Change My Mind

STEFANIE

The night of the first concert was such a mix of emotions for not only me, but the boys, the band and the entire crew. My nerves were shot when the time came for me to give everyone their final pep talk before the show started. Everyone gathered together in a large circle right in the backstage area and it was at that moment that I saw Louis, not that I was looking for him or anything. Much to my dismay however, Eleanor was standing right beside him. They were standing there, looking like the perfect little couple. Louis looking at her like nothing had happened while we were in the Poconos. Now that I was paying attention I realized that Louis wouldn’t look at me. He seemed to look at everyone around the circle other than me. I had to shake it off. No matter what was going on with Louis and I, I couldn’t let it affect my job. I’d never in my life let my relationships affect my work. After taking a deep breath, I stepped into the middle of the circle and began my speech, “I know we are all anxious about this first concert but I know that if the rehearsal proved anything it’s that we will all bring our A game tonight! Let’s get out there and give that audience the best show of their lives!”
It was short and sweet, but as everyone around me began to cheer and get pumped up I knew I’d hit my mark. Everyone left at once and headed to where they needed to be. I followed the boys up to the stairs leading to the stage, my stomach knotting up as I watched Louis lean down and place a kiss on Eleanor’s lips. It was like this past weekend had never happened. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss my temper snapped. I stomped up the stairs and headed straight for Liam.
“Here to wish me good l-“ he began, but I effectively silenced him as I kissed him with everything I had. I poured every emotion that was running through my body at that moment into that kiss. It was hard and passionate and Liam responded immediately, completely matching my fervor. He had no idea why I was kissing him that way but he definitely didn’t seem to mind. Kissing him calmed me completely and after a long moment pulled away, resting my forehead against his.
“With a kiss like that, I feel like the luckiest man in the world, but what was that for?” Liam whispered sounding completely breathless.
“Get out there and kill it,” I replied with a smile and purposefully avoided looking at Louis as I walked back down the stairs, but I could feel his eyes on me and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my kiss with Liam had affected him.
As the guys hit the stage the roar of the audience told me everything I needed to know. It just gave me this vibe that everything would be great tonight. I made my rounds back stage to make sure that everything went smoothly, I wanted to be 100% positive that there would be no mistakes. The show had to be flawless, I wouldn’t be happy with anything else.
As I made my way to Erin’s department I decided that I could take a little break to talk to Erin about whatever had happened on the plane that had gotten her so upset with Harry plus I really needed to vent about Louis’ annoying behavior.
“So what exactly happened on the flight?”
“What do you mean? Nothing happened.” Erin did her best to act as if everything was fine but I most definitely wasn’t fooled.
“You were all being cute and laughing and then all of a sudden it was like you couldn’t get far enough away from him. Obviously something happened.”
“He just made some stupid joke to the flight attendant about something that happened this weekend and it pissed me off. On top of that it just reminded me how immature Harry is. I don’t know it just rubbed me the wrong way, ya know?” she unloaded, I looked at her expectantly waiting for her to continue, when she didn’t I spoke up, “So he made a lame joke and now you’re just done with him?”
“That seems a little unfair. I mean you can’t crucify the guy for one mistake,” I offered, attempting to reason with her. I saw the look on her face and I knew immediately that I’d overstepped my bounds but before I could correct my mistake she spoke up.
“Why do you always take his side?” she growled in a harsh whisper, “I’m allowed to get annoyed at him. I’m allowed to not want to be with him and for whatever reason you seem to be incapable of seeing what he’s really like sometimes.”
Yep, definitely overstepped my bounds.
“Okay hun, I’m sorry I didn’t realize. I won’t push you anymore, but I do want to make it clear that he might surprise you if you let him.” I gave Erin and hug and turned to head back to my duties, “I’ll catch up with you later okay?”
“Yeah” Erin said, “I’ll meet up with you later.”
The rest of the concert was perfect! Everyone was on point for the whole show. When the venue started to clear out I started to hear whispers from the crew that the boys were throwing a little party up in their suite to celebrate the first concert. Honestly, I was a little hurt that none of the guys invited me. As is Liam could read my mind from across the room he appeared at my side only moments later.
“You’re coming up to the party, right baby girl?” he asked, slinging his arm over my shoulders. Laughing I shrugged knocking his arm off, “I mean, I don’t know. I wasn’t invited so I think that would be a little rude to just show up.”
Liam raised his eyebrows, appraising my mood. When he’d finally come to the conclusion that I was playing around with him he replied, “Well, being automatically invited to places I’m going to be, kinda comes with the whole friends with benefits package. I mean, if that’s still our thing,”
I wasn’t ready to answer what he was asking yet, I didn’t know where I stood with Louis. I knew what I’d seen earlier, but I also remembered all too well what I’d seen and felt when we were in P.A. This whole damn thing was just so confusing.
“Don’t stress about it, Stef,” Liam commented, interrupting my thoughts, “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere and if you’re feeling it, then you’re feeling it. But if you’re not, you’re not. Either way I’m okay with it.”
I seriously didn’t deserve a guy like him. Liam always seemed to know exactly what to say to calm me down and ease my worries but I couldn’t help but feel guilty every time he did it.





