The Other One {Harry Styles AU}

18. Now

(A/N: the pic for this chapter is from the Rose Bowl 9-13-14. There is a second music showcase is in this chapter, the focus is on Harry's band. Their set list will be Little Black Dress, Why Don't We Go There, Right Now, Through the Dark, and Happily. Remember, in this world, Harry primarily writes the lyrics, while Louis and Liam compose the music. These are the words he's written since meeting Maddie... <3 oh, and there's some smut, so if you don't like that, um, you might want to stop reading this story... Please vote and comment and share )

I finally get to the music room on Friday to meet Harry and the guys for our Halloween plans. I slide through the door quietly, catching them during a song I haven't heard before. Harry is singing, just a bunch of oh-oh-ohs. But, god, his voice is so deep and lovely. When he sees me standing there, his singing fades out and his smile spreads. He sets down his bass and holds me instead.

"Hello, love." He kisses me, and the other boys snicker. I roll my eyes at them. "How long have you been here?"

"Just got here. I liked what I heard of that song." Liam beams at me.

"What did you hear?" He looks slightly panicked.

I answer in monotone, "Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh," smirking. Zayn, Louis, and Niall are cracking up.

He laughs, "it sounded that good, huh?"

I offer a one-shouldered shrug. "Are you guys ready? Lou and Becca should be getting to my house soon."

They pack up their guitars and music, and we head out to my car. As we drive home, I tell them about Jessica, the fan who struggled with depression, and Harry keeps glancing at me, like he wants to make sure I'm okay. My encounter with her shook me up, for sure. And it made me terribly sad to think of her little brother. What he would lose if he lost her. But I am okay.

Lou and Becca are already waiting in my driveway when we get there. The plan was originally for all of us to get costumed and make-upped here, then meet Mitch and Jenna down in West Hollywood, but I argued it would be too fucking packed to find each other, so Mitch and Jenna are coming here in about an hour. "Sorry we're a bit late," I hug them both.

"No worries," Lou says.

I introduce everyone. Lou has her makeup kits in hand, and Becca grabs a set of garment bags from her car. Louis takes them from her and carries them to my door. The guys all separately emailed me what they wanted to be, and I forwarded their sizes and preferences to Becca. All of the costumes will be a surprise. Except my "Turning Pages" team and I planned ours to match. Harry doesn't even know his own costume.

"Your house is so nice," Zayn says. "I really like how it's so... Chill."

"Thanks," I smile at him. "I'm sorry it took me so long to invite you guys up."

"How long have ya lived here," Niall waves his hand around the tv room. "It looks like a magazine."

"Um. Coming up on three years."

"You live here alone?" Louis asks, and Liam smacks his shoulder.

"Enough with the fucking interview," Harry cuts in. "Go, get dressed."

I lead the four guys to the two guest bedrooms and bathrooms. Harry and I go with Lou and Becca to my room. He changes in the bathroom, and his laughter echoes off the marble tile. I guess he likes his costume. Lou braids my hair and does my make up quickly while Becca lays out all the components of my costume. Then Becca goes to check on the guys, and Lou heads in to my bathroom to add some special effects makeup.

The detail on my Pinocchio costume is incredible. I have tan stockings with hinges painted on at the knees, high-waisted red shorts, a little yellow hat with a red feather, and a tight long-sleeved yellow t-shirt that makes it clear I am not a boy. There are hinges drawn on at the elbows, and a cricket pinned to my shoulder. I tie a blue ribbon around my neck with a large bow. My make up is pale and simple with a circle of deep pink blush on each cheek. I have a very phallic liar's nose that I can carry or wear, depending on how I'm feeling.