They were standing a little apart from everyone else, laughing at some unknown joke. Dressed in smart black tuxes, they looked flawless. I stopped short, suddenly frozen to the spot. Merinda looked at me strangely. “Come on, what are you waiting for?”
“Merinda, I can’t.”
“Why not?” She crossed her arm, tapping her foot impatiently.
“Just because. They’re so-so…” I trailed off, shaking my head.
“They’re so what? Famous, talented, attractive? Honey, you’re all of those things times a million,” Merinda said soothingly, checking her watch, “There’s no need to feel intimidated.”
“But”-
“For god’s sake Tegan, I don’t have time for this!” Merinda’s patience snapped, and she grabbed my wrist and strode deliberately towards the boys, tugging me behind her.
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Stop walking so fast, I’ll trip up!” I said, trying not to falling over my feet in my stilettos. Merinda let go of my arm, but I was already going too fast. I caught a heel on the thick red carpet and fell. I wheeled my arms, gasping in alarm as the floor rose to meet me – But somebody caught my arm, sliding their own round my waist, steadying me.
“Whoa! Are you alright?” The voice was soft and full of laughter. I looked up, straight into the eyes of Liam James Payne.
%%%
“I’m so sorry!” I stumbled to my feet, and Liam’s strong arms retracted from around my waist, where they’d been holding me securely. I felt myself turning red as his skin brushed mine.
“It’s OK,” Liam laughed, “I think you’ve done extremely well to only have fallen over once in those heels!” He straightened out his tux, looking over his shoulder and calling for the rest of the boys. Then he turned back to me. “I’m Liam, by the way.”
“Hey, I’m Tegan.” I reached out, shaking Liam’s and smiling coolly at him. Inside, I was screaming. I was an avid directioner, and all my senses were telling me to fangirl. Trying to calm myself, I shook hands with Niall, Louis and Zayn, marvelling at the fact I was actually touching them. I tried not to hold eye-contact for too long, knowing that if I did, I would probably freeze. Then my gaze turned to Harry, and my breath caught in my throat once again. His eyes locked mine and I stood for an instant, unable to move. Harry’s eyes trailed down my slim frame, taking me in. I felt horribly exposed under his thorough gaze. Did he like what he saw?
“Hey.” Harry extended his hand, and I shook it numbly, still staring at his face. He had on that trademark half-smirk of his, like he knew exactly what his eyes were doing to me. Feeling slightly weak at the knees, I dropped my hand, only just remembering to keep the smile on my face.
“Congratulations on the film, it’s absolutely brilliant!” Louis’ words broke me out of my trance. I grinned at him, my heart racing.
“Thanks.” I paused for a beat, searching for something to say, “It was all down to Jennifer though. She’s incredible.”
“Nah, your acting made the whole thing,” Liam cut in, smiling at me, “And the script was amazing too. I heard you co-wrote it?”
“Yeah.” I smiled warmly.
“Well, you have a wonderful way with words.”
I felt myself going any redder than my dress. Before I could reply, however, Paul appeared behind the boys and told them they were needed elsewhere – probably to make small talk to the other minds behind the film.
“Boys, a photo?” Merinda held up her iPad expectantly. The boys gathered round me, smiling gently at the camera. My heart skipped a beat as I felt Liam’s arm coming in to caress my waist, and Niall’s warm breath on my shoulder. The camera flashed. “Now a silly one….” Immediately, the goys sprang into action. Louis jumped onto Harry’s back, and Zayn and Niall hoisted me up onto their shoulders. I squealed in shock.
“Stop it guys, I have a dress on!”
“Zayn, you really should put her down,” Liam said, realising my discomfort.
“Nothing we haven’t seen before,” Harry chuckled, winking at me. He dropped Louis and they came over to aid in lifting me up. After looking at me for consent, Liam followed suit. Smiling breathlessly at the camera, I savoured the feeling of being touched by the 5 teen idols – After all, this was the first and probably last time I was ever going to see them.
After the picture was taken the boys set me down. “Sorry about that,” Liam whispered, looking embarrassed. “They seem to forget where we are, and don’t seem to remember the fact they don’t know you at all.”
I laughed. “It’s OK. How many other girls can say they got carried by One Direction?”
Paul reminded the boys they had to be off, and they all said farewell with great enthusiasm.
“I guess we’ll see you at the after-party then,” Liam said, turning away slowly. Then he stopped, and looked back. “We will see you there, won’t we?” He sounded hopeful.
“Yeah, that’d be great.” My mind was whirring as Merinda ushered me away to meet a few other people, then back to the red carpet for some final photos. Did I actually just meet One Direction? Did I actually just talk to them? And it was probably just my racing teenage mind blowing things out of proportion, but I could have sworn Liam and Harry were checking me out.
