All I Ever Wanted

(three months later)

“All you ever do is work in the studio. Please come to the concert with me! I feel like I’ve lost my best friend. If you don’t come to the concert I’ll die.” Emma pouted over the phone.

We hadn’t seen much of each other lately because I was getting ready for my first single to debut, and had been finishing up my debut album. Battle of the Bands was a local concert put on by our community to raise money for charities. Emma and I had been together every year since we were eight.

“Em, you know I want to, but I have to be in LA for an interview that morning. I don’t know if I’ll be back in time.”

I really hated not having time for fun with my best friend. I made a mental note to talk to Spencer about that. More Emma, donuts, Tumblr, and One Direction fan girl sessions were exactly what I needed. Spencer Trace was a good guy, but he kept my schedule packed with recording sessions, interviews, and other events that promoted my new album. So far, no one really recognized me in public or knew a whole lot about me, unless they had seen my infamous Youtube video. But even then I wasn’t easily recognizable as the girl dancing around in her bathroom robe, singing into her hairbrush.

“Fine. Hate you, byeeeeeeeeeeee.” Emma was so dramatic, but I missed her like crazy.

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(5 days later; the day of Battle of the Bands)

“Hi Leah and welcome to ‘Wake Up California!’” exclaimed Julie, the host for the popular morning show. Julie was a nice lady, but a little too excited for it to be so early. I was here for an interview about my quick rise to fame, and to give a preview of the first single off of my debut album. I was so nervous, I could barely breathe.

“Hi, thank you for having me!”

Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. THIS IS TELEVISION. HOLD IT TOGETHER!

“So, you practically became an internet sensation overnight. Tell us how it happened, and tell everyone about your hilarious, yet amazingly talented video!” Julie beamed.

“Well, the video was actually a prank pulled by my little brother, Carson. I had no idea he was filming me, and I never knew he’d posted a video until my best friend showed it to me – a few days after Carson had uploaded it to Youtube.”

“Oh my, how did you react?! What were you thinking when you first saw the video?”

“I was planning my brother’s funeral, honestly.” I said laughing. “I’d never sung in front of anyone so to see myself dancing around singing was humiliating.”

Julie asked a few more questions about the album and how life had been since being “discovered.” I was expecting a commercial break so that I could get ready to perform, but Julie brought up a few more questions – questions that we hadn’t rehearsed before the show went live.

“So, are there any boyfriends in the picture?” Julie prodded.

“Um, no.” I was caught off guard, not expecting this question. “I’m just trying to get used to the whole music industry. I haven’t even had a chance to catch up with my best friend, much less keep a boyfriend.” I laughed. It was true. I hadn’t had a proper date in a while, much less a steady boyfriend. The last, well only, serious relationship was in high school and those days were long gone.

“Hmmm... well have you heard about the few celebrities who have mentioned you in interviews, as new comers that they fancy?” Julie got all excited again.

“No. No I haven’t.” I anxiously looked off camera to Spencer who was approaching the director. He looked angry.

“Well Justin Bieber told E! News that he’d love to work with you, after hearing your shower performance.” Julie beamed.

“Oh that’s great!” I didn’t know how to respond to this kind of stuff, especially when I wasn’t even a fan of the Biebs.

“And the world’s biggest heart throb, Harry Styles, also mentioned you in an interview.” Julie was now on the edge of her seat, like she was trying to pry information from me. “When asked who his current crush is, he grinned and said he’d like to get to know Leah Sadler. He said you have a great voice and that from your hilarious video, he thinks you two would get on really well.”

My heart was literally about to jump out of my chest. I felt sick. My face was hot and I knew I was blushing. Harry Styles had only been my biggest celebrity crush for forever. I had fan girled over him so hard on Tumblr - a little too hard. And now he knew my name? Julie glared at me, impatiently waiting for a response.

“Wow, I haven’t heard that one yet.” I stuttered.

Breathe, you idiot. Breathe!

“Let’s just say you have a few points of interest already, Miss Sadler.” She winked at me, then turned to face the camera. “Well, after the break, we’ll hear Leah’s hot new single, Burn.” The camera guy gave us the signal and I headed off stage.

Spencer was yelling now. Apparently interviewers did this a lot. He explained that sometimes this kind of thing happens, but that he would handle it, as he hurried me over into my hair and make-up artists’ arms.

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“You just better be glad you made it back in time.” Emma warned as we left the Battle of the Bands.

