VIOLET

The River Café was rather empty for a Saturday at ten in the morning, but Harry had told me it was usually like that: the ideal place for a private talk. Opposite the small wooden table I was sitting on, a couple was drinking coffee while chatting in a lower voice.

I went back over the events of the last two days: meeting my runaway sister, Camilla, had definitely been the most shocking of all. I checked my phone: the last message from her said she was late and that had been five minutes ago.

I breathed out slowly and tried to relax my shoulders. I couldn’t lie to myself, I was nervous. This was the first time I was actually going to talk to my sister after three years. Deep down, I always wished to see her again but I never imagined how the reencounter was going to be.

I left the phone on the table and look through the window of the café. Outside, people walked past it unaware of anything but their little worlds. It was a beautiful Saturday, not too cold and not too warm. A perfect day for a coffee. And the ideal day for an award ceremony: the Grammys were that same day. And there I was, waiting for my sister to arrive so we could catch up on our lives.

That was something else to be nervous about. Later, I had to get ready for one of the most important nights of my life. I was going to the Grammys with the boys. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a night to remember, or a total disaster, but anyway I wasn’t going to miss the oportunity. I glanced at the street again and watched Camilla cross it and rush into the the small coffee shop.

“Vi," she said, giving me a hug with a broad smile on her face. I stood there awkwardly with my hands in the sides and then returned the hug.

“Hi." I said. That tiny gesture had washed away the fear for now.

Camilla looked beautiful wearing a white sleeveless blouse and a pair of dark skinny jeans that showed off her curves perfectly, she had a small maroon clutch that matched her flats.

“How are you today?” she said with a small squeeze in my shoulders. She was taller than me despite the fact she was wearing flats.

“I’m good, a little nervous to be honest.” Camilla grabbed my hand and patted it softly.

“I’m nervous too. God, I thought this day would never come, Vi! But here you are!”

“Yup, here I am.” I smiled softly.

She sat opposite me and left her clutch on the table. A young waiter approached and gave us the menu: there was at least sixty different types of coffee. My eyes looked through them, though I already knew what I wanted.

“I like the place, good choice.” she said with her eyes still fixed in the menu.

“A friend suggested it to me.” I had said friend; Harry wasn’t a friend, but that was another story. One that would take a long time to explain to my older sister, if I ever did.

“OK, I've picked my choice of drink.” she broke the few seconds of silence we had.

“Me too.”

She called the waiter and let me order first.

“I want the Caramel flavored Latte, please."Camilla giggled and the waiter looked at her raising an eyebrow.

“Sorry, the same for me. Thank you.”

“What was that about?” I asked, curious of her sudden urge to giggle.

“I don’t know, of all the coffee drinks in that menu we want the same.”

“We’re sisters, right?”

“Of course we are Vi.” her serious tone surprised me, “It’s been three years but that doesn’t mean we are not family anymore.”

“I just couldn’t believe it when I saw you the other day. I thought...”

“You were never going to see me again.” she finished my words. "I thought the same.”

We stayed silent for a minute. Camilla cleared her throat and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"There’s so much to talk about Vi, but I don’t know if I want to touch on what happened in the past. Not yet.”

Her eyes were very similar to mine. The shape of her face too. You could tell we were related at a glance.

Honestly, I needed some explanations but I wasn’t going to pressure her.

“OK, I respect that. For today, let’s talk about the present.”

Our lattes arrived when Camilla was talking about her job. She was working part time at The Bigg Chill just to earn more money. But being a journalist was her real job; she had turned 22 when she started to work for Teen Vogue, the biggest step in her professional life. After two years, she made interviews for the magazine on a weekly basis.

“What about you?” she asked, savouring the caramel.

“I’m working as a designer at NYC Style. I’m currently in LA for business.”

“Business?”

“I designed the outfits for the Grammy's.”

“That’s amazing.” she said clapping her hands in pure happiness. “That’s a huge thing, whose outfits exactly?”

“Well, our clients are One Direction.”

Camilla looked at me with her eyes full of surprise. I took a sip of my coffee, it tasted delicious though I've had this drink dozens of times.

“That’s so awesome, Vi! It will open so many doors for you.”

Luckily, she didn’t ask more questions about the boys. Just how working with them had been. And I tried to answer cooly, I wasn’t ready yet to tell her anything more.

“I remember you used to play with dolls and you wanted to make new clothes for them." said Camilla.

“I loved that.”

“You were, how old? Six?”

“Nope, eight.”

“Look at you now, you’re here in LA, doing great...”

Yes, I was doing great. I enjoyed LA, I was doing what I loved. Even Bella had called to inform me that Vivienne was happy with my performance. In Bella’s own words: “Vivienne wants to congratulate you, the boys were really satisfied with your work.”

“I’m going to the Grammy's ceremony today.” it sounded almost like a confession.

“You mean like you were invited?” asked Camilla, surprised.

“Yes. I was thinking you could help me to get ready. Maybe, you can come to the hotel where I’m staying.”

I had just thought about it and frankly, it seemed like a good idea. I needed someone that could help me feel more comfortable and secure. I couldn’t ask for Lou’s help. She would have to get the boys ready. And I didn’t want to do it by myself.

