Through the Dark

Chapter 2

"Ok, Iris don't freak out... but I think I may have bumped into Harry Styles."

I could practically hear her thought process (I think it's the hyperventilating that gave it away).

"Wait so... I wondered why he had chocolate milkshake spilled down his top." She replied after she'd finally calmed down.

"I spilled drink on him?! No wonder he was so annoyed! I should go and apologise."

I heard Iris squeal.

"Yes, you should. I'll come with you, for moral support of course."

She pattered over to me and hoisted me up, nearly pulling my arm out of it's socket.

"Iris!" I exclaimed, and she loosened her grip.

"Sorry, sorry. Come on!"

She pulled me towards a table and I heard a conversation come to an abrupt halt.

"Um, excuse me." Iris said, suddenly quiet- that's a first.

"Hi" I said "I came over here to apologise."

"Do you want an autograph or what?" Replied a clearly still annoyed Harry.

I turned my head towards his voice.

"Look, you don't have to be so bitter about it. It was an accident. And I can pay for dry cleaning or whatever." I was suddenly defensive.

I heard a quiet laugh.

"I don't need money thanks. Do you want a picture or something?"

I exhaled, irritated.

"As much as I would love a picture or an autograph, I came to apologise. Now that that's done I think my sister and I were leaving." I marched back to the table and realised that Iris hadn't followed me. I heard the click of her camera and then she was running towards me.

"Oh my god Heather, I got a picture with One Direction!" I could hear the rhythm of her feet as she bounced up and down.

"Do you want to order food?" She asked.

I was about to say no but my stomach answered for me with a loud grumble.

"I suppose I'll have... an omelette with chips." I said and I sat down as Iris went off to order our food.

All of a sudden I heard the sound of two people sitting down opposite me.

"Sorry about Harry" an Irish accent began (clearly belonging to Niall) "he's just a bit touchy around fans today. We got mobbed a little earlier."

"Yeah" the next voice (Louis) said "we came here for some peace and quiet and you and your sister were the only other people that have come in since we got here."

I was stunned. I mean, two members of One Direction were talking to me and siting at a table with me... wow.

I cleared my throat.

"Oh, that's ok. I just got a bit annoyed. Silly really."

"Would you like a picture though? I know your sister did, it would be silly for you to miss out as well" Niall said.

I felt awkward. If I said no they'd think something was up, but if I said yes I wouldn't know where the camera was and give the game away.

Luckily before I could answer Iris was back.

"Oh, uh, hi." She said going quiet again.

She squished next to me in the booth and said she'd ordered our food.

"Are you going to take us up on our picture offer then?" Louis asked.

Iris answered for me "Oh, she doesn't want a picture. She's bl-" I kicked her in the shin before she could continue.

"Bloated. I'm bloated. Terrible. No pictures for me. Thanks for the offer though." I improvised. I could sense the funny looks they were giving me so I smiled and my sister spoke up.

"Ok! Well I don't believe we've all been properly acquainted. I'm Iris and this is Heather."

"Hello Iris, Heather." Louis said.

"Oh we're shaking hands then" Iris said for my benefit so I stuck my hand out in hopes they would grab it and I wouldn't have to search for theirs.

That's exactly what they did, and when our food arrived we carried on talking.

Various questions about shopping and being famous were asked until someone else sat down on the seat opposite.

"Guys, we have a problem" Zayn said.

"I think someone noticed us here and now there are more than a few people outside the café. We're blocked in." He continued.

I began to panic. How did I not notice the increased background sound? I was too carried away with talking to Niall and Louis.

"Iris?" I asked nervously.

"How are we going to get out?" She asked the boys.

"If we go one by one we can-"

"-No" Iris interrupted Zayn.

"I think it's best if I stay with my sister."

"But we'll draw less attention if we go one by one. Then we can push through the crowds and they won't see us." Liam said as he joined the conversation.

"Can't we stay here?" I asked.

"Who knows how long it will take the fans to clear out? It could be hours." Harry interjected.

I began to panic. I couldn't deal with a crowd as big as that one sounded. I wouldn't be able to hear anything and... I could feel my breathing getting tighter.

"My sister has claustrophobia" Iris cleverly made up. I calmed down a bit, that makes sense. They'll believe that.

"I do too Heather, but it isn't as bad as it looks out there. There are only maybe 50 people, see?" Niall said.

But that was the problem. I couldn't.