“Or what? You’d never speak to me again?” I made a sad face.

“Keep it up and you’ll be famous and best friend-less.” She joked.

“You could never leave me.” I said and Emma rolled her eyes.

“Yeah you’re right cause right now you’re my only hope for marrying Niall Horan. Don’t screw this up.” She acted like I was dating Harry Styles when he had simply stated my name in an interview, but several people had brought it up today after my interview, asking me how Harry was and when our first official date would be.

“Emma, I don’t even know the guy, and for all we know, that Julie lady could have made that information up.” I couldn’t decide if I wanted Julie’s information about Harry to be true or not.

“She didn’t make it up. I saw the video of the interview on Tumblr.”

“WHAT? AND YOU DIDN’TELL ME?!”

I couldn’t believe she kept this from me. She pulled out her phone and opened the Tumblr app.

“Here it is!” she said after scrolling through her dashboard. Sure enough, we watched the video and Harry had called me out as the “upcoming celebrity” that he’d like to get to know a little better.

Freaking great.

I was so nervous.

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(2 months later)

“So how are you and Harry Styles?” the interviewer asked. “You know you’re all he talks about!”
This question came up in every interview now. I rolled my eyes, not meaning to be rude, but just fed up.

“I haven’t even met the guy, honestly. I don’t know why everyone thinks we’re dating. The rumors are insane.”

“Well he did mention you in an interview or two.” said the interviewer.

I was so sick of hearing about Harry Styles. I’d only ever saw the one video of the interview that Emma showed me, and he tweeted about how good my first single, Burn, was, but that was all I’d ever personally seen. The problem was that was all interviewers ever wanted to ask me about. It was getting so old. I wanted to be known for my singing, not a non existent love affair.

The interview ended and I walked out of the studio to get some fresh air. I checked my phone to see a text message.

Hey I know we haven’t seen much of each other lately. Let’s change it, k? xoxo -Emma

I exited out of the message and sat down up against the studio wall. I hadn’t seen Emma since the Battle of the Bands. She went back to college while I worked mainly in LA, promoting the album and doing promotional events and interviews. I was always out of town and our friendship was quickly beginning to fall apart. I'd abandoned our One Direction Tumblr account. After all the Harry rumors, I had begun to dislike the band. Emma was still in love with them, though. I missed her, but I just never had any time for anything but my career and it was making me really homesick. Burn had skyrocketed to number one as soon as it was released. It’s been sitting at the top of the charts for 6 weeks now. I couldn’t go anywhere without being bombarded with pictures or autographs.

“Leah!” It was Spencer. “Hey there you are! I have news! A new management company wants to pick you up. I believe Starstruck has done all we can for you. It’s time for bigger and better things, my dear.” He reached out for my hand, grinning from ear to ear.

“Yay! I can’t wait to call everyone back home! Thanks Spenc. You’re too good to me, ya know?” He smiled, helping me to my feet.

“Well, it’s my job! They’re called Amtrex Entertainment.”

The look in Spencer’s eyes switched from excited sad. He was like a second father to me. Without my parents around, he’d taken over the temporary parent role. And I’d even babysat his kids a few times so he and his wife, Amy, loved me. We'd all three become really good pals.

“Spenc, would you like to transfer with me? Be my manager forever. It would make things so much easier. Please?” Spencer looked so relieved that I’d asked. His eyes even got a little watery.

“Absolutely, my dear!”

“Good, now stop crying.” I joked and we laughed as we headed back into the studio. I was suddenly in a much better mood.

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“Well Miss Sadler, Mr. Trace, welcome to Team Amtrex! It’s a pleasure to have you.” I shook the hand of Mr. Ron Thomas, owner of Amtrex Entertainment. “We will be celebrating your signing to our label next Friday evening. Invite whomever you’d like! This party’s for you! We’ll also be inviting a few big names to help you network.”

I couldn’t believe it.

Rolling out the red carpet already? If it’s a party I’m down.

Before we were even out of the tall building that Amtrex Entertainment was located in, I’d begun to make phone calls to let everyone know about the party.

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“Please tell me I don’t look trashy.” Emma checked herself out in the hotel mirror. “Oh God, I look trashy!”

“Emma you do not look trashy!” She spun around to look at me. “Buuuuuut, let’s take off a little of the dark eye shadow, ok?”

