Always
Live Shows: Week 1 – Part 2
Harry’s POV
Saturday, 24th September
She was standing in the darkness. The heels made her appear taller and I could see the slight glint of her caramel-coloured hair in the dim light. It had been pulled back in a long ponytail, the part in her locks still to the right-side of her head. I stared right at her, pressing my lips together to stop myself from grinning like an idiot. She’s finally here. Kaylie was finally going to embark on her first individual live performance. I had full faith in her, that she would be amazing. She had worked hard all week and I was already so proud of her. Hopefully, all of her hard work would pay off.
Dermot stood next to the judges’ desk just as the familiar X Factor music flooded the auditorium and the audience began to cheer. I fixed the loose tie against my chest and rested my forearms on the desk, rolling my shoulders back. It’s time.
“Welcome back to the first live show of The X Factor 2016. We’ve heard from all categories but we still have one more contestant to go. One of Harry’s Under 25 girls so why don’t you introduce her to us, Harry?” Dermot looked at me when he asked me the question. I gave him a smile and thanked him before looking down the barrel of the camera, knowing I was being broadcast across the nation at this very moment.
“This girl has intrigued me since her audition and here she is, doing her first live performance. Singing Flashlight by Jessie J, please welcome, Kaylie Walker.”
The lights went dark on us and the audience as the cameras panned in my contestant’s direction. The crowd continued to cheer when a look at Kaylie’s journey so far in the competition played on the large screens. I remembered each moment. Her audition, her at Bootcamp, her at Judges’ Houses. The moments when I continued to fall for her. There were cuts of me rehearsing with her, helping her with her vocal technique and calming her down when she needed to relax and breath. The booming voice of The X Factor man shouted out Kaylie’s name and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face when the spotlight lit up on my angel.
She looked absolutely beautiful. The way the long black dress hugged her figure made my heart skip a beat. Silver earrings hung from her earlobes and her pale purple nails shone in the light as her fingers grasped the microphone. I watched her open her mouth and then, she began to sing.
“When tomorrow comes, I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of the things that I don't know.
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes.
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found, I stop and I won’t fly.
And I sing along, I sing along, then I sing along.”
The crowd screamed for her and I smiled. Her voice echoed in my ears through the earpieces. The name “angel” suited her perfectly. She looked like an angel. She sang like an angel. She was as innocent as an angel. She was perfect and each minute, I fell for her even more deeply.
I never took my eyes off her as Kaylie sung the chorus. I believed each lyric that came out of her mouth in her sweet voice. I could see the vulnerability in her chocolate eyes, the way she told everyone what she was feeling through the song. I knew her grandmother was her flashlight when she had been alive and she still was now, even though she had passed onto the next world. I had a flashlight too. I had more than one. The women in my life were all stars in my eyes. My mother, my cousins, my sister and my late grandmother too. I cared for all of them so deeply. And tonight, I had received a new flashlight. And she was my angel.
“Light, light, light, you're my flashlight.
Light, light, you're my flashlight, light, light, light, light, oh.
You're my flashlight, oh-ohh.”
Kaylie hit the high note with perfection and I grinned widely, not caring if the camera was on me. I was ecstatic for her, that she was singing so well. It helped that the audience were going wild, yelling and screaming with joy. I adjusted my left earpiece as my eyes locked to Kaylie, admiring the curve of her hips and her delicate hands locked onto the microphone she was singing into. I had never been so attracted or infatuated with a girl in this way before. I just wanted Kaylie for my own. I wanted to be the one to hold her, kiss her, make her laugh. I wanted her to be mine.
“I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see the sweet life.
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight.
You're gettin’ me, gettin’ me through the night.
Can’t stop my heart when you shinin’ in my eyes.
Can’t lie, it’s a sweet life.
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight.
You're gettin’ me, gettin’ me through the night.
Cause you're my flashlight.
You're my flashlight, you're my flashlight.
Oh-ohh oh-ohhh ohhhh ohh.
You're my flashlight, light, light.
You're my flashlight, light, light, yeah.
You're my flashlight.”
Her voice faded out and the lights went dark on the stage. The crowd went crazy and clapped their hands, cheering extremely loudly. I didn’t hesitate in standing up and applauding, a large grin on my face. On either side of me, Simon and Mel stood up too, clapping with me and in the corner of my eyes, I saw that Dannii was on her feet too. I looked back at Kaylie to see that the lights were back on the stage and The X Factor logo glittered on the large screens behind her. A standing ovation, angel. I knew you could do it on the first night. I thought.
