Viva La Vida

Two - The Elevator

She hugged her parents one last time and stepped onto the train, bag in hand. After a moment she spotted him near the back, staring out the window. All she had was a duffel, so it wasn't too hard for her to make her way down the aisle.

"Mind if I sit?" He looked up at her and smiled.

"No you can't sit here." She rolled and fell into the seat, shoving her bag under the seat in front of her. "Excuse me!"

"Shut it. How are you?"

"Nervous as fuck. You?" Olivia laughed.

"'Bout the same. Simon scares me a bit, and it's just him and Louis for the first round of bootcamp." She rested her head against the back of the seat, staring straight head. "Do y'know when we're supposed to be at the facility?" He shrugged.

"I don't think we have to be there today, but they said we had like a dinner thing tonight at the hotel to meet the other contestants."

"Let's hope that there's other people our age. I have nothing against you but I don't want to be by myself when we split into boys and girls." He nodded.

"No me neither. I really don't like that they do that."

"Same, they don't split up the over twenty-fives by gender, so why do they split us up?"

"Misogyny." She snorted.

"I'm liking you more and more." She said, nudging him slightly. "Could you imagine if we actually made it to the judges houses? People would actually know who we are, even if we don't make it to finals." He gasped.

"I could get more than 100 followers on twitter!" She bit her lip, laughing silently. "Do you have twitter?" She nodded.

"I don't live under a rock, of course I have twitter. Here," she pulled out her phone, "what's your username?"

"Just Harry underscore Styles. I'm basic like that." She typed it in, quickly following and turning on notifications.

"Mine's the same. Well, not the same, but, erg, you know what I mean." He nodded, fiddling with his iPhone. Her phone buzzed with the notification of his follower. "Now we're mutuals, you're never getting rid of me Styles." He laughed.

"I wasn't planning on it."

They spent the rest of the ride talking about mundane things, books, movies, etc. She learned that Harry's favorite movie was the Notebook, and that he was a sucker for sappy romances. He didn't read much, but he enjoyed it. If the whole music thing didn't work out he was hoping to become a lawyer, or some sort of job in law. They bonded a lot over traveling, both having been around Europe and to the states. "Quick, favorite place in the U.S. you've been to."

"Shit, I don't think well under pressure. Uh, probably LA or New York? The atmosphere is just really different, and I love the feeling of everyone always having somewhere to be or something to do. You?"

"I like those both too, but I'd have to say my favorite place has been Boston. I like the city too, but the people and the whole seem a bit more laid back." All of the sudden the loud speaker crackled, and they both stopped talking.

"We'll be pulling into Kings Cross Station, be read to exit the car."

"We're looking for our driver right?" Olivia nodded.

"Yeah, a big guy dressed in all black holding a sign that has our names on them. Make us feel like celebrities." She stood up, hooking her bag on her shoulder. "I mean, technically we could be considered celebrities. We've been on tv, and I heard those girls drooling over you." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm uncomfortable just thinking about it." She eyed him suspiciously, he looked unfazed. "Now c'mon move, or someones gonna start yelling at us." She huffed and moved into the aisle, slowing making her way towards the exit. She could feel his presence directly behind her, as they were all rather squished together. Stepping onto the platform was like a breath of fresh air...literally. Olivia grabbed Harry's hand, so as to not lose him. They weaved through the packed platform, and she pulled him up onto a bench so that they could get a better view of the station. "Over there!" She squinted, trying to see where Harry was pointing. After a moment, she spotted him, a sign with their names on it held above his head.

"Let's go." They gripped their hands together again, and pushed toward the man. They stopped, and Olivia looked up at him. He had to be at least six feet tall. "Uh, hi? We're Olivia Myers and Harry Styles." He peered at them through his sunglasses.

"Follow me." They followed him out of the station and to a black SUV. He took their bags and put them in the trunk, and the two of them crawled into the back seat.

The ride was rather silent, and none of them tried to start a conversation. She spent most of the ride peering out the window, watching as they passed Big Ben and the London Eye. The last time she had been to London was when she was 13 for a West End show. When they stopped in front of the hotel, she had hardly any clue as to the time. "I think we're supposed to meet for introductions around four, and then the dinner at seven." Harry nodded, the right door opening. They got out and got their bags before heading into the lobby of the hotel. Cautiously, they approached the front desk.

"Erm, Harry Styles and Olivia Myers?" He said, clearly uncomfortable.

"One moment." The woman said. Olivia squeezed his arm slightly.

"You okay?" She murmured. He nodded.

"Yeah, just, nervous about this whole thing." He took the key cards from the lady, handing one to Olivia.

"Room 323, have a nice day." She gave her a tight smile, pulling Harry away from the desk.

-

"What time is it?" She asked as they stepped into the elevator. Just as he was about to answer, a hand stuck between the doors, and a boy around their age came in. Harry stared, there was no way.

"Sorry about that, I really didn't want to wait fro it to come back down again." He explained, finally looking up. They locked eyes, recognition passing between them. "Curly?" The boy finally said.

"I- Louis?" Olivia looked between the two of them, clearly confused.

"Do you two... know each other?" They nodded.

"This is the third time we've been in the same place at the same time. I genuinely thought I'd never see you again after the concert." Harry rolled his eyes, smiling sheepishly.

"Yeah, erm, sorry again about that."

"Sorry about what? Harry what did you do." She asked, Louis laughed.

"Harold over here pissed on my shoe. Thankfully, we weren't complete strangers. But anyways, I told you not to worry about it mate, it's not that big of a deal." He bit his lip, sighing. "What rooms are you guys in?"

"323" They answered together, Louis scrunched his eyebrows, looking between the two of them.

"Oh, you're together? I see-"

"NO" They both said, eyes wide.

"We are most definitely not together." Olivia assured him, Harry looked at her, offended.

"Damn, you don't have to sound so disappointed!" She hit him lightly. "But no, we're just friends I swear. She's not my type."

"Now who's being mean." Louis laughed.

"I like her, and yet, I still do not know your name dear." He stuck his hand out. "I'll go first, Louis William Tomlinson, you?" She shook his hand.

"Olivia Rose Myers, it's a pleasure." They stayed like that for a moment, seemingly staring each other down. Louis broke character first, doubling over in laughter, and soon all three were chuckling. The door opened to floor three, and they all stepped out. "We'll see you at the information session and the dinner?" She asked as they began to go their separate ways.

"Definitely, I'll keep an eye out for you and curly." Harry waved.

"See you later Louis!" The boy waved back, their eyes locking one more time before they turned the corner.

A/N: I'm so freaking slow at updating, my bad. Anyways, I hope you all like this part, lots of love!