Things I Can, Things I Can’t

"Hello. My name is Annie James, I'm here for Mr. Knight?"
I watched as the receptionist nodded and batted her eyelids, scanning the computer for the relevant documentation.
"Yes Madam, Mr. Knight is expecting you. Take a seat. I'll call the room."
"Thank you." I said, pushing back my hair with my sunglasses, and collapsing on the funky sofa they had installed in this obviously more-than-I-could-ever-afford hotel.

My situation was not average. I am a stylist and hair stylist.. hardly qualified. I had received the call two days ago. Louise was my brothers ex-girlfriend, and she had done outstandingly well for herself. She had worked to the bone and secured a job working with, primarily, One Direction. Say what you like about them, but.. she had hit the jackpot. However, Louise had a life of her own, and had only been able to cling onto it because the management and members of the band had respected her so much, allowing her time off when need be. Louise was a mother herself to two year old baby Lux, and couldn't quite keep up with her schedule anymore.. So she called on me to help. She had originally asked for a six month break, but this would be reviewed after a while. It could be for longer, or it could be shorter, she had said.

We had been friends ever since my brother, Frankie and her's breakup. It was pretty much amicable, with them both moving on to find love elsewhere. But Lou and I had always remained close. As close as you can remain when you're half way across the world from each other most of the time.

She knew that I had wanted to go into the styling industry, and she actually.. throughly believed I could do this job. She said she didn't want anyone else to have it, because she couldn't think of a better person and a better place for me to start. I, on the other hand, wasn't convinced. I had attended two years of beauty and fashion school, and knew little much else. She assured me it was merely waking up, throwing clothes at them, and telling them to sit still while you put 'a bit of wax in their hair.' Of course, Louise was a pro. I doubt I would find it so easy. I had just turned nineteen.

A tall, suited figure snapped me out of my thoughts. This person extended his hand. "Annie? I'm Jack. I'm the guy you spoke with from management." His smile was warm, and it surprised me. It put me at ease enough for me to introduce myself back, and nod courteously when he asked me to follow him. It was when he pressed the button for the 60th floor of the building, and I knew I was moments away from being thrown into my new job that my stomach felt uneasy. Jack made some small talk and we exited the elevator, where it felt like I had completely left my composure. I was quite openly nervous at this point, as we approached a set of double doors.

"They're all in here." He explained, with another assuring smile.
On the other side of the wood, five, emotionless faces looked at me. Some were on phones. One hardly awake. One stood up straight away.

"Niall." He said, cheerily. "Lovely to meet you. You're Anna."
"Annie." I corrected him, my cheeks probably a great shade of claret. "Nice to meet you."

They all took that as their cue to stand, each shaking a hand, introducing themselves.

"So, you've had all your luggage transferred to the bus." Jack spoke to me, and then to the room. "That bus is coming at 4.30 AM tomorrow morning guys, and you all need to be on it. I've asked for wake up calls.." He continued, and I zoned out.

I took the opportunity to study all of them. All seemed open enough, friendly enough. I knew their names, I hadn't been living in the dark ages. Harry had a wicked dress sense. Zayn could easily have made a career out of modelling. Louis was constantly upbeat. Liam was concentrating hard, and Niall just didn't listen to a word anyone was saying, more interested in the game on his phone.

Jack glanced back to me. "Guys, I've got to go or I'm going to miss this flight. Can you please show Annie her room and make her feel welcome." He looked them all in the eye, but raised his eyebrows in a, "you heard me" kind of way to Harry. "Okay. I'm out. I'm a phone call away."
The door clicked shut behind him.

The five-piece flopped back onto the sofa. "Come and sit down, love. Are you hungry?" Louis gave me a grin, ushering me over.

* * *

The next time I woke up, the room was a lot darker and I figured it was night. I felt a blanket over me and realised I had fallen asleep. The room was empty, except one figure, with their back toward me. As I sat up, pushing tresses of hair away from my face, they turned around.

"Oh.. sorry." They said, a deep, throaty voice. "Was just looking for.." He held up a white cord and didn't bother to finish.

I didn't reply. It was all still awkward. We had talked after I had sat with the boys, and ordered room service for a movie. It's always difficult, though, to fill the shoes of people there before you.

I noticed that it was Harry who had disturbed my sleep, but only when I saw some curls sticking out underneath his fedora. He had turned to the left and started to walk back out of the room. We hadn't really spoken much during this evening, but I partly put that down to the fact that we had had a lot of other crew members in here. I wasn't going to begrudge him for it.

"Oh.. wait," I said, my sleepy voice sounding gorgeous, I'm sure. "I don't know where my room is."

Harry looked at me like I had just spoken to him in Arabic. He looked around slowly, putting down the charger and running his right hand against his left bicep. He exhaled.
He flicked on a light switch and walked to the opposite side of the room.

"Where are you going?" I asked.
Again, he looked back at me plainly.
"Your room is in here. It's a suite?"

Harry stared at me like he didn't really know what else he could say, and it definitely made me feel stupid. I had genuinely not begrudged him for not speaking very much to me, but now I had started to take it personally. I picked up the blanket, my handbag, and my phone. He walked into the room, out of sight, and I followed quickly.

The room was made up, exactly like the others and to the same standard. But a travel-cot stood in the corner. This must have been Lou's room. Harry followed my eyes.

"Yeah.. they're not coming for that until tomorrow, so.."

I nodded. He nodded.

"Night then." He left, and I had no chance to reply.

Notes

Hello! Hope you like the sound of my story!! let me know what you think :)