Kaylie took her microphone off the stand and walked forward a few steps. All of us judges returned to our seats and I realised that there were tears in Kaylie’s eyes. She always looked stunning when she cried. The way her cheeks glowed pink and the way her chocolate-coloured irises sparkled. Even just the colour of her eyes made me weak at the knees. A swirling milk chocolate that had me captivated from the first moment.
Dannii spoke first, congratulating Kaylie on a stellar first performance and on her first standing ovation, and “probably not your last.” Then it was Mel, saying that Kaylie’s voice was clear and perfect and the performance was very emotional and therefore beautiful. I looked to my left at Simon and cocked an eyebrow at him when he said at her audition that she would get to the live shows. He seemed chuffed with himself that he was right.
“Great job, Harry.” Simon clamped his hand down on my shoulder and I smiled. He had taught me how to be a proper mentor because he had been mine when I was on the show with the other boys. I nodded at him as a thank you before gazing at my favourite contestant with proud eyes.
“All the days of rehearsing definitely paid off. That was way better than of any of your rehearsals, Kaylie, and you’ve finally showcased to the nation who you really are. You’ve shown me and everyone else what you are capable of. Well done.” I said, emphasising the satisfaction in my voice. Kaylie raised her microphone to her lips and thanked me, giving me a smile, which I returned gladly.
Dermot appeared on the stage and asked Kaylie how she felt after her first performance. She responded with possibly the most honest answer I had heard from all the contestants tonight.
“It was…great. I mean, I enjoyed myself and I hope I showed the public at home what I’m like. And getting a standing ovation was the cherry on top.”
Dermot congratulated her before proceeding to look at the camera and recite the details of how to vote for Kaylie. As a judge, I wasn’t allowed to vote for any of the contestants, especially my own, so I crossed my fingers that the people at home would vote for Kaylie. To see her knocked out during the first week would be heartbreaking for me. I had only begun to scratch the surface of the successful artist that Kaylie could be. I had only just started to give into the feelings I had for her. I couldn’t see her go home. Not now. I couldn’t lose her.
Kaylie blew a kiss at the camera and smiled sweetly, raising her fingers in a peace sign. I smirked at her and I knew she saw the expression on my face. I did the peace sign a lot myself when I saw fans or paparazzi (that’s when I wasn’t annoyed by them) so it made me happy she had taken it upon herself to do my signature hand gesture.
She walked off the stage and disappeared into the darkness, her long ponytail swishing against her back as she went backstage. The show cut to a commercial break and I pushed my seat back, my fingers tapping the edge of the desk. Hair and make-up artists swarmed around us but I waved them off. I could attend to my hair just fine on my own. Dannii and Mel were loving it though, having their foundation touched up and their hair pampered so it would remain big and beautiful for the end of the show.
“You did a great job with her, Harry.”
I looked at Simon when I heard his statement.
“Thank you, Simon. I hope I did enough to help her do her best and hopefully, continue to if she goes through to next week. She’s got great talent and it would be terrible for…this competition to lose her.” I said. I had paused because I almost said that “it would be terrible for me to lose her.” I couldn’t say that. Definitely not to Simon. He would lose it if he found out I was falling for Kaylie. It would be such a scandal. I could imagine the media would flourish on the topic of a relationship between Kaylie and I being born in The X Factor studios. I couldn’t let it get out. I hadn’t even told Kaylie how I felt nor had I kissed her yet. Simon narrowed his eyes at me subtly before looking back at the stage, where Kaylie had just stood.
“Yes. Yes, it would be terrible.” He agreed and I sighed under my breath. That was a close one. I thought, shifting my seat back forward towards the desk. Kaylie’s voice rang in my ears, the innocence of her beauty and the shine of her stunning eyes. I wanted her but did she want me to the same extent? There was only one way to find out and I would go that way tonight. I had to.
0*0
The first live show ended and it had been extremely successful. All the performances were done and the audience had filed out of the auditorium slowly. I headed backstage and moved my fingers through my hair, letting the curls fall freely across my shoulders. I wondered how her fingers would feel in my hair. Would she pull it? Tug it? Wrap her hands in it? All these things made my feelings deepen with each passing second.
