked her.

"Hey, wake up." I gently shook her shoulder. She went flying backwards, ripping the earbud out of my ear. The spinning chair she was sitting in hit the wall with a loud thud.

"What the fuck?" She looked at me with angry eyes.

"You were drooling on your papers. I didn't want you to ruin them and be mad about it later. I'm sorry." Maybe I should've just let her sleep. How much harm could a little drool do? I looked back down at her soaked papers; I could practically read through them. Okay maybe quite a bit of harm.

"No, it's fine. Shit, I'm sorry Louis." She said, rolling back to the stack of papers. I watched her begin to pick through them, discarding the ruined ones in the waste bin.

"No need to be sorry." I smiled at her. "Would you like some help with whatever you're doing?" I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"I think you better be getting on your way backstage. Big day today." She tried to sound enthusiastic but the sour look on her face was betraying her.

"You know what? I don't think I ever asked your name. Is that why you hate me so much?" I asked.

She laughed at that. She actually laughed.

"Katherine, and no I don't hate you, Louis. You should see what I'm like to people I hate. It is...not a pretty sight." Katherine said.

"That's a beautiful name. I apologize for never asking before."

"To be fair, I never really gave you an opportunity to ask. Always keeping our conversations short and stuff." She placed a paper click on a small stack of files.

"Well, how was it? Having a proper conversation with me." I asked sarcastically.

"Surprisingly, not half bad." She grabbed her infamous big gulp, taking a large swig.

"I'll add that to my resume 'not half bad to have a conversation with', I'll put it right next to 'perfect body'." I spoke.

Katherine laughed at that.

"Okay well, I'll get out of your drool." I joked.

She looked up at me with daggers in her eyes. There's the redhead I know.

"Goodbye, Louis." She rolled her eyes, trying to hide the smile that was gracing her face.

"Bye, Katherine." I waved, before heading to my dressing room.

It was a quaint little thing. A small blue sofa with lots of blankets thrown around. I get cold easily. A brightly lit vanity with all different kinds of makeup and hair products. Sticky notes adorned the mirror, little messages like 'I love you.' 'Have a great show.' but one stuck out in particular, 'From the moment I saw you.' Underneath the message was a small arrow pointing downward. I looked down onto my vanity to see bright red flowers and a "Move Along" record. I knew immediately who it was from, I knew immediately what it meant. I grabbed the album, turning it around in my hands. There it was. Track one, "Dirty Little Secret."