Midnight Memories

f o u r

"Her heart sank into her shoes as she realized at last how much she wanted him. No matter what his past was, no matter what he had done. Which was not to say that she would ever let him know, but all other men seemed pale beside him." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

The next day, in comparison to the day before, was rather boring. I had two classes in the morning, Introduction to Architectural Design and Art History 101, but as usual, they passed quickly. Parsons was nothing at all like high school, I actually loved waking up in the morning and going to class. Being surrounded by people who lived to create and were always coming up with new ideas was exhilerating. It inspired me.

Art History had just finished and I was making my way out of the classroom when I heard somebody call my name. I stopped in my tracks, turning around to see a Design major, Chase, and his hipster girlfriend Maria holding up a copy of the New York Post. "You made it onto Page Six Parker! Congratulations." He said sarcastically.

"What?" I asked, walking over and taking the paper out of his hands. "Why on earth would I be on Page..." My breath caught in my throat before I could finish.

On the page in front of me there were two photos: one of me and Niall, and one of me and Derrick. The headline read: Picture Perfect Love Triangle: The Senator's Daughter, The Pop Star, and the Shipping Heir.

It's a love triangle straight out of any blockbuster teen movie: Eighteen year old socialite has managed to catch the eye of not one, but two of the most eligible bachelors in the city at the moment, Nineteen year old One Direction boy bander Niall Horan and Twenty Four year old Derrick Vanderbilt, shipping heir, Tony winning Broadway star, and infamous playboy. Parker, daughter of Florida state Senator William Parker, has made quite a splash in her short time in the city, not only with her sophisticated, high style, but her array of famous and affluent friends, including the 1D boys, Miami socialite Astoria Reed, Vanderbilt, and Sophia Smith, daughter of New York Giants owner Raymond J. Smith III. Last night Parker was spotted entering Lower West Side noshery Corner Bistro wtih Horan and exiting only minutes later with Vanderbilt, leaving us all wondering as to who exactly she had planned to spend the evening with. It is a well known fact that Parker and Horan are childhood friends, however we can't help but thinking that Sterrick may just be the hottest power couple Manhattan has seen off of the television screens. Have an opinion? Tweet us @pagesix.

Sophisticated high style? Famous and affluent friends? Sterrick? What the hell was this?

"Do you mind if I take this?" I asked Chase, frowning.

"It's all yours! Frame it, you can use it as bragging rights to us non-celebrities." Chase smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Not even bothering to reply, I folded the newspaper, stuck it in my Louis Vuitton glitter speedy bag, and walked towards the door. I knew there was a lot of people at Parsons that doubted me belonging here, just because I didn't dress in pegged jeans with converse held together by duct tape. I was doing everything I could to prove them wrong, and this article was most certainly not going to help things.

I pulled out my phone and went to favorites, pressing on Niall's name. It rang about three times before he answered, me barely able to hear him over some unidentifiable rap song blaring in the background. "Hello?"

"Niall, it's Stella. Where are you?"

"Oh, we're at a photo shoot, then i'm going to go pick up my suit for Louis' housewarming. What's up?"

"Have you seen the Post today?" I asked, grimacing at the thought of the offensive article.

"No, why?" He yelled to be heard over the music.

"Apparently you and me are involved in some sort of love triangle with Derrick Vanderbilt."

He laughed. "You've got to be kidding. We've been here what, a week, and we're already in a love triangle? How very Gossip Girl of us."

I couldn't help but smile. "So which one are you? Chuck or Nate?"

"Chuck, definitely! I can rock a suit like no one's business." In the background, I heard someone call Niall's name, and he sighed. "Look Stel, I have to go. But text me later if you decide you want to come to Louis' party, I can come pick you up before hand."

With that he was gone, same as usual these days. I checked the length of our conversation, one minute thirty-three seconds. Wow, a new record since X Factor had ended.

Sighing, I hailed a taxi, climbing the back seat and bidding a quick hello to the driver. Louis' party lay heavily in my mind, leaving me conflicted about whether or not it was really such a good idea if I went. Of course there was a part of me that wanted to see him, there always had been. But after all this time?Everything was different now. Plus, I couldn't bear the idea of showing up with Niall, not at all. That would be worse than showing up alone. Then Louis would know for sure that I hadn't moved on. Know that I had been struggling. Know that I was still head over heels for him.

But... maybe I wouldn't have to show up alone, or with Niall. I took my phone out again, scrolling through my contacts and opening the one I needed.

Stella: Hey, it's Stella. Are you free tonight?

Derrick: Depends on whether or not your offer is better than the one i've already been given.

Stella: Remember that boy I was telling you about last night? He's having a housewarming party at his new apartment, and I don't want to have to go alone.

Derrick: I'll pick you up at 7


Well, that had been easy. At least now I wouldn't have to go alone. But there was still a queasiness in the pit of my stomach at the thought of seeing Louis in the flesh after a year.

Neither Ash or Tori was at home when I got there, so I made myself a sandwich before heading to my room to get a headstart on my homework. I still had three hours before Derrick was supposed to get here, so I still had plenty of time to get some work done.

Around six, I showered, pulled my hair back into a simple bun, and put on some makeup, just a little red lipstick and mascara. I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard, but at the same time, I didn't want my outside to match the mess I was on the inside. Niall had said he was wearing a tux, so the attire must be formal. I trekked over to Tori's closet, deciding on a black and gold Gucci flapper dress and a pair satin mary jane heels.