I came to the end of an empty corridor behind the stage and stopped in my tracks. As usual, my thoughts went to Kaylie. If her first performance was that amazing, I can’t wait to see what she has to offer next. The thought of her adapting to the themes of the upcoming live shows brought a smile to my face. I couldn’t wait to see her perform again. Then, I heard a kind voice call out my name.
“Harry.”
I turned my head to the left and a bigger smile brightened my face when I saw her standing in the middle of the corridor. The soft lights made her fair skin shine, making her caramel hair glow. The dress accentuated the shape of her body and her lips widened in a smile that matched mine.
Kaylie walked in my direction and I began to step closer to her. The skirt of her dress spun around her feet when she moved but my eyes were locked to her face. The face I wanted to cup in my hands and press kisses to. Then, I looked down at the floor and saw a long black wire in her path. I opened my mouth to warn her but it was too late.
The tip of her heel got caught on the wire and her body fell forwards, heading towards the hard floor. I rushed towards her and wrapped my arms around her waist, catching her before she could land. I held her tightly as she raised her eyes to mine.
“Whoa, you OK?” I asked her. Kaylie nodded very slowly and her lips parted. God, those lips look so kissable… My mind trailed off when I realised how close our faces were. I almost felt the tip of her nose brush mine and I took a good long look into her eyes. She looked just as surprised as me at our proximity. She looked…nervous. She looked like she was waiting. But I couldn’t do it. Not when we were in this position.
I allowed her to reclaim her balance and with my help, I led her away from the wire so she wouldn’t trip again. Kaylie’s gaze went to the floor. I could sense her embarrassment, her anxiety. But she didn’t need to feel that way. I needed to show her that there was no reason for her to be embarrassed or nervous around me. But I needed to say something first.
“Uh…you were incredible tonight.”
“Oh. Thank you, Harry. You helped me a lot.” She looked up at me and smiled. That’s better. A smile. I said in my head.
“Yes but you were the one who performed and carried across the right emotions. I believed every word you sung.”
I meant every word I said. I believed her in everything that she did or sung. I believed in her. I knew she could go far. She had the perfect personality to match her beautiful voice. It was all there. I just needed to help her see that she had everything an artist could be.
Kaylie’s cheeks turned pink and her fingers moved across her gold ring. She had told me during one of our rehearsals that it had belonged to her grandmother and she had given it to her before she died. Kaylie wore it every day and I had noticed whenever she was scared or nervous, she touched the ring, as if her grandmother’s soul was trapped inside it, always there to help her whenever she needed it. I found it a very beautiful thing, that the ring held sentimental value for her. If wearing it helped her, then good for her.
“Um…I’ve got to go. My family…they’re waiting for me.” Kaylie explained quietly. Oh, crap! But I need to… But if there’s no time... I cleared my throat and nodded.
“Of course, of course.” I said. I didn’t want her to leave yet but her family were waiting for her. That was a valid reason for her to go. Her tongue swiped across her lips before she bit down on her bottom one. She has no idea what that does to me… I thought, feeling a deep warmth pool in my lower regions. I wanted to suck on that bottom lip of hers. And I wanted to know what that was like right now.
“Bye, Harry.”
Kaylie began to walk past me, her shoulder brushing my arm. This is my time. I can’t hold back any longer. I couldn’t wait another night. I had waited enough of them. It had been too long already. I wrapped my fingers around the crease of her elbow, stopping her from taking another step. Her head turned to me and the long locks of her ponytail came cascading down her right shoulder. I watched as her eyes went down to where my hand was. She looked up at me in surprise and I swallowed deeply.
“Wait a minute. I need…to do something.” I murmured. I closed the gap between us by stepping forward a little. I tightened my hold on her arm and pulled her forward so her chest touched mine briefly. I heard her gasp as her eyes came up to look into mine. I raised my left hand and touched her cheek with my knuckles. Her skin was warm and flushed underneath my touch, so smooth and wonderful. Kaylie’s chocolate-brown eyes were wide as I touched her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” I whispered. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink and it made my heart tremble with delight. Under my gaze, she was so beautiful and she was mine in this intimate moment. She never looked away from my eyes and I never took my gaze off her. My thumb caressed the soft apple of her cheek as I stared down at her, the left corner of my lips tugging up in a small smirk.
“Belle.”
I only knew a bit of French but that word was just enough to make her lips part in shock. I leaned down and pressed my forehead to hers. I had waited so long for this moment. To finally have her so close to me in this way. I knew exactly what Kaylie wanted. She told me through the expression in her eyes. And I wanted the same thing. I didn’t waste any more time and moved my head to the side a little then finally, after so many weeks of hidden thoughts and wishes, Kaylie’s lips moved together with mine.
