The Assistant

Nora put on a cropped floral sundress with a button up sweater over it, pulling her hair up into a tight bun before she took the time to really perfect her makeup. It had been a while since she wanted to look good for anything, let alone anyone. But it was a good night over all and an even better morning. Things were looking up, even if things with Harry didn’t continue. Just his change in behavior was enough to brighten her mood.

She strapped on a pair of silver gladiator sandals and threw on a fluffy black scarf to cover up her new love bites from Harry before she made her way out of her hotel room to meet the group for breakfast.

“Nora, hey,” she heard and looked up quickly to see a very tired looking Dan Richards.

“Hey, Dan,” she smiled as she easily fell in step with him.

“Are you headed to breakfast?” He asked, yawning through his words.

“Yeah. You?” She asked.

“Yep.” He nodded.

The two walked silently until they got to the elevator.

“Oh, hey. Are you okay?” Dan asked.

“What? Why wouldn’t I be okay?” She asked him, looking at him so confused.

“I mean, after last night,” he said. Her eyebrows furrowed further, searching her brain for what he might possibly be talking about.

“Zayn… he can be a real asshole sometimes,” Dan said.

“OH! Oh, uh…” She stammered, feeling a blush heat up her cheeks.

“He says really inappropriate, unnecessary shit sometimes when he’s drunk,” Dan went on.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. I was just… I was in a funk last night. It’s no big deal,” she told him.

“Alright. I just didn’t want there to be any weirdness,” he said.

“Oh, no. I’m fine,” she smiled at him as the elevator doors opened to the lobby.

“Did Harry come to talk to you last night?” He asked as they stepped out.

“Uh, yeah. But… I was—I was tired so it was just like in and out,” she told him, cringing slightly from using the term ‘in and out’.

“Glad you’re not mad,” Dan smiled at her as they turned into the hotel’s restaurant, being greeted by the hostess immediately.

“We’re uh, we’re with the big group over there,” Dan said, smiling politely at her.

“Right this way,” she smiled back at them and led them to a large table that was filled with just about the whole group.

“Nora!” Josh said looking wide-eyed, almost choking on the piece of bread he just shoved in his mouth.

“Uh. Hi, Josh,” she said awkwardly, watching his eyes fall on Harry, before coming back up to hers.

“Hi,” he said as his cheeks blushed immediately.

Nora looked over at Harry to see what was going on and she saw him looking at her with the same wide-eyed expression. It wasn’t until she walked around the table to sit next to Josh that she saw who was on Harry’s right.

Harry’s girlfriend, Claire.

Every nerve in Nora’s body frayed. She literally felt like she was being ripped apart slowly. She swallowed hard as her vision met Harry’s again. His eyes looked apologetic, but she couldn’t stand to even look at him for another second. Her breathing grew heavy as she stared down at the menu that was set in front of her.

He was still with Claire. He was still with fucking Claire. How could she forget something like that, something that important? She knew he had a girlfriend. How could she forget?

Nora literally felt sick to her stomach as her eyes roamed absent-mindedly over egg choices and pictures of pancakes and waffles on the menu in front of her. She felt like she was having a nervous breakdown.

“Nora, are you okay?” Josh whispered to her.

“I-I don’t feel well,” she told him in a low voice.

“Do you—want to get some air?” Josh asked, nodding toward the front of the restaurant.

“Yeah,” she nodded. Her mind was spiraling and her head felt like it might spin right off her body because of it.

She stood up quickly and stumbled into the table causing it to shake, in turn causing the glasses of water to splash onto the table. All eyes were on her and she could feel them like the heat of a laser beam. She needed to get out of there.

“We’re uh, we’re going to get some air. Nora’s not feeling well,” Josh told the group as he stood up too, steadying the table with his hands.

“Oh, Nora,” Caroline gasped lightly.

“Are you alright?” Dan asked.

“I just… I need some air,” Nora said, looking at them quickly, before her eyes fell on Harry again.

He was sitting on the edge of his seat, like he was about to get up and come with them. But Nora shook her head slowly at him, sending him a glare and watched as he sunk a little bit in his seat.

“Come on,” Josh breathed in Nora’s ear, grabbing onto her arm.

He quickly walked her out to the lobby, leading her out the courtyard door so they were outside in the fresh air.