“It’s going to be fun." I added, since Camilla had stayed silent. “Unless you have something else to do.”

“Of course I’ll go." she smiled. “It’s Saturday, I always have my weekends off. I’ll go to the hotel around seven.” I took the another sip of my flavored latte and smiled.

“At seven, then.”

---

I closed the door of my bedroom and got in the elevator. There were three hours left until the ceremony and Camilla was arriving in no time, so I had decided to check on the boys and see if there were any last minute details to take care of.

As soon as I had arrived from the the café, I called Bella. I needed to talk to her before the ceremony. I needed her to wish me good luck and tell me to enjoy every second. I was excited, but I still felt like an intruder going to the Grammys with them. After the incident outside the hotel involving their fans, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to show I was their friend. Especially Harry’s friend. Or secret girlfriend. Or whatever I was.

I breathed out.

“Just relax." had said Bella before hanging up, "and have fun!”

Talking to her was the right thing to do. She encouraged me, I felt bad for not telling her about mine and Harry's relationship yet. I hesitated telling her because I don't know what Harry as going to say about my confession to Bella. After an hour long nap, taking a long shower and apliying a face mask, I had felt renovated and ready. Lou had helped me pluck my eyebrows so they would be perfect, and filed and painted my nails black. Then, she had straightened my hair and carefully combed it in a loose braid, so it wouldn’t mess up.

When the doors of the elevator finally opened, I witnessed for the first time in my life what was like for the boys to prepare for an award ceremony.

Zayn was standing by his bedroom door.

“Do you need anything?” I asked. He looked at me confused, “You know, with tonight’s outfit...”

"No, it’s not necessary,” he answered with a half smile “I’ll go downstairs for a minute." he showed me the packet of cigarettes in his hand.

“See you later, then." once Zayn had disappeared inside the elevator, I went directly to Harry’s door and knocked softly.

He opened it, wearing only a pair of black boxers. His hair was still wet propably from the shower he had just taken. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in, closed the door behind me and gave me a passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the strong muscles of his back.

“I missed you."I said, making the hug last a little longer.

“I missed you more.”

“So,"I said, letting him go and sitting on his bed “Ready for tonight?”

“Yes,” he answered, sitting next to me, his green eyes fixed on my brown ones. “Are you ready?”

“Well, about that...” Harry frowned, but before he could say anything I added. “I’ll go. But I’m not sure if I should be in the limo with you. Maybe I can go on the black van with Lou?”

“Why?”

“Louis is going to be there, Harry. I don’t want to make things weird.”

Harry sighed “I’d like you come with us...”

“We are in a secret relationship Harry, remember? Wouldn’t it be too obvious if I get out of the same car you are in?”

“Me and the rest of the boys. Besides, the fans know how close you are with all of us.”

“After what happened the other day, it won’t be that hard to deduce what’s going on.” I said. I didn't want to sound like a whiny little girl but I needed to be honest.

How much longer would we be able to hide our relationship? How would tabloids and their fans react if they see me in the Grammys with them? Not that I care to be insulted again, I knew that was the price but I didn’t want to cause trouble.

“I want to share this special moment with you. And the boys are OK with it." said Harry.

I opened my mouth to answer but Harry placed a finger in my lips “I understand everything Vi, I really do. Just enjoy this, it means a lot to me, OK?”

I nodded. Harry pecked my lips and then stood up. “I have to start to get dressed now.”

"I should go back to my room, my sister will be here in any minute.”

“Your sister?”

“She’s helping me to get ready.”

“I assume today’s meeting went well, then."Harry came closer to me and hugged me again. His arms
wrapped tight around my waist.

“I’m really happy for you, gorgeous." he whispered into my ear. I placed my arms in his neck. Harry kissed me again and I gave in: I longed for the taste of his tongue in mine. Soon, passion took over, I tangled up my fingers in his sligtly wet hair and kissed back, ardently.

“Okay, okay.” He said smiling “We both have lots of things to do and little time. Go.”

“Are you sure the suit is OK, you don’t need me to...?”

“Everything is fine, Vi.” he said, pushing a loose lock of hair away from my eyes “I’ll see you later.”

"You look amazing in those boxers by the way." I said before closing the door, and the last I saw of him was the smile that was made for me.

Outside Harry's room, I heard Niall’s loud laugh. The door of the other bedroom was open and I saw Lou fixing his long fringe in a perfectly styled quiff while he tried to tickle her. Niall was sitting on a chair with a pair of sweat pants, a tank top and no shoes.

“This little boy right here won’t stay still.” said Lou when she saw me.

“Momma, right here, is taking forever."said Niall and winked and eye at me.

“I can’t wait to see you on those red snickers again.” I said “They’re going to be the death of your fans.”

“Oh no. That is going to be the death of my fans.” he said, pointing at the folded white v-neck shirt that was on the bed.

“That manly chest needs to be admired.” I said and we bursted out laughing but we were interrupted by my cellphone. It was a message from Camilla.

I’m downstairs, at the check in.

