Niall’s view:
“Niall it’s time to get up. You already missed the meeting and a short rehearsal. Zayn saved you breakfast but you have to eat it on the way to the press conference about One Thing. You have 20 minutes to get ready.” Liam whispered sweetly to me. I just wanted to sleep. “Oh and when you get up there is water on the table for you.” The door shut and I was up. I slumped out of bed drank the water in an attempt to wake up. I changed into unwrinkled clothes and then went into our shared bathroom. I didn’t have to shower really so I just washed my face and ruffed up my hair in a nicer way then called it ‘good enough’. I opened up the room door to see Louis coming out of Harry's room. He most likely gave Harry the same run down Liam gave me.
“Glad you're up. We needed you today at rehearsals pretty bad but we managed to get by. Harry is dead. He won’t be up anytime soon.” Louis said
“When are we leaving for the press conference?” I asked watching him move all peppy.
“Here soon. You should follow Liam around so he can take care of you.” Louis half joked half didn’t.
“Where is –”
“He’s in here.” Louis walked into his room with Zayn, who was throwing clothes around and Liam who was picking them up. “Look who is up!” Louis announced my arrival. They stopped to look at me then Zayn went back to his frantic state.
“Niall and I will be in the car. Hurry up and if you need to drag Harry, Louis.” Liam dropped a pile of clothes on Zayn’s bed and Zayn started throwing them again.
“Yeah, I got it.” Louis said starting to pick up Zayn’s mess. Liam walked me out to the elevator lift. He was silent and I was too. Breaking the silence was going to be hard but –
“I'm sorry.” We said simultaneously. We chuckled and then waited for a minute.
“Liam, I'm sorry I just wanted to have a fun night and since all of you left. I was a little dazed to be honest and I didn’t know how to control Harry, I let him go crazy and I shouldn’t have.” I apologized.
“Look you are a teenager that gets to make adult decisions and I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. I just don’t want this to be over that pianist.” He said eyeing me a little harder than expected.
“I just wanted to congratulate her. Besides I'm sure she would pick any one of you guys over me.” That sounded desperate so I laughed to make it seem like a bad joke.
“C’mon Nialler I'm sure she could fall for you.” He ruffled my hair which didn’t change the appearance I had.
“With Zayn competing for her it’s hands down he’ll get her.” I joked again even though knowing somewhat how true it was.
“Let’s just focus on our new show before we decide to get caught up, ok?” He was looking out for me and I did have a lot to prove and getting attached right now won’t help.
“Yeah, sounds good.” I smiled at him. We walked past the paparazzi and into the car that was waiting for the other three boys.
“So while this competition is going on we need to promise to not get too competitive.” Liam nudged me. I laid my head on his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“I promise.” I smiled to myself. No one is going to want to be on my team anyway so it’s not like I'm actually going to have to coach. Soon emerging from the crowd was Louis holding Harry and Zayn following behind. Once they were in the car we took off to the conference. Some paps tried to run after us but none of them kept up long enough to know where we were going. The drive there was quiet because I was on Liam and Harry slept on Louis. Zayn didn’t know what to do so he kept on his phone most likely arguing with Perrie. Simon greeted us outside and walked us straight into a room to wait for everyone that was going to take part and sponsor this show. I was nervous to meet people after my weird night; if you couldn’t get your own distracted mind past Simon then you could get it past anyone. Harry didn’t pass.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” Simon was mad and people walking pass the glass window could hear it.
“He drank last night after the VMA’s.” Liam spoke. Harry lay on the table and kept his head down.
“Well that’s just great! I told you boys nothing, no girls, no drinks, nothing!” He fumed.
“We told him to stop but he wouldn’t slowdown, Simon he should just sit out.” Zayn said.
“What about the rest of you? Are you ok to continue because someone is going to have to explain to him what the contracts means and what he is signing to.” Simon rubbed his forehead, something he did when he was frustrated beyond comprehension.
“I'll do it.” Liam said raising his hand.
“Thank you Liam. Afterwards I need a word with all of you separately.”
“Are we in trouble?” I asked suddenly nervous.
“No, it’s just to check in with all of you, most of you.” He looked at Harry who still looked pathetic on the table. Simon opened the door and in came the nicely dressed associates.
“Hello boys. We are very excited to get these contracts signed. We have to go through paperwork first.” One said.
“We will start with the show details.” Another said.
“Talent, everyone is looking for talent. Singing shows, instrumental shows,” I thought of her, “and any show that puts out someone else’s talent.” They continued.
“’One Thing’ is going to be a competition. You pick who you want on your team and if anyone wants the same person then it’s up to the talent to pick their per say coach. We want to keep it strictly singing unless you have other opinions about that. Other than that we want to open the show in the next month.”
“How are we going to pick the talent? If we open it up generally every single directioner is going to come just to meet us.” Liam was thinking about this logically as where I was hoping that the pianist could sing too.
