Half A Heart

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Anne drew’s POV

Three days had passed since the contract signing and I still had to pinch myself every morning just to make sure it wasn’t just a dream. Paul told us that we were gonna be the opening act for One Direction’s Summer Tour in America. And first stop would be sunny L.A. we just have to sing two songs for every show. One original and one cover. “What about grannie?” I asked Justin. We’re here in the living room, just the two of us because grannie is taking her siesta. I had my head on Justin’s lap.

“I’m still thinking about it.” He said. We still haven’t told grannie about the tour and about the contract - that didn’t have her permission - we signed. I feel guilty about hiding this from her. I don’t like keeping secrets. I mean, she’s old, she takes care of us. She has the right to know everything we’re doing. “What if we tell her what had happened three days ago, and then see if she approves of it. If not then we’ll back out.” He said calmly.

What is he kidding me?! After we signed that contract without consent we would back out! It’s like hanging on to nothing. “What?!” I yelled at him. “Do you think it’s that easy to just back out of a contract?! God, Justin! After all we have been through, you say we back out?! This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for!” I stood up angrily. I can’t help it. I lost control. But he’s just so irresponsible. If at first we could’ve just asked grannie about this. Justin was taken aback with my explosion.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THEN!?” he shouted. “This is hard for me too you know! I know this is the publicity we’ve been hoping for!” he said in exasperation. His eyes filled with concern, and at the same time frustration.

I know any minute know my tears would flood, but before I knew it they were all rolling down my cheeks. I ran both my hands through my hair then said “I just don’t wanna leave grannie here alone.” It hurts. I couldn’t bear to see her sitting alone here in the house. You know how sensitive I am with old people. And the thought of something happening to her while we’re away just breaks my heart. I know she would say yes to this decision we made, because this makes us happy. She would do anything just to see us enjoying ourselves. And she knows this is our life-long dream.

I felt Justin grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, then hugged me. “Shh. Don’t cry. I’m sorry. I know how hard it is to leave her here. But I’ll make sure she won’t be left alone.” He comforted. I just kept crying there, in Justin’s arms. It took him an hour to calm me down. “Are you okay now?” he asked after my breathing evened.

“Yes. I’m sorry for shouting at you.” I apologized.

“It’s okay. Do you want some ice cream?” he pulled me up then we went out the door and walk to the ice cream station. When we got there Justin and I sat at the high stools in front of the counter.

“Oh hey guys, long time no see. How’re things?” the ice cream guy, Terrence, asked. He’s my age, goes to the same uni and somewhat became close to us. We’ve been here to this ice cream parlor ever since we moved here in London. Terrence is a working student. He’s kind, generous and cute, average, tall, not that beefy but has muscles. I think he’s working out. Someone’s ideal boyfriend perhaps. Okay, back to present. “Andi, did you cry?” he asked after seeing my state. He calls me Andi because he says Anne drew was too long.

“W-what? No.” I denied.

“Come on, you can tell me.” He insisted.

I looked at him then at Justin before I spoke. “Well… five days ago, someone from a music company called us to submit a demo. And three days ago, we got signed to a contract with Syco.”

Terrence raised an eyebrow at me. “So you two got signed into a contract then you cried because….?”

“Because, we still haven’t told grannie yet and we don’t know where we’ll leave her.” I looked away.

“Where are you going anyway?”

“We’re gonna be the opening act for One Direction’s Summer Tour… in America” I explained to him in a low voice.

“WHAT?! OPENING ACT FOR ONE DIRECTION!” He shouted. The people in the station, especially the girls looked at us.

“Shhhhhh!” Justin hushed him. “Nobody knows yet. So pipe down. Bud.”

“Sorry, but are you serious guys? America? One Direction?” Terrence asked wide-eyed.

“Yeah, even I can’t believe it.” Justin said. Then went back to ordering “Bro, our ice creams?”

“Oh yeah. I forgot. Are you gonna have your usuals?” Terrence asked, going back to reality.

“Yes please.” I told him. He started scooping up some ice creams and adding up the toppings. “A lot of cornflakes and chocolate chip please.” I reminded him.

“Of course. Uhm... we have a new syrup. Ferrero. I know you want ‘em!” he wiggled his eyebrows and flashed his dazzling smile. He knows me well. I love Ferrero you might add! He poured a lot of syrup on my ice cream then gave it to me. “It’s on the house.” He winked.

“Thanks bro!” Justin said.

“Whoa, whoa. Dude, just her’s. You’ve got money to pay for your own.” Terrence stuck his tongue out. Justin gave up and just paid for his ice cream.

“Back to the topic.” I turned to Justin. “May I ask when did you start writing songs, huh?” I glared at him.

“What?! Is there something wrong about writing songs?” he retorted.

“Yes. Because you didn’t tell your little sister about it. Let me see them!” I ordered, stretching out my hand. Justin laughed, but gave it anyway.

“Oooh. I wanna see!” Terrence said after serving a customer.

I read the lyrics and it was quite good like what Simon said. “Have you got any tune for this?”

“’Course” he said, scooping a spoonful of ice cream. “We can record it later if you want.”

“Really I’m so excited!” I bounced up and down my seat.

“Err. Excuse me?” someone tapped my shoulder. So I spun around and faced her. She was about 12, I guess and beside her were two more girls the same age as her.

“Yes?” I asked them sweetly.

“Could we have an autograph and uhm, a picture? Please?” she asked.

Okay? This is weird. Why do they want autographs and pictures? I looked at Terrence and Justin who both have their eyebrows raised. “Err. Sure?” I told them, confused.

The three of them squealed then said “omg! It’s her.”

“What about me?!” Justin whined.

The girls giggled and then one of them said “Of course. How could we forget about Justin.” That made me more confused. How did they know him? Are they like, stalkers or something? Anyhow, I gave Terrence their camera and posed beside the girls. After that I signed their phone cases. “Thank you.” They said and walked away.

“That was just weird.” I said in astonishment.

“You’re YouTube sensations! What can you say?” Terrence said. “Get used to it. Someday you’re gonna be big. And it starts at the Summer tour.”

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.