Just about every music award imaginable, we’d achieved in one way or another. We even had our own three-dimension film Where else could we go, apart from down. As a band, we superseded any expectations that anyone had (three years would be all we would get in the limelight). Talent shows were still as popular as ever but the winners and runners-up lasted shorter than their own records. We seemed to go on forever unlike our counterparts, despite the fact half of the band wanted out the spotlight. Zayn was happily married now, and was going to quit at any time. I think he was staying just to prove to us that we meant a lot to him. Apart from me that is, I still meant nothing to him. Louis was going to be a father, crazy right? We patched everything up on the surface. To prove this, he picked me to be a godparent. He thought we should quit this game while we’re ahead, but Liam (mainly because of his fiancé) and Niall disagreed. Everything had moved on styles, music, ages and fan average ages, even the level of hate we received. The two of us that remained single were stalked more than ever. Simon increased our level of security but that just made the diehard fans increase the pressure. We still had a huge fan base, which I found hard to believe. Apparently some people were addicted to us, like some sort of drug. New fans came in with every single and album we released. Each time, they were a different breed. Years ago, there were just a few creepy stalker types but then the numbers increased. Liking us is comparable to a form of disease that only adapted to survive. It scared me. With every fan, came a diehard hater, though. Larry Stylinson hate died out when Louis got married and it was confirmed that his girlfriend was expecting, much to my relief. Now it was Narry Storan. Niall and I, at least, weren’t accused of anything as bad as Louis and I were, but it still was annoying. Haters seemed to leave the married and engaged fifths of us alone. It wasn’t fair, but it took the pressure of them and meant Lou and I could be friends again.
We were getting a break from tours, and were just called into the studio every once in a blue moon. This lead to much more free time, but that meant more parties and late nights, which lead to more rumours. Being accused of serial dating and one night stands wasn’t so bad, especially as it was quite close to the truth. I have been advised by Simon not to date fans, I learnt that lesson the hard way. One girl who I was just friendly towards was targeted and she ended up self-harming. I hated myself and despite her saying it wasn’t my fault, I still feel pangs of guilt whenever I hear about fans who apparently ‘in-love’ with me.
A text appeared on my mobile. ‘Check this out!! Nialler’. He sent me a link to a video with no picture just words say ‘HIT LIKE! THIS GROUP IS AMAZING. COMING TO A STAGE NEAR YOU, WHEN WE CAN CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY’RE AMAZING!!!’ I plugged my headphones in and listened to a simple piano, guitar, drum kit and singer play a badly recorded but good pop song. I actually loved this song. It was everything our songs weren’t anymore. I opened the blinds while listening to this heartfelt ballad. Security cars were parked outside and the tall fences hid my house. A girl walked past with her small dog. As I listened, I wondered what she would do if she saw me. I knew I couldn’t risk that. Carelessness had forced me to change my number six times. No one (apart from the people I had answered the phone for, obviously) knew that I had kept one of those numbers live, just so occasionally I could hear voices of people who wanted me to speak with them. The song came to an abrupt halt and words said on the screen: ‘RUMBLED!! GOOD, WEREN’T THEY? HIT LIKE TO HEAR MORE FROM THIS NEW AMAZING UP AND COMING BAND!!’
I hit like. Talent like this now, that performed a song I wanted to hear again, was few and far between. Appearance didn’t seem to matter to me, at this point. For I care they could have been three or four, obese, middle-aged women and men. This made me smile. In a way, I wish our careers started off invisible. I told Niall this in my reply, but he just sent a voicemail reply of him killing himself laughing.
“We wouldn’t have been famous! You’re adored by fans for your hair, not your singing. People like me because I'm Irish and ‘cute’, not because I sing well. Look here, read this comment from 2010. ‘Sooo hot! They sing alright too!’ It has 200,000 likes.”
Sadly, he was right.
We haven’t had a new song in ages. This is what came to my mind after this discussion with Niall.
“Hey, yeah. Could I speak to Simon, please? ...Thanks... Hi, Simon? It’s me, Harry. I know... Just wondering, when are we going to release a new song?”
“Why? Do you want to Harry?” Simon Cowell replied through the phone.
“What? Without the lads?” I asked.
“Yeah, if you want. You could make it, and they seem pretty tied up at the moment.”
“Have you heard this song?” I said sharing the link. “It’s a good song. Maybe we could release it, if we could get the rights? I mean how hard it could be!” It was a stupid thing to say, I realised looking back.
“You’re right. I’ll get people still in the know onto it. Fresh, isn’t it? It could be huge, with a little help from Styles. The singers are great though. Could you recreate that with a few days left in the studio?”
“I think WE could.” (It wouldn’t be right to release something without the lads.) As if Zayn still hates me enough, leaving them out would make him worse - “if that’s possible.”
“How long has he been mad at you now? You think Perrie could have cooled him off. She’s still quite fond of you, ha, who isn’t?!”
“Yeah...” I didn’t know what that was meant to mean. “It’s been three years nearly. I wish he would talk to me, at least.”
“In his eyes, you betrayed him and the rest of the boys.”
“We’re not boys anymore, Simon. I’m 20 going on 21.”
“Ok. Sure. Well, I’ll get people to arrange it. I need to go, Shelley’s calling again.”
“Shelley?”
“Ciao. Speak to Zayn, if you can.”
“Bye.” I said ending the call. Speak to Zayn, how? I left a message on his answer phone, but I knew this wouldn’t work. He’d go to Liam’s wedding, surely. That was next week. Ok, that’s the best place to tell them all.
**COMING SOON: Chapter 5: Liam's Wedding...**
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Pieces // H.S
FanfictionHarry's world is crumbling to around him. As far as he's concerned, his life is already over. He grows cold, and bitter, waiting for his fortunes to change. Jane lost everything, but that meant she had everything to gain. One song would change her l...
