Chapter fifteen

The limo ride flew by, and before I knew it we pulled up to a cornered off street that was flooded with people who had gathered around a red carpet. The driver came around and opened the door for us and we all piled out. Harry placed his hand protectively on my hip as I took in the sea of faces and the explosions of flash photography taking place around me.

“Are you alright?” He asked me and I nodded, unable to speak. We began walking down the carpet, stopping to take pictures as the boys were posing with fans.

“Harry!” Some girl yelled from behind the fence. “Can I get a picture?” she asked him. He looked at me and I smiled and nodded, telling him to go. He walked over, leaving me standing alone. Then Zayn came up with Dani, El and a blonde girl that I’d seen in magazines before.

“Hey, Sarah,” Zayn said. “This is Perrie!” He was absolutely beaming. I smiled largely as I drew her into a hug.

“Great to finally meet you, Perrie,” I smiled at her. “Zayn’s told me so much about you; I feel like I know you already.” I laughed. Perrie laughed, too.

“Well, the gang has only had amazing things to say about you,” she laughed. “So glad that we finally get to meet!” She said, placing a hand on my arm. Zayn got called over by a fan, leaving just us girls.

“Hey, ladies!” A man with a camera called over. “Can we get a shot of all the girlfriends together?” He asked, motioning to us. We lined up and wrapped our arms around each other. Danielle was on the left, looking smashing in her burgundy dress and dramatic black accessories.

Dressy by authorsdescriptions featuring short dresses
Beside her was Eleanor who had her hair partially pinned up and looked extremely elegant, as usual.

Dressy by authorsdescriptions featuring high heel shoes I was standing beside Eleanor, trying not to look overwhelmed as I desperately held on to her and Perrie wearing my coral dress I’d bought with Harry.

Fragrance launch by authorsdescriptions featuring wedge shoes Beside me, Perrie was completely at ease, obviously used to these sorts of events as she stood calmly and collectedly in her pink cut out dress.

Outing by authorsdescriptions featuring purple pumps The photographer took several shots of us before Perrie grasped my hand and pulled me further down the carpet.

“You holding up okay?” She asked me and I nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said as convincingly as I could. Meanwhile, I was desperately searching for Harry.

“It’s okay, Sarah,” Eleanor rubbed my back, sensing my distress. I looked at her and felt instantly calmer.

“You’re right,” I smiled, my stress starting to fade away. As my comfort began to increase, I felt a hand snare around my waist and was unbelievably relieved to look up and see Harry.

“There you are, love,” he said in my ear. “Everything fine?”

“It is now,” I smiled and he kissed me quickly, followed by gasps and screams from the surrounding teenage girls and the sounds of hundreds of cameras going off. Harry laughed.

“Well, now they know you’re mine,” he said winking at me, repeating my words from earlier this morning. I laughed with him. Just then we heard someone address us.

“Harry,” we looked over to see an interviewer extending his microphone towards us. “Can we get an interview?” Harry smiled and nodded as he ushered me over to him. The man looked into the camera and began speaking. “We are here at the launch of One Direction’s fragrance called ‘Our Moment’ and here is our exclusive interview with Harry Styles himself. How are you Harry?” The man asked.

“Good thanks,” Harry smiled.

“We see you’ve brought a date here with you tonight, care to introduce her?” The man asked, smiling at me.

“I would love to,” Harry said, smiling down at me. “This is my girlfriend, Sarah Wilson.” Harry said confidently into the camera. The interviewer seemed momentarily surprised, but quickly pressed on with the questions.

“Wow, girlfriend!” The man said. “And Ms. Wilson, when did you and Harry meet?” He asked me, pushing the microphone in my face. I looked up at Harry before answering. He gave me an encouraging smile.

“Well, I’ve known Harry since we were six years old, we grew up together.” I told him.

“Wow!” The man said again. “And this is your first event with the band?” He asked.

“Yes it is,” I smiled at him.

“Excellent and before we sign off, what are your thoughts on the fragrance?” He asked me.

“I think it’s amazing and captures the boys’ essence perfectly.” I said, looking straight into the camera.

“Well, that’s a glowing recommendation that will send teenage girls into a tizzy! I’m sure fans are going to love it!” The interviewer smiled. “As usual, thank you for speaking with us Harry,” the man said.

“Thank you,” Harry smiled.

“And we look forward to seeing you at future events, Sarah,” the interviewer smiled at me. I smiled back warmly.

“Looking forward to being there!” I said. The man signed off, and Harry and I continued down the carpet.

“You were fantastic, babe!” Harry said, kissing my cheek. I smiled, feeling very proud of myself. We stopped and posed for more photographers and then and then took some fan pictures.

“Harry!” a girl called. “Please, will you take a picture with me?!” She begged him. He grinned at her and walked over. I stood beside him.

“Harry,” another girl yelled. “Is she your girlfriend?” She asked pointing at me. Harry nodded proudly.

“Yes, this is Sarah,” he introduced me, his hand at the small of my back. To my surprise, the girls all started asking me for pictures as well. And so, I began posing for pictures with Harry until eventually, the girls were asking for just my picture. I was absolutely shocked, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to get used to this!

--

After what felt like hours, we reach the end of the red carpet. Even after years of watching red carpet events, I still had no idea of what to expect inside. There were tents set up that lead the way into a glass building. Security guards were on either side of the tent opening, but Harry just ushered us in, his hand still at the small of my back. We reached the inside of the building where five stools were set up in front of a pink display with ‘Our Moment’ written on it. In the centre of the room, there was a large object draped under a pink curtain. I felt someone grab my arm and looked over to see Danielle.