“We are going to have auditions for the next month where other judges decide if they get to come and perform for One Direction.” One said looking through papers.
“I'm ready to sign.” Louis said holding a pen.
“Is there money?” Harry lifted his head and we all kind of froze.
“Mr. Styles there will be a small pay. We thought with production costs the payment to One Direction would be paid 50,000 dollars for every show.”
“How many episodes are there going to be?” Louis cocked a brow.
“We are aiming for 28 shows for the first season, all the shows filming works around your extra events.”
“What about a second season?” Simon asked looking over papers in folders.
“If the views are over a certain amount it’s optional. Most shows like this carry out at least four or five seasons. Being the popularity of One Direction it’s going to be hard to obtain three.”
“We want to see how this season goes and then stick our foot in the door for a second season. Nothing is set in stone until we meet in this very room again and sign some more papers.” The only girl informed us.
“Simon, I'm ready.” Louis smiled.
“If you want to be a judge on your own TV show grab a contract and sign.” Simon said with a grin. Louis signed his, Zayn signed his, Liam read more, Harry looked confused, and I waited. What I was waiting for I don’t know but I wanted to wait.
Claire’s view:
We arrived to the store in a limo. Pointless to do that but she wasn’t going to be my friend if I didn’t keep treating her like royalty.
“That was so fun!” She said as she walked into the shop and to the back where all the nicest pianos were.
“So was that your first ride in a limo?” I asked her.
“Yeah, and it was beyond cool.”
“Awesome.” I almost sighed.
“So you should teach me how to play now.” She shot out.
“Why would you want that?” I winked at her. She smiled and stayed standing by my side. “If you're going to play you should probably sit at the piano.” I walked her over. She blushed and I knew this was going to be funny. I pulled out some music sheets from my bag. A couple people looked as they passed by but just thought we were regular girls screwing around. “So I would start with something easy, like, hmm, can you do this?” I asked. I did a few chords that sounded like one of Justin’s’ songs.
“Of course I can’t.” She laughed then got serious.
“What about this?” I did an arpeggio. She watched and gave me the same dumbfounded look. “Ok. Put your hands like this. Move your middle finger here, your pointer finger here, and your thumb right there. Now play what I play.” I put my fingers in the same position except an octave higher.
“That’s Fur Elise.” She shot at me.
“I know.” I smirked. “And you can't do that?” I bust up laughing sarcastically.
“Like you could do any better.” She shot at me, obviously asking me to play.
“Really want to go there?” I raised my brow.
“Why not, give me your best.” She motioned for me to ‘take the stage’. I broke out in song, my tiny fingers rapidly hitting the notes perfectly. People stop to watch then would keep moving except a few here and there would stay. Some people would clap when I would get to an intense fast part. I continued to play with a larger circle forming around me and the piano. I stopped and motioned for them to move back. I stood and kicked the bench back, I started playing an upbeat song that I did at the VMA’s. Someone said ‘that’s her’ and I stopped. I remembered Alana. I looked around and didn’t see her anymore. Everyone clapped and some people had phones on me. Everywhere I go I manage to call a crowd, make a scene, or demand attention with my playing.
“More!” Someone yelled.
“My hands are tired.” I lied. I sing more than I play, that’s saying something.
“Play one more song!” Someone else shouted.
“Fine, but then I really have to go.” I said thinking of another song to play. The song was a short one, I made sure of that and I finished up.
“Could we get your autograph?” someone asked me.
“Sure.” I blushed. I took the pen and paper and just scribbled my name. I did this for more time and I knew Justin was probably getting worried. I’d been out for hours; it was already going on 9:00 p.m. I signed so much paper my hand was getting tired and I really wanted to sleep. Once everyone left and I was alone. I felt bad that Alana was left out. Maybe I could make it up to her? I walked around a few blocks before realizing I was beyond lost and called Jessica.
“Claire, Justin was getting worried and I was beginning to too! Where have you been?” she scolded.
“I was at the music store playing piano and I'll explain that later, but could you come and pick me up? I don’t exactly know how to get to the house.” I was embarrassed and no one but she and I knew.
“I'll be there in a few. Just stay there. Justin she’s o –” She hung up just as I caught the beginning of her last sentence. He was worried about me, which is funny. My own dad, JC, he was so nice and let me do anything, to a certain extent that is. I mean I would go somewhere and there wouldn’t be restrictions on any of it. He trusted me, I knew what not to do but with Justin it is one rule after another and I know he’s just trying to protect me but it’s kind of annoying. Jessica’s no different; I would just have to get used to, which would be rather difficult. The reason JC chose Justin was because he would be able to give me the family experience and would be able to take care of my needs better. I didn’t have a choice. A car honked and up pulled Jessica in the Blazer.