ERIN
“I don’t even know why you are dragging me to this thing,” I complained as Stefanie pulled me alongside her into the Hilton London Canary Wharf Hotel. She met up with me once everyone had cleared out of the venue and didn’t ask but told me that I was going to a party with her that Louis and Harry were hosting. I was in no mood to deal with Harry and obviously going to a party in his hotel suite was not the best way to avoid him.
“Because, my little ray of sunshine, you worked your ass off tonight just like everyone else and you deserve a night to celebrate just as much as the rest of us do. Tonight was amazing and damn it we’re celebrating!”
“But Harry’s going to be there,” I whined, giving Stefanie a look that I knew would convey the rest of my unspoken words.
“So are Louis and Eleanor,” Stefanie rebutted and there was no denying the distaste in her voice, “But we shouldn’t let them ruin our night. We deserve this.”
She met my eyes and I decided that there was no point in arguing with her. She was set on us being able to ignore the guys and still enjoy this night and when Stefanie set her mind to something there was no changing her mind.

As we walked into the boy's suite, I tried my hardest to clear the negative thoughts from my mind. Looking around the room and seeing everyone having a blast made it almost easy. I found myself looking around the room for Harry, which was exactly what I shouldn’t have been doing but it was like my body was naturally inclined to look for him.
He was in the sitting room in the middle of the suite playing Wii with Niall and Zayn and as far as I could tell he hadn’t spotted me yet but just as the thought entered my mind Harry looked up and his eyes met mine.
So much for that theory.
I watched slightly amused as he set down the controller on the table and literally jumped over the couch and began walking towards Stef and I, never once taking his eyes off me.
“I was wondering when you’d get here, beautiful,” he said flashing me an adorable crooked grin.
No, not adorable. I mentally scolded myself. Harry stared at me long enough to make shift uncomfortably and as I shifted his eyes looked over to Stef.
“What’s up, Stef?” he asked, finally deciding to acknowledge her presence.
“Not too much, have you seen Liam?” she asked and Harry pointed in the direction of the kitchen, “Last time I saw him he was going to get a drink.”
“Oh, sounds like a plan. I’m going to go grab us some drinks, E,” Stefanie said and my eyes widened in panic. I seriously could’ve killed her in that moment. I stared at her back as she walked away hoping desperately that she would realize what she was doing in leaving me with Harry and come back. But the longer I waited the more I realized it was hopeless. She was the biggest advocate of Harry and I getting together. Realizing I had no other option I turned back around to face Harry.
“You look absolutely stunning,” he said with a cocky grin and that little grin was enough for me to remember the reasons that I shouldn’t be falling for his lines.
“Thank you,” I replied stiffly and Harry’s brow furrowed with concern but he remained persistent, “You’re welcome. Why don’t you come play the game with us?”
I looked around hoping to find Stefanie and use her as an excuse to decline, but sadly she was nowhere to be seen. At least I knew Niall was over there, hanging out with him was never a bad thing, so begrudgingly I turned to Harry and replied, “Lead the way.”

