Unrequited

Chapter 2

“Charlotte? Wake up, love” The pale curtains had been drawn wide open and mum was sitting on my bed. “A couple of the boys have come around asking if you wanted to go for a walk around the city with them in fifteen minutes?”

“Who?” I sat up rubbing my eyes.

“You know, the One Direction boys? The ones we’re on tour with?” Mum was nodding her head in a really exaggerated way with her eyes opened wide - as though I had some mental defect. Something suddenly clicked in my brain and I scrambled out of bed for my suitcase.

“Are they out there right now?”

“No, I told them I’d wake you and see if you weren’t completely exhausted and they said they’d come back in fifteen minutes to get your answer,” Mum explained. She watched me as I threw clothes over my shoulder, searching for something to wear. “You’re suddenly very awake”, Mum observed, an eyebrow raised. “I take it since meeting the boys yesterday you’ve taken a bit more interest in the trip, huh?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”, I said with my back to mum, a smile creeping onto my face.

“All I’m saying is, don’t do anything silly. And don’t forget your place on this trip” Her tone wasn’t entirely serious.

“Stop being so cryptic mum. I just woke up and you’re hurting my brain”. She sighed and got up off my bed. “Hurry up and get ready you goose. Harry’s waiting for you!” she broke into laughter, darting out of my room. I was left staring after her, shell-shocked. I hadn’t even spoken to her about the boys and yet already, she knew which one I’d be fantasising over. 

Me and mum had always shared a connection like that. Especially since Dad left. She was my best friend and unlike some other teenagers, I couldn’t wait to go home to her at the end of the day and talk non-stop about whatever I wanted. She always knew what I was thinking and how I felt so I guess her little remark on my thoughts of Harry shouldn’t have surprised me. 

I didn’t want the boys to think I was a try-hard and that I’d dressed up for a simple walk down the street, so I opted for leggings, an oversized hoodie and a worn pair of Docs. I kept my make-up light, asking Mum’s opinion as I usually did. “On a scale of one to ten, how much of a cake-face am I?” After a moment of deliberation she answered with, “Negative four”. Her answer was almost always in the negatives, so I could never be sure if she was telling the truth or not but I trusted that she wouldn’t let me out looking like a life-size orange none the less! 

A knock at the door sent shivers up my spine. I was checking over myself in the mirror for what was probably the five millionth time this morning, letting Mum answer the door. I heard a few muffled greetings being exchanged and then Mum called out for me. She then made a quiet comment which was followed by a laugh from the boys. I told myself I didn’t want to know what she said. It was probably a completely embarrassing comment specifically designed to make me want to die on the spot.

I stepped out of the bathroom, walked into the little corridor and then into the main living area. The door of the hotel stood wide open and six pairs of eyes were staring straight at me (the One Direction boys and my beaming mother). “Hi!” I smiled, giving a little wave. I wonder how much of an idiot I looked. “All ready to go?” asked Liam

“Just about!” Mum passed me my handbag and practically shoved me out the door. “Have fun baby, don’t be out too late!” I waved her away, following the boys to the lift. Seriously Mum? We were going for a WALK down the street at eleven in the morning. I seriously doubt these boys intended on taking me nightclubbing and stealing the innocence of their tour manager’s daughter on only their second meeting. They’d probably save that for a few weeks down the track.