Catching Red Eyes

The airport was packed which didn’t help my anxiety. It was finally hitting me that I was flying to Harry and had no idea where he was staying. Before boarding, I had Laurie doing research to find what hotel they were at. I had no idea how I was going to actually get to him but I pushed it from my head. Right now I was focused on putting my seat belt on. I realized that the past few times I was on a plane was when I was with Harry or on my way to Harry. The fact I hated flying as much as I did proved I was head over heels for him.
The plane slowly backed away from the port and I shut my eyes. I counted my breaths as we ascended in the air. I only opened them when the stewardess came around with beverages.

I also noticed that there weren’t many people on this flight but a few tired looking businessmen and women. I had to be the youngest person on this flight. I closed my eyes again and waited for the flight to be over. I wouldn’t be able to properly breathe until we landed.

After a full hour and a half, we were descending. I counted my breaths again and let out a sigh when we made contact with the ground. I looked out the window and didn’t see much. I don’t think I have ever been in Pittsburg before. I also never jumped on a plane for a guy either but Harry wasn’t just any guy. He was the love my entire life.

I switched my phone back on and Laurie was to the rescue with an address of the hotel. I didn’t want to know what she had to do to get this but I was forever thankful. I quickly looked around for a taxi and spotted one. I told the cab driver the address. He gave me a look. I wondered if he thought I was some crazy stalker fan or was I thinking too much into this.
The drive wasn’t long and I could see the lobby lights as we pulled up. The hotel itself was huge with castle like structure. The cab stopped and I jumped out. I paid the driver and he drove away. OK. Now what? I walked slowly through the sliding glass doors and up to the front desk. The receptionist looked bored and tired. Her makeup looked like it hadn’t been wiped off in a week and her uniform was too bright for the hour.

“Can I help you?” She asked, looking me up and down.

“Um…can you tell Harry Styles that Rowan Emerson is here to see him…” I sounded so pathetic but what else could I have said?

She rolled her eyes. “Look, I’ll tell you what I tell all the other ones. Ain’t nobody here by that name and ain’t nobody here by any name sounding like that. You can go wait outside with the others to maybe see who you’re looking for,” she said, pointing the other side of the hotel. I looked over and saw a few cars parked outside with their interior lights on.

“Look, I am actually his girlfriend, please just call him and he will tell you he knows who I am,” I said, trying to sound brave.

She scoffed and got up from her chair. “Look, I don’t give a damn who you are because all y’all are his girlfriend, his wife, his baby mama, whatever but nobody is here by that name. Now, go before I call security on you.”

I cringed back and turned to leave the hotel lobby. The sliding doors opened for me and I went outside. I felt defeated. What else could I do? I didn’t know a soul in Pittsburgh. I sat down on the ground and pulled out my phone. I hit send on Harry’s number and waited for the endless rings. Why wasn’t he answering? He had texted me almost seven hours ago and I was still not getting an answer. I continued to straight call him for what felt like forever when I heard the glass doors open behind me.

“Allen!” It was Harry’s driver.

“Ms. Emerson? What on earth are you doing out here alone in the dark?”

“I tried to call Harry but he wasn’t answering, then I heard the terrible news, so I got on a plane to come out here, but I had no idea how to tell Harry I was here because he hasn’t picked up and that receptionist basically threw me out.” The words tumbled out of mouth and I was surprised Allen even understood what I was saying. Somehow, even with the late hour, a small group of fans were making their way towards us.

“Ok, ok. Calm down. The boys are actually all sleeping now but I am sure Harry wouldn’t mind be woken up by you. Come on.”

I grabbed my bag and walked back inside with Allen but not before I heard someone quietly say my name. My head turned back around as I caught the youngest fan smiling at me. She had to be no older than ten or eleven. Her eyes were red from the lack of sleep and she was wearing a too big One Direction shirt. I smiled back at her and waved. She enthusiastically waved back to me.

As I followed Allen past the rude receptionist, I made it a point to be too loud so she paid attention. Her eyes narrowed as we made eye contact but I quickly looked away. I didn’t care to prove a point because the only thing that mattered was getting to Harry.

“Allen, you said they were all asleep now. Don’t they each have…”

“Yes they each have their own rooms but upon hearing the news, they all have been rooming together. I think it helps comfort them knowing the others are close by. They really do care for one another. Such a terrible thing to lose a member. Mr. Malik was and is a very important part of One Direction.” Allen shook his head and blinked his eyes a few times.
I begged for the elevator to move faster. I could feel the tears welling up knowing I was away from Harry when he needed love and support so much. I hated knowing he didn’t think he could call me when something like this happens. The doors finally opened and the hallway was dimly lit. The elevator opened right up to their suite. I heard nothing as I walked in. Allen led the way to the front room where I heard soft breathing. I heard Allen whisper to one of the bodies but I wasn’t sure what he said. Then I heard his voice.

“She’s here?? Where?” His voice was full of sleep and a bit raspy. I waited in the dark as Harry adjusted to this new information. I then saw Allen come back to where I was standing and behind him was Harry, in nothing but his black boxers. They were scrunched up on his one thigh and his hair was a mess. His eyes were red from just waking up but even with all that, he was the most stunning creature I had ever seen.

“Rowan.” He breathed and in two giant steps his warm body and heavenly smell was surrounding me.

Notes