STEFANIE

Well Harry had been wrong, Liam was nowhere to be found in the kitchen, which left me standing in the kitchen alone pouring Erin and I some very suspicious looking punch. I grabbed both cups and turned to walk out and found my path blocked by Louis wearing a loose t-shirt and sweatpants. His feet were bare, which for some reason was undeniably sexy. I couldn’t stop the grin that formed on my face. I needed to remember that he was most certainly not mine to be grinning at. He’d reminded me of that all too clearly earlier.
“What has you smiling?” He asked, smiling right back at me and it was that smile that snapped me back to reality. That smile was the same smile he had given Eleanor earlier tonight.
“Nothing,” I replied quietly and moved to get around him. He stopped me, gently grabbing my arm.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked and as his blue eyes stared into mine I couldn’t bring myself to look away.
“I just….It’s nothing,” I began, stopping myself before I said something I would regret later.
“Yeah, I almost believe that, but not quite,” he smirked back at me, running his hand through his hair, his eyes never leaving mine. I shrugged as casually as I could manage and hoisted myself up onto the counter across the room from where Louis was standing, attempting to look nonchalant. I so didn’t want to get into this with him here.
“Nothing is wrong with me, Louis. It’s just been a long day and I’m a little tired, people do get tired you know,” I retorted.
“Oh, they do, but I know you. This isn’t a tired thing. I’ve seen you tired and that’s not what this is. Plus every time you say something you keep blushing, which tells me that you are lying. Come on…just tell me,” he whined, pouting with his bottom lip, which stupidly made my heart skip a beat. I shook my head ‘no’, not really trusting myself to speak. I could feel the heat on my cheeks as I blushed again.
“You drive a hard bargain, let’s see,” Louis said, grinning devilishly, “I’ll give you a cookie if you tell me?”
Again I shook my head no, but a giggle escaped through my lips, “Did you really just offer me a cookie?”
Louis’ smile widened and he began walking towards me slowly.
“Ok, I admit that was a little lame. Hmm…what if I make you a real drink so you don’t have to drink that nasty punch if you tell me?” he tried again. I laughed out loud this time, playing with the ends of my hair nervously as I noticed Louis coming closer and closer. Soon I could feel his stomach brush up against my knee and I knew that I had to be blushing again.
“You blush a lot, you know that?” Louis remarked, smiling at me. I didn’t know how to respond to that. I knew he was right and for obvious reasons it seemed to happen around Louis more than anyone. I must have had a worried look on my face, because Louis hurriedly said, “No, no. I like it. It’s adorable.”
Which of course made me blush even more I seriously wondered if my cheeks would be able to survive being around him much longer.
“Ok, I really want to know even more now,” he began, “What could I possible offer you to make you tell me?”
I really wish he could just let this go. He rested his hands on the counter on either side of my thighs. Being in this close proximity to him was almost making me forget about how he’d acted earlier. I stared at him waiting for him to make another ridiculous offer.
“I know...,” Louis said, with a wicked grin on his face, “If you tell me, I’ll kiss you.”
I felt my heart pound in my chest as we stared into each other’s eyes and at that moment I saw Liam walk past the kitchen from the corner of my eye, which was just the right thing to snap me back into reality.
“Oh, you mean like how you were kissing Eleanor earlier?” I asked in an overly sweet voice, “Does that mean that it’s her turn to watch?”
Louis’s eyes widened in surprise, “Shit….I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I snapped, jumping down from the counter and walking away from Louis, “You do your thing. She’s your girlfriend, not me.”
After that an uncomfortable silence filled the air, neither of us knowing what to say. Well, he wanted to know what was bothering me and now he did.
And I wished I hadn’t said anything at all. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into in the Poconos and I didn’t say no when I should have. I deserved this and I shouldn’t be snapping at him.
“I’m so glad this isn’t awkward,” I said smiling, attempting to break the tension that I had single handedly created. I handed Louis the cup I had poured for Erin and a second later, Louis moved towards me once again, “Right?” he laughed, “Such a relief.”
It was clear that he was just as uneager to talk about our current situation as I was.
“So, what exactly does one do at one of these parties?” I asked and Louis took a sip from his cup before replying, “I’m really not the guy to ask. I’m boring tonight. I’ve been hiding out in my room and playing Fifa. Eleanor,” he paused for a moment cringing as he said her name.
“It’s okay,” I assured him and he continued, “Eleanor went home right after the show. So I took a shower and started playing the game. Hence the sweats,” he said motioning with his right hand down to what he was wearing.
“Fifa, huh?” I asked, “Game on.”
Louis raised his eyebrows and grinned at me, “Don’t worry I’ll take it easy on you,” he teased. I rolled my eyes, walking over to him. I stood so that our faces were only inches apart, “No…I’ll take it easy on you.”