“You could have just said I look trashy.” She smirked. I was so glad to have her back, even if it was for just one weekend. She was my date to the Amtrex party and after much hesitation from Spencer, I'd talked him into letting me do my own hair and make up. I needed time with Emma. Our friendship had picked up right where it left off and we agreed to never go for that long without seeing each other again.

“This is like the biggest party of my existence, you know that right?” Emma was so nervous. I wouldn’t let it show, but I was about to pee my pants, I was so nervous.

“Come on Em, you’ve thrown bigger parties than this.” I laughed, referring to the one time she threw a house party that ended up having 350 drunken guests while her parents were out of town.

She laughed and we slipped into our party dresses. We met my parents, Carson, Emma’s parents, and Spencer and his family downstairs in the hotel lobby. Limos were waiting outside to take us to the event.

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“Thank you all for coming to celebrate our new partner in the music industry, Miss Leah Sadler!” Ron Thomas exclaimed into the microphone, signaling me to step up on the stage, to the microphone.

Don’t trip. Breathe. And speak English.

“Thank you all for being here, and thank you Ron and Amtrex Entertainment for even considering adding me to your label! I couldn’t be happier! I’m ready to join this team and go as far as we can. To Amtrex! Cheers!” I raised my glass and exited the stage as the crowd applauded.

The turnout was huge. I’d met so many artists and fangirled over every one. I almost fainted when THE Justin Timberlake said my name while introducing me to his wife. Spencer had to grab my arm cause I literally almost lost it and fell out in the floor. I made my way over to the table where Emma and Carson were.

“Great speech, loser.” Carson hugged me.

“It’s all because of you, punk.” I smiled. We’d settled the video thing after my fame. I figured since it led to me being able to quit school, he could live.

“Go get us some drinkssssssss!” Emma had already had a shot or two and she was loosening up. Now that my speech was over, I decided a drink was a good idea. It would calm my nerves and help me talk to all these cool, famous people a lot easier. I pushed through the crowd, but had no luck getting close to the bar.

“Hi, I’m Harry! Congratulations on the new label!” I looked up to see curly hair and emerald eyes staring back into my blue ones.

Shit, shit, shit. He’s the last person I wanted to see here. Who invited him?!

“Hey, thanks!” I smiled and then looked away, hoping he would realize that I did not care to have any type of conversation and spark any more rumors. Paps were allowed on the perimeter of the room and if they spotted Harry and I, my career wouldn't have a chance. I'd forever be labeled as "Leah Sadler, the girl that Harry Styles has a crush on."

“Can I get you a drink?” He asked, grinning.

“Um, I was actually going to get some for me and my friend. Thanks though.”

“What? They’re making the guest of honor get her own drinks? Nonsense! I’ll grab us drinks and meet you at that table right there! I really need to talk to you, if it’s okay? What kind of drink?” Harry’s smile seemed so genuine.

“Um, just a beer, thanks.”

What on earth was he doing? Couldn’t he take a hint?

His actions had been annoying me for months, but he was also the guy I used to day dream about. I sat at the table that Harry had pointed out, hoping he was hurrying with that beer, and then suddenly remembering Emma’s drink. She’d had a few already and once she saw who I was with she’d understand. We’d both agreed that I needed to clear things up with Harry. I needed to let him know that I was a single, happy, independent artist who wanted to remain just that and that any interest he had in me, he should let it go. I just hadn’t planned on doing that so soon.

“Here you go!” Harry said cheekily, placing my beer in front of me, and taking a sip of his own beer. “So I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

“Yeah well, you have caused me a lot of awkward interviews here lately.” I forced a laugh.

“I’ve felt so terrible. I mention you in one interview, and the next thing you know, people are saying we have a secret wedding date. I shouldn’t have said anything. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you and your talent. You deserve to be noticed and that’s all I was doing. I just wanted you to know that someone out there definitely took an interest.” He looked down, grinning nervously. A part of me felt bad, but the other part was equally annoyed.

“Well thank you for that. It’s just couldn’t you have let me know in private, rather than letting the whole world know?” I laughed, realizing how bitchy that sounded, hoping to lighten the mood a little.

“I’m sorry, again!” He grinned, then sipping on his beer. “I promise, I won’t mention your name in any more interviews!” He stood up from the table. “Thank you for speaking to me. I was worried I wouldn’t even get to apologize! Enjoy your night!” And with that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Notes