Change My Mind

STEFANIE

A week had passed and everything was coming along nicely with the stage design and crew management. We were starting to work like a well-oiled machine and this made getting my work outs with Liam that much easier to stick to. Liam and I were starting to get to know each other and it was nice to have a friend while I was here. It still wasn’t the same as going home at the end of a long day and spending time with my best friend but it was something to help me keep some sanity.
I had just got back from a jog with Liam and was unlocking the door to my flat when I heard the sound of Erin’s ringtone coming from the other side. I unlocked the door as quickly as I could and rushed to where it had been charging on the counter. “Hello?” I asked unsure if I had missed the call.
“Hey.” Erin replied.
I hadn’t heard too much from her other than the usual good morning text and the occasional ‘How’s London?’ text over the last week and I was worried that something was wrong. With the way Erin said ‘Hey’ I knew I had been right, “What’s wrong? You sound depressed.” I asked.
“Nothing…no job yet and I know I haven’t been keeping in touch…I was trying to keep distracted.”
“How?” I pried.
“Remember when I said my dad was on the other line when we talked last?”
“Yeah?”
“Well…it wasn’t my dad…It was Chris.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me? Wait…You didn’t get back together with him Erin, did you?”
“Sorta. I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t approve and you’d tell me how he only wanted to play games with me and I was depressed so I just didn’t care. I convinced myself that it was only going to be a one night thing. We’d fool around and I’d send him on his merry way but it turned into more. I started to think that it could be something more than just sex and once again was proven wrong. I know I should’ve told you but I was at an all-time low and didn’t know what else to do. You’re so far away and I thought I could handle playing his game.”
I listened and waited for a second when she was done speaking to make sure her rant was through. “I get it mama, but I know just as well as you do that you were never cut out to play that game. You’re a relationship girl, you never did like games and there’s nothing wrong with that. I just don’t get why you chose to try this out with him?”
“I chose him because he called me and it was what was easiest. I didn’t have to get dressed up, go out to a club and put all that effort into finding a guy then feel guilty for having slept with someone I barely knew. I mean I know I don’t know Chris all that well but I at least knew what I was getting into with him. Ya know?”
“I know…So what happened? Are you still with him?”
“No, he came over last night and after we had sex he pretty much made it clear that’s all he wanted. Then he left to go out with his friends. Can you believe he had the guts to text me at one in the morning to see if he could come over?”
“Please tell me you didn’t let him?”
“God no! I thought it would make me feel better to be with him but it didn’t so I just didn’t answer. I promise I won’t answer him anymore.”
“Good…I’m sorry you’re feeling lonely. Why don’t you come out here to visit me? I’m having best friend withdrawals over here!”
“I wish I could but I have an interview tomorrow afternoon.”
“So come after!” I said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I don’t know…don’t you have a lot of work stuff?”
“Yeah but it’s not like you can’t come and hang out with some of it…right now I’m working with the stage crew on set design and that’s not at the office so you could see what their stage will look like before anyone else.” I realized this wasn’t going to be the selling point so I quickly moved on, “I really only have that one thing going on while you’re here so we could do some sightseeing and shopping?”
“I guess…I’m using the last of my savings paying bills anyway so why not spend it on a flight and shopping in a foreign country!”
“That’s the spirit!” I replied with a laugh, “Seriously though, come visit me!” I said with a slight whine. “I miss you!”
“I miss you too!” Erin paused and then sighed loudly into the phone before saying, “Fiiiinnnnneeee…I guess I can come out for a couple of days. If anything it’ll guarantee that I don’t answer any calls or texts from Chris.”
“True story! I’ll hide your phone if I have to.” I said. “I’ll tell you what…you start packing and I’ll book your flight, sound good?”
“Sounds good! I’ll talk to you in a bit then.” Erin said as she hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe that I had talked her into coming out to see me. I was so happy I texted her a gif of someone doing a funny dance and typed,
Happy dance-S.
I pulled out my laptop to start looking when my phone bleeped from Erin texting me back
Yay :D -E
It had been two days since I talked Erin into flying to London to spend time with me and I was finally jumping into the back of the Addison Lee to pick Erin up from the airport. When I got there I pulled the sign out of my bag that had Flynn Written on it to hold up at the gate. I knew that it was kind of a lame thing to do but that was the kind of joke Erin appreciated and she’d get a kick out of the gesture.
When Erin saw me she didn’t hesitate to laugh hysterically at the sight of me standing in the crowd of cab drivers also holding signs. I laughed along with her and yelled “Habib!” dropping the sign to hug my friend.
“Papu!” Erin yelled back running up to me to give me a hug.
We collected Erin’s things from baggage claim and piled in the cab to head back to the flat.
As Erin started to get settled in at the flat, my phone started to ring and when I saw Liam’s number on the screen. “Sorry E, I have to answer this. Hello?” I said as I placed it on speaker phone.
“Hey Stefanie, have you thought about coming out tonight? I know you said Erin was coming in today but I thought she might enjoy initiation night.”
“Oh, I don’t know…” I started to think of a reason not to go because Liam had been secretive up to this point on what exactly ‘Initiation night’ involved, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to subject myself or Erin to a night out with people who were dead set on keeping us in the dark on the details of the night’s plans.
“What’s initiation night?” Erin asked as she walked from her bedroom into the living room where I had been standing.
“Hi Erin!” Liam shouted over the phone, “It’s basically our little way of welcoming Stefanie into our family, but she’s been putting it off for over a month now and the natives are getting restless.”
“That sounds like fun!” Erin said.
“No, it sounds like they are trying to get us to join a cult!” I argued.
Erin rolled her eyes, “So don’t drink the juice. But we’re going, I need some fun tonight!”
Liam laughed on the other end of the line at Erin’s comment and I knew my argument had been lost, “Fine, we’ll go, but you owe me.” I said glaring at Erin while she jumped around the living room excited that she had won this round.