HARRY


I watched Erin as she flung her arm back and swung it forward quickly, taking her shot on Wii bowling, turning my head just in time to see her ball plow through the digital bowling pins knocking every one of them down.
“She’s gotta be cheating!” Niall complained and Erin through her head back in laughter and I couldn’t help but notice how truly beautiful she was when she smiled. Don’t get me wrong, she was always beautiful but when she smiled it was like a whole new level beauty that took my breath away.
“Seriously! That’s your fifth strike in row!” Zayn agreed and I couldn’t believe how competitive they were being over a video game. Unable to stay away any longer I walked over to where Erin was standing and wrapped my arm around her, purposefully resting my hand low on her hip.
“Nice throw, baby,” I whispered, taking in the sweet smell of her hair before placing a quick kiss on her cheek but just as quickly as I’d placed my kiss she began to pull away from me. That was the third time now. The third time I’d tried to get close to her or even acknowledge her and she pulled away from me since we’d come back from our trip.
What the hell was going on?
She sat down on the couch and I followed suit sitting next to her. I had to see if I was just imagining that she was pulling away from me or if it was actually happening.
“Are you okay?” I asked and she shrugged, “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
Oh yeah, something was definitely off with her. I swear she brought new meaning to the definition of hot and cold. She sat back on the couch and I followed suit, reaching over and draping my arm over her shoulders. She was stiff as could be.
“Ooh, you’re all tense love. Here let me rub your shoulders,” I offered. At first I felt her move and I was convinced that she was going to pull away from me but the second I began to work my hands on her stressed shoulders I felt the tension leave her body. I rubbed her shoulders lightly at first and then began to add a little pressure. She let her head fall forward, granting me better access and I took that as an opportunity to slide just the tips of my fingers under the neck of her shirt to get a better grip. The second that my fingers made contact with her bare skin her breathing became erratic. I loved the way her body responded to even the slightest touch from me. It made me feel like I actually stood a chance with her. It made me hope that she was feeling for me just a fraction of what I was feeling for her.
“There you go, just relax,” I whispered, leaning close enough to the back of her neck that I was sure she would be able to feel the warmth of my breath against her skin. When I felt her body tremble beneath my hands I knew that I’d accomplished what I’d hoped. Kneading the base of her neck with one of my hands I used the other to sweep her hair off her shoulders exposing her flawless skin which in my opinion was just begging to be kissed. Acting on impulse I leaned a little further and just as my lips grazed her neck, Zayn ruined the moment by calling out her name.
“What?” she answered, sounding as if she’d just woken from a dream.
“I said it’s your turn,” he repeated turning to face Erin and I, I saw the comprehension on his face as soon as he looked at the position of the two of us. He glanced back and forth between Erin and I and shrugged his shoulders, “Ooops.”


