It's Gotta Be You (One Direction Mini Fic)

I've Just Seen a Face

            He looked away quickly to scan the rest of the crowd. I’m sure it could have been a mistake. He could have looked at me coincidentally. He might not have even been looking at me. I sighed to calm myself down.

            Several songs played. I didn’t know a single one of them. During one song that I assumed was called Na Na Na, Niall traced the edge of the stage, high-fiving lucky fans. He held my hand a second longer than the rest and winked. Without wanting to, I blushed. I barely heard Brooke’s laugh over the music.

            Time flew by as the concert progressed. Liam cast multiple flirtatious glances in Brooke’s direction, resulting in countless girly giggles. The other three boys—identified to me by Brooke as Zayn, Harry and Louis—bounced around the stage.

            A familiar guitar strum sounded as the crowd erupted. I thought at first it was a song from Grease, before I noticed the words “What Makes You Beautiful” flash on the screen above the stage. I looked at Brooke’s gleaming grin before returning my attention to the band.

            Liam raised his microphone and began to sing. His voice was beautiful. The song was beautiful. Harry danced around the stage, glancing at the audience, as if he were looking for someone. Then he suddenly stopped—in front of me.

            The corner of his mouth twitched upwards in a cute, half-smile before reaching for my hand. I drew in a breath before sliding my fingers between his and letting him pull me onto the stage. Star struck, I was led to the middle of the stage. Harry’s hand was still in mine as he began to sing. He looked directly in my eyes seductively. The lyrics blurred together in my mind as I got lost in his green eyes.

            As the chorus rolled around Harry twirled me on the spot and let go of my hand. Niall didn’t hesitate before taking it and leading me across the stage. My hand was traded into Zayn’s, who danced with me for a few magical moments. A shiver shot straight through my fingers as I was switched to Liam. I was twirled a final time before the song ended.

            I hadn’t realized how wide my grin had been until I tried to grin wider. I laughed and wrapped my arms around Liam’s neck, who lifted me off the ground in an embrace. I hugged each boy in turn, except Louis, who was thanking the audience for being so spectacular.

            Niall held my hand as he walked me back over to Brooke and gently helped me back off the stage. I didn’t even have a moment to breath before being engulfed in Brooke’s arms. Several comments of her jealousy spilled from her lips, but I barely heard them. My mind was elsewhere, remembering the sparks I felt when I danced with Zayn, the thrill when Harry spun me around. I imagined still being in Liam’s arms, or having my hand in Niall’s.

            I shot my gaze back over to the boys as they retreated from the stage in time to catch a glimpse of the familiar one and tried to imagine what it would be like to hold his hand.

            We were among the last people to leave the hall. The vacant seats made the garbage on the ground easily visible. Brooke and I fell to the end of a queue and slowly made our way to the door.

            Brooke draped her arm tightly around my shoulders. “So, how did it feel to be the 1 in a million girl that Harry Styles brought on stage?”

            “It was amazing,” I sang. “Amazing” was the best word for it all.

            We were halfway to the front door when I felt for my keys in my pocket. My heart dropped to my stomach. “I forgot my keys in my cup holder. Wait here,” I hurried back to the gate.

            “Well, why’d you put them there in the first place?”

            I thundered down the floor quickly and searched for my keys, not remembering which seat was mine. Quick footsteps behind me didn’t faze me, until I felt a pair of strong arms glide around my hips. They spun me around, so I was eye-to-eye with a tall boy with green eyes and a mess of brown curls.

            “Hey gorgeous,” his British accent melted my insides as he gazed at me mesmerizingly.

            I laughed. “Harry Styles, long time no see.”

            He grinned cheekily and took my hand in his. “You know, I don’t even know your name, but I really want to kiss you right now,” he stated, gazing at my lips.

            I shrugged. “Why don’t you? See what happens,” I winked.

            Moments later, Harry’s mouth was on mine. Harry put his hand, still holding mine, on the small of my back and pulled my closer to him. He tangled the other in my hair. As I put my free hand on the back of his neck, someone cleared their throat loudly behind us.

            I jumped from Harry’s arms and saw Brooke standing a few metres away. “Since you were taking so long I decided to come help, but you seem to be doing just fine,” she winked and started a slow retreat.

            “I really should go,” I mumbled apologetically, my lips still tingling from the kiss. “I’ll see you.” Harry grabbed my arm as I started walking away.

            “At least give me your number?” he pleaded. He dangled his phone in front of my face, waiting for me to take it. I handed him mine before taking his and slowly began punching my number into his contacts.

            “Hey Styles, back off, I called dibs!” Niall scoffed. I looked up from the screen to see him standing intimidatingly on the stage. He winked at me and smiled as I passed Harry his phone.

            “Calm down Leprechaun, she was just leaving,” Harry protested. Niall’s face fell after he spoke.

            “Can’t you stay? We’re going to Nando’s, you and Brooke should come!” Niall whined. I could already imagine Brooke’s pleading pout without looking at it. Harry’s expression looked very similar.

            I cracked under the pressure and giggled inwardly. “Well, if you’re offering to buy me food, how can I say no?” I shrugged.

            Niall punched the air triumphantly and Harry grinned with ecstasy. “Yes! I like you more already!” Niall exclaimed, mostly to himself. He leaped around and galloped off stage, not waiting to see if we’d follow.

            I hadn’t noticed Brooke had made her way to my side until Harry offered us each an arm. “Shall we?” he winked. We linked arms with one another and Harry led us backstage. Wires and electrical equipment were visible every way I looked. A long table had several platters half full of food. A white door at the end of the space closed gently behind Niall. A gold plaque hung from a nail just below the door frame. As we came closer to it, I was able to make out the words “One Direction” engraved into it.

            Harry placed his hand on the doorknob at the precise moment it swung up, revealing another band member. Niall’s explanation of who Brooke and I were was faintly audible within the room. I moved my gaze to the face of the boy standing in front of me. My breath caught as I saw him charming smile. It was the familiar one, and he looked good.

            He looked at us with a welcoming glint in his beautiful eyes. “You must be Brooke and Bridget then,” he acknowledged. “I’m Louis.”