Two Degrees of Separation

Chapter 2: So Close

Author's Note: I'm OBVIOUSLY rewriting history here, such as with the fact that Pentatonix is nominated for a fourth grammy (Because let's be honest, The Sound of Silence definitely deserved a nod).

I hope you like! Please let me know if you do (or if you don't!)

Chapter 2: So Close

Harry couldn't sleep that night. He was still filled with a buzzing sensation, with the events of the evening running through his mind over and over again. He had been dreading that pre-party, knowing that he was going to run into Taylor there, as well as a million other celebrities with whom he had no interest in spending his time.

He thought back to the piercing blue eyes that he had found leaning against the bar. His heart fluttered.

He was thankful that he obviously came off as more confident than he felt. Talking to Scott had been extremely easy as the night wore on. Scott was confident, but not annoyingly so. He wasn't pandering to Harry, trying to please him with every word he said. That had been very refreshing. And he was so funny.

To be honest, Harry continued to find reasons to find Scott in the crowd again after their drink together. Harry now knew each member of Pentatonix quite well, thank you very much, and Scott was quite the hit with Liam and Niall, who were also in attendance that evening.

And if Harry's lips had lingered on Scott's cheek for a touch too long as they said goodbye later in the night, that's neither here nor there.

Shit. Harry suddenly thought. I never got his number.

Harry was pretty sure that he received not a wink of sleep that night.

If Harry was dreading the pre-party last night, magnify that times one thousand to understand his disdain for red carpets. He tried to look as pleasant as possible, but his lack of sleep certainly wasn't helping.

What did help was the appearance of a tall, thin frame with blond hair that made its way out of a limousine in the distance as Harry became blinded by the millionth flash of the evening. Harry couldn't help but stare as Scott straightened his suit jacket while he waited for his bandmates to exit the car behind him. He looked incredible.

Harry didn't realize exactly when it was that his smile had become massive and likely downright comical to everyone around him, but there he was, beaming at the cameras like a kid in a candy shop.

How embarrassing.

Somehow, he didn't care.

No matter where he went, it seemed like the only person he had any interest in speaking to was on the other side of a sea of people. After his eighth interview, Harry was becoming tired of being hopeful to run into him.

Just as he was talking to his manager, a light tap on his shoulder reignited that hope.

"Oh, hey Nialler." Harry said, attempting to sound as happy as possible to see him. Niall knew better.

"Wow, don't sound too excited there," Niall answered with a kind smile. "Who were you hoping it was, eh?"

"What do you mean? I'm always happy to see you, mate." Harry smiled at his manager as he excused himself from the conversation.

"The look on your face says differently, my friend." Okay, now Niall was teasing him. "Looking for someone a bit taller than me?"

Harry felt his cheeks flush. "What?"

"Oh c'mon, Harry. I'm seen you smitten a few times. I know what it looks like." He was talking softly now, so those around them couldn't hear. "You looked like you wanted to propose to Scott Hoying right then and there, last night." He leaned in closer. "He's behind you, you know."