Her lips were as smooth as cream and as sweet as cherries. Their taste was inebriating and I was already drunk on it. My fingers moved along her neck gently while I released my hand from her arm and brought it up to stroke her opposite cheek. I titled my head to the side to deepen the kiss further, relishing the feeling of her mouth on mine. I felt her fingers wrap around my right wrist, keeping my hand on her cheek, as her other hand journeyed up my arm and into my hair, grasping some strands tightly. God, it felt so good. Way better and more perfect than it had been in my dreams. I couldn’t control my reaction so I let it out.
And I moaned.
Kaylie’s fingers tightened in my curls and it made my heart pound faster against my chest. She tugged my face down and I obliged, opening my mouth to allow a second kiss to explode. I knew that we shouldn’t be kissing in a public area but no-one was around. I took my chance and it had worked. I loved being here with her, touching her skin, kissing her lips. If Simon walked in on us right now, he would lose it. But I tried not to focus on that. I wanted all of my attention to be on the girl I was kissing. I held her face in my hands as our lips broke free. I heard Kaylie sigh and tuck her head in the crook of my neck, her nose pressed against my chest. I kissed her forehead gently as her arms looped around my back, hugging me. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer, as close as she could be. I never wanted to let her go. I wanted to hold her forever.
“You have no idea…no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” I said quietly. Kaylie’s response was to hold onto me even tighter, burying her face in my neck. I chuckled softly and placed my left hand underneath her chin, bringing her head back to allow her to look at me. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound pleasure and her lips were shiny and a little pink from my kisses.
“How long?” She asked me. I kept my hand underneath her chin when I answered her.
“Far too long, angel.”
A smile shone on Kaylie’s face and her arms remained around my back, keeping me close to her. She bit her lip again, knowing exactly what that did to me, as she stared up at me beautifully.
“Can I…get another kiss?”
“Like you even need to ask, angel.” I smirked and leaned down again. I pressed my lips to hers sweetly and cupped her face with my other hand. She sighed into the kiss and I smiled. She didn’t realise how much of a good kisser she was. I already wanted more. After giving her one more quick kiss, I realised something.
“Shouldn’t you be going?”
Kaylie gasped and her eyes widened.
“Oh, crap! My family! Uh…yeah, I should go. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise. I finally got to kiss you. You have nothing to be sorry for.” I grinned down at her. The wait was worth it, that’s for sure. I finally had the pleasure of knowing what her lips tasted like and how great it felt to have them move fervently with my own.
Kaylie wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. I left a long lingering kiss on her cheek as I whispered in her ear.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kaylie.”
“Mmm-hmm.” That was her response. She let me go and walked down to the end of the corridor. Just before she disappeared, she turned around and blew me a kiss. I smiled at her and she rushed off, away from my sight.
I breathed deeply and looked at the ceiling above me, rubbing my neck with my hands. I closed my eyes and allowed the kiss to be seared into my mind and onto my heart for as long as I would live. Her cheeks had been pink and warm beneath my fingertips, her lips had been soft and sweet against mine, the touch of her hand in my hair sent shivers right down to the organ in between my legs. I only had one thought in my head.
Wow.
I headed back to my dressing room, smiling like a guy who had just been kissed for the first time. I was elated to say the least. My addiction for Kaylie had grown even more, now that I had kissed her. But I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about us. No cameras could capture us kissing. No microphones could record us being all flirty with each other. I wanted that to be just between Kaylie and I. But we were in a dilemma now. I couldn’t kiss her whenever I wanted to because there were cameras everywhere during the live shows. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed. How am I going to cope? I guess I was just going to have to.
Just before I left the studios, I decided to send my angel a text. I smiled when I typed it up and hit Send.
To Kaylie: Sweet dreams, angel x
Almost immediately, I got a reply.
From Kaylie: You too, Harry ;) x
Oh, Kaylie, of course I’m going to have sweet dreams. About you. I was going to dream about my beautiful angel. My beautiful angel with the intoxicating lips and the sweet smile.