Nora’s heart raced and her chest felt heavy. Breathing was almost impossible. She couldn’t get enough air to her lungs. All she could do was choke on tiny breaths as her chest continued to tighten like a vice grip.

“Nora. Nora, breathe,” Josh told her, gripping onto her upper arms.

“I—I can’t… I can’t breathe,” Nora choked out, as her breathing became more rigid and her gasps even shorter.

“You’re having a panic attack. You need to calm down,” Josh told her, looking almost scared.

“I… can’t,” she choked.

“Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth…” Josh told her, doing so himself to show her.

“I can’t! I… can’t… breathe…” Nora said through tiny gasps.

“You have to. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Like this—” Josh said and demonstrated for her again.

Finally Nora did as Josh instructed and breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. She continued it until her chest no longer felt like a cement brick was laid across it. She continued until she was able to breathe and think normally again. And Josh breathed with her until he knew she was going to be okay. And only then did he let her out of his grasp.

Nora went over everything that just happened in her mind again and again as she stood there – Josh watching her like a hawk.

“Are you okay, Nor?” Josh asked, looking at her worriedly.

“Claire,” Nora breathed lowly to herself, ignoring his question.

She felt like the biggest idiot on planet earth. How could she be so stupid to think Harry was anything other than a liar and a cheater? He sure had her fooled. And she let him fool her so thoroughly. Why did she give in? Why did she let her guard down? She was so naive. She let him in when she knew she shouldn’t.

“Nora, are you going to be okay?” Josh asked.

“I’m fine. Just… I’ll be fine,” she lied to him, trying to rein herself in.

“I saw Harry come out of your hotel room this morning. Both Zayn and I did,” Josh told her honestly.

“What—” She choked out, looking up into his eyes with horror displayed all over her face.

“Harry told us what happened,” Josh said, letting his face fall slightly.

“He tol— he told you?” She choked on her words, feeling her panic attack building once again.

“He… we didn’t really give him a choice. I mean, we demand it, okay. It’s not like he was bragging about, you know – that,” Josh told her.

“You… oh my god. God damn it. Oh my god,” Nora groaned, internally freaking out. She was absolutely certain she was going to get fired.

“Nora, we’re not going to say anything. You should know us well enough by now. We’re friends,” he assured her.

“My… my contract… I-I…” She choked out.

“I know about the contract, Nora. But nobody is looking to get rid of you, okay. We love you. You’re part of the team. You’re part of the family,” Josh told her.

“Claire—” She choked out, going back to the cause of the panic attack at hand.

“I know,” he breathed.

“I’m so stupid, Josh. I’m so stupid,” she whimpered, looking up at him, the agony displayed all over her face.

“No, Nora,” he said and shook his head.

“I am. I knew he had a girlfriend. I forgot. I let my mind blur because… because I wanted him. He made me want him. I-I… ugh, I hate him,” she growled.

“Nor…” Josh sighed.

“God damn it. I’m so stupid,” she growled again.

“Nora,” she heard Harry’s deep voice and her head shot up in his direction.

“Harry…” Josh said, shaking his head.

“Nora, look… I’m—” Harry started.

“Don’t. Don’t you dare,” she warned him sharply.

“Nora…” Harry sighed, dropping his gaze to the ground.

Nora’s fight or flight instinct kicked in and she quickly chose flight. She made her escape during the lapse in conversation, swiftly moving passed Harry to go back into the lobby. She wanted to run far away from him and everyone else, but she knew it would look suspicious in so many ways. So she took a deep breath and walked back into the restaurant with her head held high. Harry and Josh followed almost immediately after her.

“Are you alright, Nora?” Caroline asked as Nora sat down next to Zayn, taking Josh’s original spot.

“I’m better. Thank you. I just needed a little air,” Nora said, smiling weakly at her.

“Brilliant. I let the waitress know to come back to get your order,” Caroline told her.

“Thank you,” she said with a polite smile, looking down at the menu again, not finding anything appealing because of the ache ravaging the pit of her stomach.

“Harry, you haven’t introduced your guest to Nora. They haven’t met,” she heard Liam say and she immediately tensed up.

“Uh…” Harry stammered.

She felt Josh reach over and squeeze her arm lightly for support. She took a deep breath and looked up at Harry, doing her best to act okay.

