Strawberry Fields Forever

Strawberry Fields Forever - Part Eighteen (18)

Mae POV

I wasn’t frightened about meeting the rest of One Direction. It was either they like me, or they don’t. All my life I’ve had to put on my ‘normal’ face, but I was sick of it. I am so sick of trying to conform so I can be acknowledged by society. I can honestly say now I don’t give two shits, and I hope the way that’s going to stay. Sorry, but I must rant.

Back on to the topic of meeting the band, I am still excited. I mean, when is it that you have the opportunity to meet one of the biggest boy bands in the world? Not often, my friend, not often. I’d managed to chuck on a decent outfit: My tattered cherry red Doc Martens, ripped denim shorts, loose V-neck T-shirt, gold studs and a thin gold chain (just for a little jewellery). But the only thing that bothered me was whether to wear makeup or not. Should I? I look over the large array of products I have: Mascara, foundation, concealer, multiple eye shadows, eye liners, blush, and many many more products I am unfortunately unable to name. To be honest, I don’t see the point in wearing makeup, but since this is a bit of a special occasion, and I am meeting quite important people, I should at least put on mascara and a little red lippy. I grab the product and slick the tube of the deep red pigment over my medium sized lips, careful not to get any outside of the edges of my mouth. I pucker my lips and look in the mirror. Perfect. Now I just have to put a little mascara on … and … done. I think this is the first time I’ve ever worn red lipstick I think to myself slowly. Oh well – there’s a first time for everything.

I drag myself out of my bathroom to collect my bag with my purse, phone inside and slip it on to my shoulder. Zayn is waiting in his car outside, and I quickly check the room for anything I might need. Keys: check, jacket: check. Nothing really else is there? I can always buy food when I’m out with the rest, I guess, if I need to. I lock the door and jog to him. His face is shocked, while mine contorted in confusion. What?

“You look absolutely stunning, Mae,” he says to me with pride. But I just put a little –

“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” he suddenly says, looking in to my eyes. I look away, facing the road. Where did this come from? He clears his throat and suddenly says;

“The boys are really looking forward to meeting you. Especially Harry,” he again says amused. I scrunch my face up.

“Harry’s the perverted one, right?” I say with a smirk. He nods, and I burst out laughing. He’s going to be in for a shock when he finds out who I really am. He probably thought I was just another one of those happy-go-lucky chicks, judging from my coral bikini and blonde hair that was splattered over numerous magazines and newspapers.

We have a chat about what the boys are like before I meet them, so that I almost know what to expect. I’m told Niall can be extremely hyper, and since I don’t deal well with hyperactive people I apologize in advance for any awkward situations or if Niall get the impression I don’t like him. Trust me, it’s happened before.

I can’t wait for the concert. Apart from Radiohead, Coldplay are my favourite band. It’s unbelievable how amazing they are live – yes, I’ve seen them before. That hasn’t stopped me from coming this time though, as I could never get enough of this band. Some say they are a little depressing, but I say that they’re happily melancholy. I honestly think that their first album is their best, but unfortunately they won’t be touring that.

We arrive at the restaurant in no time. It’s around 6 pm, the concert starts at 9, so we still have plenty of time. We enter the restaurant – it’s beautiful. It’s more of a traditional English place, so the eatery is adorned with rich chocolate brown leather, stained glass lamps scattered on table tops, cream wall paper and a soft glow from a small chandelier lights up the room delicately. It doesn’t look expensive, but it’s a homey sort of place, which is always nice. Zayn spots the boys and we head over to them, Liam and Anna still not here. Anna’s probably hyperventilating in the car at the moment, Liam trying to calm her. She’s a BIG fan. Like seriously. A hand waves us over.

“Louis! Niall! Harry!” Zayn shouts across the empty room, towards the three figures rising out of their chairs, rushing up to give Zayn a hug. They all smile like mad, grinning at each other and shouting things in each other’s ears. I catch a few ‘I miss yous’ and, ‘where have you beens,’ in the midst of them. I stand aside and watch them with a smile on my face. So, they truly are best friends after all. It’s nice to see. Niall turns around and wraps his arms around me tightly. My mouth opens in shock.

“Good to meet you, Mae,” he says cheerfully in to my shoulder.

“So, this is her?” Louis says from behind me. I see Zayn nod and a bigger smile crosses his face when I wrap my arms around Niall, returning his gesture. Harry comes up behind me and taps my shoulder when I’m released from Niall’s iron grip. I spin around and his eyes widen. He is tall – very tall. And extremely handsome. I blush as his eyes lock on mine. They’re a mesmerizing colour – an emerald green. He picks up my hand slowly and places a kiss on it. I blush even harder. Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod –

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Harry,” I manage to squeeze out, politely. He raises his eyebrows, still looking in to my eyes.

“You’re Australian?” He questions with an amused look. I nod.

“Yeah, I’m from Sydney,” I say casually, continuing with;

“Along with Liams girl Anna. We were on a gap year when we met the two in a park. Well, a raspberry field for Zayn and I,” I smile. I can still remember it as clear as yesterday. Zayn comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing me in to his front. I wrap my hands around his, and look away before I get awkward. I catch a flicker of something in Harry’s eye before I look away though. Hm. Zayn clears his throat quickly.

“Actually it was just a park with a few berries in it,” I frown, looking up at Zayn even more confused. He shakes his head slightly. Was this place supposed to be kept secret or something? I just nod my head and look up back to Harry.

“Sydney’s nice, and the park sound nice too” he replies, quickly snapping out of whatever he was. Louis then comes up and introduces himself, then leads us to the table. We order a few pints of Guiness when the waiter comes around. It had only taken him a couple of minutes, since we are the only ones in the place. I wasn’t feeling picky tonight so I went along with it.  We’re all as thirsty as hell. I gulp down the alcohol like there’s no tomorrow. Niall smirks at me and sculls down his drink. I think I see a competition forming here …

“So does everyone drink as much as they’re said to in Australia? Or is it just a stereotype” Louis asks suddenly, eyeing my now empty glass with a smile. I nod, pouring another glass from the jug in the centre of the table. They all look at me with shock.

“Well, I like a good drink, and I tend to go out a lot back home. Anna’s always dragging me out of some sort of club” I tell them honestly, laughing a bit. It’s not like I’m an alcoholic, and I can take my liquor. Why shouldn’t I drink? Zayn raises his eyebrows. Louis’ mouth opens slightly in shock. Harry frowns. Niall smirks. I nod towards him suddenly, suggesting something. I obviously didn’t strike them as the sort to drink.

“You up for a little competition, Niall?” I ask, swirling the second glass of beer around. He smiles brightly. Nothing like a good drinking competition … And I do win them all. I always go out back in Aus. I’m a party girl, though unfortunately Anna ends up rescuing my limp body from the edge of the toilet seat, from wherever I throw up, in the end, because although I may be able to pass through a drinking competition like a breeze, I always drink after it. It’s stupid, I have to admit, but I’m usually drunk so I don’t care. I come back to the present and look at Niall, who is clearly excited.

“Niall’s usually the one who wants a little competition,” Zayn whispers in to my ear as we go up to the bar.

“We always lose against him, so make sure you win,” I nod, a determined look crossing my face. The shots have been lined up on the table, the clear liquid sparkling against the dim reflections of full Jack Daniel and Vodka bottles, among many other things. I clear my throat and look up in to Nialls face. Zayn rubs my shoulders.

“I can do this,” I say flatly. Niall laughs.

“We’ll see about that,” he mutters cockily as he downs his first shot.