Pieces // H.S

Chapter 17: Jane: Little White Lies

I was sitting at the piano playing our new single, which I had written in about an hour this morning. The song summed up the events of yesterday, but I don’t think anyone could tell. I obviously changed the names of people involved, but in my mind I could see the characters very clearly. It was just the producers and the management crew in the studio with me. Felicity was busy at photo shoots with Niall, and Jade, we had no idea where she was. Her Personal Security Guard said that she was taking the day off and didn’t want to be disturbed. Our manager argued with her for nearly an hour, but they seemed to come to some arrangement. After I recorded the piano part, I had just enough break time to text Harry to explain the situation I had to put him in. At this point in time, I seemed to be the middle man that everyone passed everything between. Felicity had sent me the three texts that Niall had sent to Harry so I knew what was going on. I had to invent this story that Harry knew all about Niall and Felicity because she had to tell Harry when he asked her out. I know that being the middle man meant I had to try to please everyone but I always end up the one being shot at. When my break was over, management praised my song and pushed me back into the studio to record the guitar part. Next I had to write the melody for the vocals. These tasks weren’t too taxing, after all this is part of my job, but I found it so hard to concentrate with this whole situation going on.

- - -

I had forgotten about the UK Pop award ceremony tonight. I was only reminded when our manager asked me who I was going to bring, seeing as all the tickets were plus ones. When I told our manager I didn’t know who I was going to bring, he suggested a few names like Bradley Simpson (from the Vamps - he tried to call me once or twice) or Josh McClorey from the Strypes, but I didn’t really know them - certainly not enough to invite them to the UK Pop awards. This was my first award ceremony and I wasn’t about to ruin it by inviting someone who only wanted to befriend me for my money and fame. When I decided against the names, Matthew (our manager), grabbed my phone and said: “I’m going to call a random contact on your phone and invite them to the award ceremony tonight, since you’re going to be so indecisive.”

He squeezed his eyes tightly and pressed on a number. The number was calling and he put it on loudspeaker.

“Jane?” All I could tell from the muffled voice on the call was that it was a man.

“No, it’s her manager, Matthew Simmonds. I was wondering  what your plans were for tonight? If you don’t have any would you be happy to go with Jane to the UK Pop awards this evening?” What if this person gets the wrong idea?

“No, I don’t have any plans. Ok. I’ll go with Jane to the awards, if she wants me to.” He replied.

“Who is this? The call quality is quite poor.” Matthew asked. "I should probably explain, I picked a random number from Jane’s phone, because she was too shy to call anyone. I hope you’re not offended that she didn’t pick you directly.” Matthew replied to the person who was just about to reveal their identity.

“No, of course I’m not offended. I’m just glad I’m a contact on her phone. Well… Jane, you might not be too pleased about this but… It’s Harry; Harry Styles.”

I felt my face fall. Matthew covered this by saying that I was quite content about this and a car would pick Harry up at around 7:30pm. I left the recording studio and stood outside in the alleyway for some fresh air.

Matthew joined me outside in the alley once he had rounded off the call. He handed me my phone back and I shoved it deep into my pocket of my leather jacket.

“Is there something you wish to tell me about, because you can count on me as a listener and I promise I won’t tell anyone?” Matthew was more like a big brother to me recently. He was always my top supporter; he was always saying that it was very easy for the youngest band member to be pushed around especially as I was often very quiet. I decided that I could trust Matthew with the details of my predicament with Felicia and her relationships. Once I had finished telling Matthew the whole story, he just rubbed me on the shoulder and said: “You don’t worry, kiddo, about Felicity’s complicated relationships. Forget about it and say, if they contact you again, that they have to contact each other directly. Harry’s just your escort tonight and I know that you’ll make that perfectly clear to everyone who cares. You don’t really need to care about what the press will rumour, as long as you know what’s true.” He paused and backed away from me, then as he turned to leave, he remembered “Are you ok with doing a live performance at the awards, I know it’s your first time live, and it's a big ask, but we really could do with the publicity?!”

I nodded, agreeing to do the live performance tonight.

“I knew I could count on you, kiddo! We’ll just have to see about Jade and Felicity, though.”