ERIN

“I can’t believe I let you and Liam talk me into this,” Stefanie pouted pulling a plain black tank top on, along with a pair of ripped blue jeans. The way Liam explained what tonight was he definitely made it sound like a casual thing so I also had opted to wear jeans but instead of a plain tank I wore a fitted t-shirt that read ‘On Wednesday’s we wear pink’. It was old and well-worn but it was one of my favorites.
“It will be fun, Stef. Don’t be such a Debbie downer,” I said as we walked out the door and over to the cab that was parked out front waiting for us. Stefanie rolled her eyes as she stomped passed me throwing our small overnight bag into the car before climbing in. We had arranged a room at the hotel for the night, since neither one of us knew just exactly how long this ‘initiation night’ would last or how much drinking would be involved.
After sliding into the seat next to her I decided to plead with her some more, “Come on, after all this shit I’ve been dealing with I need a night of fun,” I pouted, sticking out my bottom lip. Stefanie turned and met my stare, rolling her eyes once again.
“First of all, I can’t believe you called me a ‘Debbie downer’ what are you like 80?” she laughed before continuing, “And second of all, I know you do, which is the only reason I gave in so easily.”
I knew all too well how stubborn Stef could be, so I knew she was speaking the truth. She could have put up much more of a fight than she had, which admittedly I was grateful she hadn’t.
The ride to the hotel wasn’t long at all and before we knew it we had arrived. As soon as we entered the lobby I saw none other than Liam Payne standing there. For a moment I almost allowed myself to fall into complete fan girl mode. My job, well former job wasn’t like Stefanie’s, seeing celebrities wasn’t an everyday thing for me. When he began walking towards us for a moment I actually managed to forget that Stefanie was working for him and found myself shocked that he was approaching us but when he walked over to Stefanie and pulled her in for a hug reality came back to me.
“Liam, I want you to meet my very best friend, Erin,” Stefanie said, motioning to me. Liam held his hand out for me to shake, which I gladly accepted.
“Pleasure to meet you, Erin,” Liam complimented in his perfect British accent, “Stefanie talks about you all the time.”
I glanced over to Stefanie who gave me a warm smile in return.
“Would you mind horribly if I stole her away for a moment?” Liam asked his attention focused on me, “I just need to talk to her about something right quick.”
“Of course not, I’ll just go check us in,” I assured him and watched as he grabbed Stefanie’s hand and pulled her toward one of the couches in the lobby before I turned away and headed for the counter.
“Reservation for Teller,” I informed the clerk, whose name badge read, Tim, and as he began typing away on his keyboard I glanced around the lobby. Just as I was about to turn back to the clerk something or I should say someone caught my attention. Harry Styles was walking out of the elevator and much to my surprise his eyes were completely focused on me.
No, he couldn’t be looking at me I thought to myself, even though I was well aware the only person behind me was the front desk worker and I doubted he would be looking at him like that but even so I turned around and look behind me to be sure. When I turned back to where Harry was his eyes were still focused on me and I could feel my cheeks begin to heat.
“It’s right here, you’re in the executive suite on the eleventh floor,” Tim announced, pulling my attention back to him. I grabbed the card key he was holding out to me and thanked him.
“Walk much?” I heard Liam call out and then heard the sound of his and Stefanie’s laughter. I spun around to see what the commotion was about, glancing at Stefanie and Liam before looking over at what they were gawking out. Harry was extending his hand helping up a guy who if I had to guess looked to be about twenty years old or so. I couldn’t help but think to myself how sweet it was the Harry was helping the guy who had obviously fallen and on the flip side how mean it was that Stefanie and Liam were laughing at him.
“Sorry, mate,” Harry said quickly shaking the man’s hand before walking out the front door of the hotel. I walked over to where Stefanie and Liam were standing and instantly scolded Stefanie, “I can’t believe you were making fun of that guy!”
Stefanie looked at me perplexed, “Who, Harry? He totally deserved it! That guy was standing there talking on his phone and Harry walked right into him.”
