Forever (h.s.)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14: Picture Day

"C'mon c'mon we're gonna be late!" Fiona urged, beckoning towards the door.

"C'mon, c'mon, and dance with me baby..." I sang absentmindedly, one of One Direction's songs stuck in my head, like there usually was these days. "Yeaaaaah...the music is soooo loud..."

"Hurry," she said again, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the door.

"Hold up, spaz!" I cried, laughing. "You're gonna spill my tea." She saw the sloshing liquid in my hand and calmed herself down a little bit, taking a deep breath and giggling.

"Sorry," she said. "I'm just so excited!" The boys had convinced George to let us come to the photo shoot for their album cover. It was gonna be epic.

"Me too me too!" I agreed, slipping on my shoes and making for the door. "Let's get out of here."

We took a taxi to the park and stepped outside to see that a section of it was roped off to the public. Tall, dark security guards stood on either side of the door, blocking our entrance. Their crisp black shirts read, "London Security Team."

"Hi," I said as I walked up to the gate, Fiona close behind me.

"Sorry miss, this part of the park's closed today. George Arnold, that famous music agent, booked it for some up-and-coming boy band's photo shoot."

"We're with the band," I assured him, stepping forward to open the gate. He reached out his monster of an arm and blocked our way.

"I'm sorry girls, I really can't let you through," he said again, "without clarification. Mr. Arnold's orders. He was very clear."

"Excuse me, sir." It was the first time in my life I was ever excited to see George. "Hi. Theses ladies are with me, please let them in."

"Yes sir. Sorry, Mr. Arnold, sir," the guard stuttered, looking embarrassed. He and his partner pulled open the gates and let us through, artificial smiles locked on their faces.

"Thanks," Fiona said sweetly, hooking her arm through mine and walking through.

"Ms. Sassypants," I teased once we were out of earshot. "Gosh, poor guy!" She laughed,and I turned to George. "Thanks, by the way, for letting us in. I promise we won't be distracting." He grumbled dismissively and grunted,

"I only let you in because the way those boys look at you is exactly the image I want to be the face of One Direction. Only reason." He cracked a half-smile and walked away.

"Aww, how sentimental!" I giggled.

"I feel so loved," Fiona added with a smile, steering us towards the crowd of cameras and big white umbrellas and lights in the middle of the park.

"Hi Harry!" I yelled halfway across the green, when I saw him standing in the grass and posing comically to test the lighting. He raised his head at the sound of my voice, urgently searching the crowd. The second he saw me, his whole face lit up, his eyes widening, and a grin spreading across his face. He stood there for a second, then started walking towards us; then jogging, until he reached us and scooped me up in his arms, kissing my cheek.

"Hello, lovely," he said cheerfully. "Isn't this exciting? I mean, there's like photographers everywhere. This is actually happening!" I don't know why, but right then it struck me that Harry, inside, was just a normal teenage boy who didn't believe he was out of the ordinary or deserved any of this.

"Course it is, angel," I said, taking his hand and squeezing it, watching Liam gallop happily to Fiona and give her a hug. "This is so cool. Show me everything." The look he gave me then was a mixture of pride, ecstasy, and this funny sort of affection like he couldn't process any sort of superiority between us. I just giggled and let Fiona and Liam take the lead, pulling Harry close behind.