“How’re you doing?” She asked me as she took in the room herself.

“I’m good,” I smiled at her, feeling more comfortable than I would’ve thought.

“Would you ladies like a drink?” Harry asked us. I followed his gaze and spotted the champagne.

“Hit me up,” I laughed, Harry laughed with me.

“How about you, Dani?” He asked her.

“No, thanks Harry, Liam’s already on it.” She smiled. Harry kissed my forehead.

“Alright, I’ll be right back then,” he said. “Don’t go anywhere.” He joked. As soon as he left, a photographer was there.

“Danielle, can we get a picture of you and your friend?” The photographer asked. Dani nodded and wrapped an arm around my waist. We smiled and posed as the camera went off several times.

“Excellent, thank you!” The photographer said.

“No problem,” Dani smiled. Then Harry was back with my drink.

“Here you go, darling,” he said handing it to me. I quickly took a rather large sip.

“Thanks,” I said and Harry laughed at me. He wrapped his arm around my waist, and bent down to kiss me. As our lips met, I heard cameras go off but Harry didn’t break the kiss.

“Harry, is this your girlfriend?” Reporters were asking. Harry smiled at them all and nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “This is my girlfriend, Sarah Wilson.”

--

By now, the boys were all sitting up on the stools, answering questions about the fragrance, tour and album that were all fast approaching. Harry kept making faces and winking at me when he thought no one was paying attention to him, which of course was never.

“So, what role did you lads play in creating the fragrance?” The hostess asked. Liam began answering the question but I was distracted as Harry was full on grinning at me in the audience where I was standing with Dani, El and Perrie.

I laughed at his expression as I continued to sip at my champagne.

“And Harry?” The woman asked him, but Harry was still looking at me, grinning like an idiot. “Harry?” She repeated and the room laughed, finally getting his attention, he turned towards her.

“Sorry?” He asked, still smiling. The woman laughed.

“What has you so distracted, Harry? Surely you’re used to audiences.” The room chuckled.

“Yeah,” he said. “I was just distracted by my girlfriend.” Harry laughed, and I felt cameras on me, documenting my expression.

“And is she wearing the new scent?” The lady asked and Harry’s mouth pulled into my favourite crooked smile.

“No,” his smile widened. “She doesn’t need it.” He said and the room “aww’d”.

--

After the questions had finished up, the bottle had been revealed and darkness began to fall around the glass structure, music came on and people began dancing. The room was lowly-lit and champagne was flowing freely. I was standing off to the side of the room, watching Eleanor and Louis dancing, looking adorable as they gazed into each other’s eyes when Harry came up behind me.

“Found you,” he said, and I heard the smile in his voice.

“Yes, you did,” I smiled back. He brushed some stray hairs away from my face, his eyes caressing my every feature. He then offered me his hand.

“Shall we?” He asked me, and I smiled, readily accepting his offer. We began flowing in time with the other couples, none of which I noticed because my gaze was solely on Harry. He was holding me inconceivably close, and even in my three inch wedges, he was still significantly taller than me. I rested my head against his shoulder, perfectly content in his arms. I heard more cameras around us, but I didn’t look up. I was already beginning to get used to their presence. “The cameras love you,” Harry breathed into my ear, his lips lingering, and I smiled. “I can’t say that I blame them,” he went on, and I looked up at his face. I laughed lightly.

“You’re ridiculous,” I rolled my eyes at him and he shrugged, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Ridiculously in love,” he said with a smirk and we both laughed loudly at the cheesiness of his words. “However moronic that sounds,” he said, becoming more serious. “It’s still true.”

--

After a couple more songs, Niall came up to us where we were dancing and tapped Harry on the back.

“The limo is here,” he said, smiling at me. Harry nodded, releasing me and settling for my hand.

“Alright,” Harry said. “Lead the way.” We began walking after Niall, heading towards the building’s back entrance. The rest of the group was already there, standing against the glass. Dani walked towards us.

“Hey guys,” she said. “They just want to get a couple shots of us all together before we leave.” She explained, and I then noticed the photographers present.

“Sure,” I said as Dani grabbed my free hand and pulled us with her. We joined them where they were standing against the wall, Harry standing as close to me as was humanly possible and the cameras started going off. His one hand rested low on my hip and every now and then I’d feel his lips softly brush my hair. I turned up to look at him and as I did he quickly pressed his lips to mine, the photographers no doubt capturing it. “Cheeky,” I winked and he laughed, both hands ensnaring my waist and hugging me close to him.

--

It was one in the morning by the time we got back to our house. Perrie had come back with us, and she and Zayn were eager to be alone. Niall was exhausted and slightly drunk, and so he went straight up to bed. I had to admit that I myself felt a little tipsy, and I tried to recall just how many glasses of champagne I’d had. I wobbled in my wedges, and Harry quickly steadied me.

“Woah there,” he said, supporting most of my weight. “I think we should get you up to bed.” I laughed.

“Good idea,” I smiled. “Goodnight everybody!” I said, almost tripping again.

“Not so fast, darling,” Harry said, and he scooped me up in his arms. I laughed, closing my eyes.

“Thanks, Harry,” I said, exhausted from the day. Harry laughed gently.

“Anytime, love,” he said bending his head down and kissing my forehead lovingly.

Notes

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