At Stefanie’s words, she and Liam burst out into another fit of laughter and I found myself joining in. We all walked over to the elevator, stopping on Stefanie and I’s floor to drop off our bags before continuing up to the penthouse suite where the boys were staying. Liam slid his card into the slot and pushed the door open and as we walked in I could feel my anxiety beginning to build. Not only was I going to have meet a room full of new people, I was going to have to meet a room full of celebrities.
“What took you guys so long?” Zayn asked appearing from around the corner of the hallway. Liam laughed, “Hey it’s not me, blame the girls. I was waiting in the lobby for them for at least a half hour.”
“You’re such a liar!” Stefanie laughed playfully punching Liam’s arm.
“We were on time I swear,” Stefanie promised and then turned back to face me, “Zayn this is my friend, Erin. Erin, this is Zayn,” she said by way of introduction and I shook Zayn’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“So, now that we’re here. Will you please tell me what this whole initiation night entails?” Stefanie begged, sticking a pouty bottom lip out at Liam. Liam reached his hand out and poked her lip, “Put that thing away, you know it doesn’t work on me.”
“It’s about time yeh got here,” a voice with a distinct Irish accent called out and before he came into sight I knew it had to be Niall.
“Did you tell me the wrong time or something?” Stefanie accused, staring at Liam. He held his hands up innocently, “No, they are just impatient.”
“Well, hello there lass,” Niall said and when I looked towards him I found him looking right at me, “Since these arses have no manners I’ll introduce myself, I’m Niall.”
“I’m Erin,” I smiled holding my hand out to him. The smile on his face widened as he took my hand and shook it, “That’s a fine name you have there.”
“Thank you.”
I peeked over at Stefanie and watched her brow begin to furrow when I looked in the same direction she was looking in I saw Louis Tomlinson and I’m assuming a woman who was his girlfriend walking over to all of us.
“Hey Stefanie,” Louis called out his eyes never leaving Stef.
“Hey,” she called back in a quiet voice that almost didn’t sound like her. Huh, I wonder what that’s all about, I couldn’t help but think but before I could ponder it further. Stefanie was introducing me to Louis.
“Pleasure,” Louis said, “And I’d like you both to meet my girlfriend, Eleanor.”
“Hey,” Stefanie replied quietly and I greeted her as well.
“Alright, enough of this introduction shite, we’re all friends now so let’s get to drinkin’,” Niall said loudly and everyone broke into laughter.
“I’ll show you all how the Irish do it, watch and be amazed as I drink you all under the table,” he proclaimed and before I could stop myself I shot back, “Not all of us, I’ll give you some stiff competition. It’s in my blood.”
“Oh so yer, Irish…I knew I liked yeh,” Niall winked, draping his arm across my shoulders as he lead me towards the main room of the suite. I turned to make sure Stefanie was coming too and saw her and Liam directly behind us.
“So here’s the deal, Initiation is simple,” Liam explained as we sat down on the plush beige couches in the living room, “We just play a little game called ‘never have I ever’ so we can all get to know each other a little better.”
Stefanie occupied the seat next to Liam, Louis sat on her other side with Eleanor right beside him and Niall, Zayn and I shared the other couch. The coffee table in the middle of the room had a few bottles of different liquors and seven shot glasses.
“That’s it?” Stefanie questioned, “I was expecting far worse. Bring it on,” she challenged. The boys and Eleanor and I all laughed.
“I’ll start,” Louis offered, filling the shot glasses with Southern Comfort and handing us each one, “Never have I ever gone sky diving.”
Stefanie and I look at each other, both of us clearly remembering our trip to Hawaii a couple years ago when we both thought it was a brilliant idea to jump out of a perfectly good plane. We laughed before simultaneously downing our shots. I glanced around the room and realized Stefanie and I were the only two that drank.
“This isn’t looking good for us, E,” Stefanie called out and I nodded my head in agreement.
“My turn,” she sighed and I watched as a wicked smile formed on her face, “Never have I ever sung on stage.”
“Well damn, lads I guess we better drink up,” Liam chuckled and he, Louis, Zayne and Niall all took their shots.
“Well played,” he complimented Stefanie, patting his hand against her thigh. She smiled proudly and winked over at me. “But payback is a bitch,” Liam smirked, “Never have I ever had sex with a man.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips before I downed the shot. He had us there and he knew it. As I finished my shot I watched Stefanie cringe as Eleanor took her shot smiling a flirty little smile at Louis when she was done.
Oh yes, there was definitely something going on there.


