Niall’s view:
“Harry could you put your phone down for two seconds and just record this line?” Liam took his phone from him. We all were at the studio recording small lines just to keep on track. Harry wouldn’t drop his phone so it was obvious who he was talking to. I just prayed Sam would work. Harry likes what he can't have; once he gets it he doesn’t want it. I'm going to play it off as if he can't have her, hoping he will try and get her. He has become a big pain in the neck lately. We all put up with it because Liam says he will talk to him but Liam has a soft spot for him so he never really scolds him the way he needs it. Harry is just able to do this free spiral and no one will tell him no. He got in the booth and started to sing his part. We are recording his song first which enrages me, only because he has more of it established and written out. It guts me when he sings it because I know who he is singing to and he sings with a lot of passion. I'm playing the guitar so it's hard for me to focus on chords and riffs when I keep watching him sing the chorus. I already recorded my short verse so I'm done for the day. I could leave but for some sick reason I like the pain I get when I see Harry singing this song.
“Harry could you go up a half step there.”
“Like this?” He asked then sang it.
“Yeah, just like that. Cue music.” The music played and I did the simple melody to the song as Harry sang. “Great. I think that’s enough to keep us up to date.” Conners put everything to zero as Harry and I got out of the booth. We were able to be in the same room now but I swear to god one word to me and I'll punch him.
“Liam, I have to go.” Harry said holding out his hand for his phone. Liam gave him a stern look and then handed it to him. Harry was gone fast.
“I can't believe you just let him go and hang out with her!” My head was pounding and I could feel the pain surge through me.
“Niall, you aren’t dating her. Respectively you haven’t even talked to her casually.” Zayn said to calm me down. Liam had a surprised face. I never yell at him but lately I'm like all bottled up.
“I just don’t get why it's ok for him to go out, get drunk, bonk girls, and I can't even leave the house here.” I slumped in a chair.
“That’s because you have bigger problems when you do.” Louis said rubbing my back.
“Like what?” I snapped.
“Look, Harry can go out and do those things and control himself but when you do it your anxiety kicks in and you are a completely different person. You aren’t thinking and you do the most irrational things.” Liam stood up. He left the room before I could even fight my case. There wasn’t much of a case because it was true. Harry could come home drunk and not be noticed. I would get drunk and not remember the next day. Harry would talk to girls before he did things with them. I would get drunk and not remember the next day. Harry would be able to control himself. I would get drunk and not remember the next day. It’s sort of a self-explanatory situation there.
“I'm sorry.” I mumbled to Liam even though he was gone.
“Let’s just go home.” Louis stood up.
“Actually I'm getting a cab because I'm meeting up with someone.” I said as I shut the studio door.
“Liam isn’t going to like it.” Zayn insisted.
“Well, she is nice and he doesn’t own me.” I said a bit annoyed.
“She…” Louis nudged me.
“Yeah, that’s why I can't cancel.” I said putting my phone up to my ear.
“Just be careful.” Zayn said as they left the building. I had the cab on its way and Conners was leaving when he stopped and saw me.
“I know Harry didn’t write that song about just anybody, but don’t think I don’t notice you pissed every time he sings. Just talk to her. Somehow it will work out.” He said and left. I had that to think about while I waited for this cab. They arrived ten minutes early and I got in. I told them the restaurant that Sam was going to meet me at. When I got there it was completely vacant. No paps were around and no fans were lurking. I got out and said the reservation name when I reached the front desk. They walked me to the back and set me down. I waited. I was nervous. It's weird being nervous because with my job anymore I'm excited and giddy. She was super nice but after all she was a fan. I had to trust her though because she has seen a part of me no one else has. As I waited I surfed twitter and saw nothing but the news stories about this amazing pianist being linked to Harry Styles and Justin Bieber. I was over that fast.
“Hey.” Sam said sliding into the booth. Her pure brown hair was in vivacious curls and her eyes looked extremely green.
“Hey.” I said. A wave of heat hit my body as she sat down. I'm totally using her.
“Sorry I was late.” She said.
“It's ok. I was late too. I had only been here for a minute or so.” I smiled at her. She looked uncomfortable.
“So, why did you choose this place?” She asked looking at a menu.
“It's never got business. It's like a star hideaway almost. A lot of famous people help pay the bills to keep it open so they have a secret place to meet.” I informed her.
“That’s sweet. Is it good?” She asked setting the menu on the table.
“Oh yeah, the burgers are my personal favorite but anything fried is top notch.” I said leaning back and stifled a chuckled. She smiled and looked back at the menu. She was fit, very fit.
