Veiled Melody

Chapter 4

(Taylor's dress was AU please bare with me okay? okay.)

The traffic slightly delayed our arrival to the VMA's and I was grunting all the way to the red carpet show. It's frustrating not being able to arrive early for a show.

As soon as we got there, cameras flashed upon me as I dragged my red dress behind me. The cameras blinded me every second and with every step I took, there's always a abrupt white flash. It would make normal people cringe, but I'm used to it. 

I posed with Zac for a while on the red carpet, my heels padding on the soft, but hard textured maroon carpet, matching my lipstick.

After all the chaotic shouts from the paparazzi's and people frantically running to take pictures of us, I finally took a seat.

The world was still spinning from all that flashing cameras, but one thing caught my eye. A blonde dude, his smile tracing across his cheeks - Niall Horan. And that only means one thing; they're here, he's here. 

My heart starts to beat erratically, I haven't seen him properly for a while and I don't think I can cope with even presenting them an award. But my publicist insists and I don't know why I accepted either.

"Oh my gosh," I whisper and Zac quickly turns his head and sighs. He knows that I'm still thinking. I know that very well, but he doesn't know about the promise and that's a matter I only want myself to know about, apart from him.

The other boys strolled down, stopping at the row above me and I can't help but stare back with the corner of my eyes.

However, Harry was last to come and I can't say that I am surprised with Kendall Jenner's appearance next to him and I can't say that it didn't break my heart either.

He was eye-catching as always, almost breath taking, the sight of him ignited something in me that hasn't been lit in a long time. I'm not even used to his presence, currently. I take a big breath in and huff it all out, leaning back slightly further in my seat.

I stare back at Harry and Kendall again and I see their position and it's just the same as when I was with him, his armed wrapped around her shoulders. 

And for one moment, I wanted to be in her position. I can almost feel the warmth he could produce, it's overwhelmingly delicate and I would do anything to feel that again. Even though Zac's arms are over my shoulders as well, I swear, it produced not half the warmth, it didn't feel the same way.

My selfish thoughts got pulled back and I was bought back into reality. The hosts voice boomed throughout the arena and my mind was unwillingly forced into the show and the awards.

Not long, it was my turn to get mine. My heart picked up it's pace, I even forgot that Harry was sitting a few rows back in a while, it's like I'm preparing everything, the speech, my reaction and the acceptance stand.

Surprisingly, it is my name and I rose up my seat. Zac, however, got up too and kissed my cheek, making me smile. I walked up the steep stairs, leading up to the stage, watching my step and trying not to fall.

As soon as I made it up, I could see a clear view of everyone and that meant Harry and Kendall. They were sitting quite close to each other and his hands no longer lay on her shoulders, but they were propped on her thighs, making me cringe even more. 

I stumbled upon my words on the first part of my thank-you speech, but managed to pull my focus back and when I was done, his hands even rose from the position earlier and clapped for me, and that's when I locked eyes with him fully. Even from the stage, I could see the vibrant green I used to see everyday, but I couldn't look for long since I was forced down backstage by the host. 

I quickly fumble my eyes over the script, making sure I can memorize and not mess the presenting speech. There are four other nominees, one of them is One Direction, well at least I have four other chances of not getting near Harry's presence.

As soon as I got called up, my heart started to pick up it's rate again - for the third time today. Sweat started to build up, wrapping itself all over my body, sending adrenaline flowing through my veins. It sent chills through my body making me more nervous than I've ever been at presenting. The introduction words slipped out of my lips easily.

"And this year's single nominees are," I say, stopping for the audience to look at the screen, showing the nominees.

The audience's stare pressured me into opening the card more faster and I fumble with that for a while.

Please, not One Direction. Please.

And then fate steps in, god takes the wheel and I read the big bold letters clearly written on the folded card board paper.

One Direction.

"One Direction!" I try to say as enthusiastically as I can, but my heart pounds even more and no decibels filled my ears, everything was blur, I didn't know what I was doing either, the audience is clapping, but I had no idea. I couldn't hear a thing. All I could see was spotlight and the boys strolling on stage.

I hugged Niall; nothing changed really, his smile was the same, his laugh was the same.

I hugged Liam. His big body towered over my petite ones, but fortunately, my height slightly differed from his and his manners still filled me in awe.

I hugged Louis; he still had a sweet, genuine smile, I remember back in MSG when he was dancing with his girlfriend, Eleanor and he had this same smile on. 

I hugged Zayn, I remember this lad well. I was close to his girlfriend, Perrie, although I haven't seen her since and it's weird being attached to him at the current moment, with everything going on.

And then Harry stepped forward and my smile started to fade. This is the moment I dreaded, I didn't want to feel like that. I don't want to feel hurt. But I wanted to grasp the promise and hold it tight and it may or may not be in this moment. Nothing feels the same and it feels like the walls started to cave in, making it the two of us. Everything slowed down and nothing seemed real.

Suddenly, everything seemed gone and every inch of my surroundings seemed like it was placed in a dream.

His touch made me shiver, flinch even, but I managed to wrap my arms around his wide back and he reciprocated, by wrapping his around my waist. This made everything zoom back in. I breathed properly, but it was still at a fast pace. My heart still pounded so fast I feel like it can pop out of my chest anytime soon. He got taller, his curls now touched my forehead and I no longer stood the same height as him. His arms produced that familiar warmth. It always had and I missed it so much.

"Calm down." Harry whispered, his raspy words echoed through my senses as my breathing did nothing but become faster.

That was the first thing he said to me, and I can already tell, his voice got deeper, raspier and lower. I've never seen such a change on a person, it stunned me. My pupils felt like it could pop out of my eyes and I stood there paralyzed, not even realizing that they're almost finished with the speech.

The host had to wave a hand in front of my face to snap my mind back. I had to process everything. We are in an award show. I'm presenting. One Direction won. I'm presenting. I. Am. Presenting.

The boys had already gone down backstage and the claps signalled it well enough for me, so I walked off stage, smoothly making sure to not cause anymore suspicions that I perhaps still is utterly in love with him.

My head is spinning, and I couldn't even walk. My eyesight is blur and sweat rolled down my forehead, I had to prop my hand against any objects I could find on the way in order to walk to get some water. But before that I could already feel myself falling. But I wasn't, I was still standing, however my senses made me feel all weird. It doesn't feel like I'm standing anymore. It doesn't feel like I'm falling either. Not sitting either. It felt like I was held on to. 

Strong arms wrapped around my waist and I thought it was Zac until I saw it clear now. I've never seen him this close in months. His green eyes stood out so much, it was almost staring right into my soul. Before I could think, a voice filled my mind, making me even more flustered.

"I think you have a habit of falling and I have a habit of catching you," He barely whispers.