Better Together - (One Direction fanfic by Kaitlynn)

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

The rest of the night passed in a blur.  People came and went, most congratulating Jackie on an amazing performance. But upon noticing her withdrawn, sad expression and clipped responses, they didn't stay long to chat. Ugh, she needed some distraction, get her mind off Josh. Where was Kait--"JAAACKIEE!" Kaitlynn's unmistakable squealing cut through the quiet of backstage. She was shushed by several workers trying to hear the boys. Jackie felt Kaitlynn's large but slender hands grip her shoulders and shake, "Where were yoou?! PAUL SHOWED ME A ROOM WITH FREE FOOD!" she was giggling really hard until she saw Jackie's face, "Hey what happened?" Jackie was debating whether to tell her best friend the whole truth when she blurted, "I kissed Josh,"Jackie clapped a hand over her mouth,  where the fuck did that come from?! Kaitlynn's mouth formed a surprised '0', "What?" then her giggling resurfaced, "OOH Jackie's a naughty girl!" Jackie felt a smile tugging at her lips, "C'mon Kaitlynn this is serious!! I feel terrible..." Kaitlynn shushed her, "Okay okay, I want details later!" she tugged Jackie's arm, "But it's the boys last song let's go watch!" Oh. How the hell had Jackie forgotten?! The boys were performing! A perfect distraction. They snuck out the side door and squished into the end of the first row of screaming fans extending their arms towards the stage. Damn, they were close to the stage. The fans were so excited they didn't even notice the two girls sneaking in next to them. The boys were doing great as per usual; all decked out in their black and white "formal" wear for the end of the concert. The piano started like the beginning of Jackie's ringtone, "You could be preoccupied," Harry pointed straight down at Jackie and smiled behind his mic, "Different date every night," Jackie blushed, smiled back, and sang the next lines with him, "You've just got to say the word," Kaitlynn was screaming along, her inner fangirl coming out, "But you're not into them at all," Harry was still looking straight at Jackie, "You just want..." Harry paused to stroke his chin and yelled, "JOSH DEVINE!" He pointed at Josh and wiggled his eyebrows. Jackie froze and blushed so furiously she bet the whole world could see. God, Harry that didnt even rhyme! Josh's eyes widened as he fumbled with his sticks. The drum beat stuttered for a few seconds before reverting back to its steady self. He was looking--no, STARING--at her now. Jackie couldn't meet his gaze--Hell,--she couldn't even look at him. She felt Kaitlynn squeeze her hand reassuringly. The girls around them were laughing and cheering, they seemed to think Harry was just being weird. Not that he wasn't weird...The other boys were laughing through singing the chorus, shaking their heads at Harry while taking sidelong glances at Jackie. She was so embarrassed and probably all red in the face, what would Josh think of her now? Shit, what would SCARLETT think of her now? Did she see what just happened? Somebody tapped Jackie on the shoulder, "Excuse me," it was someone from management, "You two ladies need to step back inside before you attract more attention." This lady did not look happy...probably because of Harry's little "lyric change." Jackie and Kaitlynn were ushered inside as One Direction sang the last line, "I want, I want, I wanna be loved by you." The last thing Jackie saw was Josh, looking straight at her and...actually smiling.