In the limo, a group of make-up artists and stylists fussed over me, tweaking my hair and touching up my foundation. Merinda tapped frantically on her iPad, asking me press questions and making me recite answers. She became snappy with me when my weary brain mucked up the words. “Come on Tegan, we’ve practised this!”
“I know, I know.” I gazed out the window distractedly.
Merinda sighed. “Fine. But if you make a fool of yourself in front of the press, don’t blame me.” She went back to tapping on her iPad. “Do you want to look at some of the latest pictures?” Her lips twitched. “This one’s all over the net.”
I shuffled over to look at the screen, my stylist moving with me, tutting as he dropped a lock of my hair. It was a picture of me and One Direction. I had a surprised smile on my face as the boys clustered round me, holding me in the air. We looked like were having the time of our lives. “This is good for future collaborations,” Merinda mused, making a quick note on her iPhone. “You look as if you have known one another all your lives.”
I looked at her warily. “Future collaborations?”
“Well, if you ever agree to get into the music business….”
I sighed. Everyone was trying to get me to take up singing. I had a good voice, but it would just be too much for me to handle. “That’s never going to happen.”
“You may say that now, but trust me, when”-
“Oh look we’re there!” I sat up, eager to be out of the limo.
“I’ll meet you inside, once I’ve secured the car.” Merinda looked me up and down, inspecting me. “Perfect. You’re clear to go.”
I stepped out of the limo into a cacophony of camera flashes and shouting photographers. I smiled serenely, and walked up the red carpeted steps toward the safety of the hall. Meeting up with my co-stars on the steps, we posed for a few pictures before heading inside.
The hall was huge, with a huge stage at the far end. There were about 50 large tables, covered in spotless white tablecloths and little candles. There were tall wine glasses and an innumerable number of different sized knives, forks and spoons for each person. Many guests were already seated, and still others were pouring through the door behind me. Waiters in long black tailcoats bustled round, helping people to spot their name-cards on the right table. I swallowed. I should have asked Merinda where I was seated. Jennifer and Emma had already wandered off with their dates, and I couldn’t see Johnny or Liam anywhere. My eyes roamed the crowd, searching for a familiar face. I was about to ask the nearest waiter where I was to go when hand touched my arm. I jumped, and swivelled round.
“Sorry love, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Louis Tomlinson smiled at me gently, his blue eyes sparkling. “We’ve got a big table over there. Care to join?” He pointed to a table at the far end of the hall, where I could just make out Harry’s mob of brown curls sticking out from the crowd as he leaned over a chair, talking to Zayn.
I blushed scarlet, unsure of what to do. I knew that I should be sitting at the table with all of my co-stars….But then again, when would I get another opportunity like this? “I-I…” I stuttered, looking around desperately for Merinda. She’d know what to do.
“Oh come on,” Louis chuckled, nudging me. “Liam really wants you to sit with us. I think he’s sweet on you.” He paused, and I felt the heat rise to my face. “As are the other boys, now I come to think of it. No, you better not sit with us – You might start a feud between us over who gets to sit next to you.” Louis’ eyes were sparkling, and it took me a few frantic seconds to realise he was just messing with me. I made my mind up.
“Sure, I’ll sit with you.” I smiled the most genuine smile I could manage.
“Spiffing! Well, if you just follow me…” Louis wove his way through the crowd of people effortlessly, and I had to struggle to keep up – Mostly because I was frequently stopped by well-wishers. Finally, we arrived at the table.
“Tegan!” Liam stood up hastily, motioning for the rest of the boys to do the same. “So glad you came to sit with us!” He stepped forward. I was halfway through the motion of extending my hand for him to shake it, but then he came forward and hugged me. I stiffened for a moment, then relaxed into the embrace, praying Liam couldn’t hear my heart, which was thudding bullets through my chest. Once Liam had released me, the other boys followed suit, giving me friendly hugs. Harry was the last to be greeted, and he looked deep into my eyes, smirking before twining his arms round my waist and pulling me in. I was slightly shocked, as this hug was far more intimate than any of the others I’d received. I was more surprised still when he held me for a few seconds longer than necessary, holding me securely within his large arms.
“Why don’t you sit here, Tegan?” Liam pulled out a chair for me as Harry released me from his lengthy embrace.
“Thank you.” I smiled shyly, and sat down, Liam tucking in the chair behind me. Liam sat on my left, and Harry proceeded to nudge Niall out of the way, taking his place on my right.
Harry turned to me, smiling charmingly. “I don’t think I mentioned this before, but you look absolutely stunning tonight.”
Flushing, I stammered, “T-Thank you.” I grinned. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” Harry smirked, and was about to reply when-
“Tegan!”
I whipped round to see Merinda standing behind me, hands on hips. “Sorry,” I mumbled, turning back to Harry, “I’ll be back in a minute.” But as I stood up and walked over to Merinda, I wasn’t so sure. She had that What-do-you-think-you’re-doing-you-disobedient-girl look on. I sidled up to her, putting on my puppy-dog eyes. “Yeah?”
“Don’t you yeah me young lady! You are supposed to be sitting over there with your co-stars! You’re coming with me right now,” she snapped, making a grab for my wrist. I stepped back quickly.
“But do I actually need to sit there?” I pleaded frantically, “The main photos have already been taken – And I’m not needed for any interviews in here!” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the boys looking at us curiously. Merinda spotted too, and pulled me further out of earshot.
“Tegan, I cannot afford for your schoolgirl crush on that boy band to jeopardise this night for you!”
“It’s not going to jeopardise anything,” I said, flushing scarlet at her use of words. A schoolgirl crush? I searched for a reasonable rebuttal. “You said it would be good for me to make friends for” – what was it – “Future collaborations! This could be a good chance for me to make powerful acquaintances in the music industry!” I looked at her beseechingly. I could almost see my words ticking over in her brain.
Merinda sighed. “Alright.” She studied my face carefully. “But under no circumstances are you to look to become romantically involved with one of these boys, do you understand? The last thing we want is for your name to appear along with the words scandal and heartbreak in one of those crappy gossip magazines.”
I nodded meekly, grinning like an idiot at my tiny victory. “I swear.” But as Merinda turned and walked away, I hoped beyond hope that I would have the chance to break that promise.
%%%
“What did she want?” Harry asked as I sat back down at the table.
“Oh, she just wanted to know if I wanted to sit at the main table instead,” I said, dipping my head slightly so that my hair fell to block his view of me. I suddenly felt very shy. Picking up the menu lying on my plate, I studied it. “What’s good?”
Harry leaned in close to me, and my breathing hitched and he breathed in my ear. “I’m looking right at her.” He chuckled, moving away, and I felt my cheeks burn. This was going to be an interesting night.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! Please comment or vote if you want me to continue this story! I have heaps of ideas, but I need to know someone is willing to read.... If you're reading this, thankyou so much for reading this far, it means to world!
