It Could've Been Worse

Chapter Two

“That was great, guys,” Paul said when they got offstage. “Good show. They loved it.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you, Paul.”

"Thanks, yeah.”

“Thanks.”

They were still grinning. “Come on, go. You still have to do pictures and autographs.” Paul shooed them away.

"Right.” Harry grabbed a water bottle the stagehands offered them and took a swig, swallowing loudly. “Because we're famous.”

“We are One Direction,” Zayn said.

“Girls love us,” added Niall.

“Which you'd know all about, wouldn't you, Harry?” Louis cooed, fluttering his eyelashes. “I bet Liam's jealous. No one likes his new haircut.”

Liam grinned. “Shut up, Louis.” He shoved him.

Paul was still muttering instructions through his headset. He pulled the mike down. “Go. To. The. Photo. Wall,” he hissed.

“And no one cares about you, just our poor, old manager.” said Harry, pouting sardonically.

“Go.”

“Okay, okay. We're going.”

None of the boys really paid attention to the hundreds of girls who waited in line for hours for a picture.  They heard names, they smiled and said hi and hugged. They had stopped caring a while ago, really. It was all kind of the same now. Sold-out venues across countries and screaming teenagers who all claimed to be the “future Mrs. Styles.” Or Horan. Or Malik. Or Tomlinson. Or Payne. It got old pretty fast.

Several hours later, the meet-and-greet was done. The boys went back to their dressing rooms and changed, and then they just sat in the green room. Niall had is guitar out, and was strumming something and humming. Harry and Liam were arguing over who was handsomer, Zayn was asleep, and Louis was playing solitaire.

Niall stopped playing and glared at Harry and Liam. “Could you guys not yell? I can't hear myself play.”

Louis said, “And I can't hear myself think.”

“Liam, did he just say he can't hear himself think?”

“Hm.” Liam played along. “I believe he did, Harry.”

“Louis can think?”

“Come on, guys!”

Harry's face straightened. “Okay, Niall. We'll be quiet--”

“Good.” He put his hands back on the guitar.

“--if,” continued Harry, “you answer a question Who is more attractive: me or Liam?”

“Harry,” said Niall.

“Liam.” Louis threw down a card.

“Ha!” Harry jabbed Liam.

"Ha!” Liam jabbed him back.

Paul walked in and clapped his hands. “Okay, guys, pack up. We're in the bus all day tomorrow and then a concert on Friday.”

“Where?” Niall clicked his guitar case closed.

“Colorado. Somebody wake up Zayn.”