Forever (h.s.)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11: The First Taste of Success

"Hello, love."

"Hi angel. You outside?" I asked, pressing the speaker button and pulling on some jeans.

"We all are," said what was unmistakably Louis' voice. There was crash and a rustle, then Louis' voice again. "Sorry, sorry lads."

"We'll be down in a minute," I said. "Love you."

"I love you too, Sarah darling!" Louis cried out, and I laughed.

"Sorry love," Harry said, chucking. "I love you. Bye, then." I hung up the phone and stuck my head into the bathroom. Fiona was in front of the mirror, carefully applying mascara.

"You ready to go?" I asked. She nodded. I pulled on the sweatshirt Harry had given me, breathing in the sweet masculine scent if it. Even for summer, the air had a chill. A few minutes later, Fiona and I were jumping down my front steps into our boy's arms. It had been days since I'd seen Harry, because their newly hired agent insisted they spend the whole week preparing an album to record.

"Lovely!" he cried, spinning me in a circle and kissing my nose. "I missed you."

"I missed you more," I murmured, letting myself kiss him deeply. I'd missed him, the feel of him. He responded cheerfully, sliding his hands around my waist and fluttering his eyelashes against my cheeks. When I pulled back and touched my toes to the ground again, I saw Liam and Fiona engaged in similar activity. Louis, Zayn and Niall stood awkwardly in between us, hands stuffed in their pockets and holding back smiles.

"Hey, " I said casually, pulling away from Harry and waving to the rest of the boys. They seemed relieved at

some recognition, because it gave Niall the courage to grab Liam's arm and pull him into the car, leaving Fiona looking confused and somewhat dazed.

"Come on then, we'll be late," Niall said, beckoning all of us into the old Volkswagen van. I laughed out loud in awe.

"Whose car is this?" I asked, allowing Harry to grab me around the waist and lift me into the back. Louis raised his hand in ownership as he slid into the driver's seat. "Very nice," I said, nodding in approval. Fiona, Liam and Niall joined us in the back, Zayn taking shotgun. As we trundled away, I noticed a prominent pout on Niall's naturally pouty face.

"What's the matter?" Fiona asked. She must have noticed it too. Niall looked up, pursing his lips.

"I called shotgun," he muttered. I snorted in effort not to laugh too hard, because he looked genuinely upset.

I reached over to rest a comforting hand on Niall's arm.

"It's okay," I said, my voice contorted by the smile aching to spread across my face. "Now you get to hang out back here with the cool kids."

"I may be up here," Louis commented dryly, "but that doesn't mean I can't hear you."

"Sorry Louis," I answered, giggling. At least it got a laugh out of Niall, too. "We all love you."

"I love you, Louis," Harry called, "but if you don't speed up at least a little, were definitely going to be late."

Louis scowled at Harry through the rearview mirror.

"Don't worry Louis," Zayn said consolingly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We know you just don't like to drive fast." Louis shook his head sadly, and the back of the van erupted in laughter.

I tucked my legs up onto the seat, curling into Harry's side. He smiled dazedly, laughter ceasing instantly, like I'd caught him by surprise. Peeking through the folds of Harry's sweatshirt, I saw Fiona giggling at the silent whispers Liam was speaking into her ear. I smiled sleepily in happiness for her. The warmth and soft sturdiness of leaning into Harry always made me want to fall asleep.