First Time For Everything

01

3 years.

3 years I've been touring with these guys, and I've never been late. First time for everything, I suppose.

I speed up a bit, the minutes ticking by faster than I'd like them to. I'm so close, but there's no way I'm gonna make it. My phone buzzes in my hand, and I check it quickly.

H: where're you at, dev?

I groan, slowing my pace to respond. No point in running now; I'm already late.

Me: i'm right outside the venue, don't freak

H: well hurry up and get inside... we've got some news

I frown at my phone. As if I wasn't already anxious enough for being late, my mind begins running wild with the possibilities of "news." Maybe today is my last day.

I pull the side door to the O2 open, take a quick check over my shoulder to ensure no one is following me in, and walk into the hallway.

I pace myself all the way to the dressing rooms, where I'm surprised to find silence. I am tempted  to text Harry again, find out where everyone is, but my second guess is as good as any. I drop my bag on the floor, just inside the dressing room with my name written on the door, and make my way to the stage.

As I near the arena, the sound of voices and a faint guitar confirm my guess. I hurry a bit and finally walk out of the wings and onto the massive stage, where the boys and some people from management are standing around.

Harry, who is standing with some managers, gives me a cheeky wave as I enter and I roll my eyes at him. Liam, Louis, and Zayn stood nearer to each other than anyone, mumbling amongst themselves with slightly concerned expressions. Niall is sitting quietly on a box a bit further back than the rest of the team, strumming quietly on his guitar. I recognize the tune as "Make You Feel My Love."

"Hey, guys. I'm so sorry I was late," I say, stuffing my phone in my back pocket and trying to subtly wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans (i don't think it turned out to be very subtle, because Liam shoots me a reassuring smile).

"That's alright, Devon, you're only pushing a couple minutes," Lily, an agent from Modest, smiles, approaching me.

The rest of the group follows her across the stage, Harry finishing his joke to Scott, another agent. Scott gives a loud laugh as we all settle in a group near the wings.

"I heard we have some news?" I ask Scott, folding my hands behind my back.

"That we do, Dev," he says with a smile.

He doesn't falter, his expression doesn't change. I try to relax, deciding that if the news is as bad as I've made it out to be, Scott would be looking a bit more sympathetic.

Then again, I've never known scott to try and be sympathetic.

"What's going on?"

I catch Liam's eye again and he gives me a tight lipped smile. I raise my eyebrows and he nods subtly as if to let me know everything is fine. I return the gesture before tracing my eyes back to Scott.

"We are taking a break from tour, as I'm sure you're well aware," Scott starts, to which I nod, "but, in that time - that nice, quick, six weeks, we want to finish up the next album."

I frown. So far, I'm not sure what part of this news has to do with me. We've all known for a while the shows are going on hold after tonight. The boys want to have a bit of their lives back and, honestly, I can't blame them.

I've only experienced a fraction of what the boys have in the last couple years I've opened for them, but even then, it's a lot to handle. I miss my mum more than ever, and I've barely put in the time they have.