Gardens Of Eden (A Harry Styles Story)

27. Safe Place

Sorry for the wait! Hope you love this chapter♡

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I couldn't have prepared myself for the sight that hit me upon our arrival.

There were thousands of people in every direction, and when our driver veered around to the side entrance, Liam reached over Niall's lap and rolled down his window. Niall smacked his hand away to roll it back up, but not before at least a dozen girls saw him and began screaming.

"Gonna be quite a night." Liam grinned, nudging Niall in the ribs.

If I hadn't known better, I would've said Niall was looking a bit nervous. He'd gone quiet and perhaps even a bit pale. Zayn seemed to notice too.

As we all got out of the car and made our way through, the sound of the opening band and the buzzing stadium breathed new life into the night. Our energy was noticeably higher, and Zayn had a hand on Niall's shoulder, giving him a bro-to-bro pep talk.

Harry walked alongside me, his tall frame a comfort now that I was so far out of my element. We found the door to the backstage lounge and he held it open, letting everyone in ahead of him. I heard Marcie at the back saying flirtatiously, "thank you Harry, such a gentleman you are." And he played along, waving her through like a true host.

The first thing I saw was a giant television attached to the wall, showing the stadium from the point of view of the stage. It was nearly full.

"Eighty thousand people never looked so good." Liam piped up. Niall stared at it.

"Guys, I think we should get the band back together, what do you say?" He was kidding, but I could see in his eyes how big this was for him. He had never gone out there by himself before. He'd had his boys behind him, and they'd had him.

"Ey, don't sweat it." Harry's deep voice chimed in, "you know they're going to be screaming your name in a couple minutes, just have fun."

We all agreed and Niall downed a bottle of water before using the loo once more before showtime. Frankly, I was nervous for him. The front row of girls alone looked like they were ready to start a riot.

"We're gonna go find a spot." Gemma told Niall, "break a leg Ni, it's just like old times." He hugged her and she turned to me, "you want to come watch with us?"

"Um... I don't really do crowds." I smiled, "but thank you for the invite."

"Suit yourself," she lead the way out for her friends, who both shot me a look, as I was now alone with four of the biggest pop singers on the planet.

As the stage manager gave him the five minute heads up, it hit me. Liam, Zayn and Harry couldn't just watch from the audience, they'd get torn apart by fans. I looked at the TV to see the stage was almost ready for Niall just as two girls came walking through the door. 

Caroline and Aino were the two members of Niall's opening band, Icona Pop. They were both tall, gorgeous women with strong Swedish accents. 

"Ahh, we wanted to say hello!" Caroline smiled and they all took turns hugging and cheek kissing as I watched. 

"Ladies, this is my friend Eve." Harry introduced me and I said hello.

"We wanted to stay but our flight back to LA leaves tonight." Aino explained, "But we really appreciated you thinking of us as your opener!"

"Are you kidding? You guys will be needing openers of your own soon, and I hope I make the cut." Niall said modestly.

I was finishing my vodka soda, barely wrapping my mind around what was going on, when the door swung open and in came the fifth member of one direction, out of breathe and a little drunk. He looked at the four of us on the couch and then at Aino and Caroline by the door, and finally to Niall.