LOUIS

“I stand corrected!” I yelled in amazement as I watched Stefanie score the winning goal for the second game in a row, “I can’t believe it! I seriously never lose!”
There was nothing this girl wasn’t amazing at. She glanced over at me, biting down on her bottom lip, giving me the most adorable look.
“Oh, that’s right, I said I would take it easy on you didn’t I?” she teased with playful smile and I felt myself overjoyed at seeing this side of her. After the awkwardness in the kitchen I didn’t know if I would be able to see her like this again. I don’t know what I would have done if that was the case.
“I bet you think you’re funny, huh?” I shouted as I picked up a pillow and playfully threw it in her direction, missing her on purpose and making it land on the bed right next to her.
“See that’s your problem, you aim is as terrible in real life just like in the game!” she threw the pillow back at me, which I caught in midair and tossed back at her while jumping onto the bed beside her. She was lying on her side with her arm above her head reaching for the pillow, leaving her in such a vulnerable position I could help myself. Without hesitation, I reached over and began tickling her alternating my hands between her neck and stomach and before long her melodic laughter filled the room. She tried like hell to get free and get me back but there was no way I was going to let that happen. I pinned both of her hands above her head with one of mine and continued my merciless torture. She wiggled around beneath me for a couple more moments begging breathlessly for mercy. I let up a little bit, looking into her eyes and found myself unable to stop smiling as I stared at her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked laughing and without thinking I said the first genuine answer that popped into my head, “It’s just that…You are so damn beautiful and no matter how hard I try to be a good guy and stay away from you….I can’t.”
The expression on her face was so torn. The internal battle going through her mind was written all over her beautiful face and before she could make a decision as to what to say back to me, I tilted my head down just enough so that my lips hovered millimeters above hers. I wouldn’t kiss her, I felt as though every time we kissed that it had been my decision and not hers and I needed to know she wanted it too.
I felt her hands pull away from mine and before I could even begin to think about what that meant I felt them tangle in my hair as she pulled my lips to hers. A hot flame shot through my entire body as she grazed her tongue over my bottom lip and our kiss deepened. I slid my hand down the side of her body, the tips of my fingers just barely grazing the side of her breast and her entire body trembled beneath me as I guided my hand underneath the hem of her shirt touching the soft skin of her stomach.
“Louis wait,” she breathed, pulling her mouth away from mine.
Wait, what?
“What are we doing?” she asked, furrowing her brow as she looked up at me.
“Well, I don’t know about you but I think I’m in heaven, kissing an angel.”
Her eyes softened at my words and I felt her hands slip down to my chest, which felt incredible until the moment I realized she was pushing me away.
“We can’t do this,” she sighed and I knew she was right, I just hated hearing it.
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I know this isn’t fair to you or to Eleanor. I just can’t seem to help how I feel. I’m trying, Stefanie, I really am. But there’s just something about you. There’s something here. You feel it too, don’t you?” I asked, leaving myself completely vulnerable.
“I do, Louis. You know I do but I just can’t do this. Maybe I should go,” she offered and right at that moment my phone began to ring. I had no intention of answering it I wasn’t done with this conversation but before I could say anything Stefanie reached across the bed and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. I watched as she glanced at the screen for only a moment before standing up and walking towards the door.
“It’s Eleanor, you might want to answer that,” she commented, shaking her head as she turned and walked out the door not even giving me a chance to stop her.

