Tomlinson was the best thing to happen to me (Watty's '13)

XFactor again

"You think I can go with you guys? I've never been to something like this and I just want to have a look around."

"Yeah, I think we can."

We're backstage now, and I'm trying to sort out directions. Might as well stick with the boys, they know where they're going more than me. I pass a number of rooms with act names labelled, we're two rooms away from one named Little Mix. Is that what I saw to be Rhythmix? Probably, because I check all the rooms and unless they're two different groups…

"Louis, seen Zayn anywhere?"

"Zayn? Try Little Mix's room. The other day recording for the charity single he was talking with Perrie, I think it was."

"Is Little Mix the same as Rhythmix?"

"Yeah, why'd you ask?"

"I watched them perform one night, a live show, it was. Mentored by, uh… Tulisa? There's a blonde, a random little girl, and two of them with more hair on their head than normal."

"Yeah, they were the group that changed names," Zayn confirmed as he poked his head through the door.

"Where were you? We came in and then you just disappeared."

"Talking to Little Mix." His head disappeared for a moment. "Oh, hey, Jade." His head reappeared. "Hey guys, meet Jade from Little Mix."

"Hello everyone." She looks younger on television.

"Hello," we say.

"Hey Pezza, it's Tommy and them."

"Be over in a sec," came a muted voice with a seemingly Geordie accent. "Hello everyone."

"So you're Perrie," I say. "I think we'll be pretty good friends," I look her up and down. "You seem a pretty cool kid. Name's Annabelle."

"You're not bad yourself."

"I saw you… Week 3, I think."

"What song was it?"

"No idea. Long story, but you were still known as Rhythmix."

"Week 3 was… ah, that one. You liked it?"

"Loved it. Never thought I'd like something sung by girls but that was pretty epic."

"Guys, we need to go now, we're doing the group performance, I'll see you guys later."

''We need to go now, it's our turn."

"Lady Gaga's the other performer."

"Who's Lady Gag-me?"

"She's American."

"She's an interesting character," Liam fills me in. "Fascinating appearance when in concert."

"As fascinating for your love of Justin Bieber?"

"There's a reason why my hair was the way it was before I stopped straightening it."

"And, as it doesn't take a genius to figure out, it was your so-called tribute to that boy. Which probably contributes to Niall's love for you."

"Not as much as his love for-"

"Don't bring me into the equation. Don't."

"Why not? It's true, anyway." A knock sounds on the door, Zayn opens it. A man pokes his head in.

"One Direction, you're on next. Come out with me." And with that, I was left alone in the room. After they left, I also followed them, about 15 metres behind. In fact, I didn't even have to see them, all I had to do was follow their voices and the occasional eruption of Niall's laughs. Up ahead I see the stage entrance from the side. As they disappear on stage, I hear the screaming and that tells me they're well liked. Violins mark the beginning of the new single, and Liam starts. Steady voice, remorseful. Someone's done something wrong. Harry takes over on the high notes. It's an entirely different style from Liam. The drums start, and now I'm assuming it's Harry on really high notes, to the point that it all sounds the same when guys sing at this range. Violins take over, before Liam's voice emerges. Zayn takes on something similar, or even identical to Harry's, accompanied by a persistent sound somewhat resembling a closed hi-hat. And then what I suppose is the repeat, takes over, where Harry is the main voice. Vaguely, I can hear Niall and possibly someone else on a repeated note for each beat. Zayn takes up a section which seems to be some sort of pleading, and then now he's the main voice. But not for long. Because the return of Harry's voice filters through among the screams, and this time, I can tell it's Niall on the repeated note. When the songwriters finally decided listeners would have had enough of the high notes, they add the drums and cymbals. When the writers decided it was time to end the song, the music was reduced back to the violins. And, because this was a performance on XFactor, the screaming was cranked right up to full volume. Standing casually as the boys thundered down the steps, I was taken by surprise, whisked away.