Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 62

Chapter 61 dropped earlier this week, if you missed it go back and check it out first!! <3

HARRY STYLES

Over the years I had gotten used to the crowds, excitement they brought, the electric feeling that jolts through you before a show. It was a strange and unhindered sense of adrenaline that sparks and courses through your veins, making you feel so alive. The heat of the lights on your skin, the music enveloping you, it was all like the feeling before a big storm is about to break. You can sense it in the air.

I loved that feeling. I lived for that feeling.

The car screeched to a halt at the back entrance of the arena, the dim glow of the streetlights flickering off the wet pavement. There was a light drizzle that came down the whole time from the hotel to the venue.

Mitch, ever vigilant, was already out of the car and scanning the crowd, his face hardening at the sight of a few too many flashes blinding the driver, who frantically was apologizing. I had only just opened the door when a voice shouted from the mess of paps, "Harry, over here! Harry, can we get a picture?" It was like a switch had been flipped, and suddenly, everyone was in a flurry of movement.

The paparazzi had appeared from nowhere, their cameras like weapons in the night. The moment we turned around to the back of the venue where our stuff was being unloaded into the venue, a hoard rushed the vehicle. Flash after flash went off, each one a blinding burst of light that made it impossible to focus on anything. A few cameras were shoved in my face before I could even step out of the car, the lenses clicking relentlessly.

"Guys, come on, give him some space!" Mitch's voice rang out, firm but calm, as he moved to position himself between myself and the swarm of photographers.

"Harry, any comments on the tour?" A voice shouted over the chaos.

"What's next for you? A new album?"

"Harry have you had any new drama unfold during tour?"

"Harry this way, a photo please"

Voices in each direction shouted, hurling their way to me through the flashes of light. "Harry, we saw in the papers you have a new girl, who is this Elle lady? Should we see relationship pictures soon?"

That flipped a secondary switch. From the questions changing about me, to now focusing on Elle, her name was being thrown around left and right.

"Will Elle be in attendance tonight?"

"Can we expect a ring in the near future?"

Jesus Christ. Can a dude not have friends that are females? Like, in actuality yes, Elle is more than a friend, but never in my time in the spotlight have I ever had the privilege of having a female friend that everyone doesn't just assume is something more. It gets a little ridiculous.

I tried to ignore the questions, tried to keep moving forward, but the press hounded harder with each step I put between us. Their questions came like rapid fire, each one sharper than the last. 

"Is she traveling with you?"

"What's your favorite part of the tour?"

"Do you have a message for your fans?"

"Will there ever be a reunion?"

"Are you still friends with the guys? We saw some have attended the tour, were you aware?"

Mitch stepped in again, this time with one of the security guards, blocking the paparazzi's path. "Back up, all of you. Give him space!"

The guard was already pushing people back, but it didn't seem to matter. The cameras kept coming, the flashes blinding, the noise deafening.