HARRY

I can’t believe you decided to pass on initiation night! We’re having such a great time! –Z
I stared blankly at Zayn’s text for a few minutes before I could bring myself to answer. Sure I could’ve rescheduled this date but the truth was, I just didn’t want to. Zoe wasn’t the kind of girl who would be single for long and with my busy schedule I wanted to secure a relationship with her before I left for tour. I’m sure Stefanie would understand me skipping initiation just this once. I would make it up somehow and get to know our new stage manager some other way. I couldn’t avoid answering his text any longer.
Please tell Stefanie I’m sorry but I made these plans before we knew we were doing initiation tonight?-H
Fine, but you’re a wanker, you know that?-Z
Yeah yeah…-H
I laughed as I read his last text before slipping my phone back in my pocket. Zoe was coming back from the ladies room and I smiled politely at her as she took the seat just across the table. I had been looking forward to this date for over a week and while I couldn’t deny Zoe was an amazing girl, I couldn’t keep my mind from wandering to the gorgeous brunette woman from the hotel. The questioning expression on her face as my eyes locked with hers. The endearing color that rose in her cheeks when she realized it was her that I was looking at. Even something as simple as the sway of her chestnut colored hair as she turned away from me to answer the clerk was still haunting my mind. I tried my best to at least look like I was interested in the story Zoe had been telling me about her flat mate. But it was pretty obvious I wasn’t doing a great job at listening when she got to the punchline of her story and I didn’t laugh.
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” She asked tilting her head to the side as she looked at me with a concerned look in her eye.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I lied, “I guess I’m just tired. We’ve been busy rehearsing and I guess it’s just catching up with me.”
It had become quite clear that I wasn’t exactly paying attention to her and the only thing left to do was apologize. “I’m sorry Zoe. I’m just a little knackered.”
She smiled warmly and said, “W
hy didn’t you just say so? We can do this another night if you want?”
I felt horrible for the way things were turning out so I quickly protested. “No, don’t be silly! I promised you dinner and a movie and that’s what we’re going to do.”
We made our way to the theater and I regretted it immediately that I suggested we walk from the restaurant. The paparazzi swarmed us both and Zoe looked uncomfortable with the attention. It quickly became clear just how much she disliked it when she shoved one of the paps to the side knocking his camera to the ground. The more they crowded us the more brassed off she became. We finally made it in to the theater and I was grateful for the fact that the previews already started so that I didn’t have to have the awkward conversation with her about how I don’t like to be mean to the paparazzi. I get why many celebrities hate being followed by them, you sign up to be an artist not to lose all your privacy, but pushing and being nasty to them only makes them push back and then you never get to enjoy intimate moments. I took a deep breath and watched the opening credits.
Zoe tilted her head towards me and slowly leaned on my shoulder. At one point she even nudged me signaling that she wanted me to put my arm over her shoulder. I did it absentmindedly, trying to concentrate on the movie but nothing I did could keep my mind from wandering back to the mysterious brunette. Every time I thought I was done thinking about her so I could enjoy the rest of my date she’d pop right back in to the forefront of my thoughts. Why couldn’t I get her off my mind? When the movie was over I walked Zoe home with slightly less interaction with the paparazzi.
“So, I had a great time tonight.” Zoe said as we approached the door to her building.
“Yeah…it was fun.” I managed to muster up but the truth is, I really didn’t have a great time like I thought I would. She was a nice person but I just wasn’t as into her as I thought I would be. I leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and she misinterpreted my movements and next thing I knew my kiss landed on her lips. I pulled away but she pulled me back to her shoving her tongue into my mouth. I put my hands on her shoulder and took a small step back saying, ”I’m sorry Zoe—I just—I”
“You what?” She said, cheesed off more than she had been at the paparazzi, “You’ve been chatting me up for a fortnight and now that I finally agree to gout with you, you reject me?” She turned to unlock the door whipping me in the face with her hair. When the door was opened she turned back to me, “You know what Harry? You are unbelievable! It’s all about the chase for you isn’t it? You chase me down for weeks, and when you get me you don’t want me anymore?”
“It’s not like that!” I tried to protest but she didn’t want any of my excuses.
“Get Stuffed!” she said right before slamming the door in my face.

Notes

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