“Nora, this is Claire, Harry’s girlfriend. Claire this is Nora, the band’s new assistant,” Caroline introduced them when Harry failed to.

“Hi,” Nora squeaked out, giving her a small smile.

“Harry never told me you were so gorgeous,” Claire said, smiling at Nora politely, but she could see the discontent in her eyes.

Nora couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Claire was – all long blonde flowy hair and blue eyes. And that irresistible Australian accent. Ugh, she hated her already.

“Oh, he didn’t, did he?” Nora asked, pursing her lips tightly, looking straight at Harry.

Harry’s expression was almost painful, he was completely uncomfortable, and a little part of her got enjoyment over watching him squirm.

“No,” Claire chuckled awkwardly.

“Then again, I can’t imagine why he would tell his girlfriend something like that,” Nora said, giving her a fake smile.

“You’re probably right,” Claire laughed, even more awkwardly than before.

“You have nothing to worry about though. Things are strictly business around here,” Nora pressed, smiling pleasantly through her sarcasm.

“I wasn’t worried,” Claire said, giving Nora the fakest smile possible.

Nora truly hated her. But it didn’t matter, because she hated her boyfriend even more.

After One Direction’s second show in Boston, the tour headed back to New York where the boys would play three consecutive, sold out shows. It was torture for Nora being on the tiny bus with Harry and Claire, but it kept Harry from speaking to her. She stayed holed up in her bunk or balled up on the couch in the lounge with Zayn or Louis or Liam or Niall – anything to keep Harry and Claire out of her sight. Nora wanted nothing to do with Harry, but she knew it was only a matter of time before he made contact again. Claire was only going to be traveling with them to New York and then she would head back to the UK. Nora only knew this because Josh told her – like she fucking cared.

Using her despondency to her advantage, she played it off as an illness and Paul gave her the first night in New York off. She went to her would-be home in Chelsea – which she was supposed to share with Grant. She didn’t even care if Grant would be there. When she got to the apartment she was relieved that Grant wasn’t home because not only did she truly need to be away from everyone in the dysfunctional One Direction world, she also didn’t feel like re-opening old wounds with him while she was in town. Luckily enough, Grant didn’t come home at all that night – though she slept on the couch for good measure, just in case he did.

The day of the second New York show, Nora dreaded going back to the tour. She dreaded it with everything in her. She sat around the apartment alone, refusing to get ready until she absolutely had to.

When she heard the front door open, she cringed at the thought of Grant finding her there. But her name was on the lease too, so he had no right to be angry. She sat up on the couch, just waiting for the moment that Grant would find her. And when he came around the corner into the living room, she couldn’t help but hold her breath.

“Hi,” she said as all her breath rushed out of her.

“Nor, hi. Wow. Uh, what are you doing here?” He asked, giving her a crooked smile, looking more than a little surprised.

“Uh, the tour is in New York. I just… I had to get away. I hope you don’t mind,” Nora said as she stood up, staring at him.

“No, it’s okay,” he said, taking a step closer before he stopped.

“I’m sorry to barge in…” she started.

“It’s okay, Nor,” Grant reassured her.

The two of them stood there in an awkward silence for a long drawn out moment before Grant spoke again.

“Since you’re here, could we… could we maybe talk?” He asked her.

“Um…” She stammered, not really sure she was up for that.

“I miss you so much, Nora. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done and said. I just… I love you,” Grant began before she could even protest.

“Grant…” she breathed, feeling the guilt building up inside of her.

She let happen exactly what Grant feared would happen. She let Harry weasel his way in and seduce her. And if she wasn’t the biggest chump on the planet, then she didn’t know who was.

“Please, Nora. I just want us to go back to normal. I am nothing without you,” he pleaded, grabbing her hands in his.

“Grant…” she sighed, as her stomach tied up into painful knots.

There was a knock at the door, ripping her thoughts from Grant. She looked down the hallway that led to the foyer, wondering if it was someone from tour coming to pick her up. There was supposed to be someone there within the hour and she wondered if they were just early.

“That might be for me. Just… hold on,” she said, looking up into Grant’s eyes and he nodded.

She followed the hallway down to the foyer and turned the corner to the door, taking a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. She grabbed onto the door handle and pulled it open.

And standing there was the last person she ever expected to see standing at her ex-boyfriend’s door.

Harry.

