Broken Things

Chapter 32

SPOV:

I could barely control my shaking hands as I applied my make-up. I couldn't believe it was already May and tonight was the night of the show. I hadn't heard from Harry but I knew he would have been busy. I was honestly glad, to an extent. My nerves could only take so much. I received a text from Zayn letting my know how Harry was doing and that he still wasn't aware that I was coming.

I was excited. This would be the first time I would be seeing Harry since our fight. It had been nearly a month and I couldn't take it anymore. Will and I had been working all week long on what we were going to do for the article but the more we talked about it, the more nervous I became.

I was able to successfully apply my make-up and finish getting ready when my phone vibrated against the top of the sink. I turned it over to see a text from Will letting me know he was here. I went to buzz him in and while I waited, I put the finishing touches on my hair and check my outfit for the tenth time. 

I had chosen  to wear my form-fitting black dress that cut just above my knees and hugged my body in all of the right places. I matched it with a pair of red suede stilettos and the same chunky, gold chain I had worn the night of the club. My hair was curled and I was pulling it over my shoulder when there was a knock on the door.

Will was standing in the doorway when I pulled open the door. His smile was wide as he looked at me.

"Wow, you look great."

"Thanks," I smiled while I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

"You can sit down if you want. I just need to get a few things and then we can go."

"Okay," he nodded and sat on the couch while I hurried around the apartment to gather my camera and purse. 

"Does he know you're coming?" he asked as I took my essentials out of my purse and transferred them into a clutch.

"Um, no, he doesn't." I looked up at him and he raised a brow.

"I see. So you're going to surprise him?"

I shrugged, "I figured I would just kind of wing it, I guess."

"I guess so," he chuckled.

When I was ready, we left the apartment and got into a car that Will had waiting for us. He tried to keep up the small talk but he could tell I was nervous. Butterflies turned my stomach ad I spun my ring around my finger. I couldn't get my legs to stop bouncing and I thought my lip was going to start bleeding. I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and I looked over to see Will wearing a kind smile.

"Stevie, calm down. Everything is going to be alright." I replied with a smile and a nod. I let out a deep sigh and looked outside the window.

The sidewalks were lined with girls of all ages as they walked towards The Garden. This was so surreal. I couldn't believe how far I had come in such a short amount of time. The night at the club seemed so long ago and although there had been some good parts and not so good parts, I thought myself as lucky. I had my dream job and was in love by someone who I would, never in a million years, believe would love me back.

The car came to a stop right outside the main entrance and my heart began to race immediately. Will handed me a press pass as he helped me out of the car. I heard him say something to the driver then he joined me as we walked inside. 

HPOV:

I sat on the couch and looked at my phone for the last time before I had to go. She hadn't texted or called me since the last time we talked. I had been trying to convince myself that it was okay but it wasn't going as well as I had hoped. The guys tried to cheer me up and I appreciated it.

"Come on, Harry. It's time," I heard Niall say behind me. I let out a sigh as I stood up from out couch and made my way into the hallway. I was met by the rest of the guys and I gave them a smile.

"Ah, feels good to be back in New York, yeah?" Louis said.

"You okay, Haz?" Niall asked.

When I reassured him I was okay, we all started off down the hall to the stage. I could feel the anxiety set in among us as we walked in silence. The roar from the crowd came through when the doors opened and my nerves increased. I liked these nerves. These were the good kind.

I was being handed my mic when a familiar scent caught in my nose. Instantly, my head shot up and I spun around. My eyes darted around the area but there was no sign of her. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

When we finished our pre-show superstitions and routines, I started to make my way to the stage. Then, the faint smell of roses caught me again. This was getting ridiculous. I was tired of being disappointed all because of a stupid perfume. With lowered expectations, I turned around again. My heart nearly stopped.

She shrugged as she smiled, giving me a small wave. My heart was threatening to beat out of my chest as I stood there, unable to move. She started to walk towards me and I could feel my feet start to move.

"What are you doing here?" I wanted to kick myself. That was a stupid question but I couldn't think of anything else to say. I was so taken aback by her presence that my thought process was delayed.

"Well you gave me tickets, remember? You asked me to come and I just-".

I didn't let her finish. I let my arms wrap around her waist and I brought her into me. I could feel her hesitate but then her arms wrapped around my neck and she buried her face in my neck. Her lips grazed across my neck and my skin felt the electricity that I had been missing for too long.

Her arms began to loosen but I didn't want to let go. Instead, I only tightened my grip.

"Don't let me go," I said into her hair. She let out a soft chuckle and kissed my cheek. We stood there for a moment more and she laughed again.

"Harry, you have to go at some point. You can't stay back here the whole time."

She attempted to part a second time and I loosened up enough for her to look up at me.

"I will just bring you on stage with me," I said, softly. She tilted her head and gave a crooked grin. 

"Hm, I don't know about that but I'll be right here. I'm working, technically," she said as she motioned to her camera that sitting on a nearby stool.

"You're working on something with us?" I asked, excitedly. She nodded.

"Yeah, we'll be talking with you guys after the show." I wanted to ask who 'we' was but at that time, I heard Louis call from behind.

"Let's go, Harry." I turned around and gave him a nod. He smiled and then acknowledged Stevie with a wave. I faced Stevie again and she looked up at me.

"I'll see you after the show," she said.

"Promise you'll be here?" I said, taking up her face in my hands. 

"I'll be right here, Harry, I promise."

I brought her lips to mine and everything I had been holding in melted away. All of the doubt and misery and the anger. The loneliness and the heartbreak; all of it fell away and I was left with the warmth that Stevie gave me. 

Someone beckoned for me again and we parted. Heat had risen in her cheeks and she was biting her lip.

"You better get going. Kill it," she smiled.

I nodded, "Thank you, Stevie."

She gave me a wink. I kissed her forehead before turning around to talk to the stage. Music had already begun as the lights were lowered.

I got in my spot and looked to the side to see her standing just off to the side, her camera prepped and ready. She smiled as me when her eyes met mine. I loved her so much and I could wait to tell her. There was no way she could possibly know but I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure she never doubted it.

I took in a deep breath and let it out, slowly. 

Here we go.