ERIN

I was doing my absolute best to avoid Harry’s touch and looking directly at him. I know it sounds childish but the bottom line is whenever he touched me or shot those emerald green eyes in my direction I had absolutely no control over how my body reacted to him. My mind I could control, my body apparently not. I knew once the game was over that I would have nothing to use as an excuse to keep my distance from Harry but I was going to try. As I lined up for my next shot I felt Harry’s eyes on me which inevitably caused me to miss, ending my streak.
“Shut up, Niall,” I laughed, when I heard him chuckling behind me, “I’m still kicking your ass. And just or the record, the game is over and I’m pretty sure that I just won,” I added turning around and sticking my tongue out at him.
“Alright babe!” Harry cheered as the final scores played on the screen and I couldn’t resist taking a little bow, making Zayn laugh and Niall roll his eyes. As I turned to face Harry he scooped me up in a big hug, placing his hands around the small of my back before twirling me around. Once my feet were safely on the ground I began to move away from him, stopping in my tracks as I saw the genuine smile on his face. Harry stared into my eyes and I knew I was a goner. My mind went blank as I stared into the depths of his eyes and it wasn’t until he began to lean towards me that I was able to think straight. He was going to kiss me and unless I wanted to be completely lost in him I knew that was not a good idea.
“I could really use I drink,” I mumbled, my voice sounding less assured than I would have liked and before he could talk me out of leaving I turned and headed for the kitchen.
I took a deep breath as I poured myself a drink trying to get my head back on straight. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I seem to hold on to any type of self-control when he was around? I shook my head, returning the ladle to the bowl and before I could turn around I could sense someone behind me and as the familiar smell of Harry’s cologne invaded my nostrils I didn’t have to ask who it was. As I turned to face him, he placed his hands on either side of the counter, entrapping me. I peered up at him trying to hold on to my level head, “What are you doing?” I stammered out, not quite sure what Harry was up to.
“I’ve been trying to get you alone all night and I figured this was my chance,” Harry replied. He leaned forward once again I knew he was going to try to kiss me. I placed my hands on his chest, gently pushing him back giving myself enough room to slip away from his grasp once again.
“Harry, don’t,” I said, my voice coming out stronger than I felt, “You have to stop doing this.”
“Doing what?” he asked.
“This!” I yelled exasperated, motioning back and forth between the two of us, “It’s all too much! Especially when you and I both know it will never work between us.”
“Why not?” he countered looking completely shocked.
“There are so many reasons, Harry. I’m not blind, I see the all the tabloids. You’re not the relationship type and I’m too old to play your game.”
Without another word I turned and walked away from him, offering him no other explanation and keeping the truth to myself. The truth that the reason it would never work between us is because I was already in too deep and felt myself drowning in him. I let that happen with Chris and I wouldn’t do it again.





STEFANIE

As Erin and I walked back to our flat I felt completely drained. Several times I opened my mouth to talk to her about the whole Louis situation and just found myself closing my mouth again. I was too worn out to even talk about it.
“So Harry tried to kiss me and I flipped out on him,” Erin said out of nowhere and sadly I was glad to have something other than Louis to think and talk about.
“What?” I asked, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and turning to look at her. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, “I panicked,” she finally said, “The way I can’t seem to control myself around him freaks me out because I know he’d just break my heart.”
“I don’t understand why you think that. He’s done nothing to make you think he would hurt you, yet you’re not even willing to give him a chance. I don’t understand it,” I admitted. Erin looked down at her feet pacing back and forth in a tiny circle before answering me.
“Honestly, Stef, I don’t understand it either, but I just know in my gut that whatever the reason is I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for him, she paused chuckling slightly, “I still can’t believe the reason I told him though.”
“What did you tell him?” I asked, my curiosity peaked.
“That I’ve seen the tabloids and I know he’s a player,” she admitted sheepishly. I couldn’t keep the shocked expression off my face if I tried. She had to be joking.
“I know, I know,” she yelled, annoyed throwing her hands up in the air.
“Oh, E, that’s a low blow,” I commented, draping my arm over her shoulders, “Little harsh, babe.”
“I really don’t want to talk about him anymore tonight. Besides after what I said to him, he wouldn’t give me another chance.”
“Okay, but I think you underestimate him. Ha—“ I began but was quieted when I saw the look on Erin’s face, “Huh, suddenly I can’t remember what I was saying,” I said making a silly face at her.
“Thank you,” she said with a wink and we continued our walk home. As we turned the corner to our street, I was surprised to find Liam standing out in front of our flat.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as Erin and I approached him. Liam shrugged his shoulders, “Looking for you,” he replied simply and Erin started up the steps looking back at Liam and I.
“I’m going to bed, goodnight guys,” she said with smile and headed in, leaving Liam and I outside,
“So, what up?” I asked and Liam walked over to me and wrapped me in his arms, “I saw the way you left Louis’s room and I figured you would be needing this,” he replied squeezing me tighter for emphasis.
“Yeah, I’m a horrible person,” I mumbled into his chest and he pulled back just enough so that he could look into my eyes, “No, you’re not.”
“I feel like I am,” I admitted and Liam leaned down kissing my forehead, “You need to stop being so hard on yourself. It takes two to tango so this isn’t all on you and last time I checked you’re not the one who’s attached.”
“Speaking of,” I began, “I think that you and I should just go back to being normal run of the mill friends,” I blurted out and cringed waiting to hear his reaction. Liam laughed and hugged me again, “That’s fine baby girl. I already told you I’m here no matter what,” he assured me and for a moment I just let myself relax in his arms. My life was a mess as far as men were concerned and just knowing Liam was there for me made me feel so much better.
“You want to come in for a little bit?” I asked and felt Liam’s chest rumble as he laughed at me.
“And you said you just wanted to be friends.”
“Shut up, you ass,” I laughed and opened the door, letting him inside.

