The press conference

Chapter 5: I'll make this feel like home

It was time for him to face his past.

The ride to Syco was silent. He saw that Niall was constantly looking at him with a worried look on his face and he hated it, he was anxious enough already. He didn't even know why he wasn't full on panicking at the moment, over the past few years the mere thought of anything One Direction related sent goosebumps down his spine, and not the good kind of goosebumps. It was as if something inside of him had changed, he was ready to face his inner demons, he was ready to face his past.

He wasn't sure if he was ready to face him though.

"Nialler, do you reckon it'll be only the two of us?" He asked Niall, knowing how obvious it was that he was indirectly asking whether Niall thought that he would be there or not.

"To be honest I don't think so, I reckon they called the rest as well. How are you feeling bout that?"

"Better than expected. We'll see. There's not much that I could do right now, innit?"

"I'll be by your side, H, big promise. I know we haven't been close over the past few years but for me nothing has changed, you can count on me." Harry sighed, he felt like shit for ignoring Niall over the past few years, the boy had a heart of gold, how anyone could be this nice was beyond him.

"Thanks bud, same for you, and I'm sorry for you know, for uhm..for ignoring you and stuff, wasn't personal you know, I just had to deal with my shit first. Just took me a while."

"I get it, no grudges, promise." 

They arrived at Syco and Harry felt sick. How did he think that this was going to be alright a few minutes ago, holy fucking shit, he couldn't do this. Niall nudged his shoulder and motioned him to take a deep breath. Okay, breathe in, breathe out, he could do this. He was strong, he wasn't the insecure boy anymore that would hide behind his older friends every time Syco pushed him around like a little puppy.

They entered and he could literally feel the air around him tighten, it felt just like old times. They were led to a room on the second floor and he had to remind himself to breathe normally when they knocked on the door. They entered and Harry could feel the air leave his body.

There he was.

He wasn't looking at him yet, but he could see his light brown hair from behind and his heart started aching. Liam and Zayn turned around and smiled excitedly at them. He remembered Niall's words that they both went through some shit at the moment as well and he tried his best to smile back at them. Simon Cowell coughed but Harry only stared back at him with a blank expression. This man had put him through hell and back since he was 16 years old and yet Harry was in his office once again, he felt like a little boy.

"Perfect, you're all here. So, I'll get straight to the point. I want a reunion."

Louis, who Harry had almost forgotten about for a moment (but only almost) let out a strangled noise and Harry once again felt the air leave his lungs.

A reunion. A fucking reunion.

"You'll record a new album, starting next week. We'll have plenty of promo to do and then there will be a tour starting approximately in October, any questions?" Harry saw that Liam was raising his hand to ask a question, but Harry tuned out and missed what he was saying. He couldn't breathe, he had to get out of there as fast as possible. He stood up, not caring about the confused looks everyone was giving him and he stumbled his way outside. Once he left the room he started running, he didn't know where he was running but he knew that he had to get away. Away from Simon Cowell, away from him and away from his own emotions. It was just all too much.

"Harry, wait!" Harry froze, he would recognize this voice amongst thousands.

When he turned around, he looked into blue eyes.