Everything Has Changed

Chapter 3

*A few weeks later*

It’s judging time for boot camp. This is it for Harry. Of course I came to support him. These few weeks without him were so unbelievably boring. Good thing I have had X Factor to keep up with though and today I get to see it in person. Harry’s mom Anne came with me too. We have been here for a little while, watching them go through the elimination process, but finally we see Harry walking out in the lineup. We cheer for him and he sees us in the crowd. I wink at him making him giggle a little. I didn’t realize how much I missed my best friend until I saw him in person just now. I certainly don’t want him to be off the show because that would be so selfish but I do want my best friend back. I’m trying to make the best of it. “Alright ladies and gentleman we are getting down to it. The final contestant through to the next round is Tom Richards.” I look over at Anne who is as speechless as me. I immediately look to Harry who looks crushed. I know he’s trying not to show anyone how upset he really is but I know him too well. Anne and I stand up out of our seats and head backstage to comfort Harry. I see Harry through the crowd but I stop when I see a manager is talking to a group of eliminated contestants. “I need Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Harry Styles.” I look back at Anne again to see if she heard and she has. “What’s that about?” Anne asks me. I shrug and turn back to see if I can see where they’re going. The manager is taking them to some back room for who knows what.

15 minutes have went by and we are still waiting for Harry. “There he is.” Anne whispers in my ear, probably not wanting to upset him. Harry walks up to us immediately. “Hey bud.” I say rubbing his back soothingly. “They don’t know what they’re doing Harry. They’re gonna regret—“ “They put me in a band.” He interrupts, not revealing how he’s feeling about it. “Haz what does that mean?” I decided to ask since he is clearly not going to tell us willingly. “I get to stay. I get to stay as a band instead of solo.” My face lights up. “Harry! That’s awesome! It’s like a second shot! This is great!” Harry doesn’t look very convinced. Shock? Disappointment maybe? “What if it turns out bad or they don’t like me?” He asks quietly. There it is, the real reason he’s quiet. “First of all, who wouldn’t like you. Second, you have to give it a try to find out.” I shrug because he is obviously not satisfied with my vague advice. I pull him into a hug. “Harry this is good news. You should be bouncing off the walls! These guys could turn out to be your best friends and then not only will you get to do what you love you’ll get to do it with people you love.” He pulls away so we can see each other. This time my advice works and he smiles. “Aside from me of course. No one is replacing your number one best friend and that’s a promise Styles.” He laughs this time. I nudge his shoulder playfully. “Hey Harry’s back Anne!” I joke to her. She comes over and pulls us into a group hug. “Well guess I won’t see you guys for a few weeks.” He says sadly. “Hey we are still gonna Skype every night! Now i’m positive you’re trying to get rid of me.” He flashes another smile. “We set up a bonfire tonight and me and those other boys are gonna get to know each other.” “Play nice Haz, and make sure you text me when you’re ready to Skype.” He nods and we all hug goodbye. “See you guys soon.” He says solemnly. I nod and wave. “Not to soon! You have to finish out X Factor!” I call. He laughs and we part ways. 

Harry’s POV

Now that my mom and Mia have left I feel like a lost puppy. Some guy is walking over to me, I think he’s a manager. “Harry?” “That’s me.” I tell him. “Follow me. We’re gonna show you the house and your room.” I nod and follow him to the house that is surprisingly close. “Alright you and the other four boys are right here in this room.” I thank him and bring my suitcase with me to a clear bed. The only one left is a top bunk on the left side of the room. It looks like the other boys have already been here but there gone now. I’m glad I can get situated without having to introduce myself right now. I’m still really confused about how I feel about this whole thing. I have an hour before I need to be at this bonfire so I decide to take a shower. I get out and get dressed, I blow dry my hair since other wise it goes crazy. I step out of the bathroom and see a blonde haired boy with blue eyes and jeans on. He’s sitting on his bed going through his suitcase looking for something. He hasn't heard me come in yet so I decide to say something. “Hey I’m Harry.” The blonde boy turns around quickly, probably startled by me. He stands up to shake my hand. He’s a lot shorter than I thought, of course I am abnormally tall. “Niall.” He says in a thick Irish accent. “You from Ireland mate?” He chuckled a little. “Yeah sure am. Mullingar. Where are you from?” “Cheshire.” I answer him. “Oh nice.” He says nodding. “Are you heading to this bonfire soon?” He asks. “Yeah I was thinking I was going to head out soon.” “Mind if I join? I’ll be ready in 5 minutes.” “Yeah no problem take your time.” He thanks me and heads to the bathroom with a toothbrush and change of clothes. I walk over to my bed and lay down with my phone. Mia texted me. ‘Hey bud. Hope this bonfire goes well! Don’t forget to text me when you’re ready to Skype:)’ I smile at her text. ‘Just met one of them in our new room. He’s blonde haired, blue eyed, and Irish. Niall.You’d love him without even talking to him. Headed to bonfire now. Will text you after.’ My phone dings. ‘He better be there when we Skype then.’ I smile and put my phone in my pocket as Niall walks in. “Alright let’s head out.” He says. “Sounds good.” I say getting up and walking out the door behind him.