Then There Were Four

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

When the number 27 is called, there's barely anyone left in the room. I might seem calm on the outside but in reality, my heart is pounding in my throat and I'm gripping Dee's right hand. I'm pretty sure that I've stopped her blood flow.

Dee, Carly and I already have our autograph books and pens out. Mine's practically empty so I'm glad I'll be able to fill it up a little. Carly is holding our poster, on the back of which we had written all three of our Twitter handles.

The four girls that went in at 27 come out far too soon. They're squealing excitedly and their nauseating noises just make me more nervous.

A woman dressed smartly in a grey pencil skirt and blazer and holding a clipboard walks into the room. "Number 28, please."

Carly and Dee get up as if they've had an electric shock go through them. I, however, stay rooted to my seat, frozen, still clinging onto Dee tightly. She pulls me up. Her face has gone pale and her jaw is slack. I think it has finally sunk in with her that this is happening.

We are about to meet One Direction.

The woman leads us out the door and down a long, eerie corridor. Carly walks next to the lady but ahead of me and Dee. She's biting her lip nervously.

"Are you girls ready?" she asks, smiling reassuringly.

"No," Carly replies abruptly.

She laughs. "Don't be nervous. They're not that bad. In fact, they're just ordinary guys."

"Yeah," Carly murmurs, not convinced.

We go around the corner and stop in front of a nondescript door. The woman smiles at us again, says "Good luck," and opens the door.

I swear to God time slows down by at least a tenfold.

The room we step into is a simple square, with windows on two of the walls which have been covered by blinds. On one side of the room is the typical Brighton artificial background with the sea and a few seagulls in view. There is a red picnic bench in front of it, a seemingly hi-tech, complex camera, a few light stands and a photographer sitting ahead of that and a table piled high with posters in the adjacent corner of the room. A few publicists and security guards, dressed just as smartly as the usher, hover around the room keeping a close eye on as much as they can.

But in front of us, seated on the elongated bench and scattered around it, is all five of One Direction beaming at us.

I literally cannot help but smile back.

I am looking at One Direction. Zayn, Louis, Liam, Niall and Harry. One Direction. In front of me.

"Hi!" they say almost simultaneously.

We hesitate. "Hi," we say almost simultaneously, although I can barely manage a whisper.

There's a pause.

"Please don't say 'We're One Direction.'" Carly breaks the silence.

They laugh. We smile.

"What are your names?" Harry asks us.

"I'm Carly Tate." She grins and does a little curtsy.

"My name's Dee." Dee smiles meekly and waves.

They all look at me. I can feel my chest constricting.

"What's your name, love?" Niall. He smiles encouragingly.