Flaws (Mark Owen Fanfic)

Chapter 12

The next three weeks past in a blur as we rehearsed, and rehearsed, and rehearsed.

Although Mark and I had been slagged by the others after our 'Kiss' , we hadn't mentioned it since, and when we were telling Emma about the party, we left that little part out.

It wasn't that it was a huge deal, it was an accident, but it seemed like we were both just embarrassed about it.

Apart from rehearsals, I spent a lot of my time with the HomeTown boys. From going shopping together to going to see movies in the cinema, the six of them were becoming my close friends. Especially Cian.

It was good because they weren't that well known so they didn't draw much attention. We could go places totally unnoticed, which came as an extra benefit for me because I hadn't been announced as the second support act.

But that was soon to not be the case as the time for the press conference announcing that me and the boy were the support act was approaching super quick.

'Are you alright Cora?', Mark asked, calling from the hallway on the morning of the announcement.

'Yeah, I'm nearly ready', I called back, as I finished styling my hair in a bun.

'Take your time, I'll be downstairs', he replied, and moments later I heard the thump of his steps on the wooden staircase.

I looked in the mirror a few minutes later. My hair was in a bun, I had minimal make-up on and I was wearing a red and black pleated skirt and black top. For once, I thought I looked pretty good.

So after giving myself one spray of my favorite perfume, I left my room and made my way downstairs.

'Wow Cora', Emma said, when I walked into the kitchen, 'You look great.'

'Thank you', I smiled, as I picked up a toy that Willow had just dropped before giving it back to her, 'But I feel like a nervous wreak. I'm afraid that the press will be hard on me.'

'Aw, don't be', Emma reassured me, giving me a short hug, 'You have three men who are there to defend you all the way. I know Mark would fight tooth and nail for you. He never stops talking about you!'

I giggled, blushing at the same time, at the thought.

'Are we ready to go?', the man in question asked, as he walked in with his eyes on his phone.

'Just about', I replied, smiling over at Emma.

With that Mark put his phone into his back pocket and looked up at me, 'Wow Cora, you look great!'

I blushed even more as Emma joked, 'Hey! Keep your eyes off her. I'm afraid you're stuck with me.'

'Damn!', Mark sighed, pretending to look upset before beaming up at me, 'I think it's time for us to go.'

Nodding, I walked over to him.

'Don't worry Emma, I won't seduce him while we're gone', I joked, making him giggle.

'I'm counting on that Cora', Emma laughed back, 'And good luck!'

After thanking her, I followed Mark out of the house and into his car.

The press conference was taking place in a pretty fancy hotel in the center of the city,and when we drove into the car park it was full.

'Wow there's a lot of people here', I whispered, looking around at all the parked cars as Mark drove into an empty space.

'They're all the press', Mark replied, as he parked the car before turning to me and taking my hand, 'Okay Cora this is it. After this you will be a known name, but don't worry you'll be fine.'

'You promise?', I whispered, feeling myself begin to panic.

'I promise', Mark replied, before giving me a quick embrace and whispering in my ear,'I believe in you Cora.'

With that we broke away from each other, and began to make our way into the hotel.

After going in a back entrance we avoided the press who were waiting in the lobby, and made our way to a room where Gary, Howard, and the HomeTown boys were waiting.

'Today's the day', Dean said, once I walked over to them, 'Are you nervous Cora?'

'You have no idea', I sighed, 'I could hardly sleep last night thinking of this. Imagine what I'll be like before the first show!'

'Get through this first Cora', Dayl laughed, nudging me in the arm.

'Don't mind him', Cian said, shooting a glare at Dayl as he gently put his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear, 'Don't worry I'll be right there beside you.'

Although Cian and I weren't officially an item, we both knew that we had feelings for each other, but neither of us would admit to them. We weren't confident enough.

'Okay everybody it's time', Jonathan, who was Take That's manager, announced.

'Cora?', Mark called, motioning me to join him.

'Good luck', Cian said to me once more, squeezing my hand before I left him.

'Just relax', Mark told me, when I reached him, 'And remember to breathe. We don't want you passing out.'

'I'll try not to', I said, giving him a small smile.

Before Mark could reply, Jonathan announced that it was time, and with that he opened the doors of the room we were in and Gary (Who was firs tin-line) walked out.

When I followed Mark out of the room I could see that we were now in another, bigger room. There was a long table with microphones and bottles of water placed on them at one end, and the other was filled with journalists and even video cameras.

I never felt so self-conscious in m y life as I followed Mark behind the table as what seemed like hundreds of cameras flashed at me. It was a strange sensation, and I was shaking with nerves as we all took our seats.

As Gary began speaking, I felt a hand catch my left hand and looking up I saw Cian smiling reassuringly at me. With that I felt my right hand being taken and looked over at Mark who was looking at me just the same way.

I knew then that I had nothing to worry about. And when it was time for me to speak I wasn't nervous anymore as I had the two men that I cared most about in my life, holding my hands and knew I could rely on both of them.

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Hey guys, 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and thank you all for voting and reading.

Love, 

Lauren

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