French to English
Belle – Beautiful
Saturday, 24th September
She was standing in the darkness. The heels made her appear taller and I could see the slight glint of her caramel-coloured hair in the dim light. It had been pulled back in a long ponytail, the part in her locks still to the right-side of her head. I stared right at her, pressing my lips together to stop myself from grinning like an idiot. She’s finally here. Kaylie was finally going to embark on her first individual live performance. I had full faith in her, that she would be amazing. She had worked hard all week and I was already so proud of her. Hopefully, all of her hard work would pay off.
Dermot stood next to the judges’ desk just as the familiar X Factor music flooded the auditorium and the audience began to cheer. I fixed the loose tie against my chest and rested my forearms on the desk, rolling my shoulders back. It’s time.
“Welcome back to the first live show of The X Factor 2016. We’ve heard from all categories but we still have one more contestant to go. One of Harry’s Under 25 girls so why don’t you introduce her to us, Harry?” Dermot looked at me when he asked me the question. I gave him a smile and thanked him before looking down the barrel of the camera, knowing I was being broadcast across the nation at this very moment.
“This girl has intrigued me since her audition and here she is, doing her first live performance. Singing Flashlight by Jessie J, please welcome, Kaylie Walker.”
The lights went dark on us and the audience as the cameras panned in my contestant’s direction. The crowd continued to cheer when a look at Kaylie’s journey so far in the competition played on the large screens. I remembered each moment. Her audition, her at Bootcamp, her at Judges’ Houses. The moments when I continued to fall for her. There were cuts of me rehearsing with her, helping her with her vocal technique and calming her down when she needed to relax and breath. The booming voice of The X Factor man shouted out Kaylie’s name and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face when the spotlight lit up on my angel.
She looked absolutely beautiful. The way the long black dress hugged her figure made my heart skip a beat. Silver earrings hung from her earlobes and her pale purple nails shone in the light as her fingers grasped the microphone. I watched her open her mouth and then, she began to sing.
“When tomorrow comes, I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of the things that I don't know.
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes.
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found, I stop and I won’t fly.
And I sing along, I sing along, then I sing along.”
The crowd screamed for her and I smiled. Her voice echoed in my ears through the earpieces. The name “angel” suited her perfectly. She looked like an angel. She sang like an angel. She was as innocent as an angel. She was perfect and each minute, I fell for her even more deeply.
I never took my eyes off her as Kaylie sung the chorus. I believed each lyric that came out of her mouth in her sweet voice. I could see the vulnerability in her chocolate eyes, the way she told everyone what she was feeling through the song. I knew her grandmother was her flashlight when she had been alive and she still was now, even though she had passed onto the next world. I had a flashlight too. I had more than one. The women in my life were all stars in my eyes. My mother, my cousins, my sister and my late grandmother too. I cared for all of them so deeply. And tonight, I had received a new flashlight. And she was my angel.
“Light, light, light, you're my flashlight.
Light, light, you're my flashlight, light, light, light, light, oh.
You're my flashlight, oh-ohh.”
Kaylie hit the high note with perfection and I grinned widely, not caring if the camera was on me. I was ecstatic for her, that she was singing so well. It helped that the audience were going wild, yelling and screaming with joy. I adjusted my left earpiece as my eyes locked to Kaylie, admiring the curve of her hips and her delicate hands locked onto the microphone she was singing into. I had never been so attracted or infatuated with a girl in this way before. I just wanted Kaylie for my own. I wanted to be the one to hold her, kiss her, make her laugh. I wanted her to be mine.
“I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see the sweet life.
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight.
You're gettin’ me, gettin’ me through the night.
Can’t stop my heart when you shinin’ in my eyes.
Can’t lie, it’s a sweet life.
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight.
You're gettin’ me, gettin’ me through the night.
Cause you're my flashlight.
You're my flashlight, you're my flashlight.
Oh-ohh oh-ohhh ohhhh ohh.
You're my flashlight, light, light.
You're my flashlight, light, light, yeah.
You're my flashlight.”
Her voice faded out and the lights went dark on the stage. The crowd went crazy and clapped their hands, cheering extremely loudly. I didn’t hesitate in standing up and applauding, a large grin on my face. On either side of me, Simon and Mel stood up too, clapping with me and in the corner of my eyes, I saw that Dannii was on her feet too. I looked back at Kaylie to see that the lights were back on the stage and The X Factor logo glittered on the large screens behind her. A standing ovation, angel. I knew you could do it on the first night. I thought.
