It's like time has stopped and the remaining couple of hours of my shift drag on and on, not helped by the fact that I keep taking my phone out of my apron pocket every 20 seconds because I think I'm feeling it vibrate, only to be disappointed when the notification screen is empty. I'm praying to god that he'll text me.
Finally at 4pm my shift is over and I take my apron off and start preparing to go home. I don't drive so have to take the bus and decide to have a sit down and a drink before I leave given that my feet are aching and the bus is only due at 4.30pm, there seems little point in leaving work yet.
I make myself a coffee and sit down on one of the tables, take my phone out, check my notifications - still nothing - and then start scrolling through my social media.
Several of the one direction fan accounts I follow on Twitter have uploaded picture of louis here in Manchester today. I read through the captions carefully trying to find out why he's here and not in LA or London.
It takes me a few minutes but I get my answers. He's here doing press interviews on local TV and radio. I wonder if I'll hear from him tonight. I still can't believe he asked for my number.
I look at the time and finish off my drink before putting my coat on and heading out into the Manchester rain, quickly pulling up my hood. I walk down the street and wait to cross the road to get to the bus stop but the traffic is horrendous, all the while the rain relentlessly getting heavier. God I can't wait to get home. I try to cross several times but the cars just keep coming and I keep having to step back onto the pavement. Then I see it.... my bus.... aporoaching on the opposite side of the road. I step out again, now determined I will get across and get to it, but there's no hope. The cars kept coming fast and I have to again step back to the safety of the footpath.
"Fucking great!" I curse to myself as I watch my bus leave without me. The next bus isn't due for 30 minutes and there's no way I'm waiting. I'm already soaked by the rain now so I might as well just walk home. It's quite far but it will still be faster than waiting for the bus.
I finally arrived home just before 5pm, drenched and freezing cold. I decide that the best option is to just get straight into the shower, it's probably the quickest way to get my smudged mascara off my face and warm myself up.
I emerge from the shower 20 minutes later with freshly washed hair and change into my pyjamas. I plug in my hair dryer and then put my phone on charge. As I plug it in the screen lights up and there's a notification. My heart rate picks up as I unlock the screen. It's a missed call. Unknown number. Fuck. Was it louis? Have I just missed a call from louis?
I feel sick.
I'm such an idiot why didn't I take my phone into the bathroom with me? Maybe I've just missed a once in a lifetime chance to speak to him. Maybe he will never call again? My brain feels like it's going to explode with regret. I want to punch myself in the face! I could actually cry. I don't know 100% it was him, but who else would be calling me from a private number. My gut instinct tells me it was him. I just know.
I start drying my hair mindlessly, still internally railroading myself for being so stupid to let my phone leave my side for even a moment. Why didn't he leave a voicemail though? Why didn't he text? I've got no way of returning the call. He has my number and I don't have his. I just have to hope he calls again....
With my hair dry I go downstairs to get some food, ensuring my phone is never more than and inch from my hand. As I take a bit of my pizza my phone starts to ring. Unknown number. I chew quickly so that I can empty my mouth then answer. My heart is pounding in my chest.
"Hello" I say nervously.
"Hey its louis" Comes the familiar voice from the other end.
"Ohhhhhhhhhh hi how are you?" I reply placing my plate on the kitchen counter and running upstairs to the privacy of my bedroom so that I can talk away from my mum and brother.
"Had a good day?" He asks. I tell him it's just got a lot better.
"Got any plans for tonight?" He asks. I tell him no and ask what he's up to.
"Well I've just got back to the hotel and eaten and now I'm kinda bored so I was thinking we could hang out? You can show me around? I bet you know some cool places?" He asks.
"I.... ummmmm.... well.... yeh I'd love to" I reply excitedly.
"Cool. Well do you want to meet me at the hotel?" He asks. I have to catch my breath for a second. I'm going to his hotel. Oh my god.
"Yeh where are you staying?" I ask, actually I already know because I saw on social media he's at the Lowry - the most exclusive hotel in Manchester - but I can't tell him I know that he'll think I'm a stalker.
"The Lowry. I can't really hang around the lobby waiting to meet you though because there are a lot of fans hanging around, so maybe meet me in the bar on the second floor?" He asks.
"Y....Yeh. Will I be able to get in though? I mean the security will probably just think I'm a fan" I ask.
"I'll tell them I'm expecting you. Just give your name in at the door. Say you're meeting Lee White" he says with a giggle.
"Lee White?" I ask confused.
"That's my secret hotel name that I checked in under" he giggles as he explains.
I laugh in response.
"OK so how long will you be?" He asks getting back to the plans we are making.
"Ummm an hour" I reply thinking about the fact I've got to get my hair styled, my makeup on, pick an outfit and get there.
"An hour" he asks sounding disappointed.
"OK half an hour" I reply feeling pressured.
"Better! Remember - Lee White, see you soon babe" he replies as he ends the call.
I stare at my phone for a second.
He just called me babe. Then I snap back to reality and realise I now have 20 minutes to get ready because it will take me 10 minutes to get to his hotel in a cab. 20 minutes is nowhere near long enough but it's going to have to be. Holy shit.