“What-what are you doing here?” Nora stammered, her face growing hot with the thought of Harry and Grant being in the same place at the same time.

“Nora, I just want to explain. I just want a chance to—” Harry started, looking defeated as he spoke.

“No, Harry. You have to get out of here,” she said, pushing against his chest to shut him out, but he just pushed back against her.

“Please, Nora. It wasn’t a game. I didn’t sleep with you to prove anything. I wanted to, okay. I wanted you,” he told her, looking more than sincere, but the last thing on her mind was caring about how Harry was feeling.

“Oh my god. Harry, please. Just go,” Nora hissed, hoping to god that Grant wasn’t listening.

“No, Nora, okay. I just want you to know that things with Claire haven’t been… they haven’t been good… for a while. And when you and I slept together, she was so far out of my mind, okay. We’re… she and I… it’s complicated, okay,” Harry tried to explain.

“What the hell is going on, Nora?” Nora heard Grant growl from behind her.

Her eyes squeezed shut, knowing just by the tone of his voice that he heard everything.

“Oh,” Harry breathed, looking up at Grant.

“Harry, you need to leave,” Nora snapped at him.

“You had sex with him?” Grant growled at her and she spun toward him, realizing she should probably be doing some sort of damage control.

“Grant, just… gahhh,” Nora grumbled, feeling her life splitting apart at the seams.

“You had SEX with him, Nora!?” Grant yelled loudly, before his glare turned on Harry.

“Grant!” She yelled, trying to snap him out of whatever revenge mission he was on.

“What did you do? Sexually harass her into bed with you, you little fucking shit!?” Grant growled at Harry.

“Grant, STOP IT!” Nora yelled, pushing against his chest.

“If she was happy with you, she’d still be with you. Wouldn’t she, mate?” Harry spat at him.

“HARRY!” Nora hissed as she turned her head sharply toward him, sending him a glare.

“You mother fucker!” Grant lunged forward, and Nora had to press her body as hard as she could against Grant’s to keep him from attacking.

“She wasn’t even thinking about you when she was in bed with me,” Harry shot at Grant antagonistically.

“HARRY!” Nora yelled again as Grant lurched forward, nearly toppling over her.

Did Harry not understand that Grant would snap him like a fucking twig? Grant was a linebacker compared to Harry.

“Obviously, you have no idea how to treat her because you’re about to physically trample over her with your massive temper,” Harry kept at it.

“You’re a fucking dead man,” Grant growled.

“Fucking shit, Harry,” Nora grumbled, still holding Grant back as he nearly turned green with rage like the Hulk.

“Jesus Christ, Nora. This guy?” Harry chuckled darkly, his cockiness coming out in the worst of situations.

And as if he had enough, Grant’s body stepped back away from Nora’s, his shoulders falling as he looked into her eyes.

“You’re a disappointment, Nora. I loved you,” Grant shot at her, his eyes growing sad.

“Grant…” She breathed, feeling absolutely horrible. He shook his head and stepped aside toward the open door.

“Just be out of the apartment by the time I get back,” Grant told her sadly.

Harry moved around Nora, deeper into the entryway, away from the larger guy’s reach before Grant disappeared out the door. Nora stood there for a few moments, her chest heaving, her heart in her throat, staring at the open doorway Grant left through.

“Nora…” Harry breathed. Nora slowly turned to him, feeling so much anger.

“FUCK YOU, HARRY! FUCK YOU!” She yelled, immediately punching at him over and over again.

“Nora. Nor. NORA!” Harry shouted, grabbing her flailing wrists.

“I HATE YOU! I FUCKING HATE YOU!” She screamed at him, breaking down right in front of him.

“Nor…” Harry breathed.

“You live life like there’s no consequences, Harry. You mess with people’s lives and don’t care that you’re fucking them over in the process,” Nora said as tears started streaking down her face.

“Nora…” He said, his voice softening.

“You are nothing to me, Harry. NOTHING,” she growled at him as the anger swelled.

“Nora, please,” he sighed, looking slightly remorseful, but she didn’t care.

“GET OUT!” She screamed at him.

“Nor… I’m your ride…” He told her.

“GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!” She screamed, pushing him toward the door.

“Nora, I’m sorry,” he said as she pushed him into the hallway.

“SAVE IT,” she shot at him just before she slammed the door in his face.

Notes