Kaylie took her microphone off the stand and walked forward a few steps. All of us judges returned to our seats and I realised that there were tears in Kaylie’s eyes. She always looked stunning when she cried. The way her cheeks glowed pink and the way her chocolate-coloured irises sparkled. Even just the colour of her eyes made me weak at the knees. A swirling milk chocolate that had me captivated from the first moment.
Dannii spoke first, congratulating Kaylie on a stellar first performance and on her first standing ovation, and “probably not your last.” Then it was Mel, saying that Kaylie’s voice was clear and perfect and the performance was very emotional and therefore beautiful. I looked to my left at Simon and cocked an eyebrow at him when he said at her audition that she would get to the live shows. He seemed chuffed with himself that he was right.
“Great job, Harry.” Simon clamped his hand down on my shoulder and I smiled. He had taught me how to be a proper mentor because he had been mine when I was on the show with the other boys. I nodded at him as a thank you before gazing at my favourite contestant with proud eyes.
“All the days of rehearsing definitely paid off. That was way better than of any of your rehearsals, Kaylie, and you’ve finally showcased to the nation who you really are. You’ve shown me and everyone else what you are capable of. Well done.” I said, emphasising the satisfaction in my voice. Kaylie raised her microphone to her lips and thanked me, giving me a smile, which I returned gladly.
Dermot appeared on the stage and asked Kaylie how she felt after her first performance. She responded with possibly the most honest answer I had heard from all the contestants tonight.
“It was…great. I mean, I enjoyed myself and I hope I showed the public at home what I’m like. And getting a standing ovation was the cherry on top.”
Dermot congratulated her before proceeding to look at the camera and recite the details of how to vote for Kaylie. As a judge, I wasn’t allowed to vote for any of the contestants, especially my own, so I crossed my fingers that the people at home would vote for Kaylie. To see her knocked out during the first week would be heartbreaking for me. I had only begun to scratch the surface of the successful artist that Kaylie could be. I had only just started to give into the feelings I had for her. I couldn’t see her go home. Not now. I couldn’t lose her.
Kaylie blew a kiss at the camera and smiled sweetly, raising her fingers in a peace sign. I smirked at her and I knew she saw the expression on my face. I did the peace sign a lot myself when I saw fans or paparazzi (that’s when I wasn’t annoyed by them) so it made me happy she had taken it upon herself to do my signature hand gesture.
She walked off the stage and disappeared into the darkness, her long ponytail swishing against her back as she went backstage. The show cut to a commercial break and I pushed my seat back, my fingers tapping the edge of the desk. Hair and make-up artists swarmed around us but I waved them off. I could attend to my hair just fine on my own. Dannii and Mel were loving it though, having their foundation touched up and their hair pampered so it would remain big and beautiful for the end of the show.
“You did a great job with her, Harry.”
I looked at Simon when I heard his statement.
“Thank you, Simon. I hope I did enough to help her do her best and hopefully, continue to if she goes through to next week. She’s got great talent and it would be terrible for…this competition to lose her.” I said. I had paused because I almost said that “it would be terrible for me to lose her.” I couldn’t say that. Definitely not to Simon. He would lose it if he found out I was falling for Kaylie. It would be such a scandal. I could imagine the media would flourish on the topic of a relationship between Kaylie and I being born in The X Factor studios. I couldn’t let it get out. I hadn’t even told Kaylie how I felt nor had I kissed her yet. Simon narrowed his eyes at me subtly before looking back at the stage, where Kaylie had just stood.
“Yes. Yes, it would be terrible.” He agreed and I sighed under my breath. That was a close one. I thought, shifting my seat back forward towards the desk. Kaylie’s voice rang in my ears, the innocence of her beauty and the shine of her stunning eyes. I wanted her but did she want me to the same extent? There was only one way to find out and I would go that way tonight. I had to.
0*0
The first live show ended and it had been extremely successful. All the performances were done and the audience had filed out of the auditorium slowly. I headed backstage and moved my fingers through my hair, letting the curls fall freely across my shoulders. I wondered how her fingers would feel in my hair. Would she pull it? Tug it? Wrap her hands in it? All these things made my feelings deepen with each passing second.
I came to the end of an empty corridor behind the stage and stopped in my tracks. As usual, my thoughts went to Kaylie. If her first performance was that amazing, I can’t wait to see what she has to offer next. The thought of her adapting to the themes of the upcoming live shows brought a smile to my face. I couldn’t wait to see her perform again. Then, I heard a kind voice call out my name.
“Harry.”
