Two Degrees of Separation

Chapter 3: Adore You

A/N: Still rewriting history, folks! Sorry if that annoys or offends. Hopefully it doesn't!!

Chapter 3: Adore You

"I'm going to be quite honest with you, Niall. My feelings are downright hurt," Liam announced into the microphone, pouting.

"Mine too, Liam, Mine too. I mean, why did Harry have to win a Grammy AFTER he ditched us?" The audience erupted in polite laughter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here to sing his Grammy-winning Adore You, without us, I might add, this is Harry Styles."

Scott held his breath as Harry took the stage. Would he be fangirling during a Harry Styles performance on any occasion? You bet your ass, he would. Tonight was different, however. Scott's fangirling was on another level now that he had spent some time with the singer. He clapped along with the crowd happily as Harry took the stage.

Scott would give his left arm to be able to exude the stage presence that Harry Styles did. Harry strutted around the stage in his sexy, bright red suit, the buttons of his blouse underneath undone, teasingly.

And his voice? Unbelievable. Unfair, even.

Scott hardly noticed Mitch lean in close until he heard his whispering voice. "Close your mouth," Mitch said with a smirk. "You're going to start drooling soon, and your suit is too expensive to ruin."

Mitch deserved the slap on his chest that he received in response; Scott was sure of that. He realized that Mitch had actually been correct, however, and he hastily closed his mouth as Harry's green eyes met his own.

"Did he just wink at you? God, he's smooth." Kirstie asked, excitedly. Scott suddenly couldn't breathe.

In fact, he didn't exhale again until Harry finished his song. The crowd cheered, and Scott attempted to maintain his composure as he stood and clapped alongside them, trying desperately not to faint.

Scott wouldn't have been surprised if their award wasn't even part of the ceremony. He would have been just as happy finding out if they won after the show. Unsure if there would be time for the award at all, he kept his expectations low as the next twenty minutes passed and he and Harry smiled at one another as Harry was ushered back to his seat.

"I'm here to announce a category that I personally feel is under-appreciated." James Corden announced. "After watching Pentatonix tonight, I'm sure you all agree..." the crowd cheered, and Scott blushed immediately. "... that I should be the sixth member of their group. Hexatonix. Get it? What do you think, Scott Hoying? Am I in?"

A camera was in Scott's face suddenly, and he didn't know if he wanted to laugh or die of embarrassment. He smiled into the camera and lifted his hand, moving it back and forth in front of his throat and mouthing "No thanks." The crowd laughed, and Scott instantly felt his blood pressure decrease at the positive response.

James Corden was still staring at him from the stage. Several seconds passed by, with James staring directly into Scott's eyes. Scott fought the urge to laugh nervously, keeping his stare with a smirk on his face.

"Rude." James finally said. "Anyway, these are the nominees for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella..." With that, Scott's mind went blank. He felt Mitch grab his hand, but he couldn't hear anything over the sound of the blood rushing to his head. It actually was maddening.

"Scott, honey, get up, we won." Mitch whispered as the group stood. Scott was in shock, just like last time. Last time made more sense, considering they were paired with an absolute icon, Dolly Parton. Scott felt like that win was more hers than theirs, but appreciated it immensely, nonetheless.

Scott's eyes found Harry's in an instant. Harry's face was lit up and he looked genuinely ecstatic for them. He looked more excited for them than he had been for himself, in fact.

When they arrived on stage, Scott reached out for the award in James' hand, but James snatched it away, cradling it in his arms. The crowd cheered with laughter again. Scott went to the microphone, cursing himself for agreeing to be the designated speaker for the group.

"Okay, Corden, Kirstie will fight you for it when we get backstage." The crowd laughed, but Scott was only focused on the beautiful sight of Harry laughing. He felt a sense of pride in the fact that he had been the one to make that happen.

"We want to thank everyone for embracing Pentatonix more and more with every passing year. We know that we are often considered the 'choir nerds' of the industry, but we wear that badge with pride, I tell y'all." He paused for the uproar of applause. His speech continued, and words spilled out of his mouth, but what they consisted of, Scott had no clue. For all he knew, he had accidentally spewed the words, "I love you, Harry Styles."

Backstage, the five of them held each other close, soaking up the excitement of the moment with just each other, ignoring the flashing of cameras and their names being called. Looking up, Scott erupted into laughter when he saw that James had squeezed his way into the huddle.

"Hexatonix, Hexatonix, Hexatonix," James chanted, looking at each member attempting to persuade them to join in. He cracked himself up, shook each of their hands, and posed for a few pictures with them.

Scott tried to immerse himself fully in every minute, but all he could think of was the proud look on Harry's face in the audience, and his wink during his performance. Scott would have thought he had imagined that, if it hadn't been for Kirstie's comment.

Harry was either the kindest person on the planet, or for some strange reason, he was interested. Scott's heart pounded at the thought.

In reality, Scott knew that he would probably never even see him again. Maybe they would share pleasantries at parties and award shows, but that would be it. Scott's heart sank. His warm feeling was quickly replaced with self-doubt.

What if he had been misreading everything? Had he been annoying and overbearing last night? He wracked his brain trying to remember the events. Harry had approached him first. He couldn't remember if he had continuously found Harry or vice-versa.

He felt humiliation at the thought of bombarding Harry after his award. What was he thinking? He had always been told that Harry was an absolute gentleman. Scott had seen firsthand Harry's acting abilities as he came up with the story of how they met.

Harry probably thought he was some crazy, obsessive fan. Suddenly, the buzz of the group's win was gone.

If he had been interested in anything with you, he would have asked for your number last night.

He thought about the crowd around him in the audience.

He could have been winking at anyone, you narcissist.

Scott refused to be an embarrassment anymore. He would stop trying to make eye contact for the rest of the show. He wouldn't go looking for him as they leave the venue. He would be nothing but polite and professional if they end up running into each other. And then, after this, they would go their separate ways.

I mean, who did he think he was?

A/N: Gonna post another chapter, as well, since this one was a bit short. Let me know what you think!