The next few days were filled with making sure all the equipment was being properly taken care of when being put away and going over bunking assignments for when we took the show on the road and I through myself into my work big time, hoping to free my mind of Louis. Which much in the same spirt of avoiding a certain someone Erin helped me with everything. We worked our asses off and when we found ourselves with free time we took advantage of some of the sites the city had to offer. We went to see the London Zoo and the Charles Dickens museum and also managed to get some shopping in as well.
The day before we were set to leave London, we had run into Zayn in the midst of our shopping and he happened to mention that he was on his way to go get a new tattoo, which of course completely peeked Erin and I’s attention. Almost simultaneously we decided to get tattoos commemorating our time as friends who were lucky enough to work together while traveling the world together and made sure we got the address from Zayn so that we could meet up with him later.


HARRY

“Are you guys coming or what?” Zayn yelled into the phone as Louis and I climbed into the cab that was taking us to the tattoo shop. It was the third time he called, this guy was so impatient.
“Calm down lad. We are like two minutes away,” I lied and heard Louis snicker beside me. It was good to see him smile, when I had gone to his room earlier to ask if he wanted to come with me he was in rare form apparently Eleanor had bailed on him again and Stefanie had been avoiding him for days so needless to say it didn't take much time to convince him to come with me to the tattoo parlor.
We arrived at the address Zayn had texted me about fifteen minutes later and I was relieved to see the place was very secluded. The last thing I wanted to deal with right now was the paparazzi invading our space. Needless to say, Louis wasn’t the only one that had been avoided for days. I hadn’t seen Erin since the party and to say that left me in a bit of a foul mood would be an understatement.
“So what are you thinking of getting?” Louis asked and I walked over to where he was standing and began looking through the pictures with him.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” I admitted, “I never know until I see it.”
As we flipped through the book, the sound of the bell on the front door chimed alerting me that someone else was coming in. The only thing that ran through my mind was ‘please don’t let the paparazzi have found us.’ When I turned to look at who came in I swear I felt my heart stop beating for a moment as I saw Erin walking in with Stefanie right behind her. I watched her, curious to see how she would react to seeing me. After our last conversation I wasn’t entirely sure she’d be too happy about it. I still couldn’t believe the things she said to me. I was shocked to hear what she really thought of me, especially when I really thought her and I were getting to know each other. But after giving what she said some serious thought the only thing I could think to do was prove her wrong. I wanted to show her that I wasn’t the player that she thought I was and the best way I knew to do that was to be her friend. Just her friend.
“Hey, Erin,” I said, my voice cracking ever so slightly as I said her name.
Real cool bro.
“Hey,” she replied with a small uneasy smile and I knew I better speak quickly if I wanted her to listen.
“Listen, I’m really sorry about the other night. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable and I promise not to do it again. Can we please be friends? It’s going to be a long couple of months where we will have to work closely together and I’d like it if we could do so without feeling so uneasy around each other.”
Erin eyed me curiously while she weighed my words, “Yeah, I’d like that. I want us to be friends too,” she replied confidently and I let out the breath that I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how terrified I had been that I had pushed her away for good. It had been so long since I’d been this into someone and I didn’t want her slipping through my fingers. Both of us looked around the room and I knew I needed to break the awkward tension that was forming between us.
“So, you want to come look at some of the books with me and help me figure out what the hell I’m going to get?” I asked and Erin nodded enthusiastically. The smile that formed on her face told me things were definitely looking up.

Notes

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