“So what are you getting?” She asked after a moment.
“My usual, if you may. It is a Dr. Pepper® with a loaded steak burger, side of fries, with mozzarella sticks to start.”
“Would you mind if I copied you?” She blushed a bit.
“Sure thing, I don’t care.” I said. As if they were eavesdropping a waiter came by.
“Are you ready to order?” He had the pad out.
“We’ll take two of my usual orders.” I said and handed him the menus.
“This is surreal.” She squeaked a bit.
“Well actually I was thinking about having you meet the lads sooner than later.” I took a drink of water.
“Me? Why?” She was smart to question it but I wasn’t smart enough to have an answer.
“I want you to meet them, they would really like you.” I shrugged, Harry would really like her.
“Why do I feel like you're lying?” She smirked.
“I am.” I sighed. “I need your help with something.” I was already begging.
“What?” She asked. She looked nervous.
“You remember that girl we talked about last time?” I wanted to avoid having to go over all those details.
“Yeah I do, what about her?”
“Harry likes her and I need you to be a bit of a distraction for him.” I felt guilty but she looked like she was thinking about it.
“How would I be a distraction?” She asked.
“So you'll do it!?” I practically yelled in excitement.
“Depends, how would I be a distraction?” She giggled. Our food came so I started to put ketchup on my burger.
“Most likely pretend to be mine. He likes what he can't have. I think if you are off limits enough but not dating me he will want you.” I smirked.
“Do we like act like we’re dating?” She seemed intrigued enough.
“Pretty much, but when they ask if we are you say no. His attention should divert to you.”
“And if it doesn’t?” She had a point. I stopped and thought for a minute.
“I could pay you.” I said.
“No, that’s ridiculous.” She ate a fry.
“What do you want then?” I gave her the option.
“Well, you're desperate enough to ask a fan to pretend to be yours so you can get this girl so it's not like you have much to give.” She laughed and I did too because it was a very sad situation.
“Let’s just eat.” As soon as I finished the bell rang saying there were more people coming in. We both swiveled our heads and I surely regretted it. Coming in was Justin Timberlake and Jessica followed by Claire. “Crap!” I whispered and picked up my menu. I used it to hide my face the best I could.
“Niall what's wrong?” She looked completely freaked out.
“That’s the girl I like.” I whispered across the table. This fan was getting the craziest experience of her life and she was able to make it seem like the most normal thing ever. She started to look at Claire. I peeked out the side of my menu. I wanted to talk to her, meet her, something. I know I sort of met her at the studio, but it wasn’t enough. If she could just get to know me for who I truly am she would like me. She looked really attractive today, I would’ve kept staring but Sam freaked after recognizing her.
“You like that piano player?” She said a bit loud. I shushed her and sunk lower in my side of the booth.
“Yeah, now can we go?” I asked trying to find a back way out.
“Yeah but I think we have another problem.” She said. Just then the doorbell rang and someone I never like to see came in. He flipped his curls to one side and smiled at Claire.
“Ugh.” I groaned.
“Why is Harry with them?” She whispered.
“He wants to shag her.” I rolled my eyes. Sam laughed a bit. Our waiter came by and gave me a strange look.
“Will that be all?” He asked.
“I need a back way out of here. Paparazzi found me.” I lied to him. He ushered us through the restaurant avoiding Styles, Timberlake, Biel, and Claire. Once we were outside I handed him some money to pay for the food and then Sam laughed. “Why are you laughing?” I asked. I was mad Harry was with her.
“We are lunatics!” She couldn’t control her laughter and then I heard a snort. That’s when I lost my anger and started to laugh along with her. We were in a back alleyway and her car was in the front.
“Hey, quiet down I have to call a cab.” She stopped laughing but still smiled. We waited in silence until my cab was here.
“So this is goodbye?” She asked when my car pulled up in the alleyway.
“Follow me back to my house and we can hang out until you meet the rest of the lads.” I smiled.
“You're being serious?” She asked.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked as I got in.
“I thought this was like a test or something.” She half smiled but her eyes spoke the truth.
“Well you passed, so are you gonna do it?” I asked.
“I'm in.” She laughed and walked to her car.
Claire’s view:
“Harry Styles, wow.” Justin said as we all laughed. “You are one funny guy.” Justin smiled at me.
“He is quite something.” Jessica winked at me.
“Is it time to go?” I asked, even though I liked the attention for Harry, I wanted to leave. I didn’t know why, but I just did.
“How long have we been here?” Harry asked pulling out his phone. He got distracted by some texts.
It’s been about an hour and a half.” Jessica said with a slight yawn.