She parked and before I was buckled drove off. “Justin is worried about you. He won’t talk about it because it was hard on him but I will tell you, JC’s death hit him hard. He sees you as his and he doesn’t know exactly how JC decided to raise you that’s between you and your father but I know Justin is trying hard to get close to you and still let you have the freedom your father did. You need to be a little more considerate to Justin. He hasn’t been the best uncle in the world but he wants to make up for that. I expect you to sit down and talk to him about what happened tonight. I know I'm not your guardian because I wasn’t allowed to sign the papers but I am going to make sure you at least tell Justin what's wrong because I'm not going to have you causing havoc when the baby is born.” She stopped and caught what she said.
“You're –”
“Yes, Justin doesn’t know yet and I want to make sure you’re responsible enough for us not to worry about when the baby does come; he’s stressed enough from work and the upcoming tour.”
“He’s touring?” This was all new. Jessica is pregnant, Justin's touring, and I'm doing nothing to become more famous. I laughed at that one.
“Yes, and I don’t need him worrying too much about a teenager that is capable of taking care of herself. Speaking of, I got you something.” She handed me a card. “L.A. is a nice place to be in but I know sometimes you don’t have the money for things you need so in case you need something, anything, this is hooked up to a bank account for you. Justin has been putting money in it for you since he found out about JC.” She sighed as she pulled into the driveway to the mansion. “I have been too. I want you to feel comfortable with us. We can’t replace your parents, but we knew them just as much as you and so we know what they would want. We’re on your side.” She lectured me. I could tell this was something she wanted to say for a while but hasn’t, for Justin rather than me.
“I just went out with a friend.” I lightened the mood. She laughed and the tension was lifting slowly until we reached the house.
“Claire Elizabeth Chasez…” Here we go. “…where have you been? I assumed lunch maybe dinner out but it's late.” Justin was being his old self.
“It's only 9.30 Justin.”
“Well your curfew is going to be 7 p.m. sharp.” He said.
“Justin, be easier on her.” Jessica stepped in.
“Look, I think her and I should talk in private.” Justin looked at Jessica and I knew I was in for it.
“I'll be out back when you are ready to cool down. Don’t say anything you will regret.” She scolded us both and then left. He looked at me and sighed heavily. I repeated him as he sat on a stool.
“I know it's hard for you.” He began.
“Yeah, sure you do.” I shot in.
“Claire, he was my brother. I hope you know I want you to do what you want but I need to make sure that you're safe, for your fathers’ sake.”
“Look, I understand what has happened and I get that I'm now your responsibility but I'm not just any regular teenager. I'm more mature then most girls my age, I get things because of what’s happened to me. I know what and my father expected of me. I don’t want to make this hard for either of us. I'll let you in on what I’m doing, but then you let me do it. I don’t need another problem right now.” I was going to tell him flat out how it is going to be. He bowed his head and sighed again.
“It’s all good,” He looked up. “We can do it this way. I expect texts every two hours if I'm away. Speaking of I do have a tour about to happen so I needed you to be occupied.”
“What did you do?” I knew this wasn’t going to be good.
“I signed you up to audition for a talent show. It's up and coming and the judges are nice, so I have heard. I expect you to audition. If you don’t make it then you’re coming touring with me but if anything else happens that allow you to be here than just tell Jessica or me.” He smiled. “Oh, before I call it a night I understand Jessica isn’t your guardian or has any relation to you for that matter but I do expect you to listen to her too. She seems to have a way of knowing how to deal with teenagers more than I do.” He then left and slumped up the stairs to his room. This was going to be easier than I thought. It was getting late because my lecture with Justin took some time so I joined Jessica out on the patio.
“Are you ok?” She asked as soon as I sat down.
“We came to terms. When he’s on tour I'm staying here.” I smiled at the idea of alone time.
“Well I won’t be here because the baby will be around that time. I'm staying with some friends up in Sacramento.” She frowned.
“You should tell him.” I blurted out. It isn’t my place but if I was to be pregnant and my husband was going on tour I would want him to know.
“It's best if I don’t. I feel like if I do something bad will happen so I just want it to be something he knows when the time is right.” She smiled at me.
“So Justin is making me audition for a talent show.” I changed subjects feeling the tension picking up.
“Which of the shows are we talking about?” That was ironic because that’s all there really was in L.A., a way to become famous, if you weren’t already.
“I don’t know but I'm not worried. It's easy I mean playing and all.” I want to play now. Talking about the piano makes me want to play really bad.
“Well, I hope you do well. You might even become famous off of this.” She wasn’t looking at me but rather the pool that was in their yard. The sun was completely gone so the only reflection was the bright white moon.
“I don’t even know how the process works but I'm actually excited. It's a way for me to make my own name and not from Justin’s or my dad’s.” This was going to be hard with the last name ‘Chasez’.
“If anyone can be known for what they do and not what their family has done, it's you Claire.” She patted my back and left. I stayed on the tanning chair, looking at the stars. Soon I was going to be one.

Notes