At seven o' clock exactly, the intercom buzzed, and I fastwalked over to answer it. "Hello?"

"Stella? It's Tony. There's a very dapper young man down here asking for you."

"I'll be right down!" I said, going to grab my purse off the kitchen counter and pressing the down button on the elevator. My heart pounded as the numbers on the tiny screen continually decreased, and I found myself wondering, once again, if this was such a good idea. What if Louis ignored me, or worse, asked me to leave? Sure, he had written me that note before the boys had left for LA, but that was just ink on paper, paper that was worn and creased from being read so many times.

The doors opened, and I looked down as I clacked across the lobby, not looking up until I passed the concierge desk. Derrick was standing next to Tony, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark blue suit, looking as usual like a million bucks.

"Oh darling, you look stunning!" Tony smiled. "Mr. Vanderbilt just told me you two are headed off to some fancy party."

"Please, call me Derrick." Derrick stepped forward, taking my hands in his. "You do look stunning. Don't worry, he wont be able to take his eyes off of you."

I blushed. His words were kind, but they were certainly not true. I'd be lucky if Louis and I made brief eye contact, much less him not be able to take his eyes off of me.

"Well, we better get going." Derrick checked his watch. "It was a pleasure meeting you Tony."

"Have a good evening you two." Tony smiled, opening the door for us. Derrick didn't let go of my hand as he led me out into the warm summer evening, towards a shiny, black Ferrari parked on the curb.

"Wow." I said when he opened the door for me. "Nice car."

"It gets me from A to B." He smiled, sliding in the driver's seat. The fact he was so nonchalant about owning a car like this made me wonder just how wealthy he was. He was also so quiet, and mysterious, it was obvious he liked to keep his private life private. A part of me liked that he wasn't arrogant, but a part of me also wondered what he had to keep hidden.

I was positive that a man like Derrick would never want to be in a relationship with someone like me, but could I even see myself dating him? I enjoyed his company, and of course I was attracted to him, but so far there wasn't the spark there that I had felt with Louis. Louis was so flawed, he had felt attainable, someone who would understand and be able to commiserate with what I had been through. But Derrick, he was so perfect, like some sort of fantasy. I had to be honest, it scared me.

"You're being really quiet. Are you nervous? About seeing him." Derrick broke the silence.

"I'm just happy I don't have to face him alone." I said vaguely, but truthfully. "Thank you for coming with me tonight."

"It's honestly nothing. My parents wanted me to come with them to have dinner at the Mayor's, again. Honestly, i'm glad I had an excuse not to go." He said, as if having dinner with the Bloombergs was akin to spending a weekend with your grandma at the retirement home. "Do you happen to have the address?"

"125 West Avenue." I recalled from the text I had gotten from Perrie earlier.

Derrick made a right turn and we drove for about seven more minutes before he parked and cut the ignition. "This is it."

We were in front of a luxurious looking building, which appeared to be right on the outskirts of Central Park. "Are you ready?" Derrick asked.

"As i'll ever be." I nodded.

He got out to open the door for me, once again holding out a reassuring hand, which I took. Together we walked towards the front door, which was being guarded by a burly looking bodyguard who looked very familiar.

"Blaise?" I asked. "Is that you?"

"Stella!" He smiled as I reached my arms out to give him a hug. "Long time no see."

"I stopped having a reason to frequent Miami nightclubs so much." I said softly. "But what are you doing here, in New York?"

"Louis asked me to be his personal bodyguard. It's been great actually, i'm making twice what I did as a bouncer."

At least Louis hadn't completely disregarded everyone from his past. "Derrick and I are just here for the party." I once again took Derrick's hand in mine. "Is that okay?"

"Of course, of course. Everyone's already here, just go on up." 

I waved to Blaise as Derrick and I headed across the lobby towards the elevator. Once the doors opened, I pushed the button for the penthouse, sighing nervously. 

"You'll be fine, I promise." Derrick squeezed my hand, right as a soft ding notified us that we had reached the penthouse. The doors slid sideways to reveal a party that was already in full swing. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody was blasting through the apartment, which didn't seem like a fitting word for the massive space. It was set up like a studio, an entirely open concrete area with brick walls, stainless steel appliances, and massive glass windows looking out at the city. 

"Nice place." Derrick mused, looking around. 

"Yeah, yeah it is." I said sadly, thinking what Louis had once said about him someday having enough money for us to move to New York and live in a massive apartment. He had done it, I could see that for myself now with my own eyes. My heart just ached that I wasn't a part of the fantasy anymore.

"Stella! You're here!" Perrie came out of nowhere, dressed a long black gown, dragging Zayn behind her. "We were all hoping that you'd come." 

"I wouldn't have missed it. Perrie, Zayn, this is Derrick Vanderbilt." I said absentmindedly, my eyes scanning the crowd. 

Derrick reached out a hand for them to shake. "It's nice to meet you both." 

"So you're the one who sent us the champagne yesterday, that was very kind of you." Perrie said politely. "How do you and Stella know one another again?"

But I never heard his reply. Almost immediately, it was as if the whole world had stopped. My heart skipped a beat, my palms grew sweaty, and I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even hear the blaring music over the thumping heartbeats coming from my chest.

At 7:53 p.m. on Friday, September 20th, I saw the love of my life for the first time in a year, standing on the terrace of a crowded apartment, and I knew from that second on, nothing would ever be the same.