I turned my head to the left and a bigger smile brightened my face when I saw her standing in the middle of the corridor. The soft lights made her fair skin shine, making her caramel hair glow. The dress accentuated the shape of her body and her lips widened in a smile that matched mine.
Kaylie walked in my direction and I began to step closer to her. The skirt of her dress spun around her feet when she moved but my eyes were locked to her face. The face I wanted to cup in my hands and press kisses to. Then, I looked down at the floor and saw a long black wire in her path. I opened my mouth to warn her but it was too late.
The tip of her heel got caught on the wire and her body fell forwards, heading towards the hard floor. I rushed towards her and wrapped my arms around her waist, catching her before she could land. I held her tightly as she raised her eyes to mine.
“Whoa, you OK?” I asked her. Kaylie nodded very slowly and her lips parted. God, those lips look so kissable… My mind trailed off when I realised how close our faces were. I almost felt the tip of her nose brush mine and I took a good long look into her eyes. She looked just as surprised as me at our proximity. She looked…nervous. She looked like she was waiting. But I couldn’t do it. Not when we were in this position.
I allowed her to reclaim her balance and with my help, I led her away from the wire so she wouldn’t trip again. Kaylie’s gaze went to the floor. I could sense her embarrassment, her anxiety. But she didn’t need to feel that way. I needed to show her that there was no reason for her to be embarrassed or nervous around me. But I needed to say something first.
“Uh…you were incredible tonight.”
“Oh. Thank you, Harry. You helped me a lot.” She looked up at me and smiled. That’s better. A smile. I said in my head.
“Yes but you were the one who performed and carried across the right emotions. I believed every word you sung.”
I meant every word I said. I believed her in everything that she did or sung. I believed in her. I knew she could go far. She had the perfect personality to match her beautiful voice. It was all there. I just needed to help her see that she had everything an artist could be.
Kaylie’s cheeks turned pink and her fingers moved across her gold ring. She had told me during one of our rehearsals that it had belonged to her grandmother and she had given it to her before she died. Kaylie wore it every day and I had noticed whenever she was scared or nervous, she touched the ring, as if her grandmother’s soul was trapped inside it, always there to help her whenever she needed it. I found it a very beautiful thing, that the ring held sentimental value for her. If wearing it helped her, then good for her.
“Um…I’ve got to go. My family…they’re waiting for me.” Kaylie explained quietly. Oh, crap! But I need to… But if there’s no time... I cleared my throat and nodded.
“Of course, of course.” I said. I didn’t want her to leave yet but her family were waiting for her. That was a valid reason for her to go. Her tongue swiped across her lips before she bit down on her bottom one. She has no idea what that does to me… I thought, feeling a deep warmth pool in my lower regions. I wanted to suck on that bottom lip of hers. And I wanted to know what that was like right now.
“Bye, Harry.”
Kaylie began to walk past me, her shoulder brushing my arm. This is my time. I can’t hold back any longer. I couldn’t wait another night. I had waited enough of them. It had been too long already. I wrapped my fingers around the crease of her elbow, stopping her from taking another step. Her head turned to me and the long locks of her ponytail came cascading down her right shoulder. I watched as her eyes went down to where my hand was. She looked up at me in surprise and I swallowed deeply.
“Wait a minute. I need…to do something.” I murmured. I closed the gap between us by stepping forward a little. I tightened my hold on her arm and pulled her forward so her chest touched mine briefly. I heard her gasp as her eyes came up to look into mine. I raised my left hand and touched her cheek with my knuckles. Her skin was warm and flushed underneath my touch, so smooth and wonderful. Kaylie’s chocolate-brown eyes were wide as I touched her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” I whispered. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink and it made my heart tremble with delight. Under my gaze, she was so beautiful and she was mine in this intimate moment. She never looked away from my eyes and I never took my gaze off her. My thumb caressed the soft apple of her cheek as I stared down at her, the left corner of my lips tugging up in a small smirk.
“Belle.”
I only knew a bit of French but that word was just enough to make her lips part in shock. I leaned down and pressed my forehead to hers. I had waited so long for this moment. To finally have her so close to me in this way. I knew exactly what Kaylie wanted. She told me through the expression in her eyes. And I wanted the same thing. I didn’t waste any more time and moved my head to the side a little then finally, after so many weeks of hidden thoughts and wishes, Kaylie’s lips moved together with mine.