“Seems long enough I think. Claire, are you going to hang out with Styles?” Justin asked looking at the both of us.
“I guess, yeah. Can I?” I asked looking at Harry. Everyone was looking at him and I think he suddenly felt nervous.
“Is that okay with you Mr. Timberlake?” Harry nodded at Justin.
“Don’t call me Mr., what am I old?” Justin chuckled. “Of course it's ok. I'm just glad I got to meet you finally. All those late night conversations about Harry Styles this, and Harry Styles that –”
“Justin!” I shrieked. “That never happened.” I chuckled. Justin laughed and Jessica joined in the commotion. We all got up and pushed in our chairs. Justin went up to pay our bill and Harry followed to pay for himself I'm guessing. When Harry pulled out his wallet Justin pushed it down and patted him on the back.
“He is quite the nice young man.” Jessica smiled at the scene at the cash register.
“I know.” I smiled.
“So are you sure he is just a friend?” She nudged me like we were two friends at school.
“Positive.” I said, unsure. Justin and Harry joined us. Justin grabbed Jessica’s hand. Harry held out his arm to me and I wrapped my arm around him happily. When I was wrapped on his arm I was hit with a wave of his smell. The same smell that still lingered on our couch. He led me to his car and opened the door for me. I let him this time because I knew what he was doing. When we were in the car and neither Jess nor Justin could hear me I spoke.
“Cut the act Styles.” I chuckled. He laughed too. I was sweet, but then again the fake act wouldn’t work forever. He should just be himself.
“I’m just trying to impress.” He said backing out. I looked out my window, thinking about this when I realized we were driving in a different direction then Justin and Jess. I figured we would just go back to my house.
“So where are we going?” I asked.
“We’re going absolutely nowhere.” He smiled at me and drove straight. Jessica and Justin were long gone by now.
“I like the sound of that.” I smiled to myself. For some reason nowhere sounded like the perfect place to be. We drove around and ended up on the cliff he likes to think on. “I know you so well.” I chuckled.
“What makes you say that?” He stepped out of the car.
“I knew nowhere meant here.” I shut my door. He helped me on the hood and we lay down. He snuggled me to be under his arm. I smelled him and he smiled.
“Do you miss your dad?” He asked dropping his smile and the dimple fading away.
“I miss him every second of every day.” I looked at the dusky city with the glowing lights below us.
“What was the last thing you said to him?” Harry asked looking down at me. I looked up at him and felt the pricking behind my eyes start. I blinked and looked back to the city.
“I don’t remember.” I said. The crash was so spontaneous that I can't remember the simple conversation we had hours before. I never even tried to think about it for the odd chance we had gotten into a fight and I told him I hated him.
“How did he –” Harry stopped for a minute.
“Die.” I finished. I felt the warm tear slip out. Just one so it went unnoticed by Harry. He cuddled me closer to his side. “He was going to a rehearsal and someone ran a light and hit his car. It flipped and he was killed instantly.” I heard my voice crack and more tears were falling. I avoided looking at Harry but he knew I was crying because he pulled my jaw to face him. He rubbed a finger over my quivering lip and I should have been prepared for what was coming next but I wasn’t. His lips slowly touched mine and I felt my breath in his mouth. My tears ran onto his cheeks as he moved his lips slowly then pulled apart. I wasn’t crying anymore.
“Did that help?” He whispered. I smiled slightly in response. He lied back down on the hood and stared at the stars. I moved my head to be lying on his chest. I slowly went up and fell down as he breathed. We watched the stars for as long as I can remember. “It's super late and I have business to do tomorrow.” Harry said. I hummed on his chest. “Wake up.” He whispered into my ear.
“No.” I mumbled. I was perfectly fine sleeping on the hood the rest of the night.
“We have to get you home.” He sat up and held me. He shifted me around so he could carry me. I was set in the car and he buckled me up. As he walked around the car I got unbuckled and scooted towards the middle. He got in and got buckled and then noticed me closer to him. He smirked and I smiled weakly and laid my head on his shoulder. He wrapped one arm around me and started to drive down the hillside. “You and I, we don’t wanna be like them.” He sang softly. “We can make it till the end; nothing can come between, you and I…” He sounded great but stopped.
“Keep going.” I mumbled on his shoulder.
“Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no; nothing can come between, you and I.” He sang these words the entire ride to my house. Once we were there he got out and picked me up again. He had no trouble getting me into the house when Jessica opened the door for him. I was put down on the couch.
“Thank you Harry.” She smiled.
“It's not a problem.” He waved off and left.

Notes