a/n: a short chapter for you all ðð
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I was wrong when I thought that they'd only rehearse the song they were actually singing. Instead, they sang three other songs, along with their performance song two times.
Harry's voice never fails to amaze me. It baffles my mind how talented he is...without even trying. There are honestly some singers out there who sound nothing like they do in their songs, then when you hear them live, you want to cover your ears. But Harry's voice sounded identical, if not better than his songs. I wouldn't be surprised if he hardly used any autotune at all.
The music stopped around 10 minutes ago, and I was now waiting for Harry to come back to change outfits. I really wanted to see what he brought to wear for the show, but I just had to sit patiently next to the bag, trying my best to not open it. So I sit with my hands on my knees, tapping my toes anxiously.
I sit like this for a few minutes, looking around at everything there is to see in the room, noticing things I hadn't before. That is until I hear a soft knock on the door, causing me to jump up and rush over to answer it. I swing the door open, revealing Harry. His eyes widen at my eagerness and I step out of the way for him to come into the room.
"You answered fast," he notices, striding over to his duffle bag.
"I was excited for you to come back," I tell him truthfully. Well, I was more excited to see what he was going to wear...but it was nice to see him as well.
"What did you end up doing while I was gone?" He asks, unzipping his black duffel bag. I walk up behind him and peek over his shoulder to see what clothes he brought.
"I made an Instagram account," I say simply as he pulls out a stack of neatly folded clothing. I could see a sweater vest and a button-down, but not the pants.
"Really?" He says as if he was surprised. He turns around to face me, his eyebrows furrowed together. "Are you sure you're ready for that? The media can be...belittling."
"I know." I nod. "I don't go on Instagram very often...so I hopefully won't see much of anything. Part of the reason why I wanted to make it was so that it didn't seem like I was trying to hide anything."
"Keeping your personal life private isn't hiding anything," he's quick to say. "People don't need to know every little thing about you. In all honesty, it's a little creepy if they do."
"I guess you would know more about that than anyone," I say, looking down.
I honestly feel bad for Harry. If everyone knew everything about me, it would make me uncomfortable. But I get it from the fans' perspective though, I was one once upon a time. It's so so tempting to want to know every little thing about your idol. And it's never with the intention to make the person uncomfortable, you just...feel the need/want to. I couldn't tell you what makes things that way, but I know for a fact that it happens.
"All I'm saying is just don't let anything anyone says get to you," Harry advises softly, looking so deep into my eyes I felt it in my soul. "I know a lot of people who's lives have been fucked up by social media. And I don't want that to happen to you."
"I appreciate the worry," I say sincerely, nodding my head slowly. I take a deep breath, turning to the pile of clothes. "What did you bring to wear?"
Harry sighs and looks over at the stack sitting on the couch. "Nothing too special," he says. "I'm saving the more 'extravagant' outfit for my show tomorrow."
"Oh, by the way, it's your birthday in a few days... Do you wanna get a cake or something? Maybe go to dinner?" I offer. He went all out for my birthday, and I felt guilty that I wasn't doing exactly the same. Of course, I got him a present. And of course, I brought it.
The present I got Harry was nowhere near as extravagant as everything he got me, but hopefully, he understands. I did get him something, though. But it's a secret between me, myself and I.
"Actually, my performance isn't until later tomorrow night...it's at midnight I believe," he tells me. "So I was thinking I could like buy a cake and cut it with all of the fans and then share it with the band."
"That sounds like a great idea! As long as I get a piece, of course," I joke, nudging his arm with my shoulder.
"Done," he says simply, but confidently. "I can have Jeff go out and buy the cake...he's flying in tomorrow morning."
"Sounds great." I smile.
I felt special... Spending Harry's birthday with him made me feel like I was some important celebrity. I remember looking at pictures of him at his birthday parties, wishing I could be there to experience it with him. I specifically remember a picture of Harry on his birthday a few years ago. He had long hair and he was looking up at the camera with a smirk. It was either his 21st or 22nd birthday...but I honestly can't remember which one it was.
"I'm flying back home on my birthday though," he informs me. "You're more than welcome to come along if you'd like to."
"I really wish I could," I frown, "but I have to get back to work. I only took 3 days off."
"You could..." he trails off. I furrow my eyebrows, now wanting to know what it was he had to say. He sighs, pressing his lips into a thin line before reaching down and picking up the button down from the pile. "I better get dressed," he tells me, changing the subject. "I have to be on in half an hour."
"Okay." I nod, taking a step back. I gesture toward the door. "Do you need me to leave?"
"No, you can stay here." He shrugs, pulling his shirt up and over his head, tossing it onto the couch. "But would you mind locking the door?"
"Sure," I say, quickly turning around, walking to the door. I turn the lock before turning back around to face Harry.
He slips his arms through the sleeves of the shirt, beginning to button it up.
"You guys are performing Juice?" I ask, just to make conversation.
"Yeah." He smiles, reaching the second to last button. He left the bottom of his shirt unbuttoned, but I didn't question it. He knows what he's doing when it comes to fashion. "I love that song, you know." He looks up at me after finishing buttoning his shirt. "It puts me in such a good mood."
"I know." I laugh. "I watched your cover of it... Your face lit up."
"We choreographed a small dance." He says and bursts into laughter.
"Sounds fun," I couldn't think of anything else to say. Harry puts on his sweater vest before he begins unbuttoning his pants to change them.
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Harry and I stand backstage, watching Lizzo perform her show. His fingers are intertwined with mine and I feel how clammy they're getting as it gets nearer to showtime. Harry is handed a microphone and he lets out a deep breath.
"You're going to be fine," I reassure him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement. "Just have fun."
The music starts up and I look on stage to see Lizzo's backup dancers start dancing. Then the music stops.
"Hold up, I need to bring somebody out," she says and I let go of Harry's hand, only to rub his back. I could feel his heart pounding underneath my hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, Harry Styles."
Harry then kisses me on the forehead and runs off onto the stage.
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a/n: I took your guys' advice and made Lili an Instagram account :) If you would like to follow it (which I definitely recommend) it's @/lilianajmason.
If me just telling you doesn't convince you, here are some reasons you should follow it:
- Song recommendations
- I'll most likely post about the chapters before they are actually published
- Some pretty sick fits (if you like Lili's style)
- You can dm me!!
- It's just a fun little extra to the story
- The whole account is "Lili's" so I may do question boxes and answer them "as her" if that's not dumb
Thank you to everyone who has followed already!! If you'd like to follow it, that'd be great of you. If not, I understand. :)
LOVE YOU GUYS!!! ðð