“I need to go and get ready.” I said “My sister is here.”

“Do you have a sister?” asked Niall, surprised.

“Yeah, I do. Do you need anything? Where are the rest of the boys?”

“They are getting dressed, Vi.” said Lou, seeing I was evidently distressed “Unless there’s an urgency, just worry about yourself now.”

“Thanks, Lou!” I said, heading back to the elevator “See you later.”

Camilla was leaning on the counter. She was still wearing the same skinny jeans, but she had chosen a cream sweater and matching flats. Her long hair was up in a pony tail and I couldn’t help but smile at how similar we looked. I waved at her and gestured her to come closer.

“Let’s go,” I said “We don’t have much time.”

An hour and a half later, Camilla was appliying foundation on my face with a small brush.
“Lucky you, I love doing people’s makeup.” she said “You said Lou was their stylist, why don’t you ask her to help you?”

“Well, she helped me earlier and she has too much work with the boys. I didn’t want to make it worse.” I answered “AND, this is quality time with my older sister.” Camilla smiled broadly.

“It is. Now hold still, I’m starting with the eyes.”

I was comfortably sitting listening to the music that was coming out of my phone.

“You’ll look perfect, and I can’t wait to see that dress.” said Camilla.

“I can’t wait to show it too you.”

After a few last touches, Camilla finished the smokey eyes and applied some cream blush.

"This blush looks amazing on you!” she said, "It gives you the glow from within effect.”

“Wow, you’re really good. Maybe you should stop being a journalist and do this for a living.”

“Nah, I like writing about other people’s lives way too much.”

When she finished appliying the nude lipstick, I looked myself in the mirror: it was a very natural look that made my eyes stand out. My hair was in a high, sleek ponytail, clearing my face and marking the angle of my cheek bones.

“Yes, you’re definitely the best, Cam.”

Camilla placed her hands in my shoulders and looked at me through the mirror.

“Thank you for letting me be a part of this Vi.”

I patted her hand and stood up. We had only forty minutes left before everyone gathered downstairs to wait for the limousine. I open the wardrobe and took out the dress.

I removed the plastic cover and revealed the two piece black dress to my sister. The top was sleeveless and ended at my mid-riff. The skirt was tight at the beginning and then loose, similar to a mermaid dress. The outfit was completed with a pair of gold heels and jewelry.

“Oh my god, it’s beautiful Vi!” said Camilla, astonished “you’ll look like a goddess.”

Camilla helped me zip the upper and the lower part of the dress and put the heels on. Then, she fastened the golden necklace and I put on the chain bracelet on my left wrist.

“Well?” I asked.

Camilla observed me carefully and grinned. “I swear, I hav to stral that dress sometime!”

“Thank you for everything, Cam.”

“Don’t worry about it. Now, let’s go downstairs.”

I grabbed my gold clutch while Camilla held the hem of the dress so it wouldn’t sweep the floor. Slowly, we entered the elevator.

I was nervous again, but I felt really excited. A mix of feelings that made a tiny knot appear in my stomach. Who would have thought I was going to attend the Grammys?

A group of people were waiting near the back doors the hotel. The boys were already there along with Lou and the rest of the team. I saw their bodyguards and Paul guarding the door.

In that exact moment, Harry turned around and his eyes locked in mine. He looked so handsome in his suit. Harry smiled and ran a hand through his curly long hair.
One by one, everyone in the room turned around. Louis whispered something to Zayn with his eyes bright. All eyes fixed on me, the boys looked incredible and I couldn’t be more proud of my work. The outfits fitted them perfectly.

“I’m ready. I’m not late, am I?” I said with a smile, slightly intimidated by the fact everyone was looking at me.

“No," said Lou “You’re on time, you look breath-taking, Vi.”

"That's a good thing, right?"

“Definitely.” said Harry, who came closer and gave me a soft kiss in my hand like a gentleman, though his green eyes were intense. Still weakened by his touch, he spoke once more: “Absolutely beautiful. Camilla...” he said, offering his hand to my sister, who had stayed by my side silently.

“Harry." She said, shaking his hand.

“Okay, everyone.” Paul’s voice caught our attention “we’re leaving now. The limo is waiting, first Zayn, Liam and Louis. Next, Nialler, Violet, and Harold, ready?”

I looked at Camilla. She grabbed my hands and smiled.

“Have fun tonight and best of luck.”

“Thank you.” I said.

As I headed to the door with Harry, I looked back and smiled. Camilla blew a kiss at me and I did the same. I felt Harry’s hand on my waist leading the way.

“I told you I wanted to go in the van.” I whispered silently to Harry.

“Seems like you won’t.” he said with a smirk. I couldn’t help smiling, I felt the excitement filling the air as Paul opened the door and the boys tarted to walk towards the limousine.

No matter what happened, I was sure this was going to be a night to remember.

Notes

New chapter for you! Please note that this chapter was not written by me but rather my talented co-author, Miranda. Did you guys like it? What will happen in the next chapter? What do YOU want to happen in the next chapter? Here's an idea: comment doen below what you want to happen in thr next chapter and we'll take it into suggestion :)

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