Her lips were as smooth as cream and as sweet as cherries. Their taste was inebriating and I was already drunk on it. My fingers moved along her neck gently while I released my hand from her arm and brought it up to stroke her opposite cheek. I titled my head to the side to deepen the kiss further, relishing the feeling of her mouth on mine. I felt her fingers wrap around my right wrist, keeping my hand on her cheek, as her other hand journeyed up my arm and into my hair, grasping some strands tightly. God, it felt so good. Way better and more perfect than it had been in my dreams. I couldn’t control my reaction so I let it out.
And I moaned.
Kaylie’s fingers tightened in my curls and it made my heart pound faster against my chest. She tugged my face down and I obliged, opening my mouth to allow a second kiss to explode. I knew that we shouldn’t be kissing in a public area but no-one was around. I took my chance and it had worked. I loved being here with her, touching her skin, kissing her lips. If Simon walked in on us right now, he would lose it. But I tried not to focus on that. I wanted all of my attention to be on the girl I was kissing. I held her face in my hands as our lips broke free. I heard Kaylie sigh and tuck her head in the crook of my neck, her nose pressed against my chest. I kissed her forehead gently as her arms looped around my back, hugging me. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer, as close as she could be. I never wanted to let her go. I wanted to hold her forever.
“You have no idea…no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” I said quietly. Kaylie’s response was to hold onto me even tighter, burying her face in my neck. I chuckled softly and placed my left hand underneath her chin, bringing her head back to allow her to look at me. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound pleasure and her lips were shiny and a little pink from my kisses.
“How long?” She asked me. I kept my hand underneath her chin when I answered her.
“Far too long, angel.”
A smile shone on Kaylie’s face and her arms remained around my back, keeping me close to her. She bit her lip again, knowing exactly what that did to me, as she stared up at me beautifully.
“Can I…get another kiss?”
“Like you even need to ask, angel.” I smirked and leaned down again. I pressed my lips to hers sweetly and cupped her face with my other hand. She sighed into the kiss and I smiled. She didn’t realise how much of a good kisser she was. I already wanted more. After giving her one more quick kiss, I realised something.
“Shouldn’t you be going?”
Kaylie gasped and her eyes widened.
“Oh, crap! My family! Uh…yeah, I should go. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise. I finally got to kiss you. You have nothing to be sorry for.” I grinned down at her. The wait was worth it, that’s for sure. I finally had the pleasure of knowing what her lips tasted like and how great it felt to have them move fervently with my own.
Kaylie wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. I left a long lingering kiss on her cheek as I whispered in her ear.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kaylie.”
“Mmm-hmm.” That was her response. She let me go and walked down to the end of the corridor. Just before she disappeared, she turned around and blew me a kiss. I smiled at her and she rushed off, away from my sight.
I breathed deeply and looked at the ceiling above me, rubbing my neck with my hands. I closed my eyes and allowed the kiss to be seared into my mind and onto my heart for as long as I would live. Her cheeks had been pink and warm beneath my fingertips, her lips had been soft and sweet against mine, the touch of her hand in my hair sent shivers right down to the organ in between my legs. I only had one thought in my head.
Wow.
I headed back to my dressing room, smiling like a guy who had just been kissed for the first time. I was elated to say the least. My addiction for Kaylie had grown even more, now that I had kissed her. But I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about us. No cameras could capture us kissing. No microphones could record us being all flirty with each other. I wanted that to be just between Kaylie and I. But we were in a dilemma now. I couldn’t kiss her whenever I wanted to because there were cameras everywhere during the live shows. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed. How am I going to cope? I guess I was just going to have to.
Just before I left the studios, I decided to send my angel a text. I smiled when I typed it up and hit Send.
To Kaylie: Sweet dreams, angel x
Almost immediately, I got a reply.
From Kaylie: You too, Harry ;) x
Oh, Kaylie, of course I’m going to have sweet dreams. About you. I was going to dream about my beautiful angel. My beautiful angel with the intoxicating lips and the sweet smile.
French to English
Belle – Beautiful
Notes
First of all, thank you all for the amazing response to the previous chapter! It was such a joy to wake up to your wonderful comments! All of them made me smile and laugh, thank you! Secondly, I wanted to update because I was so excited and I couldn’t not update! And thirdly, I approve of the ship name Haylie :) It was quite difficult writing from Harry’s POV with the kiss but I hope it was to your satisfaction! Thank you for sticking with me on this story, means an incredible amount to me!
blankspace1 xx
We’re dying for an update here. I love it. <3
11/19/17